A young woman in Canada named Alec Stephen recently had some unfortunate orthodontic luck. Wanting to improve the appearance of her teeth, she consulted with an orthodontist. When she later went to visit her dentist, he told her that he would be able to take care of her problems for a lower price than the orthodontist.

After taking her dentist up on the bargain and wearing braces for 18 months, Stephen felt that her teeth looked worse than they did before she had braces. Her teeth had wider gaps and her overbite was more pronounced.

Orthodontists are trained specialists.  Unlike general dentists, they spend two to three more years in residency after dental school receiving specialty training. This higher degree of education allows orthodontists to better identify and treat situations that require tooth movements and some other problems with the teeth and jaws. While dentists take basic orthodontic courses during dental school, they do not have the expertise of orthodontic specialists. Dentists can take continuing education courses on various orthodontic topics, but some organizations that sponsor these courses may grant a “certificate” or other official-sounding document after as little as two days of training.

While some dentists do practice orthodontics, it is still the responsibility of the dentist to make sure that their patients know the level of training and expertise they have in the area. The patients should also make sure to ask questions and do extensive research of orthodontic treatments offered before choosing to let someone alter their smile. They should also inquire of any financial and insurance dental options offered.

See the original article and video here: Global News

While most specialists suggest that a child makes their first visit to the dentist when their teeth begin to erupt, many parents are unsure of when is the correct time to schedule an appointment with the orthodontist. Orthodontic visits can be very important when it comes to a healthy and attractive smile, and all parents should understand a few of the options that these specialists can provide in order to create lifetime of flawless oral health.

When to Schedule an Appointment

Many parents will put off their child’s first orthodontist trip until their kids are 10 or older, but it is ideal to bring children in at a younger age. Orthodontists often suggest that parents make their first appointment at 7 years of age, and this is the official recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists. Children may not receive any treatments whatsoever during these first few visits, but catching signs of any oral health or cosmetic issues early is beneficial. Unlike dentists that care for the entirety of the mouth, the orthodontist focuses on the child’s teeth and jaws.

What to Expect

A trip to the orthodontist begins much like any other trip to the dentist. The doctor or technician will take x-rays of the teeth and jaws in order to get a close look at how they are developing. They may also use a moldable impression that fits over the teeth. Once the impression is taken off, there will be a perfect imprint of the child’s teeth. After a visual inspection, the orthodontist can then decide if the child needs any treatments and when the best time for the treatment may be. Depending on the positions of the teeth and growth of the jaws, the child may not need any corrective services until their adult teeth have further developed.

Orthodontists and Oral Health

Options such as braces, retainers, and straightening trays are about much more than a straight and balanced smile. Those that suffer from malocclusion or a misaligned smile and do not have it treated could be setting themselves up for severe health issues throughout their lives. Many of these conditions are created by habits developed by the child, such as thumb sucking or grinding their teeth, but they may also be purely genetic. When left untreated, the child could suffer from sleep apnea, an increased risk of oral diseases, impacted teeth, or damage to their jaw.

By scheduling appointments with one’s orthodontist early and regularly, parents could help their children avoid a lifetime of serious oral health conditions and enjoy a naturally beautiful and straight smile.

Read here to learn about the benefits of children and parents receiving orthodontic treatment together.

Our staff and patients have both been very happy since we moved our office back in October. We love the modern feel of the new location and the new equipment. We’ve received tons of great feedback from patients, especially from kids who can now play Xbox in our reception area.

We’d like to congratulate the newest member of the Advance Orthodontics team, Jennifer, who will be working at the front desk as a scheduling coordinator, alongside Tiffany.

The tooth brushing area is still “under construction,” but we hope to have it finished soon!

We’ll also be adding a “review kiosk” to our reception area for patients and parents to leave us feedback and provide suggestions. We look forward to hearing from y’all!

Orthodontic treatment is designed to provide dental patients with an improved smile. There are several different reasons why a person may need orthodontic treatment. In many cases, braces are needed to straighten a person’s teeth, or an orthodontic appliance may be required to correct a person’s bite. While many people tend to associate orthodontic treatment with younger patients, research is finding that a person is never too old to improve their smile. Additionally, many parents are also discovering that there are benefits to receiving adult orthodontic treatments alongside their children.

Convenient Scheduling

Between work, school and extracurricular activities, scheduling for your kids can sometimes be challenging. Often, parents will forgo their own checkups in order to ensure that their children make it to all of their appointments. However, when a parent and child are going through orthodontic treatment together, many of their appointments can be scheduled at the same time. This can help a family to avoid scheduling conflicts so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of better dental health with less hassle.

Shared Experiences

When a parent is also undergoing orthodontic treatment, they will be able to understand many of the feelings that their child is experiencing. For example, avoiding eating certain foods will seem like less of a punishment when it is a family affair. Additionally, parents will be able to encourage their children to practice proper oral hygiene when they are also abiding by the same regimen.

When parents and their children experience orthodontic treatment together, they will benefit from their shared experiences as it helps to reduce their fears and promotes a healthy atmosphere for improving dental health. As children observe their parents visiting the orthodontist along with them, they will benefit from watching their parent lead by example.

Read our blog post to see what age is the right time for your child to visit the orthodontist.

Tooth soreness for a few days after orthodontic adjustment visits is very common. Even though this discomfort is usually mild, it can occasionally be intense for a very short time. Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to alleviate pain after orthodontic treatment. Below are some tips for relieving orthodontic pain:

AcceleDent™ System

In addition to allowing the teeth to move more quickly, the AcceleDent™ System has been shown to eliminate tooth soreness after an orthodontic adjustment within a shorter period of time than otherwise possible.

“Exercise” your teeth

One of the best ways to get rid of your tooth soreness as quickly as possible is to utilize the clear rubber bite wafer you were given when you started treatment. Repeatedly squeezing and releasing several times per day increases blood flow to the area, which promotes healing and pain relief.

Avoid crunchy and hard foods

It is wise to avoid consuming crunchy or hard foods, such as carrots or celery, for example. Generally anything that requires a lot of chewing (e.g. steak) should be avoided. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, and smoothies are the types of foods that people should consume while the teeth are sore.

Take over-the-counter pain medications

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen have been shown to be very effective at alleviating orthodontic pain. People should make sure that they do not exceed the recommended dosage. Furthermore, because everyone reacts differently to medication, people should consult with their doctor if any unexpected side effects are noticed.

Rinse your mouth out with warm salt water

Warm salt water may also help ease the irritation. People should use a ½ tsp of salt in a cup of water to rinse their mouth out several times per day.