2 Common Bites in Orthodontics

Our smiles are uniquely ours. However so is our bite. “In orthodontics, “bite” refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together. A bad bite, called a “malocclusion,” happens when teeth meet improperly, or they don’t meet at all,” according to the American Association of Orthodontist.

There are various bites that affect how we speak, eat and our overall mouth. Two common bites, orthodontic treatment can fix is a crossbite and underbite.

A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth fit inside of lower teeth. Can be caused by misalignment of teeth or a misalignment of the bone; can affect a single tooth or groups of teeth. Your jaw may shift to one side if not corrected and wears down on your tooth enamel.

An underbite happens when the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw. An underbite impacts tooth wear and adds a stress on your jaw joints. Through orthodontic treatment, these bites can be corrected and help keep you healthy, beyond an aesthetically pleasing smile.

The Right Age for Orthodontics

Orthodontists today can successfully correct most problems regardless of the patient’s age. But that does not mean that the orthodontic treatment starting age does not matter. In fact it may play a significant role in the total time and expenses required for the completion of the orthodontic treatment.

Children: The magic number is 7! The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they reach age 7, for early detection of any potential problems. At this stage, we can spot potential orthodontic problems related to jaw growth and eruption of adult teeth.

Teenagers: Most orthodontic problems are ideally treated during this time. Usually, all or most permanent teeth are present and patients are at one of their most active phases of growth. This is a great time to correct most problems, as the jaws are actively growing and their growth can be most easily modified during this time.

Adult: As we grow older, our teeth may shift and it may be necessary for an improved smile through orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and it is never too late to improve your smile.

New Year, New Habits

It’s a new year, and that means new opportunities for adopting healthy habits, that will help our teeth. We love encouraging our patients to create a healthy oral hygiene routine. Here are 2 healthy habits to start doing everyday in 2020.

Floss - Floss, floss and more floss. We have all heard how flossing is beneficial, let’s all pledge to floss more in 2020. Getting kids involved in flossing will help them understand from a young age the importance of this healthy routine.

Change Your Toothbrush - When was the last time you switched out your toothbrush? American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months. By switching out our toothbrushes, we can prevent bacteria, keep our mouth fresh and healthy.

Should You Get Invisalign? 2 Benefits of Invisalign

Serving our Mooresville community, our practice's top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. Having straight teeth is important not only for children but for adults as well. Straightening your teeth with the Invisalign system at Quest Johnson Orthodontics can treat common orthodontic problems thereby helping you maintain your dental health. It will also give you the smile you've always wanted!

Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The Invisalign aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Drs. Quest and Johnson plan out for you.

If you are trying to decide if Invisalign is best for you, here are two Invisalign benefits to help you make a choice.

1. Food is Not an Obstacle: 
It is no secret the food restrictions that come with braces are a long list. There are certain foods you should avoid due to the harm it can cause to your braces and teeth. A benefit to Invisalign is, thanks to the removable clear aligners, you are able to eat without the normal restrictions of braces. You should still keep a healthy oral hygiene routine such as flossing and brushing your teeth.

2. Life Your Life Uninterrupted:
With Invisalign, you can live your life uninterrupted. Your aligners are easily removable, which will not get in the way of your activities such as sports, playing musical instruments or taking the perfect selfie. The Invisalign aligners make it easy to floss and brush your teeth. The aligners are additionally easy to be monitored by our doctors at Quest Johnson Orthodontics.

Quest Johnson Orthodontics: Simple Family Tips for a Healthy Smile

Our practice's top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Whether you're an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable doctors and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve - a healthy, beautiful one!

We see families of all types and love to see the initiative to keep your family’s teeth healthy. Here are a few tips to ensure your family is in tip-top shape before their next visit with us.

Brush Your Teeth Together: 
Make brushing your teeth a routine every morning and every night. Stick to the routine and ensure that you and your family keep a specific time for brushing your teeth, this will build a great daily habit.

Flossing is Key:
Flossing every day is even more important when you have braces. If you’re having trouble flossing, just use a floss threader with regular floss, or buy special stiff-tipped floss made for braces wearers.

Use Mouthwash: 
Using mouthwash, especially during orthodontic treatment is so important. Mouthwash can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gums.

Holiday Treats that are not Braces Friendly

The holidays are here and whether you are cozying up with hot chocolate or baking cookies, you may be wondering if there are any types of treats you should steer clear from, especially if you have braces. The answer is yes! Here are a few holiday treats that are not braces-friendly.

• Candy Canes
• Fudge
• Popcorn 
• Peanut Brittle 
• Anything with nuts or crunchy crusts
• Caramel - avoid this sticky treat that can easily get caught up in your braces

Steer Clear of Candy Canes

The holidays are just around the corner and Christmas is less than a month away! Certain holiday treats can damage braces and cause wires to come loose. It's best to stay away from, candy canes. Whether you love them or don’t, candy canes are everywhere during the holidays. However you feel about candy canes, if you have braces, you may want to avoid candy canes this holiday season.

Candy canes are one of the worst foods for teeth. Candy canes, are 100% sugar. Sugar can lead to cavities, tooth decay and loss. Candy canes are also one of the hardest treats to eat. One of the types of foods you should stay away from if you have braces (during orthodontic treatment) are hard foods and candies and candy canes fit the criteria perfectly.

Candy canes also take a while to eat, which give the sugar a reason to linger around longer and form into bacteria, leading to cavities. Here are other treats to stay away from this holiday season that are harmful to our teeth.