You Are Not Too Old For Braces

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists cites that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

The thought of having braces may be discouraging. However, if you are like many adults, you’ve probably been dealing with crooked teeth, crowding, or a poorly aligned bite for a majority of your life and these problems raise more than cosmetic concerns.

Crowded or overlapping teeth can be difficult to clean, making tooth decay and gum disease more likely. Teeth that don't come together properly when you close your jaws can cause chewing and swallowing problems. Poor tooth alignment can also make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds and can put excessive stress on your jaw muscles, causing facial pain. Straight teeth are healthy teeth, which can help you avoid tooth loss and dentures later in life.

Why Adult Braces Are So Important

1. Straight teeth function better, are easier to clean, and are less likely to get cavities. 
2. Teeth are crowded or spaced apart can cause tooth decay or gum disease. 
3. Improperly aligned teeth and jaws are at higher risk for jaw pain, headaches, and migraines.

As an adult, you might think that your options for having your teeth fixed are limited, but today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Depending on your budget and the severity of your orthodontic problem, Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson will discuss your options to ensure your treatment plan fits your lifestyle.

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics, we recognize that adults and children have different needs and require a different level of attention and care. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics please contact our conveniently located office in Mooresville to schedule an appointment.

 

Do You Have Gum Disease?

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

More than 47 percent of adults are living with periodontal or gum disease, which more often than not, goes unnoticed.

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics our goal is to continually raise awareness of the prevalence of gum disease while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Gum disease is something that most people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are so subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.  Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: heart disease, endocarditis, lung problems, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers in men.

According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), you may have gum disease if:

• Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch. 
• Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss. 
• You see pus or other signs of infection around the gums and teeth. 
• Your gums look as if they are "pulling away" from the teeth. 
• You frequently have bad breath or notice a bad taste in your mouth. 
• Your teeth are loose or feel as if they are moving away from the other teeth.

A great oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits are the absolute best way to take a preventative measure against gum disease. TheAmerican Dental Association (ADA) site recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth comfortably, so it reaches every tooth surface adequately. Plaque begins to re-form within 24 hours after brushing and flossing, so daily care is essential. Be sure to floss or water floss every day to ensure your gums are healthy.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime and avoid many significant health problems.

 

If you have any questions regarding the health of your teeth and gums, please don't hesitate to give Quest Johnson Orthodontics a call.

Beautiful Smiles That Last A Lifetime

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve just gotten your braces off and your smile looks amazing!

If you want to keep that beautiful smile for life, you're going to need to make sure you wear your retainer. Your orthodontic treatment does not end once we remove your braces. Wearing your retainer is the final step in keeping your smile perfect.

Your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable. If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth will move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places…it will be like you never went through orthodontic treatment at all.

The retention phase of your treatment begins as soon as your braces are removed and lasts for a lifetime. So, please wear your retainer as prescribed by Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson. If you have any questions about the retention phrase of your orthodontic treatment, please don't hesitate to contact our office. A member of our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Protect Your Enamel

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

Braces provide patients with a spectacular tool for straightening smiles and correcting jaw problems that impact self-confidence and overall oral wellness. Your wires and brackets are fundamental to the treatment process, but they also can make it difficult to remove food particles that get stuck under and between your brackets and wires. Unfortunately, if this food is left to fester, the acidic content of the food can eat away at your tooth’s vital tooth enamel.

If you have braces, your smile can be prone to enamel erosion. Enamel erosion occurs when acid attacks the teeth and wears down the enamel. This can make your teeth vulnerable to tooth fractures and cavities. Pay special attention to cleaning your teeth every day. Permanent damage to tooth enamel can occur if the teeth and brackets are not kept clean.

To prevent enamel erosion, Drs. Quest and Johnson encourage you to:

Avoid Acidic Foods and Beverages: Consuming acidic products can expose your smile to the acid that harms the teeth. So, it’s best to avoid consuming acidic foods and drinks as much as possible.

