Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[caption id="attachment_2857" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Happy Thanksgiving from Kemp Orthodontics[/caption]

At Kemp Orthodontics we have so much to be thankful for.  We are especially thankful for all our awesome patients and families that we have had the pleasure of knowing.  In the past 28 years we have seen a lot of smiles transformed into healthy beautiful smiles.  May you have a blessed Thanksgiving as you gather with your family.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Kemp and Staff

Reminder:  Our office will close at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 26th and reopen on Monday, December 1st.  If  you have an urgent emergency that can not wait please call 615-790-7027 for on call office instructions.

 

Why Does My Child Need Two-Phase Treatment?

At Kemp Orthodontics we believe that in certain cases children benefit from two phases of orthodontic treatment.  The goal of this treatment is to create a better environment for your child's permanent teeth as they begin to replace the baby teeth.

 A first phase of treatment is initiated to:

•  Develop both the upper and lower jaws to accommodate all of the permanent teeth


• Develop the correct alignment and relationship between the upper and lower jaws


• Produce a well- balanced facial profile

A first phase of treatment benefits patients physically, enabling them to bite or chew more effectively.  It may reduce the risk of breaking front teeth that protrude.  And for many patients, there is improvement in self-esteem.  The dental changes that result from a first phase treatment may contribute to long-term stability, meaning that teeth stay where Dr. Kemp has moved them.   By timing orthodontic treatment to predictable stages of development, Dr. Kemp works to take advantage of your child's natural growth and development.

 A second phase of treatment moves permanent teeth into their final position, again working with the child's natural growth and development.

 The goals of two-phase treatment are:

•  A proper relationship of teeth and jaws so that they work correctly


• Correct alignment of the teeth for a beautiful smile


• Positioning of the teeth and jaws for an attractive face and profile

 Orthodontic care is not a “one size fits all” approach at Kemp Orthodontics.  Each patient has a unique problem that requires a unique treatment plan that leads to a Beautiful Smile.

 

 

 

 

Frenectomy

Now, there's a weird sounding word: /frə-ˈnek-tə-mē/ 

Have you ever seen a smile where the two front teeth gap open around a thick band of tissue? Sometimes this gap can be caused by abnormally thick tissue between the upper front teeth. This tissue is called frenum (or frenulum), and most of the time needs to be removed in order to close the gap between those two front teeth. A frenectomy is a dental surgery for patients who have a gap between their upper two front teeth that may be caused by the frenum.  When this tissue is thicker than normal, it can cause spacing between the upper two front teeth.  We call this spacing a diastema.   The frenectomy is a procedure that removes some of the tissue to allow the diastema to be closed and ultimately stabilize the teeth so the space can remain closed.  Today, this procedure is usually performed by laser, and, while the word is weird, the procedure is a snap. Dr. Kemp may recommend a frenectomy to achieve optimal results from your orthodontic treatment. He'll work closely with your dentist and your periodontist or oral surgeon to be sure you get fantastic results that lead to your beautiful smile.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Mouth Sores

Canker sores are small ulcers that appear in the inside of the mouth.  They are usually white or grayish in the middle and then they are bordered in red.  You might have one sore or multiple sores at a time.  Although experts aren't sure what causes canker sores -- it could be immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses, they do think that stress, as well as fatigue and allergies, can increase the risk of getting them. The good news is canker sores are not contagious.

There are over-the counter topical anesthetics that work well for the irritation of canker sores.  The product Kemp Orthodontics recommends is Zilactin ®.  Remember to avoid spicy, hot foods or food that has a high acid content because they will irritate and prolong the healing process for canker sores.

Cold sores often appear on or around the mouth area.  They are also called fever blisters because they are filled with fluid.  Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious.

An outbreak of cold sores can be triggered by emotional upset, fever, excess exposure to the sun and skin abrasion. Most of the time fever blisters heal on their own in a week.   Treatment is available, including over-the-counter remedies as mentioned above.  In severe cases Dr. Kemp may prescribe an antiviral drug.

If you suffer from cold sores, please ask Dr. Kemp for advice.  The key to healing cold sores is to start treatment as soon as the cold sore begins to form.

Plaque: Enemy of Teeth

At Kemp Orthodontics, we know nobody likes to get plaque on his or her teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to accumulate in the spaces between teeth.

Neglecting to visit your dentist is not a great idea. Let's say you brush and floss daily. You're still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by Dr. Kemp.  If you visited your dentist regularly, you have a lower chance of getting cavities while wearing braces.

You also want to fuel up on fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of crunchy fruits and veggies even when wearing braces IF you cut them up into bite-sized pieces to avoid breaking brackets and wires.

Finally, refuse to give in to your sweet tooth! Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. Bacteria loves sugar. This bacteria feeds on the sticky sugar and then creates plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth.

Avoiding these five bad habits keeps plaque in check and your mouth healthy during your orthodontic treatment at Kemp Orthodontics.

If you have any questions, visit our website, give us a call, or ask us on Facebook!