The Why and What of Elastic Wear

During various phases of treatment, small elastics, or rubber bands, are used as a gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or the aligning of one arch to the other. Elastics can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Kemp has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it's important to follow his instructions fully.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. When the rubber bands are place, you won't be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time.  Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap, so be careful!

Consistency is the key to successful elastic wear.  Initially, there could be some discomfort, but after a few days that disappears. If you leave your elastics off “to let my teeth feel better,” it only prolongs the ache and could actually make your treatment slow down. 

In most cases elastic wear is prescribed toward the end of treatment.  Remember, if we assign them to you, they are speeding you to the day you get your braces off and will be well worth it when you see your beautiful smile.

Regular Dental Checkups Are Essential!

Are you brushing after each meal and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment?  If yes, that's awesome!  Don't forget that it is also important for you to visit your general dentist at least every 6 months.  Regular dental checkups are imperative for maintaining good oral health, especially during your treatment at Kemp Orthodontics.

Your general dentist can check for problems that may not be seen or felt, like cavities and early signs of decay. Early detection and treatment is the key to good oral health.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.   At Kemp Orthodontics we suggest that your dentist take x-rays to insure overall dental health.  If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit at Kemp Orthodontics. It would be our pleasure to provide a few great references in your area!

Braces and Brushing

 

The biggest enemy of our teeth is plaque, and the most effective way to remove plaque is with regular brushing and flossing.  As you eat, your teeth and braces collect food.  If this food is left on your teeth and at your gum line, bacteria will attack the food and change it into plaque.  Plaque will cause white marks on your enamel, swollen gums and, if left too long, will cause a cavity.  Your Beautiful Smile should be filled with sparkling clean teeth, not white marks and cavities.  The team at Kemp Orthodontics is here to help you achieve the best smile possible.   

Expanders

One of the auxiliary appliances that Dr. Kemp likes to  use along with braces is a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE).  The RPE is a wonderful appliance to use for patients whose upper jaw is narrow, protrusive and crowded. The Rapid Palatal Expander gently widens the upper arch (palate) by stretching the center palatal connective suture.  Once the palate is widened, the suture knits together with newly formed bone.  The Rapid Palatal Expander is prescribed usually prior to completion of growth.  A parent or the patient adjusts the RPE every other day as instructed until the palate has been widened enough. The RPE is an excellent appliance especially to help change abnormal growth patterns.  Please follow this link Rapid Palatal Expander to read more about the expander on our website.

Plaque: The #1 Enemy

The biggest enemy of our teeth is plaque, and the most effective way to remove plaque is with regular brushing and flossing.  As you eat, your teeth and braces collect food.  If this food is left on your teeth and at your gum line, bacteria will attack the food and change it into plaque.  Plaque will cause white marks on your enamel, swollen gums and, if left too long, will cause a cavity.  Your Beautiful  Smile should be filled with sparkling clean teeth, not white marks and cavities.  The team at Kemp Orthodontics is here to help you achieve the best smile possible.   

Retention Phase

The removal of your braces signals the beginning of the next stage of your treatment at Kemp Orthodontics.  This stage is referred to as the Retention Phase.  This phase of orthodontic treatment is crucial to maintaining your Beautiful Smile for your lifetime.  Once your teeth have been moved into their new position, they need a period of time to stabilize in this new position and to permit the surrounding bones and soft tissue to conform to the new dental alignment.  There are several types of retention appliances that we use in our practice.  Dr. Kemp will design the best one for you.  In some cases Dr. Kemp will recommend a fixed retainer that is positioned behind your teeth.  

If you need more information about retainers please follow this link:

http://www.kemportho.com/removable-appliances/

Just Ask!

At Kemp Orthodontics, we blog about important topics that we feel are pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being. However, we thought we'd step back and ask you…

What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics?

What would you like us to focus on in our blog?

Perhaps there's something you've wanted to ask Dr. Kemp?

Let us know by posting here or on the Kemp Orthodontics Facebook page.

So start asking…