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Today, Dr. Allen and our team thought we would offer a few tips for our patients currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. For those of you wearing braces, it’s important to be even more dedicated to good oral hygiene than those not currently in treatment.

After getting your braces, it is important to know how to take care of your teeth in order to ensure that your braces stay intact and do their job so that your teeth are in top-notch condition after you complete your orthodontic treatment.

Braces are known to trap food, which contributes to plaque formation. If it is not carefully removed from the teeth and gums, plaque will develop into decay or gum disease, leading to costly delays during your treatment. It is important to practice good oral hygiene by following instructions from Dr. Allen during your treatment.

We are proud to offer supplies to help fight plaque, such as a proxabrush, dental floss, and floss threaders. The use of an electric toothbrush and or a water pick can also be helpful in combating cavities and decay. And, of course, our team at Davis Orthodontics suggests brushing at least twice a day.

We hope that helps! If you have any questions, please give us a call at our San Diego office or ask us during your next adjustment appointment!

Birthdays. Valentine’s Day. Halloween. A trip to the movies. There are just some occasions where a sweet treat is on the menu. Now that you are getting braces, does that mean you have to give up desserts completely? Not at all! The trick to finding the right treat is to know which foods are safe for your braces and which should wait until your treatment is complete.

There are some foods which should always be avoided. They fall into three main categories:

• Hard and Crunchy

Hard candies, peanut brittle, popcorn balls, nutty candy bars—anything that is hard to bite into is hard on your braces, and can damage brackets or even break them.

• Chewy

Caramels, taffy, chewy squares and rolls, licorice and other super-chewy candies can break brackets and bend wires. Not to mention, they are really difficult to clean from the surface of teeth and braces.

• Sticky

Soft foods are generally fine, but soft and sticky candies are another thing entirely. Gumdrops, jelly beans, most gum and other sticky treats stick to your braces, making it hard to clean all that sugar from around your brackets. And even soft sticky candies can bend wires or damage your brackets.

As you have probably noticed, almost all candy falls into one of these categories. Of course, while sugary treats shouldn’t be a major part of anyone’s diet, and careful brushing and flossing are always on the menu if you do indulge, wearing braces does not mean giving up on treats entirely. A better alternative when you are craving something sweet is to choose something that avoids crunchy, chewy and sticky hazards, such as soft puddings, cupcakes or cookies. There are even some candy brands that are safe for your braces.

Talk to Dr. Allen the next time you visit our San Diego office about the dos and don’ts of desserts—we have tasty suggestions that will make those special occasions both sweet for you and safe for your orthodontic work!

Your retainer is an essential tool in keeping your teeth and bite beautifully aligned after orthodontic treatment. But sometimes, that hardworking tool needs some TLC of its own. Read on to learn how to keep your retainer its sparkling, healthy best!

Retainer buildup

You might notice after a few months of use that your retainer is stained with white spots or a discolored film. Or that there are gritty patches on its smooth surface. Or you might suddenly notice an unpleasant odor.

If you’re wondering what’s happened to your once-gleaming retainer, let’s break down the sources of these stains, deposits, and odors.

• Plaque is a mix of food particles, bacteria, and saliva which sticks to tooth enamel. If it’s not removed, plaque can harden into tartar. And, just like plaque and tartar stick to your enamel, plaque and tartar can transfer from the teeth and stick to your retainer, leaving white spots or a discolored film.
• Mineral deposits are another source of white spots and gritty buildup. Calcium and phosphate are two of the minerals found in saliva. They replace the calcium and phosphate minerals which have been stripped from tooth enamel by acidic foods or the acids created by plaque bacteria. And while these minerals are vital for enamel health, they’re not doing your retainer any favors! As saliva dries on your retainer, it leaves behind a residue of these white gritty minerals.
• When food particles and plaque build up on teeth, they cause bad breath. When food particles and plaque build up on retainers, they cause an unpleasant odor.

Removing Retainer Buildup

How do we break down this buildup? There are some simple ways to reduce or remove plaque, tartar, and mineral accumulation when you’re taking care of your retainer:

• Rinse your retainer off as soon as you remove it from your mouth.
• Clean your retainer every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Because even non-abrasive toothpastes can be hard on a retainer, ask the team at Davis Orthodontics which toothpaste—if any—is safe for use.
• Regular deeper cleaning helps reduce the chance of buildup. Dr. Allen can suggest effective ways to get your retainer its cleanest, with recommendations like a white vinegar/water soak or an over-the-counter cleaning product made for retainers. Deep clean weekly or monthly as needed.
• Use cool or lukewarm water when you brush or soak your appliance, because hot water can warp retainers.
• Don’t forget to clean your case regularly, as it can also harbor plaque, minerals, germs, and food particles.
• If stubborn stains persist, bring your retainer into our office in San Diego for evaluation. Sometimes professional cleaning is necessary.

Prevention is best!

Of course, the very best way to reduce retainer buildup is to prevent it from accumulating in the first place.

• Keep your teeth clean. When your brushing and flossing is on point, you’ll really reduce the amount of food particles and bacteria which transfer to your retainer.
• If you can’t brush right away, rinsing with water after eating or drinking helps remove food particles and acids from the teeth. Water is also safe to drink with your retainer in place. Which leads us to . . .
• Retainers aren’t meant for meals and snacks. Eating solid foods can damage your retainer. Food particles stick to retainers. Clear plastic retainers which fit over the teeth can stain. And, because they fit closely over the teeth, clear retainers can trap foods and beverages next to your teeth, exposing your enamel to sugars and acids over a longer period. Place your retainer in its case, enjoy your meal, and brush and floss as directed before your replace the retainer in your mouth.

A clean retainer is a healthy retainer! Keep your retainer—and your teeth and gums—in the best of health with simple, daily TLC.

Getting your child excited about braces is a lot like: A) convincing a grumpy toddler that it’s time to take a nap? B) convincing a teenager to stop texting during dinner? C) convincing your husband to eat his peas? The answer, obviously, is all of the above.

And that’s why you may need a few thoughtful ways to get your child on board with braces.

1. Throw a pre-braces party. It can’t be just any party, however, but a Willy Wonka celebration of candy, chips, gum, and all the sticky and sweet foods your child won’t be able to indulge in during the time he or she is wearing braces. Promise a post-braces celebration, too, and watch as your child’s eyes widen at the thought of an all-you-can-eat junk food buffet.
2. Encouraging phrases like “braces aren’t eternal, but your straight smile will be” can go a long way.
3. If your daughter is worried about getting picked on because of braces, then name-drop some A-list celebrities who have worn them. The list includes Cameron Diaz, Kelly Clarkson, Dakota Fanning, and Gwen Stefani.
4. Emphasize that braces today aren’t the same as they were in the Stone Age. From clear ceramic braces to different-colored braces, more options are available. Braces can be cool accessories to express a personal style.
5. To get your child to embrace braces, you need to sing the praises of beautiful teeth, even if that means pointing out how crooked your teeth are because you never got braces.