Preparing for Braces

It may seem like people who get braces just casually stroll into an orthodontist’s office for an appointment and walk out with a mouth full of small brackets and tiny wires, but looks can be deceiving. There is actually a lot of prep work that is involved in the days, weeks, and even months before a person gets braces.

Discover what type of prep work goes into helping a person physically and mentally prepare to get braces.

Complete All Recommended Dental Work

Sometimes before braces can be put on you will need to schedule an appointment with a general dentist to correct certain problems. Some dental problems such as cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease typically need to be treated before braces can be placed.

In some situations, you may even need to schedule an appointment with a dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon to have teeth removed. Removing teeth may be needed to give your mouth enough room to properly fit all your teeth.

Dr. Natalia Valderrama, our orthodontist, will go over any recommended dental work that needs to be done during your consultation. Once the recommended dental work is completed you can move on to the next step of your orthodontic journey.

Enjoy Snacking on Favorite Treats that Can’t be Eaten When Wearing Braces

One of the most frustrating things about wearing braces is there will be a lot of foods and snacks that you won’t be able to eat. It is often recommended that approximately two weeks before your scheduled appointment for braces that you go out and enjoy snacking on all your favorite treats that you will be unable to enjoy later.

Some of the foods that you won’t be able to eat when you are wearing braces include:

Popcorn
Extremely chewy snacks such as toffee and caramel
Nuts
Hard candy
Crunchy raw vegetables and fruits such as carrots, celery, and apples
Hard snacks such as crackers
Ice chips
Crunchy chips

Once you have had your fill of your favorite foods and snacks, you should probably remove them from your home. They can be extremely tempting. If you give into the temptation and eat them while wearing braces you could damage the brackets and wires.

Create an Orthodontic Kit

We will give our patients a small kit to take home with them filled with all the tools and dental equipment that will be needed to do everything from cleaning your teeth and gums to temporarily fixing any problems that arise with your braces. While these kits are great for short-term use, they don’t have enough items to prepare you for your entire orthodontic journey.

Make sure you are prepared by creating an orthodontic kit before you get braces. Preparing the kit ahead of time will prevent you having to run to the store to purchase a tool or item you need to fix your braces or relieve any discomfort you feel from your braces.

Things to include in your orthodontic kit include:

Waxed dental floss
Small dental brushes
Threaders
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Orthodontic wax
Over-the-counter pain medication – make sure to speak with your doctor or orthodontist before taking any types of medications
A card with Dr. Valderrama office’s phone number on it to call in case of an emergency or if you have any questions

Prepare Mentally for Getting Braces by Learning What to Expect

Taking the time to learn about what to expect at your first orthodontic appointment as well as what will happen during the course of your orthodontic treatment can help you mentally prepare.

While every orthodontic patient’s experience will vary, the following are some examples of what to expect during orthodontic treatment:

The first appointment typically takes about an hour to two hours
The first appointment includes preparing the teeth, gluing the brackets onto the teeth, and placing the wire
No pain is involved with getting braces, but you will feel slight pressure
Feeling uncomfortable for a few days after getting braces is extremely common
Orthodontic appointments will be scheduled every four to six weeks. These appointments will allow your orthodontist to monitor your progress and make adjustments
Follow up appointments typically last anywhere from a half hour to an hour

Have questions about how to prepare for braces? Call Valderrama Orthodontics @ 321.425.5050. Our friendly office staff and orthodontist Dr. Natalia Valderrama will do our best to help you prepare for getting braces by answering any of your questions.

Orthodontic Awareness Month

While children are celebrating the coming of Halloween, orthodontists are celebrating a different holiday of sorts – Orthodontic Awareness Month.

Orthodontic Awareness Month, which occurs every October, may not be an official holiday, but orthodontists still have fun celebrating it. This year to celebrate the staff at Valderrama Orthodontics in Melbourne, Florida have decided to provide you with a few fun facts about orthodontics, discuss ways to improve your experience if you are wearing braces or other orthodontic devices and provide you with ways you can improve your orthodontic health.

