Vaping has become the latest trend, allowing many people to enjoy a rush of nicotine or other legal drugs without the tar and pervasive smell of smoking. However, many people who enjoy vaping do not realize that it also can have potent physical effects. Although the smoke coming from a vape pen appears whiter and cleaner than heavy, tarry cigarette smoke, it can have part a particularly profound impact on the health of your teeth and gums.
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UPDATED 28-11-18
Water picks sometimes called “oral irrigators,” make an excellent addition to your regular home care regimen of brushing and flossing. They are especially helpful to those who suffer from periodontal disease and those patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment with full-bracketed braces.
Incorrect bites are common problems that cause people embarrassment because it alters their appearance. Underbites occur when your top and bottom teeth do not align properly and the bottom teeth tend to overlap the top ones. While an underbite is often visible from the front of your face, your profile tends to be the most affected. You may also notice issues such as difficulty chewing or speaking if your underbite is especially pronounced.
Unfortunately, many people think that they only way to fix an underbite is to have surgery, and this false belief could cause you to go years without seeking help. If you struggle with an incorrect bite and don’t want surgery, then you may naturally be wondering are there other ways to fix severe underbite if surgery is not an option. You can use this guide to find the answers to your questions and get started on finding an acceptable method for treatment.
Teeth can fall out for a variety of reasons, whether through inadequate care or some kind of accident. Regardless, many times patients walk into an orthodontist’s office and wonder: any chance that my teeth will move and close the gaps caused by the two teeth I lost?
An investment in your kid’s braces is an investment in their future. Not only are you helping physically correct an issue, but you’re also giving them a boost in self-esteem and confidence that will help them as they travel through life.
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 28, 2017
A smile is one of the first things people will notice about you, and one of the most memorable. If your smile isn’t all that you want it to be, due to crooked or misaligned teeth, a traditional brace may be the first solution to pop into your head. However, they are very noticeable. Adults as well as children or adolescents may find them to be too glaringly obvious and might become self-conscious while wearing them.
If you’re worried about needing and want an unobtrusive way to straighten your teeth, there is a solution. Clear solutions, such as Invisalign, can help you get the straight, dazzling smile you want while preventing future problems that may be caused by misaligned teeth or an uneven bite.
How can you know if this is the correct solution for you or your child? Keep reading for all the facts about this incredible technology, including how it works and whether it’s right for you!
These clear braces gradually straighten teeth with a series of plastic aligners. They’re just about invisible and are custom made to fit your teeth, so no one can even tell that they’re there. You switch to a new set every two weeks or so and they move your teeth almost imperceptibly.
Unlike traditional teeth straighteners that are highly noticeable and can sometimes be painful, these are actually fairly comfortable and there are no wires or brackets that can snap and cause injuries in your mouth. Because of this lack of wires, you can also eat and drink just about whatever you want, and brush and floss as you regularly would. Unfortunately, you can’t choose fun colors of rubber bands, but that is kind of the point of being invisible!
They are a custom pair of shoes. They’re made to fit you, and only you for maximum comfort and efficacy. Your teeth are wholly unique and unlike anyone else’s, so shouldn’t your tooth alignment be, as well? As we stated before, Invisalign straightens your teeth over a period of time using a series of clear plastic aligners. Because your orthodontist will have them specially made from a mold of your teeth, they are actually quite comfortable and many people tend to forget they are even wearing them!
Every two weeks, you swap out your current aligner for the next one. It gently nudges your teeth into their proper places while you go about your day for the most part unhindered. One of the most unique and convenient parts of this technology is the ability to eat and drink whatever you want without fear of breaking a bracket or getting bits of food stuck in a wire.
Because they are removable, you can brush and floss your teeth as you would regularly, without having to take extra care or use any special tools. Of course, you will want to keep up a good standard of oral hygiene. They may be a barrier between your teeth and the food you eat, but they aren’t a force field!
If you’re interested in using them to straighten your teeth and improve your smile or bite, the first step is to talk to your orthodontist. They can help you make that decision based on the severity of your situation and your personal feelings.
However, if you are worried about being self-conscious when wearing braces, or your child wants to have their teeth straightened without calling too much attention to it, they might just be perfect.
One reason a lot of people choose them is that they travel a lot or work irregular hours and may not have the time or space required to properly clean their teeth while wearing traditional tooth straighteners. Others simply like the idea of discreetly improving the way their teeth are aligned.
Then there are those who are very sensitive to oral pressure or pain. Unlike other methods, these are very gentle on the teeth, and because you switch out the aligners every two weeks, the straightening process is almost imperceptible. You won’t feel the same discomfort you would when you go in to have your brackets and wires tightened.
