The perfect smile has never been easier, thanks to how far orthodontics has come. Contrary to popular belief, braces aren’t just for cosmetic correction. There are a myriad of orthodontic issues that braces can treat. Braces can treat:

Overbites

If someone’s upper jaw or teeth protrude over their lower teeth, this is called an overbite. It’s fairly common, and can make chewing difficult. Overbites will eventually wear down the enamel of the affected teeth, increasing the risk for tooth decay. It’s easier to correct overbites in teenagers than adults, so it’s important to maintain regular dental checkups in order to catch problems like this before they get serious.

Underbites

Underbites are pretty much the opposite of overbites. This is when the top teeth are behind the bottom teeth. Like the overbite, this is easier to treat in the teenage years.

Crossbites

A crossbite occurs when some of the top teeth rest inside or behind the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. These teeth can be anywhere in the mouth, not just the front teeth. Crossbites cause extreme tooth degradation, and other serious problems when left untreated.

Spacing issues

When a person has spacing issues, their teeth often have large spaces in between the teeth. The problem with this is that larger chunks of food are able to get stuck between the teeth, increasing the person’s risk for cavities. And because there is more gum tissue exposed, a person’s risk for gum disease is higher as well.

Misaligned teeth and crowding

As our adult teeth come in, our mouths are still growing, and there’s a lot going on from a dental standpoint. If there isn’t sufficient room for an adult tooth, it can shove the surrounding teeth out of position. This can cause teeth to twist out of their correct positions, crowd them up against other teeth, or make them overlap. This can also be caused by our wisdom teeth. Thankfully, braces can move everything back to its correct position.

Open bites

Open bites are the product of children using a pacifier or sucking on their thumb too long. The front top and bottom teeth don’t meet at all, causing speech and chewing difficulty.

All of these orthodontic issues can be corrected with braces. If you’re affected by any of these conditions, have your dentist refer you to a local orthodontist. They’ll be able to asses the situation and tell you what your treatment will involve, and give you a timeline as to when everything will be fixed.

Dentistry – the healing art and science of promoting and maintaining oral health. Perhaps dentistry doesn’t sound like the most exciting profession on the books, but it’s a noble and necessary one, indeed, and you probably didn’t know that there are some pretty famous people throughout history who were also dentists. So, next time you go for that cleaning, or to get that cavity filled, keep these famous dentists in mind:

 

• “Doc” Holliday – He was better known as a gunfighter, gambler, and good friend of frontiersman Wyatt Earp. Did you know that he was also a dentist? Doc Holliday got his dental training in Pennsylvania, then had a dental practice in Atlanta. His days in dentistry ended when he contracted tuberculosis and moved out West, to the Wild, Wild West that is.
• Edgar Buchanan – He spent 35 years as a Hollywood actor, with roles in The Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and The Beverly Hillbillies. Before Edgar Buchanan appeared in more than 100 films, he got a degree in dentistry from North Pacific College of Dentistry. That’s where he met his wife. But once he got a taste of acting, there was no turning back.
• Thomas Welch – This former dentist is the founder of Welch’s, as in Welch’s juice, in 1869. Welch invented a process that prevented grape juice from fermenting. But before he started a company that would eventually provide sugary juices to the masses, he was a very successful dentist. He even continued to practice dentistry for 11 years after founding Welch Company.
• Paul Revere – His claim to fame was a quote that might not even be his own (“The British are coming!), but in his free time, Paul Revere also worked as an amateur dentist. Although he was a silversmith by trade, he used his craft skills to create dentures made out of walrus ivory or animal teeth. He then wired them into his patients’ mouths. Another couple of fun facts about Paul Revere: he also led a spy ring and made a lot of art.
• Mark Spitz – Olympian Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in competitive swimming during the 1972 Olympic games, but for four years before setting records, he was a pre-dental student at Indiana University. After making a name for himself in swimming, he chose to earn millions with endorsements and later real estate instead of pursuing dentistry.

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Some people simply schedule their appointment and go get it over with without a second thought! However; if you’re someone who will put off an appointment until the absolute last second, and when you finally do schedule one you dread it for weeks? You may have a dental phobia.

Well you aren’t alone. Up to 75% of people have a slight feeling of fear about dental visits! And more severe, afflicting anywhere from 9-20% of the population, are the people who avoid the dentist unless absolutely necessary.

The good news is, there are some things you can do to help ease your dental anxiety.

Bring someone with you

A familiar face, such as a close friend or relative, in the room can do a lot to ease your troubled nerves. Having someone to talk to will keep you from dwelling on your fears and keep you distracted. Make sure it’s someone who knows how you feel about the dentist, and has no fear of the dentist themselves. You don’t want to bring someone along only to have them say “I’m terrified of the dentist! I can’t stand the drill!” That’s not going to help very much.

Distract yourself in the chair

Most dentists allow you to wear headphones while they’re working on your teeth, so take advantage of it! You can listen to some music, although don’t put anything too familiar on – you may find yourself tuning it out. Comedy albums help a lot as well – not only do they give you something else to focus on, they’ll amuse you! Another good option are audiobooks. Pick something new and just let the novel take you someplace far away from the dentist’s office.

Talk with your dentist

A lot of people’s fear stems from simply not understanding what happens in the chair, or that they feel a lack of control. Take the time to talk with your dentist about their process! Let them know that you have this fear. They can walk you through everything so you know exactly what’s about to happen. You can also ask them to check with you frequently on whether you can continue or if you need to take a break.

The most important thing you can do is be upfront with your dentist about it. Don’t wait until you’re in the chair and on the verge of the panic attack to say something. Be honest! It’s very common, and your dentist should be more than happy to accommodate whatever requests you have to help you through the experience.

Protecting your teeth and maintaining proper oral health is paramount to a healthy lifestyle. Dental problems can present themselves as a variety of different issues. Take bruxism, or teeth grinding, for example. If you find yourself waking up with headaches or a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth at night and not even realize it. The good news is there are some things you can do to help bruxism, such as use a night guard. If you do use a night guard, here are some instructions on how to clean it properly.

How to clean your night guard

Simply rinsing off an item that stays in your mouth all night, every night, is not sufficient to clean it. There are a couple of different ways you can clean your night guard:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Use a softer bristle toothbrush and a gentle toothpaste in order to not damage the night guard with any abrasive substances. If the night guard becomes scratched or has pockmarks, bacteria will gather in the grooves and make it more difficult to clean correctly.
• Soap and water
  • It’s important to not use hot water on your night guard, as it can soften the plastic and cause it to warp. Warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap are best – you can also use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub away any debris.
• Mouthwash
  • An antibacterial mouthwash is safe to rinse, or even soak your nightguard in. It will kill any lingering bacteria and give the night guard a pleasant taste. Be aware that it may become stained with regular use of a mouthwash – but that won’t affect the functionality.
• Dental sanitizing devices
  • There are special cases that use antibacterial UV light to disinfect the night guard, however they do not remove any debris so it’s important to still remove that first.

How to store your night guard

Equally as important as cleaning your night guard is proper storage. You may have the most disinfected and spotless night guard in the world, but if it goes into a dirty case, all of that work is wasted. With proper night guard care, you should only need to clean your case once a week. You can use hot water and soap whilst cleaning the case. It’s also important to make sure your night guard is completely dry before going into the case, and that you keep the case in a cool dry place.

If you have concerns about teeth grinding and wish to be fitted for a custom night guard, set up an appointment with Dr. Chauvin!