Some Fun Orthodontic Facts

At any given time in North America, there are approximately 1 million people who are wearing braces
Approximately 70% of those who do wear braces are female.
The average age for people wearing braces is between 12 and 15. However, in recent years more and more adults are starting to undergo orthodontic treatment.
Aesthetics is often listed as the most common reason to seek orthodontic treatment. The second most popular reason for seeking orthodontic treatment is to correct an overbite.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

Several decades ago braces were the only option available to people who wanted to correct the spacing and alignment of their teeth. Now there are several different treatment options available to correct your smile.

Some of the treatment options that are available include:

Traditional braces – this is the type with wires, brackets, and rubber bands
Clear braces – similar to traditional braces but with clear ceramic brackets
Clear aligners- trays that correct the placement and alignment of teeth like Invisalign or Clear Correct
Lingual braces – brackets and wires are placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front

Tips to Make Your Orthodontic Experience Easier

Whether you are a teen or an adult, you will need to make some adjustments after you undergo orthodontic treatment. In an effort to help make your experience easier and as a way to celebrate Orthodontic Awareness Month, we are providing you with some tips that will help you improve your orthodontic experience.

Some ways you can improve your orthodontic experience include:

Choose the foods and candies you eat wisely. Eating extremely hard, crunchy or sticky foods can break the brackets, wires, and rubber bands that you are wearing. Try to avoid these types of foods so you don’t end up having to make an emergency visit to your orthodontist.
Always carry your orthodontic kit with you. This kit contains all the things you need to fix any problem you encounter. The kits contain toothbrushes, toothpaste, picks, floss, dental wax, and handheld mirrors.
Brush after every meal and after snacking. Food can get stuck in your braces which may cause you to experience some pain or discomfort.
Keep all your appointments with your orthodontist. These appointments will help spot and fix any problems that may have developed.

Schedule an Early Orthodontic Treatment Consultation for Your Child

Parents often assume that their child will only need braces when they become teenagers, but that isn’t necessarily true. Some children could benefit from undergoing early orthodontic treatment to correct alignment and other issues.

Early orthodontic treatment usually begins between the ages of 7 and 10. Take part in orthodontic awareness month by scheduling an appointment for your child to have an orthodontic consultation. An orthodontist will be able to assess how their teeth and jaw is growing and determine if early orthodontic treatment is needed.

Some treatment options that are often used as part of early orthodontic treatment include:

Use of space maintainers to hold the proper spacing between teeth
Expanders to widen the arch of the teeth
Wires and brackets to correct placement of teeth
Extraction of baby teeth that may be causing problems

Call Valderrama Orthodontics to Schedule an Appointment

Think it is time to improve your smile? Call Valderrama Orthodontics at (321)420-5050 to schedule an appointment for a consultation with our orthodontist, Dr. Natalia Valderrama. Our orthodontist will work closely with you to get you the smile you have always wanted. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to our office!

The History of Braces

Using orthodontic devices to improve your smile is nothing new. In fact, people have been trying different methods to straighten their teeth for hundreds of years. They just weren’t using the same techniques that are used in modern orthodontics.

Wondering how people used to try to straighten their teeth in the past? The following is a brief overview of the history of orthodontic braces.

Devices to Straighten Teeth Date Back All the Way to 400 BC

It is hard to imagine, but orthodontic devices date back all the way to ancient times. Many archeologists have discovered the creation of small devices that appear to have been used to straighten teeth or fill in gaps when teeth had fallen out.

The devices that were used look nothing like today’s modern orthodontic devices with metal wires and ceramic brackets. The ancient orthodontic devices that were found used things like animal intestines, pure gold, catgut, or ropes to push the teeth into their proper position.

The Very First Set of Braces

Due to a lack of record keeping, not much is really known about orthodontics until around 1720s. That is when there is considerable documentation that details some of the methods that were used to improve people’s smile.

Some of the methods that were used around the 1720s are similar to what is used in modern orthodontics. The difference is the devices used in the 1720s were often bigger and bulkier than the devices used in modern orthodontics.

Some of the methods that were used in the 1720s to help improve people’s smile include:

Use of a device known as the Bandeau. The Bandeau, which was created by a French dentist, was a giant piece of iron that was shaped like a horseshoe. It was placed in the mouth and used to widen the palate so that teeth would have room to shift and move into proper placement.
Tooth extraction. This was the first time that people recommended removing teeth, such as the premolars, to create extra space so that teeth could shift into proper alignment.
Jaw placement and growth impacts how teeth grow. Several dentists during this time period discussed how the placement of the jaw and how it grows could determine whether teeth grow in at a proper angle.

