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!

Is It Time to Visit the Orthodontist?

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Kristine

Would you like a little more information about what you should or shouldn’t do while wearing braces? If you’re considering getting braces, and you want to know how braces can make your smile better, check out these links.

The American Association of Orthodontists has an article of even more myths about braces.
The American Dental Association has a quick FAQ on braces and how they work. Remember that adults can also get braces. It’s never too late to address dental problems.
For a quick list of what not to eat while wearing braces, check out this article from Livestrong.
DoctorKnows has a list of common problems you may encounter when wearing braces. Remember that you can call your orthodontist if you have any problems.
Call Lansdowne Orthodontics at 703-858-3600 with any further questions.

It’s Never Too Late to Get the Smile You Want!

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Kristine

If having a great smile is a priority for you, many adults are deciding to get braces. An estimated one in five orthodontic patients is an adult. If you are apprehensive about adult braces, then quell your anxieties and consider the several benefits of a straight smile:

Everyone Appreciates the Appearance of a Healthy Smile.

The cosmetic stigma of braces is a thing of the past for both children and adults. Crooked teeth have an effect on our self-esteem, but braces will provide you with a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. Braces can also fix minor speech impediments caused by misaligned teeth.

A Straight Smile Improves your Oral Health.

In addition to its obvious aesthetic benefits, a straight smile is also beneficial to your overall oral hygiene. Straighter teeth allow for more effective cleaning, preventing plaque buildup, cavities, and other potential future dental complications. By investing in a healthy smile, you support healthy bone and gum structures.

Braces are more Advanced and more Efficient.

While your orthodontist will determine which option best suits your needs, there are several different types of braces available. Brackets made from metal, plastic, or ceramic materials remain the most common and effective methods of straightening your teeth. Talk to your orthodontist about your options and find the most expedient solution to crooked teeth.

Lansdowne Orthodontics provides orthodontic treatment for both children and adults in the Leesburg and Ashburn area. To schedule a consultation or to inquire about our services, call 703-858-3600 or contact us online today.

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 an orthodontist-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 orthodontist or medical professional.

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:

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.