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Do Braces Weaken Teeth?

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girl braces hurtDo Braces Weaken Teeth?

Orthodontic care is designed to promote healthier teeth while also making you feel confident about your smile. However, myths about braces still exist, and you may have concerns about how your treatment might affect your teeth.

Right now, you are likely wondering if braces are better or just leave it alone since treating crooked or misaligned teeth requires a serious commitment. While your orthodontist is the best person to help you answer this question, it helps to know this information about why braces do not weaken your teeth.

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Signs of a Good Orthodontist

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good orthodontistSigns of a Good Orthodontist

Many people see an orthodontist at least once by the time they are in their late teens. For one reason or the other, you may have missed your appointment and want to get an orthodontic checkup. You will be delighted to know that it is never too late to see an orthodontist, especially if you are a mom between age 20-45.

There are various benefits to enjoy from seeing an orthodontist and you may even have a positive experience if you land in the hands of a good orthodontist. But before you decide on one, you may want to know what characteristics do good orthodontists have.
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Dentist Referral

What questions should I ask during my orthodontic consultation?

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Are you thinking about orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment? Consider making your first step for an orthodontic consultation by contacting Childers Orthodontics at (618) 438-2815. During the consultation, we will address your questions, concerns, and talk about a treatment plan that would best suit your situation. Read more

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What are the Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems?

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Visibly crooked teeth are not the only reason to take your child into the orthodontist. There are some subtle things to look for as well, which may indicate the onset of more serious orthodontic issues. Many orthodontic issues are much easier to address if treated and corrected during a child’s developmental years.

Waiting until facial development is complete or until the permanent teeth have come in can make correction of many orthodontic issues more challenging. Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care at any age, but addressing issues early is almost always the ideal choice.

Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems

If you’re wondering if you or your child might need orthodontic care, there are some things you can be on the lookout for. Here are some of the most common warning signs of orthodontic issues:

• Difficulty when chewing or biting
• Chronic mouth-breathing
• Sucking the thumb, the fingers, or any other oral sucking habits that continue after the age of six
• Overbite – when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 5mm
• Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth while biting
• Underbite – when the top front teeth go behind the bottom row of teeth when biting
• Crowded, crooked, overlapped, misshapen, misplaced teeth or extra teeth of any size
• Crossbite – when one or more teeth tilt toward the cheek or toward the tongue causing excessive stress on the jawbone
• The center of the top and bottom teeth don’t line up
• Uneven teeth-wearing
• Baby teeth coming out too early for the child’s age
• Pain in jaws
• Clicking in the jaw joints
• The jaw shifts off-center while chewing or biting
• A jaw that protrudes, or recedes, too much
• Difficulty speaking or enunciating clearly
• Chronic biting of the inner cheek or roof of the mouth
• Asymmetrical facial structure
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

If you notice that either you or your child has one or more of these conditions, come for a consultation at our Herrin, Harrisburg or Benton, IL office. The sooner these problems are addressed, the wider and brighter you will be able to smile.

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Early Intervention- Orthodontics

What are the Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems?

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When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

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Orthodontic treatments vary from dental treatment, in that they primarily address malocclusions, jaw spacing and tooth alignment, rather than the actual health of the teeth. That is why it is often more difficult for parents to determine when a child needs orthodontic treatment than dental treatment. So how can you know it is time to take your child to the orthodontist?
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Preventing Decay While Wearing Braces

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I chopped my hair off.

Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a big challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets.

Preventing Decay While Wearing Braces

Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

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How long does orthodontic treatment take?

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Orthodontic treatments are used to correct malocclusion, a condition more commonly known as a bad bite. The length of treatment time varies depending on the severity of the bite problem.

What is a “bad bite”?

A bad bite occurs when spacing or alignment problems are present. This often includes teeth that are protruding, crowded, or crooked. Sometimes teeth appear straight but have an uneven bite because the upper and lower jaws do not align properly. Teeth that are irregularly spaced – either too far apart or too close together – can also cause bite problems.

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Elements of Braces

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elements of braces
When coming to our office to have braces put on, you may find yourself feeling a bit intimated and nervous about the experience. We hope to help you feel more at ease by explaining exactly what the different parts of braces are, and what they do.

Diffferent Parts of Braces

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Sports and Orthodontics

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We’re halfway through the summer, and the summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult our office for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with the office. And don’t forget to ask us about how you can get a mouth guard for yourself.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at our office.

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Independence Day Facts, Tips, and Party Invitations!

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Fireworks with Water Reflection

Independence Day

It’s hard to believe, but July is already here and half of 2012 has already passed! As July 4th approaches, our team thought it would be fun to share some facts and safety tips for celebrating our country’s Independence Day.

Fun Facts

• Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.
• The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.
• The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin  word, Patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’
• The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents. Check out American Fact Finder.

Safety Tips:

• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• To prevent a trash fire, be sure to douse the spent fireworks with plenty of water from a bucket or hose after fireworks complete their burning and before discarding them.
• Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.
What are your plans this 4th of July? Share them with us! We’d love to hear what you and the rest of the community will be doing to celebrate! (Don’t forget to make sure there are no restrictions on fireworks! Check out this link to see if fireworks might be an issue for you this year.)

Also, check out these 4th of July party invitations, eGreeting cards, and delicious recipes!

July 4th eCard invitations!
Happy Independence Day eCards
Independence Day Recipes

Independence Day Facts, Tips, and Party Invitations!