The Journey to Modern Orthodontics

Even though people in the 1720s improved their smile using methods that are similar to orthodontics, it didn’t become an actual dental practice until sometime in the 1800s. In the 1800s, dentists decided to specifically work to advance this form of dentistry.

Some of the significant dates in the history of braces include:

1819 – the first wire crib was created and used to help improve the placement of teeth in the mouth
1843 – gum elastics were first used to realign the placement of the jaw
1850 – rubber bands were used to replace gum elastics. The rubber bands were made out of rubber tubing that was cut into thin pieces and used to create bands that fit a person’s mouth.
1880 – dentists started experimenting with using force to move teeth into proper their proper position. It was suggested that applying a small amount of force every few weeks/months could help encourage the teeth to move into proper alignment.

A Look at Modern Orthodontics

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, people who want to improve their smile have a number of different treatment options available to them. Some of the modern orthodontic treatment options that may be available include:

Traditional braces which include the use of rubber bands, wires, and brackets
Clear braces which are similar to traditional braces but use clear ceramic brackets so the braces appear ‘invisible’
Invisalign which uses clear plastic aligner trays to shift and move the teeth in the mouth
Lingual braces which places the wires and brackets on the backs of the teeth so they aren’t noticeable from the front

Interested in improving your smile? Call Valderrama Orthodontics at (321) 425-5050 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Valderrama to see what can be done to get you the smile you have always wanted.

What Happens When You Don’t Wear Your Retainer?

Once your braces come off or you’re done wearing invisible aligners, you’re probably ready to keep appliances out of your mouth. However, your retainer is very important to keep your teeth looking great. Fail to use your retainer as directed and you could lose the progress you made throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Unfortunately, many patients think that their journey is over once the braces are gone, but your retainer is an important part of the next phase of tooth correction. Here’s a closer look at what can happen if you fail to wear your retainer as recommended.

The Importance of the Retainer

First, you need to know what your retainer actually does. A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that’s removable, and it works to hold your teeth in their proper place after braces have been removed. They come in various forms, and if you take care of them, they can last a long time. Some are made with plastic and wires, while other retainers look just like the clear Invisalign braces. Your orthodontist, Dr. Natalia Valderrama, will custom make a retainer for your mouth and teeth so it’s as effective as possible.

When braces are taken off, your teeth can start to move back towards their initial positions. The whole purpose of wearing a retainer is to keep your teeth in place so you can continue enjoying your beautiful, new straight teeth for a lifetime.

Why Teeth Move

During that first year after braces, teeth are the most likely to make some big moves. When you’re done with braces, your gums and teeth will remain a bit flexible. You’ll no longer have brackets and wires holding them in place. The natural process of aging can result in shifting teeth as well, so over the years, your teeth will move. Unless some type of external pressure is used to keep them in place, they’ll keep moving back to their natural positions. A retainer is a tool that puts pressure on your teeth so they stay in the corrected shape.

If you don’t wear your retainer as ordered by your orthodontist, then your teeth will go back to their original positions. Nature will eventually win the fight if you don’t have the force of the retainer.

How Long Will You Need a Retainer?

Everyone is different, and your orthodontist will give you some specific instructions tailored to your unique situation. In most cases, you’ll have to wear your retainer frequently right after your braces are removed. Most people end up wearing their retainer daily for 1 month, and then they can go to nightly retainer use.

Later, to keep teeth in place for life, you may be required to wear the retainer every night or at least 4 nights per week. As time goes by, you may need to replace your retainer so it keeps its strong holding power.

The most crucial time for wearing your retainer is right after you’ve completed orthodontic treatment. This is when your teeth have the highest risk of moving back to their original positions.

When Should You Replace Your Retainer?

Different types of retainers are available, and each type varies in holding power and quality. If your teeth were only moved slightly, then clear retainers that look much like Invisalign aligners may be enough to keep your teeth in shape. However, these retainers aren’t as durable as others and should be replaced every few months.

