We all know the importance of oral hygiene for fresh breath, healthy teeth, and a whiter smile, but dental braces can impede one’s ability to keep teeth clean. Since issues like tooth decay and cavities are more common while wearing braces, Our South Houston pediatric dentist has some tips for keeping your teeth clean while undergoing dental braces treatment.

Tip 1: Brush and Floss Your Teeth After Each Meal 

Brushing and flossing twice each day is the norm in oral hygiene, but when you have Houston braces, you need to brush and floss your teeth after every meal to remove food particles that can lodge between the brackets and under the wire, leading to tooth decay. If your child has braces, our Houston family dentist recommends that you closely monitor your child’s brushing and flossing routine at the beginning of braces treatment to ensure proper technique. Assemble a small to-go kit with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss to keep with you at work or school so you always have the tools you need to keep your teeth clean while wearing Houston braces.

Tip 2: Add an Interdental Toothbrush to Your Houston Braces Hygiene Routine

Interdental brushes are designed to clean those hard-to-reach spots under wires and between brackets that your regular toothbrush may miss. Interdental toothbrushes can be found in most drugstores and provide an extra opportunity to remove plaque and food particles.

Tip 3: Use Wax To Protect Your Mouth from Irritation 

Those metal brackets work beautifully to straighten your teeth, but they can rub on the inside of your mouth, causing irritation. If left unaddressed, that irritation can lead to sores or even infection. Our South Houston dentist suggests using braces wax over the surface of the brackets, especially when you first get your braces and after each tightening.

Tip 4: Avoid Foods That Can Get Stuck In Your Houston Braces

Gum, candy, nuts, and chips are a no-no when wearing braces, not only because they can cause a bracket to pop off and require an immediate visit to our South Houston dentist, but also because these foods can easily get stuck under the wires or around the brackets. When this occurs, it can easily be overlooked during your brushing and flossing routine and lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

Tip 5: Maintain Regular Visits To Our South Houston Family Dentist

While wearing Houston braces, it’s imperative that you visit our office according to the schedule recommended by our South Houston dentist. These routine appointments are intended to monitor your treatment, ensuring your teeth are clean, healthy, and shifting properly. In the rare event that issues arise, we can catch them early and respond more effectively.

Learn Why Centra Dental Is Houston’s Choice for Quality Dental Care

Our South Houston family dentist strives to offer top-notch, compassionate care in a clean and modern environment. Your comfort is our top priority, and we’d love to show you why we’re one of Houston’s highest-rated dentists. We offer a variety of dental services and treatments, so contact us today to schedule an appointment with our South Houston dentist that will keep your entire family smiling.

Dental braces are designed to help to straighten your child’s teeth and bite issues, improving their smile and oral health, which is why many parents ask our South Houston dentists when to begin such a beneficial treatment. While dental braces can be an effective treatment at any age, there are significant advantages to getting braces at a young age. 

When To Begin Braces Treatment WIth Our South Houston Family Dentist

Dental braces take time to shift teeth into the proper position, and the older the patient, the longer that process takes. Children’s jaws are still growing, which means their teeth move with more ease than those of an adult, making it possible for metal braces and even Invisalign to be effective treatments in a shorter period of time. For this reason, we recommend your child receive their first orthodontic evaluation when they’re around 7 years old, as this is when our South Houston family dentist can begin to determine how your child’s teeth and jaw will develop. While most patients won’t get their dental braces for another few years (typically when they’re between 10-14 years old), it’s important to monitor ongoing changes in your child’s bite and alignment, as well as establish a trusting relationship between our South Houston dentist and your family.

Which Houston Braces Are Right for My Child?

There are a few options for dental braces at our South Houston pediatric dentistry office:

• Metal Braces: metal dental braces are the most common option to correct your child’s malocclusion. They are composed of metal brackets that our South Houston family dentist affixes to each tooth, which are then connected through a thin wire that is tightened every few months to slowly shift your child’s teeth into the proper position.
• Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are very similar to metal braces but they are made from clear or tooth-colored ceramic, so they aren't as noticeable as metal braces, making them a popular choice for parents and kids. 
• Invisalign: Invisalign is a series of clear retainers that are custom-designed and manufactured to fit your child’s teeth and gradually realign them over time. Because they are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating and drinking, Houston Invisalign is a less invasive option for minor or moderate malocclusion. That said, these retainers can easily be lost by younger patients, so keep that in mind when weighing this option.

Our South Houston dentist can discuss each of these options with you and help you decide which type of Houston braces are right for your child.

Centra Dental Is Your Best Choice For South Houston Pediatric Dentistry

When you’re ready to talk about the next best steps for your child’s Houston braces treatment, schedule a consultation with our South Houston family dentist today. We can weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option, as well as examine your child’s mouth to determine which approach is best for his/her individual needs. Don’t put off the opportunity to give your child a confident, healthy smile!

Our Houston dentist sees countless patients each year who want to straighten their teeth and improve their quality of life. While many initially consider this to be a purely cosmetic issue, malocclusion (the medical term for crooked teeth and/or a misaligned bite) can also cause significant health problems if left untreated. There are a few options available to correct this issue, including metal dental braces, Invisalign, and ceramic dental braces. Determining which treatment is right for you is best determined by a visit to our South Houston dentist, as each option has its own benefits and drawbacks depending on your needs, budget, and lifestyle. One of these aforementioned options–Houston ceramic dental braces–is an increasingly popular choice for many patients due to a number of factors. 

