Easter and Candy – What to Avoid!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Kristine

For those who celebrate Easter, you know that your children are probably expecting baskets full of that brightly packaged, sugar covered candy. For months I have seen entire aisles of grocery stores become completely devoted to the Easter candy that so many of our country’s youth love. The pastel candy shells, those hollow chocolate bunnies, and the stickiness of those caramel eggs. They may taste great, but the damage it can do to your teeth or braces can land you a visit to your local orthodontist!

What Not to Eat

Most of us love candy, but when you have your braces put on for the first time, your orthodontist typically informs you of the foods you should be avoiding. This Easter, if you absolutely must eat candy, avoid biting down on hard candy. They can easily bend wires and break the metal brackets clean off of your tooth. This will land you back in the orthodontist where the bracket will be reapplied and can even lengthen the amount of time you will need to wear your braces.

Caramels and other sticky candy can also break brackets. Even more so, it can easy get between the brackets and wires which can eventually lead to cavities. Have a cavity filled while you are wearing braces is no fun.

Immediately after you eat any candy, I encourage you to brush your teeth and floss. This minimizes the risk of cavities and keeps your orthodontist happy. Also when you eat candy, it is better to eat a certain amount at once rather than eating it in small quantities throughout the day. This way, when you brush your teeth you are flushing out all of the sugar rather than leaving traces of it behind. That is, unless you want to brush your teeth every time you eat a single piece of candy.

After the Easter holiday, stop by Lansdowne Ortho for a checkup so you can avoid any complications from those sweet treats!

Springs Sports and Mouth Guards – Be Safe This Season!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Kristine

Spring is finally in the air and children who have been cooped up inside all winter are finally making their way to soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts. Cold weather, or what little we had of it, seems to be a thing of the past, and this 70 degree weather is paving a beautiful path to a fantastic spring and a warm summer.

As parents begin to sign up their children for spring sports, you may also be thinking about your child’s orthodontic treatment. Braces for children can sometimes leave parents worried when it comes to physical activities such as sports. Parents worry about cut lips, damage to the orthodontic treatment or appliances that your child may have, and ultimately, your child’s safety. Well we are, too!

We want your child to have a safe and joyful time this spring, which is why we suggest mouth guards. As an orthodontist who specializes in braces for children, Lansdowne Ortho highly recommends the safety that a mouth guard provides. Mouth guards fit over your teeth and braces which ultimately keeps lips from getting cut, grinding teeth, and even helps prevent getting your braces snagged on clothing (I know, but it actually happens!).

Braces for children doesn’t have to prevent your children from enjoying the things that they love. Believe it or not, children can worry about damaging their braces just as much as parents do. This might cause them to underperform and not give their very best during practices and games. It can limit their potential! And it definitely shouldn’t mean that parents have to worry all the time about their children getting hurt. Mouth guards are a great solution to all of dental safety concerns, and purchasing one will help prevent further orthodontic treatment.

If your child plays sports, stop by Lansdowne Orthodontics so we can help you find the perfect mouth guard for the spring sports season and you will be ready for your next big game!

Mouth Guards

What to Expect Over the Course of Your Orthodontic Treatment

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Kristine

For many of us, orthodontic treatment is a rite of passage associated with pre-teens getting braces for the first time. Since braces have been streamlined into barely-there appliances that can have your smile looking picture perfect with minimal time and care, adults have opted to have straight teeth later in life. Here are the important things to keep in mind as you consider orthodontics.

There is no overnight process, although your cooperation and choice of options can speed the process along. You may have to wear braces from a year to several years. After the braces are removed, retainers and other appliances may be used to make sure those teeth remain beautifully aligned.
It is also important to be aware of the care that you must take when wearing braces. Braces pose a new set of challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. You will need to be extra attentive in keeping your teeth clean so that you do not have cavities after the braces are removed.
Be patient. Occasionally, new adjustments may be uncomfortable. Often, the discomfort only lasts from a few hours to a day, but be aware of what foods you eat that will cause additional discomfort and what you can do to manage any discomfort. Adjustments are often made to expanders, head gear, and more—but it’s all in the name of a beautiful smile!
As treatment progresses, your orthodontist may adjust his or her plan, which can mean a change of appliances or needing more or less time. It is important to be flexible.

If you are looking for an orthodontist in the Ashburn area or if you need braces in Leesburg, then visit us at Lansdowne Orthodontics. We offer only the very best in orthodontics. To learn more about what orthodontics can do for you, visit our website.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical or dental advice. You should contact your dentist to obtain advice with respect to any particular dental issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a dentist-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the dental office or any individual dentist or medical professional.

Signs It’s Time to See an Orthodontist

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Kristine

Though it is recommended that children receive their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7 (permanent teeth and jaw fusion begins around age 8), there are some problems that can be identified at earlier ages. Read through the following if you are concerned about your child’s teeth. With early detection, you may be able to prevent serious problems from cropping up in your son or daughter’s adolescence and/or adult life.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Problem

If you recognize any of the following in your child, then consider consulting an orthodontist:

Difficulty chewing/biting.
Crowding, displaced, or abnormally spaced teeth.
Clicking jaw.
Mouth breathing.
Early or late loss of baby teeth.
Persistent bad habits (aka thumb sucking or tongue thrusting).

At-Home Tests

Fortunately, there are at-home strategies parents can use to detect orthodontic problems in their children. Try the following if you think your child may be in need of orthodontic treatment:

Examine your child’s teeth and identify potential overlaps or gaps—these should be corrected early on by an orthodontist to prevent prolonged treatments and surgeries in the future.
Have your child bite down, keeping their lips parted. If the front teeth significantly overlap the bottom, then your child has an overbite. If you perform the same test and the bottom teeth are overlapping the top, causing the jaw to jut outward, then your child has an underbite. In both situations an orthodontist should be consulted.
Check your child’s jaw alignment, and determine if his or her jaw shifts to the side when biting. This may be a sign of a skeletal or muscle problem and should be examined by an orthodontist.

If you recognize any of the above signs in your child and you live in the Leesburg or Ashburn area, give us a call at Lansdowne Orthodontics. Our experts can provide your child with the care he or she needs and can also give you helpful advice on how to prevent future problems.

Disclaimer:

How Having Straight Teeth Can Benefit Your Health

Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin

Braces really do improve smiles. But the fact is, when your teeth are straight from orthodontic work they are less vulnerable to future problems.

Crooked, crowded teeth, overbites or underbites—we all have some imperfections. Orthodontic treatment fixes these imperfections and helps your smile!

To avoid potential health problems, seek orthodontic care for the following reasons:

Mouth Cleanliness

When you have crooked or crowded teeth, they are more difficult to floss and brush daily. By going to your orthodontist and straightening your teeth, you prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. You’ll be thankful for your clean mouth and cavity-free dentist visits.

Chewing and Nutrition

People that have gaps and spaces in their teeth are prone to gum disease because their gums are exposed. Gum disease is sometimes painful and loosens back teeth, making it difficult to eat hard foods. Straight teeth protect the gums and decrease your chances of getting gum disease.

Jaw Problems and Speaking

When your bottom and top teeth don’t align, there may be health problems due to the abnormal functioning of your mouth and wear of your teeth. This abnormality may cause speech impediments and jaw problems, which are actually easy fixes for orthodontists. Orthodontics set your teeth to their proper placement in your mouth.

If you’re in the Leesburg or Ashburn area, then look to Lansdowne Orthodontics to start answering your questions about your path to a brighter, healthier smile. Whether it’s clear removable appliances, metal braces, clear braces, or retainers, we’ve got something for you. Contact us!