If your teeth were drastically moved, then you may need to go with a stronger type of retainer that’s made with wires and acrylic. With good care, these retainers may last for 5-10 years. To prolong their life, make sure you clean them every day and store them in a safe place where they won’t get damaged.

If you notice that your retainer isn’t as effective or it’s not holding its shape, be sure to see your orthodontist so you can have a new one made.

When You Don’t Wear Your Retainer

Wearing your retainer as directed is a big deal. If you fail to wear it, all the time you spent going through orthodontic treatment will be wasted and you will lose your straight smile. You’ll have to go through treatment all over again to get it back. Avoid losing the beautiful smile you’ve waited so long for – make sure you talk to your orthodontist Dr. Natalia Valderrama about how often you need to wear your retainer to maintain your results.

What to Do When You Break a Bracket

Traditional braces are a great option for straightening the teeth of preteens, teenagers, and adults. Unfortunately, sometimes the brackets come loose or break off the tooth entirely. This is a common problem and completely repairable once you visit our Orthodontist Dr. Natalia Valderrama, in Viera/ Melbourne.

Reasons Brackets Come Loose or Break

There are two primary reasons why brackets break. The first reason is that you are eating a lot of hard or sticky foods that really should not be eaten while wearing braces. These foods include nuts, tough meats, raw vegetables and chewy and/or hard candies. The second reason is that the dental cement used to bond your braces has worn out over time.

Steps to Take When Your Bracket Breaks

Almost everyone who wears any type of braces experiences a broken bracket at some point during the treatment process. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make your broken bracket more comfortable while you wait for your orthodontic appointment.

1. Identify the bracket that has broken.

When you feel a bracket come loose, it’s best to get a mirror to view the bracket. This will tell you if the bracket has simply come loose or completely come off the tooth, and it will allow you to see if the wire is bent or broken. You should also check to see if the bracket has completely come loose from the wire. If it has, it may not be safe to leave the bracket in your mouth, even if you use dental wax. This is because it could fall completely off the tooth again, and you might accidentally swallow it. If you notice the bracket is completely off your tooth and off the wire, you should remove the bracket from your mouth and store it in a container until you visit our orthodontist in Melbourne.

2. Place some orthodontic wax over the bracket.

Once you have identified the bracket, place a little orthodontic wax over it to prevent the bracket from rubbing against the inside of your mouth. This will help lower the discomfort and prevent sores and cuts on your cheeks and tongue. If the wire has also broken, you can place orthodontic wax over the broken parts of the wire as well.

3. Move the wire to prevent discomfort.

If the wire is merely bent, you can use the tip of a pencil eraser to move the wire to a more comfortable position while you wait for your urgent orthodontic appointment to get your braces repaired.

4. Schedule an appointment with our orthodontist, Dr. Natalia Valderrama in Melbourne

Once you realize your bracket and/or wire has broken, you should schedule an appointment with our orthodontist in Viera/Melbourne to have it repaired. Broken braces can affect your treatment time if they are not repaired promptly.

Getting Help with Broken Brackets

Dr. Valderrama and her wonderful team can repair your broken brackets and wires by examining the tooth, wire and bracket and reattaching a new bracket. If your wire is significantly bent, we can also straighten the wire or replace your wires so that you can continue your teeth straightening treatment.

If you keep experiencing broken brackets and wires, you may need some tips and tricks from Dr. Valderrama in order to keep your braces in good condition throughout the teeth straightening process. This can include tips on how to keep your braces clean with brushing, flossing and rinsing, how to angle the toothbrush to remove all the food particles from the edges of the braces and how much pressure to use while brushing. We can also give you a reminder of the types of foods that are safe for braces and the types of food you should avoid as well as how to eat certain foods to ensure they do not put too much pressure on your brackets. Also, please be careful with electric toothbrushes as the vibration and pressure could break also brackets if it is too high.

To schedule an appointment with our orthodontist Dr. Natalia Valderrama and her wonderful orthodontic team in Viera/Melbourne to see if traditional braces would be right for you or to schedule an urgent appointment for a broken bracket or wire, call us at 321-425-5050 or 321-544-4127.

