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Good oral hygiene means coming to dental cleanings with us twice a year, brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing every night. With Houston braces, though (as well as Invisalign) you have to take extra care of your teeth and implement a stricter daily Invisalign hygiene routine. In this article, our Houston braces dentist will offer our top tips for maintaining adequate dental hygiene while undergoing Invisalign treatment.

Brush Your Teeth More Often If You Wear Houston Invisalign

First and foremost, it’s important to brush your teeth more often when you are undergoing Houston braces treatment. If you wear Invisalign Clear Aligners, you may be more prone to cavities if you don't brush your teeth enough due to the fact that food can more easily get stuck between your teeth and trapped in the aligners. When food gets stuck between your teeth, this creates a barrier between the Invisalign trays and your natural teeth, impeding how Invisalign does its job.

Our South Houston dentists recommend that, in addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you also brush after each meal and snack you eat. This will help ensure no food particles get stuck in between your teeth, which not only makes certain that your Invisalign can do its job but also serves as a great preventative measure against cavities! 

Our South Houston braces dentists recommend you carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you so you can always have a toothbrush handy. This way you can be sure to brush as often as needed, whether you’re at work, a restaurant, or anywhere else. 

Do Thorough Oral Rinses

Our South Houston braces dentist recommends that you use a fluoridated mouthwash before bed after you’ve finished brushing and flossing your teeth, as this encourages stronger, healthier teeth while you undergo Houston Invisalign treatment. Using a fluoridated mouth rinse has been proven to protect against cavities and strengthen the enamel in both our Houston and South Houston dentist patients.

Our South Houston Braces Dentists Can Help You Maintain Proper Hygiene During Invisalign Treatment

If you are currently undergoing Invisalign treatment at one of our dental offices in Houston or South Houston, then please book an appointment so that we can complete a dental check-up. We will perform a thorough teeth cleaning and check that you’re maintaining adequate hygiene and health throughout your treatment. There is a lot that goes into Invisalign hygiene, but it's very well worth it when you're teeth are straight and your smile is the healthiest its ever been!

Kids have just finished up their semesters or they are almost done with them, which means summer fun is soon to begin! In many cases, parents and their children would prefer to begin Houston braces treatment in the summer and if that’s the case, our Houston dentist is ready to examine your child’s teeth to determine if Houston braces are needed. 

Getting braces at the start of summer break is great because your child won’t be in school anymore, which allows for more flexible scheduling. Further, children will get a significant portion of their treatment done over the summer, resulting in a notably straighter smile when the next school year starts!

Signs Your Child Might Need Houston Braces

Does your child exhibit any of the following with their smile?

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps in their smile
• Crowded teeth
• Underbite
• Overbite

If so, then chances are they need braces, and our dentists in Houston and South Houston offer ceramic dental braces, metal dental braces, and even Invisalign, all of which are made affordable! Getting a straighter, healthier smile doesn’t have to break the bank when you entrust our dentist with your Houston braces treatment. 

Which Houston Braces Should Your Child Get?

With our various dental braces options, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for your child. Not to worry, though! When we start discussing Houston braces treatment, we will move forward with a Houston braces consultation that will give us insight on whether Invisalign, metal Houston braces, or ceramic Houston braces are right for your child’s unique case.

Think It Might Be Time For Your Child To Undergo Houston Braces Treatment? Visit Centra Dental In Houston And South Houston!

Serving families in Houston and South Houston, we are proud to be the top-rated choice for affordable Houston braces. If you’re wondering about putting your child on a dental braces treatment plan, then please book an appointment with us so we can begin with a consultation. We accept various insurance plans and dedicate ourselves to helping your child achieve their best dental health, and we can’t wait to embrace their smile!

Centra Dental is a family dentist based in the cities of South Houston and Houston. Specializing in dental braces for children and adult patients, we find that, ahead of treatment, patients have a lot of the same questions regarding their dental braces treatment. In this article, our Houston dentists will address and answer your FAQ’s about Houston braces.

Do Houston Braces Hurt?

Houston braces should NOT hurt too badly. However, some mild discomfort and achiness are to be expected within the first few days after you get your dental braces or Invisalign. The discomfort will subside over the course of a few days and from then on, you’ll barely notice them until it’s time to tighten your wires (if you wear metal or ceramic Houston braces) or when you get a new set of Invisalign Clear Aligners. For those few days following your braces fitting, here are our favorite tips for managing Houston braces pain.

Do I Need To Get My Teeth Cleaned More Often When I Wear Houston Braces?

Although you will need to follow a more thorough Houston braces hygiene routine at home, you will only need to come into our Houston or South Houston dentist office for a dental cleaning twice a year–just as you did before dental braces.

Are Metal Dental Braces Better Than Invisalign?

Many believe that metal Houston braces are better because they are made of metal, so they have to be stronger. Although metal dental braces are stronger than Invisalign, one is not better than the other. We recommend either with complete confidence; it just depends on each patient’s unique case. You can read more about how both types of Houston braces compare here.

Will My Teeth Be Permanently Straight After My Houston Braces Treatment Is Over?

Dental braces at our Houston and South Houston family dentist offices do give you the opportunity to enjoy straight teeth for the rest of your life...but only if you wear your orthodontic retainers as directed. Without them, your teeth will just shift to their prior position. No worries though–you only need to wear them for 24 hours a day for a short period of time, and you can remove them when you eat. Afterward, you should wear your retainers only while you sleep.

Considering Houston Braces? Book An Appointment With Our Houston Family Dentist

If you think it’s almost time for you or your child to undergo Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can begin with a Houston braces consultation. We look forward to embracing your smile!

Invisalign is a popular method for correcting a malocclusion. A malocclusion occurs when your teeth are misaligned due to crowing, excessive teeth, overbites, underbites, and other abnormalities in your bite. At Centra Dental in Houston and South Houston, we offer metal dental braces, ceramic dental braces, and even Invisalign Clear Aligners to cater to different needs. In this article, we will discuss what makes a good candidate for Invisalign by our South Houston dentist.

Invisalign Versus Other Houston Braces

Our Houston braces dentist offers multiple dental braces because, although one is not technically better than the other, one type of Houston braces treatment may be more effective than the other for each unique individual. Invisalign tends to work best for patients with mild cases, while metal Houston braces are effective for mild to severe bad bites. Further, ceramic Houston braces will work for moderate cases. Here is how metal and ceramic dental braces compare in more detail. 

The Pros and Cons of Invisalign Houston Braces To Consider

Here are some things to consider if you are considering Invisalign treatment with our South Houston dentist to improve your smile.

Pros Of South Houston Invisalign

The greatest benefit of Invisalign is that hardly anyone actually realizes that you are undergoing the treatment. This makes Invisalign ideal for teenagers who feel rather self-conscious about dental braces or for adults who would prefer a subtle treatment.

Additionally, Invisalign Houston braces offer flexibility in that you can remove them at mealtimes and, if you’ve followed our tips on how to get the most out of your South Houston braces treatment, you can also skip a few hours of treatment for a special occasion.

Cons Of South Houston Invisalign Treatment

Most cons associated with Invisalign tend to have to do with each patients’ discipline. Since Invisalign offers more flexibility than our other Houston braces, patients need to exercise more discipline. Don’t misplace or lose your clear aligners, and be sure to keep up proper South Houston braces hygiene.

If You’re Considering Invisalign Houston Braces, Visit Our Dentists At Centra Dental In Houston And South Houston

If you would like to improve the appearance and the health of your smile, then Invisalign might be right for you. To be sure, however, please book an appointment with our South Houston dentist so we can begin with a Houston braces consultation.