Pack List For Patients With Braces

It’s almost that time again. Summer vacation is near. For many of our patients, summer vacation is a popular time to go on trips and escape the responsibilities and routine of every day normal life. As we encourage you to take some well-deserved time away, we want you to remember to stay responsible for your braces while you’re traveling.

As you gather your swimsuits and sunscreen, be sure to collect not only the essential toothbrush and floss but also these special items if you wear braces or other orthodontic gear! Check out our tips below for those of you wear clear aligners or traditional braces.

If you wear Invisalign clear aligners, be sure to remember:

• Always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you. 
• Always carry your aligners in your purse, backpack, or carry-on luggage when flying. 
• Make sure you bring your case. 
• If you don’t have time to brush your teeth, make sure you at least rinse out your mouth and rinse off your aligners before reinserting them into your mouth. 

If you wear traditional braces, be sure to pack the following:

• Orthodontic wax 
• Floss & threader 
• Proxy brush 
• Rubber bands (if required) 
• Ibuprofen 

We hope these tips help you while you’re on summer vacation. If you have any questions or concerns while you are traveling, please give Kemp Orthodontics a call. Wishing you all safe travels!

Beautiful Smiles Lead To Beautiful Speech

Let your smile help your words flow!

A smile is often worth a thousand words, especially for the many people who struggle with speech problems. Sadly, many people get in the habit of keeping their mouths closed and keeping their words inside their heads because of orthodontic problems. The good news is that Kemp Orthodontics not only can help you light up the world with your beautiful smile, but Dr. Kemp also may be able to help correct problems that exist in your facial structure that lead to several speech problems.

In order to create speech, the parts inside our mouths have to work together to form the sounds we use for communication. If the teeth, tongue, and palate are misaligned, patients may experience difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, which leads them to the chronic problem of mispronunciation. These mispronunciations may be thought of as cute in toddlers, but for older children and adults who suffer with this speech problem, it is a hardship that can lead to self-confidence issues later in life. Orthodontic treatment can correct this misalignment and facilitate correct speech pronunciation patterns.

Another common speech disorder related to misalignment is called a lisp, which exists when a person is unable to make specific sounds. Many preschoolers lisp as they learn speech patterns. However, pediatricians recommend an orthodontic evaluation if the child lisps as he or she begins elementary school age. Again, orthodontic treatment may be able to correct the structural misalignments that lead to lisping.

A third form of speech problem occurs when you slur your speech. Often, slurred speech is categorized by poor pronunciation of words, change in speed or rhythm during talking, or mumbling during speech. Sometimes people slur their speech because the structure of the jaw or placement of teeth restricts the movement needed to speak clearly and distinctly. Orthodontic treatment may be just the tool to help people speak clearly, distinctly, and fluidly.

Though orthodontic treatment might not result in a remedy for all speech problems, many people who struggle with speech problems benefit from orthodontic treatment at Kemp Orthodontics. Come in today to discover how Dr. Kemp can give you a beautiful smile that frames beautiful speech.

Orthodontics for Adults

The first day of January often motivates adults to consider setting new goals for their new year. The last day of January often brings adults to reconsider how they are achieving those goals. For many adults, one of their goals is to seek out the best orthodontist who can give them the smile they’ve always desired. To help those adults who are considering orthodontic treatment in this new year, we at Kemp Orthodontics have collated some general ideas to help you as you think about how orthodontic treatment with Dr. Kemp can improve your health.

Many adults assume that orthodontic treatment is only about getting your crooked teeth straight. While straightening crooked teeth is a major factor for seeking orthodontic treatment, other important dental and skeletal issues may exist that require treatment by an orthodontist. Orthodontic treatment is about creating the best position for your teeth as well as improving the coordination of your mouth and jaws, and your orthodontist must complete several years of additional education and clinical residency after dental school to learn about these intricate balances and movements.

Why should adults get braces?

If you think braces are only for kids and teens, you’re wrong. Every day adults get braces to improve their oral health. Some of the top reasons adults should consider braces are --

1. Teeth can shift at any age, even if you wore braces or you didn’t need braces as a child.

2. Misaligned teeth can contribute to serious health problems for your teeth and mouth, like headaches, ear pain, and even stomach issues.

3. The braces that are available today at Kemp Orthodontics are not like the braces of the past. Dr. Kemp treats his patients using 3M’s Clarity Advanced brackets, an ultra aesthetic bracket, and special tooth-colored wires that create a system that is virtually unnoticeable. Additionally, Dr. Kemp’s system reduces treatment time, so you get a beautiful healthy smile in a shorter amount of time.

4. Maybe your parents couldn’t afford braces. Dr. Kemp offers several flexible options for you to pay for your braces, so don’t let the cost hold you back.

5. People are living longer and keeping their teeth for life. Getting braces, even if you are a senior adult, helps your entire mouth stay healthy by making your teeth easier to keep clean.

Are you ready to start to achieve your 2016 goal of a better and healthier smile? Contact Kemp Orthodontics today to setup your consultation and let us show you what braces options are right for you as an adult. It’s never too late to have a smile you love.

Communication is Important

Kemp Orthodontics would like to invite you to use our website contact page or our Facebook page.  Of course, you may also give us a call! As technology becomes more advanced, our role as an orthodontic practice has changed significantly. For example, social networks and modern technology have transformed the way we communicate with patients. Technology plays a HUGE role in our communication with our patients! Advances in technology and social networking allow us to connect with our patients on every level. It allows us to keep our patients up-to-date on our latest contests and activities going on in the office. Kemp Orthodontics wants to make sure everyone gets to participate, so visit our website and our Facebook page often.