Preventing Tooth Discoloration During Treatment

Avoid going through the experience of having your braces removed only to discover that your teeth aren’t bright and white, as you thought they would be, but instead are discolored by following these dental tips. Each of these dental tips, if practiced throughout your entire orthodontic treatment, will help minimize tooth staining and discoloration.

Ditch the Whitening Toothpastes

Many people assume that using whitening toothpaste will help avoid unsightly stains and discoloration that can occur while wearing braces. Unfortunately, the exact opposite happens.

If you used whitening toothpaste while wearing braces, once the braces are removed your teeth will appear to have visible spots. This happens because the brackets on your teeth prevent the whitening toothpaste from being able to reach certain parts of the teeth. The toothpaste actively works to whiten the surfaces of the teeth it can reach but leaves the covered areas untouched which results in large, visible spots once the brackets are removed.

Work to Stop Bad Habits That Stain Teeth

Keep your teeth as bright and white as possible by working to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. These bad habits would stain your teeth even if you weren’t wearing braces, but the staining is worse with braces.

Just like with whitening toothpaste, the tobacco will stain only the parts of the teeth that are not covered by brackets. When the brackets are removed, the exposed parts of the teeth will have a brown or yellow tint while the parts of the teeth that were covered with brackets will either appear white or a lighter shade of yellow or brown.

Choose Your Drinks Wisely

A major cause of staining and discoloration while wearing braces is the drinks you consume. Drinking certain dark colored or acidic drinks will dull the original color of your teeth and cause them to appear discolored.

Drinks that you should avoid consuming include:

Dark colored teas
Coffee
Sodas especially if they are brightly colored
Wines – both red and white
Sports drinks
Juices

The best drink to consume is water or milk, but it is unrealistic to believe that you will only consume these two beverages. If you do feel like consuming any of the beverages that may cause staining and discoloration to your teeth, use a straw. Drinking through a straw will minimize the amount of contact the beverage has with your teeth which will reduce the likelihood that staining and discoloration will happen.

Avoid Sugary Treats That Use Artificial Coloring

Food manufacturers tend to use artificial coloring in snacks and sugary treats. While the bright colors may attract your attention and make you want to try a sugary treat or snack, it can cause your teeth to become discolored and stained, especially if you are wearing braces.

Try to avoid all sugary treats and snacks that contain any type of artificial coloring. It may be difficult to avoid your favorite treats and snacks, but doing so will help keep your teeth bright and white.

Follow a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

It is tempting to want to avoid brushing and flossing when you are wearing braces, but if you want to keep your teeth white and bright it is something you need to do on a regular basis.

A good oral hygiene routine will typically include the following:

Brushing after every meal
Brushing after snacking
Flossing not only between your teeth but around the wires and brackets
Removing bacteria and buildup on the tongue by brushing your teeth or using a tongue scraper
Take your time so your teeth are thoroughly cleaned
Clean the back, front, and sides of your teeth

Schedule Regular Cleanings with Your Dentist

Regular professional cleanings are so important when you are wearing braces. Not only will it keep your teeth and gums healthy, but it will remove any staining or discoloration that has appeared before it has a chance to set and become permanent.

Regular cleanings should be scheduled every three months when you are wearing braces. After the braces are removed you may only need cleanings every six months.

Worried about tooth staining and discoloration? Ask Dr. Valderrama for help during your next appointment or during your consultation. Dr. V can provide you with recommendations for things you can do to avoid teeth staining and discoloration while wearing braces.

Why We’re Correcting Your Overbite

Are you concerned about your own overbite or your child’s overbite? Overbites, depending on severity, can affect facial appearance, chewing, speaking and oral hygiene. Here at Valderrama Orthodontics, we can successfully correct overbites with braces and other orthodontic treatments so that you can be proud of your smile.

Overbites

Overbites occur when the front teeth jut past the lower teeth when you close your mouth. Most people have overbites. However, some overbites are so slight that only a dentist can diagnose it. Overbites can be caused by a forward protrusion of the upper teeth, a problem with lower jaw development or from heredity. Bad habits can also contribute to the development of overbites in children and adults. Bad habits that contribute to overbites in children include thumb sucking and bottle feeding past normal bottle feeding ages. Bad habits that contribute to overbites in teenagers and adults include chewing on items that aren’t food, like pencils, pens and your own fingernails.