Ceramic Braces With Our South Houston Family Dentist

South Houston ceramic dental braces are much like metal dental braces in that they are made up of brackets that are affixed to each tooth and connected by a wire that is tightened periodically to shift your teeth into the proper position. The difference is that Houston ceramic dental braces are designed to match the color of your teeth, making them less noticeable than traditional metal dental braces. They are made from aluminum oxide, a material that is often touted for its strength and hypoallergenic qualities. 

How Ceramic Dental Braces Compare to Metal Dental Braces and Invisalign

If you’re considering Houston ceramic dental braces, you need to understand how they compare to other treatment options so you can be sure you’re making the right decision for yourself.

Metal Houston Braces

The most popular and cost-effective option, these Houston braces are composed of metal brackets that are glued to each tooth’s surface and connected by a metal wire that our South Houston family dentist tightens periodically over the course of treatment to straighten teeth. Metal dental braces have a noticeable appearance, but are effective at correcting malocclusion issues.

Ceramic Houston Braces

Much like metal dental braces, South Houston ceramic dental braces are composed of brackets and wires that are adjusted in order to move crooked teeth into a straighter line over time. They are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces because they are clear or tooth-colored, though they do cost more.

Invisalign

The most aesthetically pleasing and least-invasive option is Houston Invisalign. This treatment plan features a series of virtually invisible plastic aligners that straighten teeth over time. They are removed when eating and drinking, but must be worn at least 22 hours each day in order to work effectively. They are more expensive than either of the options above and not suitable for those with severe malocclusion. 

Our South Houston Dentist Offers Ceramic Dental Braces

Because they are less visible than metal braces but less expensive than Invisalign, our South Houston family dentist considers ceramic dental braces the perfect compromise for patients seeking an attractive, yet moderately-priced way to effectively straighten their teeth. If you’d like to learn how South Houston ceramic dental braces can correct your alignment and build your confidence, call us to schedule an appointment with our Houston dentist today. We’ll discuss all your Houston braces options and determine the right treatment plan for your individual needs. We look forward to meeting you!

Patients who chose Houston Invisalign to correct issues with teeth alignment are well aware of the benefits this treatment can provide. It’s easy-to-use, barely visible, and not as unsightly as traditional metal braces. One of the most common questions our Houston dentist receives is in reference to proper Invisalign hygiene. If you’re new to South Houston Invisalign or are considering the option for your misalignment, knowing the best methods to keep your teeth and aligners clean can help you achieve successful results and maintain your overall oral health.

What Is Houston Invisalign?

Invisalign is designed for patients who want to correct malocclusion, which occurs when teeth are not properly aligned, resulting in an improper bite. The treatment features clear, flexible plastic aligners that gradually shift your teeth to the proper place, typically in less time than traditional metal braces. South Houston Invisalign is an appealing option for many due to its sleek and virtually invisible appearance. 

Proper Invisalign Hygiene, According To Our South Houston Family Dentist

If you or your teenager has decided to begin the Invisalign process with our South Houston dentist, it’s important to keep your aligners and your teeth clean in order to achieve the best results. This can be accomplished by adhering to the following:

Clean Your Aligners Several Times Per Day

Our South Houston family dentist recommends cleaning your aligners with antibacterial soap whenever you brush your teeth. You should also soak them at least once a day in Invisalign cleaning crystals, which are designed to provide a deep clean that kills bacteria and prevents stains.

Brush Your Teeth After Eating

Since the aligners are designed to be removed while eating, but also only placed on freshly-brushed teeth, it’s wise to brush your teeth after every meal and snack. Pack a travel toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse or backpack so you have it with you at all times. 

Floss Regularly

As your teeth shift into their proper position, new crevices and spaces may develop that can become breeding grounds for decay-causing bacteria. Regular flossing can aid in removing food particles and plaque from the gum line and between teeth.

Avoid Items That Could Cause Stains

Drinks like coffee or tea, as well as beauty products that may come into contact with your aligners, such as lipstick or gloss, should be avoided during your South Houston Invisalign treatment. Should these items stain your aligners or get between the aligner and your tooth’s surface, it could result in a permanent stain on either surface.

Will Our Houston Dentist Recommend Invisalign, Braces, or Something Else?

Our South Houston dentist takes many factors into consideration before recommending Invisalign, Houston braces, or other possible interventions for a malocclusion. Metal Houston braces have long been the standard for severe alignment issues, but Invisalign is more effective than most think, even for those with significant bite problems. There are times in which certain teeth need to be removed in order to make room for the remaining teeth to shift into their proper position. If you’re wondering which treatment is best for you, our South Houston family dentist can provide you with the answers you need. 

Our Houston Family Dentist Knows The Best Treatment for You 

If you or your teen is ready to correct existing alignment issues, Centra Dental is proud to help you on your way to a brighter, more confident smile. We offer cutting-edge treatment in a clean environment designed to keep your family safe and healthy. Call us today to schedule an appointment!