January 26, 2011

What to expect at the first orthodontic visit

orthodontist Fort WorthYour first visit to an orthodontist in Fort Worth can be both exciting and a little intimidating. Most patients look forward to the end result of straighter teeth, but many are anxious about the process that will get them there. A well-informed patient is generally a less worried one, so here is a basic breakdown of what you can expect at your first visit.

The orthodontist will begin by thoroughly examining your mouth’s structure. This exam includes a visual inspection of the teeth and jaw, and the orthodontist also will ask you questions about any particular concerns you have about your smile’s alignment and appearance. This process will help the orthodontist to identify any specific problems that should be addressed in the treatment.

X-rays also help the orthodontist plan the treatment, so they are often taken at the first appointment, as well. If you have recent x-rays, especially panoramic ones, please bring them to the appointment so the orthodontist can review them.

Next, the orthodontist will take impressions of the teeth. The assistant will place plastic trays filled with a soft clay-like material into your mouth—one for the lower jaw and one for the upper—and ask you to bite down into the material for a short time. The material will harden when it is exposed to air, giving the orthodontist a permanent three-dimensional reference of the changes necessary to enhance the paitent’s smile.

To track the patient’s progress over time, the orthodontist may also take a photo that captures the “before” appearance at the first appointment.

All of the information gathered at this initial visit will help the orthodontist to plan the course of treatment. In future sessions, the orthodontist will place the brackets, archwires and any other necessary appliances, and over the course of 18 to 24 months (for most patients), your smile will continue to improve.

Advances in dentistry have given all patients the opportunity to have more attractive smiles, regardless of the natural structures of their teeth and jaws. As you embark on your orthodontics journey, keep in mind that the ultimate outcome will be well worth the wait!

January 17, 2011

Purpose of a mouthguard

Many sports present a risk of injuries to the mouth, especially those that may involve contact, like soccer, lacrosse and basketball. Athletes face an increased likelihood of tooth breakage or loss, broken jaws and damage to the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth, and the fallout from those injuries can last a lifetime.

Fortunately, mouthguards can help prevent such oral injuries in athletes. In fact, according to the Academy of Sports Dentistry, virtually all states mandate mouthguards for high school athletes in certain sports, including football and field hockey.

Mouthguards are made of a flexible plastic material. They work by absorbing some of the impact of an object striking the mouth, whether that object is a hockey puck or an errant elbow, and spreading the rest of that force over a wider area to reduce overall damage.

You can purchase mouthguards at sporting goods retailers or at the dental office, and the quality of the device is likely to vary based on where you buy it. The mouthguards sold at your local sporting goods store are designed to be boiled to soften the material then bitten to fit it to your mouth, but these mouthguards are not the ideal option for injury prevention. They rarely fit well, and they often slip out of place on contact.

A better choice is to have a dentist take impressions of your mouth, which are then used to create a custom-made mouthguard for you. Custom-made mouthguards fit better and are more comfortable than the boil-and-bite variety, and they are more likely to stay in place upon impact. These features make custom-made mouthguards more effective.

Mouthguards are available in a variety of colors, so you can show your team spirit, and they have no impact on your ability to play the game.

Regardless of their level of play, athletes from the upper echelon to weekend warriors should be wearing mouthguards to protect their teeth and jaws. If you are an athlete, ask the dentist about custom-crafted mouthguards at your next visit to your Fort Worth dentistry practice.

January 5, 2011

How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?

teeth cleaning Fort WorthEverybody’s mouth has plaque, a bacterial substance that sticks to the teeth. As plaque builds up, it can damage the gums, creating pockets that are susceptible to infection. In a worst case scenario, the gums can begin to recede from the teeth.

If left on the teeth, plaque eventually hardens into tartar or calculus, which can’t be dislodged by conventional brushing or flossing. Even patients who are fastidious about their oral hygiene habits must visit their dentists on a regular basis for professional cleanings to remove tartar. In a professional teeth cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, a dental hygienist uses special instruments to clear away the tartar.

Because prophylaxis is so thorough, it’s important to schedule one on a regular basis. Most patients should schedule a cleaning every six months. However, if your body naturally produces more plaque or if you have significant gum disease, you may need to have more frequent cleanings, perhaps as often as every three months.

Although a professional cleaning is periodically necessary, your home oral hygiene routine is essential to good health as well. More plaque will collect on your teeth if you don’t keep up with your daily brushing and flossing.

Sticking to a six-month schedule and maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home should help your regular professional cleanings to go smoothly and quickly. If you are overdue for a teeth cleaning in Fort Worth, contact your local dentist’s office today to schedule an appointment. Scheduling regular cleanings also gives your dentist an opportunity to identify minor problems, such as cavities and gingivitis, before they become major issues.