Signs, Symptoms and Risks of an Overbite

If you have an overbite, you may also have some of the signs and symptoms. If you do, you may want to consult with our orthodontist to determine the best treatment methods.

It’s difficult to completely clean the teeth.
Proper chewing is difficult.
Speech is being affected.
Self-Esteem and confidence may be negatively affected.
The facial appearance Is affected.
The front teeth protrude out farther than the lower teeth.
The individual experiences jaw or mouth muscle pain.
The individual experiences frequent jaw strain.

Diagnosing an Overbite

Both children and adults can have overbites of varying degrees. If you can see your overbite or think you have an overbite, it is best to visit our orthodontist in Melbourne for a proper treatment plan. Diagnosing an overbite and its severity involves taking digital x-rays of the jaw and teeth and performing an examination of the mouth, jaw and teeth. Minor overbites that do not affect speech, chewing or cleaning your teeth and do not cause you pain may not need to be corrected. However, moderate to severe overbites should be corrected, especially if your facial appearance is affected and you have difficulty chewing or speaking.

Correcting Overbites with our Orthodontist in Melbourne

Our orthodontist in Melbourne, Dr. Valderrama, has experience correcting overbites in children, teens and adults. In children, we typically recommend they get examined for bite problems, including overbites, by the age of seven. Early diagnosis and treatment for overbites while your child is still developing can help avoid the need for surgery and other potentially uncomfortable procedures in the teen and adult years.

Mild to moderate overbites that are only the result of forward-protruding teeth or minor jaw problems can usually be corrected with traditional braces, lingual braces or aligners, depending on the severity of the overbite. Braces, including metal and clear, and aligners are typically worn for between 12 and 18 months but usually no longer than two years. Your length of treatment and the type of braces used will depend on the severity of your overbite.

The added benefit of using braces to correct overbites is that the teeth are also straightened, which gives you or your child a beautiful smile that they can be proud to show off. After overbite correction and teeth straightening with braces, your child will need to wear a retainer for a certain amount of time to ensure the teeth do not shift back to their original places.

In severe cases, jaw surgery may be needed to correct the overbite. This surgery involves moving the lower jaw forward in order to properly align the upper and lower teeth. This can help fix the bite problem and appearance problems that are the result of an overbite. Our orthodontist can refer you to an oral surgeon if your overbite is severe, and she can perform all your follow-up treatments after the surgery to ensure that you have a properly aligned jaw and straight teeth.

To schedule your first visit with our orthodontist in Melbourne, call us at 321-425-5050.

Factors That Determine Treatment Length

Before committing to undergo orthodontic treatment it is important to know the length of time it will take for the braces to shift and move your teeth around so you can get that perfect smile you have always wanted. While only an orthodontist can give you an exact timeframe for treatment, you can get a general idea of approximately how long it will take to complete orthodontic treatment by learning about what factors orthodontists use to treatment length.

The following are the most common factors orthodontists use to determine how long you will be wearing braces.

The Alignment of Your Teeth and Bite

The alignment of your teeth is a huge factor that will determine how long you have to wear braces. If your teeth are severely misaligned and considerable changes need to be made to reach their new place, it will take longer for your treatment to be completed. Treatment is prolonged when teeth are severely misaligned because the teeth need to travel considerable distances or be rotated in order to reach their new positions.

When teeth are only slightly misaligned, treatment can be completed faster. Treatment can be completed faster because the teeth only have a very short distance to move in the mouth until your smile is perfected.

Age in Which You Seek Treatment

The older you are when you start orthodontic treatment, the longer it will take to complete treatment. Older patients have longer treatment times because the bones in their mouth and jaw have completely formed and matured. Fully formed and mature bones are slower to adapt to change. This means you have to wear braces for a longer period of time in order to see results.

Even though older patients have longer treatment times than younger patients, the difference is minor. Usually, there is only a few months difference in treatment times between older and younger patients.

The Health of Your Teeth and Gums

Failure to take care of your teeth and gums can result in a number of problems, including cavities, tooth decay, and gum inflammation, that can prolong your orthodontic treatment. If your orthodontist notices that you have developed a cavity or tartar has built up around your teeth, he or she may slow down your orthodontic treatment in order to correct and address these problems. While this might not seem too bad, it could add anywhere from three to six months on to your treatment time.