There are a great many reasons why people would choose Invisalign over traditional braces. If you feel like you or your child may benefit from them, don’t hesitate to talk to your orthodontist about your options. They can help guide you through the more technical details of the process, as well as provide you with success stories from people who have already been there.
In Illinois, you visit Childers Orthodontics to have an examination to determine if you need to straighten your teeth. Dr. Kyle R. Childers offers his services to adults, teenagers and children in three locations that include:
• Herrin – 618-997-1800
• Harrisburg – 618-252-0770
• Benton – 618-438-2815
After an evaluation of your mouth, our orthodontist can determine if you need to wear one of these types of devices:
• Damon System – uses self-ligating brackets
• Braces – made with traditional metal and wire brackets
• Invisalign – aligners designed for teenagers or adults
Patients at Childers Orthodontics can also request the AcceleDent Aura system to reduce the amount of time required for their orthodontic treatment. Schedule an appointment online or by calling (618) 438-2815.
Childers Orthodontics
201 West Washington
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 438-2815
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Why Teenage Patients Have More TMJ Problems in the SpringtimeMost people associate springtime with blooming flowers, the first glimpses of sunshine after months of gloomy darkness, and beach vacations south of the border. But for those of use in the orthodontic business, springtime is also the time of year when TMJ is at its all-time high. It’s when we’re most accustomed to seeing parents accompanying teenagers complaining of jaw pain into our offices.
Why does this happen? What is TMJ? And why does it seem to reach epidemic proportions during the spring? Here’s what your orthodontist wants you to know.
The abbreviation TMJ stands for temporal mandibular joint disorder, and it describes a whole network of problems affecting the patient’s jaw, specifically the muscles involved in chewing, swallowing, and speech. It commonly presents with sudden pain, clicking or popping of the jaw, and difficulty opening the jaw. In more severe cases, the jaw can even lock while opening or closing and cause secondary problems like headache pain and dizziness.
TMJ has no single known cause, but it can be exacerbated by a wide range of problems including facial trauma, whiplash, teeth-grinding or clenching, and stress. The condition can be intermittent or chronic. The majority of sufferers of chronic TMJ are young women who have other chronic pain problems.
As we mentioned above, TMJ is frequently brought on by stress, and springtime is an especially stressful time in the lives of most teenagers. Older teens are facing graduation and preparing to depart home for college. Other teens are attempting to secure summer jobs before the school year ends. The majority of teens have final exams to think about, as well as other adolescent milestones like prom.
Even high-achieving students can be prone to the stress associated with TMJ. For that reason, parental support is essential. An exam is also strongly recommended to ensure that your teen’s pain is stress-related and not due to a jaw or bite problem that must be corrected with braces, Invisalign, or another course of orthodontic treatment.
Stress is a fact of life that everyone must deal with, and that can make resolving the pain of TMJ a unique challenge. Parents are frequently powerless to relieve the stress in their kids’ lives, especially when it concerns school, but they can help their children to better manage their stress levels.
After receiving a proper diagnosis to ensure that TMJ pain isn’t related to another underlying condition, parents can work with children and orthodontists to find a combination of therapies to facilitate pain relief.
Some of the most commonly recommended remedies for TMJ pain are:
Having teens fitted with a custom mouth guard to help prevent clenching and grinding during sleep
If your teen has exceptional difficulty managing stress, a visit with a licensed therapist or another mental health professional may prove useful
Keep in mind that TMJ treatment isn’t just about pain relief. While you may be able to alleviate the symptoms, it’s equally important to address the underlying stress that caused it in the first place. Otherwise, you can expect it to recur again and again.
If your child has metal brackets or clear aligners like Invisalign, some suggested therapies for TMJ (such as wearing a nighttime mouth guard) may not be practical for them. In that case, we suggest exploring some of the other solutions recommended above. Your orthodontist can work with you to help you decide which pain-relief strategies are best for you and your child.
Keep in mind that TMJ rarely disappears for good. If your child is prone to experiencing jaw tension in times of stress, you can expect the TMJ to recur anytime he or she is facing adversity. With this awareness and an arsenal of pain-relief techniques at your disposal, you can help equip your child to win the fight against TMJ no matter when it pops up.
At Childers Orthodontics in Benton, Ill., Dr. Kyle R. Childers offers expert care for children, teenagers, and adults. Our orthodontist provides these treatments to repair misaligned teeth:
• Damon System – passive self-ligating devices
• Braces – traditional wires and brackets or color-matching ceramic brackets
• Aligners – designed by Invisalign
• Retainers – designed for keeping teeth in correct positions
• SureSmile – customized archwires
• Propel – alveolar perforations for faster bone formation
Call us to schedule your first orthodontic evaluation.