The Medicines You are Currently Taking

Not many people are aware that some medications, such as NSAIDS, estrogen, immunosuppressants, and hormone replacement medications can slow down the rate in which your teeth move. Slowing tooth movement can add considerable time to your treatment.

On the other hand, there are some medications and supplements, such as Vitamin D or certain thyroid hormones, which can actually speed up treatment times because your teeth are easier to move around.

Considering how medicine can impact treatment times, it is important that you make sure your orthodontist is fully aware of any OTC medications, prescription medications, and supplements you are taking before you start treatment. This information will help your orthodontist adjust your treatment times to accommodate any medications that may slow down or increase tooth movement.

Experiencing Any Unexpected Damage to Your Braces

An occasional broken bracket won’t dramatically impact the length of your treatment. However, if the wires of your braces break and you don’t get them adjusted in a timely manner, you could be adding an additional month to three months to your treatment time.

To avoid damage to your braces adding additional treatment time to your timeline, call your orthodontist immediately if any problems occur. Your orthodontist can determine if you need an emergency appointment to readjust the wires.

Schedule a Consultation to See How Long You Will Wear Braces

The best way to determine how long orthodontic treatment will take for you is to call Valderrama Orthodontics and schedule a consultation. During your complimentary consultation, our orthodontist Dr. Natalia Valderrama will conduct an examination and take diagnostic x-rays. Once your exam and x-rays are completed, our orthodontist will discuss treatment options and provide you with an estimate on how long treatment will last. Call us today @ 321-4250-5050 to schedule a complimentary consultation!

Avoiding Cavities with Braces: Easy Tips to Follow

It’s always essential to make sure you’re following good oral hygiene practices with your teeth to prevent cavities. However, routine dental hygiene becomes even more important if you have braces. It’s tougher to clean teeth when you have braces, so you’ll need to work even harder to prevent cavities from forming while you’re undergoing this orthodontic treatment. Once you have your braces removed, you want to have a white, straight, beautiful smile that’s free from cavities. Here are a few easy tips you can follow to avoid cavities while you’re wearing braces.

Tip #1 – Brush After Mealtimes

Whether you have a full meal or a small snack, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after you have a meal. Braces can easily trap food, and when food sits in your teeth, it can cause cavities to form. When you brush after meals, make sure you brush thoroughly, making sure that the bristles get into the gaps between braces and teeth to remove food particles completely. Brush around and in all the wires and brackets. It’s a good idea to go with a soft toothbrush and a good fluoride toothpaste will help prevent tooth decay too.

Tip #2 – Invest in Some Special Cleaning Tools

Since it can be so tough to clean teeth when you have braces, it’s a good idea to invest in some special cleaning tools to help out. Using interdental toothbrushes along with the regular toothbrush a couple times a day is a great idea. Interdental toothbrushes are very small and often disposable and they are used to help clean between teeth and between the wires of your braces. These brushes are great for reaching places your regular toothbrush just can’t reach. Another special tool that may be recommended is a WaterPik, which uses the power of water to clean teeth and around your braces.

Tip #3 – Don’t Forget Flossing

Even though it probably sounds like a big chore, flossing is so important when you have braces. Floss helps to get into those places between teeth that are tough to reach. Your dentist can show you the best way to floss when you get braces, so make sure you’re flossing a minimum of once a day to avoid any cavities between teeth.

Tip #4 – Rinse with a Fluoride Mouthwash

Sometimes there are still a few food particles left behind even after flossing and brushing, which is where a good mouthwash can help. Rinsing well can eliminate any leftover particles on teeth that could cause decay. A fluoride mouthwash is a great choice since fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about which fluoride mouthwash may work best for your needs.

Tip #5 – Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks

While you have your braces, there are certain foods that can be bad for your braces and your teeth. Although it’s often tough to avoid temptation, you won’t have braces forever, so try to avoid the foods and drinks that may cause you trouble. Sticky foods like gum, taffy, and caramel are a problem if you have braces. Hard foods like apples, nuts, and hard candies can be a problem too. It’s also best to avoid sports drinks, fruit drinks, and soft drinks while you’re wearing your braces.

Tip #6 – Don’t Skip Routine Checkups

Heading to the dentist for routine checkups is always important, and you should have a checkup and cleaning every six months. However, it’s especially important that you avoid skipping those checkups while you’re wearing braces. In fact, you may be asked to come in more often while you are wearing braces. Don’t blow off those appointments. It’s important to have your braces checked and to ensure that you don’t have any tooth decay starting on your teeth. Catching any problems early is always essential and can prevent even bigger problems in the future.

Soon your braces will be off and you’ll get to enjoy the lovely smile you want, but while you’re wearing them, be extra vigilant about caring for your teeth. With a bit of extra care, avoiding problem foods, and regular checkups, you can avoid cavities and ensure you’re happy with your smile once the braces come off for good.

Braces Myths Busted!

Dental braces are a rite of passage for many people. More than four million people living in the United States are currently wearing braces to reposition crooked or out-of-place teeth. Some wear braces to improve the function of their bite so that they chew or speak correctly. Many more straighten their teeth for a more attractive smile.

While millions of Americans have worn braces or have known someone who has, there are a lot of myths and misunderstandings when it comes to straightening teeth. Our Melbourne/Viera orthodontist, Dr. Natalia Valderrama, would like to bust some of these myths and present a few facts about the benefit, effectiveness and comfort of modern braces.

Melbourne/Viera Orthodontist Busts Common Myths about Braces

Everyone will know I’m straightening my teeth

Nobody needs to know. Lingual braces, such as 3M Incognito Hidden Braces™, place the hardware of braces behind your teeth so nobody can see the wires and brackets. Clear ceramic braces are beautifully transparent – most people won’t even notice that you are wearing them. Invisalign® aligners use a custom-made set of aligners made from smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic.

Metal braces are the only option when it comes to straightening teeth

Untrue! In addition to traditional braces, today’s orthodontic patient can choose from clear braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners.

Braces have to hurt, or they won’t straighten your teeth

Not at all! Advances in orthodontic technology have made all types of braces, including traditional braces, more comfortable and subtle than ever before. It is true, though, that your mouth might feel a bit sore for the first few days after getting your braces or after having your braces tightened. This discomfort should go away quickly, and you should be able to eat, talk and smile comfortably.

Metal braces taste like metal

Your braces may feel odd when the orthodontist first puts them on your teeth, but they should not taste like anything. Any odd taste in your mouth could mean that you have something stuck in your braces and that you should contact your orthodontist.

Metal braces cause radio interference

No. Braces are not powerful enough to interfere with any type of radio or electronic devices.

Traditional braces are ineffective at complex teeth straightening

While aligners work well for aesthetic purposes and for resolving simple tooth alignment issues, traditional braces work efficiently for fixing complex issues. Traditional braces are good for correcting crooked or crowded teeth, known as malocclusion, and bad bites.

There are no benefits to wearing traditional braces

Actually, today’s low-profile braces are small and easy to wear. Traditional braces are relatively inexpensive, durable, effective and more comfortable than ever.

Traditional braces take too long to straighten teeth

Actually, traditional braces are the treatment of choice for anyone who wants to move their treatment along as quickly as possible. Traditional braces work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than aligners.

Metal braces can rust

Today’s metal braces are made from strong materials, such as titanium alloy, and are specially designed to spend time in a person’s mouth.

Braces are not for adults

Myth busted! About one million adults wear braces. Teeth can move at any age, so wearing braces can correct misaligned teeth – even in adults.

OK but adults would have to wear them forever, right?

While it does take longer for braces to straighten the teeth of adults than it does for adolescents, adults wear typically wear braces for 10 months to two years.

Once the braces come off, my teeth will stay straight

Not so fast! Elastic fibers connect your teeth to your jawbone. Braces stretch some of these fibers and compress others. After you get your braces off, these fibers try to resume their normal position and, in the process, pull your teeth out of alignment. You will need to wear a retainer every day for the first few months after your orthodontist removes your braces. Then, every night for the rest of your life or as long as you want to keep your beautiful smile.

There is no where to get more information on braces

OK, that one is not really a myth – everyone probably knows that they can learn more about braces by talking to their orthodontist. The more you know about braces, the better your smile can be! Call us today at 321-425-5050.