Childers Orthodontics
201 West Washington
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 438-2815
Why Teenage Patients Have More TMJ Problems in the Springtime
“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ― Santosh KalwarSantosh Kalwar believes that life is too short for crying, and he plans to smile each day. If you don’t want to smile because your teeth hurt when you chew food, then it is time to visit an orthodontist. Having a bad bite can lead to intense jaw pain, but it is possible to undergo orthodontic treatment to shift your misaligned teeth into the correct positions. When your teeth have mild malocclusions, it is easy to wear Invisalign aligners for six months to one year to repair your bite. However, if you have wide spaces between your teeth, then there are several types of braces available.
Visiting an orthodontist is the only way to know if you need to wear aligners or metal brackets and wires to straighten your teeth. At an orthodontic facility, a hygienist will take 3-D images of your teeth and face to determine the type of malocclusions that you have. If you need aligners, then the hygienist will collect a mold from your mouth to design approximately 25 sets of plastic aligners. Alternatively, if you need to wear braces, then a computer software program will determine where the brackets and wires are placed on your teeth.
At Childers Orthodontics in Illinois, you can visit one of three offices that are managed by Dr. Kyle R. Childers. Schedule your appointment by calling one of these telephone numbers:
• Harrisburg – 618-252-0770
• Herrin – 618-997-1800
• Benton – 618-438-2815
Dr. Childers offers several types of orthodontic devices, including:
• Invisalign aligners for teenagers and adults
• SureSmile that has customized arch wires
• Scanning with the iTero digital system
• AcceleDent Aura to reduce your orthodontic treatment time
• Retainers to wear after braces are removed
Call Childers Orthodontics today to learn about a free consultation. Schedule an appointment online or by calling (618) 438-2815.
Childers Orthodontics
201 West Washington
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 438-2815
“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ― Santosh Kalwar
Smiling at the world is like a mirror because it will smile back at you. When Herbert Samuels was having a bad day, he noticed that frowning led to having others frown back at him. This is an important lesson to learn, but if you avoid smiling because your teeth are misaligned, then you probably don’t want to smile. However, it is easy to visit an orthodontist to have an examination to determine if you can have your teeth straightened by wearing braces or aligners. If you have mild malocclusions, then you can undergo treatment with aligners.
If you are worried about smiling while wearing aligners, then stop worrying because the devices are clear and fit comfortably over your teeth. You can smile all day, and no will notice that you are wearing the devices. An orthodontist can make your aligners by taking molds of your top and bottom teeth. Within a few days, you will receive your first set of aligners that you must wear for two weeks. If the aligners are working correctly, then the orthodontic office will give you more sets of Invisalign aligners to wear.
In Illinois, you visit Childers Orthodontics to have an examination to determine if you need to straighten your teeth. Dr. Kyle R. Childers offers his services to adults, teenagers and children in three locations that include:
• Herrin – 618-997-1800
• Harrisburg – 618-252-0770
• Benton – 618-438-2815
After an evaluation of your mouth, our orthodontist can determine if you need to wear one of these types of devices:
• Damon System – uses self-ligating brackets
• Braces – made with traditional metal and wire brackets
• Invisalign – aligners designed for teenagers or adults
Patients at Childers Orthodontics can also request the AcceleDent Aura system to reduce the amount of time required for their orthodontic treatment. Schedule an appointment online or by calling (618) 438-2815.
Childers Orthodontics
201 West Washington
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 438-2815
“The world is like a mirror; frown at it, and it frowns at you. Smile and it smiles, too” – Herbert Samuels
In recent years, many links have been established between orthodontic treatments and whole body health. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, researchers have observed that people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease or experience difficulty controlling blood sugar than people without gum disease. While researchers continue to find associations between oral health and the overall health of the body, as of yet it hasn’t been determined whether gum disease is the sole cause of these health conditions. What can be determined, however, is that good oral health isn’t just about maintaining a healthy smile; it has an impact on the health of your entire body.
The links between the health of your mouth and the health of your body are too many to ignore. Is it a coincidence that gum disease and other health problems occur together? Researchers don’t think so, despite the lack of definitive proof.
Here are four possible connections between the health of your mouth and the health of your body.
So what does all undergoing orthodontic treatments at Childers Orthodontics have to do with gum disease? Braces do so much more than give you a nice-looking smile. Quite simply, straight teeth are easier to keep clean than crooked teeth. Your toothbrush is able to remove more plaque-causing bacteria, and your floss is more effective at ridding tiny particles between your teeth.
Despite the lack of hard facts in these findings, the message is clear: If you improve your oral health, you will also have a greater chance of maintaining the health of your entire body because orthodontics and whole body health are linked with each other. And that’s a chance Dr. Kyle Childers and our team at Childers Orthodontics believe is worth taking. For more information about this topic, please give us a call at our convenient Benton, Harrisburg or Herrin, IL office or ask Dr. Kyle Childers during your next visit!
Orthodontics and Whole Body Health