Keep Your Teeth Clean: This includes regular brushing, an interdental brush, floss (and floss threaders) and possibly a water flosser to help you use the force of water to rid your mouth of stuck debris.

Use Fluoride: Fluoride can strengthen your tooth enamel and help you avoid enamel erosion. Use a fluoride toothpaste with every brushing and fluoride mouthwash at night before bed every evening.

When it comes to taking care of your teeth with braces, one of the best things you can do is pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Thinking about what is coming in contact with your pearly whites can protect your teeth from erosion and decay.

Certain foods and beverages are more acidic than others. During orthodontic treatment, focus on eating foods that are both good for your body and your teeth.

Less tooth-friendly foods and drinks include: apples, cherries, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, pineapples, raspberries, tomatoes, pickles, soft drinks, and fruit drinks.

More tooth-friendly foods and drinks include: bananas, mangoes, melons, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, milk, water, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, crackers, and pasta.

If you like to learn more about how you prevent enamel erosion while wearing braces, our friendly staff at Quest Johnson Orthodontics is available to train you in methods for keeping your teeth clean and strong.

Taking Care of Your Invisalign Aligners

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

Did you know over 10 million people across the U.S. have had orthodontic treatment using Invisalign? That includes many people right here in our Mooresville community.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson plan out for you.

It is important that your take care of your Invisalign aligners to ensure they are doing their best in helping shape your teeth according to your plan.

One of Invisalign’s biggest advantages is having the ability to take the aligners out to eat and drink… but that doesn't mean they don't get dirty. Keeping your aligners clean is a vital part of your treatment, and it's the only way to keep them invisible, odorless, and free from germs. Without proper cleaning, your aligners can discolor, smell, and build up deposits of plaque and bacteria that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

Caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy. Just follow these simple Do's and Don'ts when wearing Invisalign:

DO Rinse Every Time: Any time you take your aligners out of your mouth, rinse them thoroughly under running water. This will rinse away bacteria, saliva, and food particles.

DON’T Boil Your Aligners: Hot water will distort the trays. It is not safe to place your Invisalign aligners into the dishwasher or in boiling water. The best way to clean your aligners is with a clean toothbrush and cool water.

DO Brush and Floss Your Teeth: Proper care isn't just about clean aligners; your teeth need to stay clean too. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent buildup of plaque and bacteria under the aligners.

DON’T Use Toothpaste: Toothpaste is great for your teeth, but it can harm your aligners. When you brush them, do so gently and without toothpaste.

DO Use Clear, Anti-Bacterial Soft Soap: Anti-Bacterial soft soap is a great way to keep your aligners free of bacteria and plaque.

DON’T Use Scented or Colored Soap: Using anything but clear soap with aligners can cause them to stain.

DO Brush Carefully: Ideally, you want to brush your Invisalign aligners every time you take them out or before you put them back in. But be careful, as overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches on your aligners.

If you have questions about caring for your Invisalign aligners, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out to us to schedule an appointment, or just ask your questions, at 317-834-4933. Or email us at info@QuestJohnsonOrtho.com.

Out With The Old

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

The toothbrush is your number one oral hygiene accessory.  Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you keep a toothbrush?

It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since it is constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn that's a clear sign you need a new toothbrush.

People who wear braces should change their toothbrushes more frequently because braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness.

It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement.

3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush:

1. Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing. Now, this isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria-ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck.

2. Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that…an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque.

3. Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to switch out your toothbrush.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution. Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great at cleaning around facet fixtures and in tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes.

 

Orthodontic Emergencies

Quest Johnson Orthodontics

If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself?

The vast majority of orthodontic problems are relatively minor although some may irritate your mouth or cause discomfort. In general, the best approach is to try to ease the source of the problem, and then call our office to schedule an appointment.

Here are three common orthodontic problems you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office.

Loose or Poking Wires: If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an adjustment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube on the back tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers. If the wire is sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. As a last resort, you might be able to snip off the end of the wire with a nail clipper you’ve sterilized in alcohol. However, first call our office for advice and instructions.

Loose Brackets or Bands: If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber ring or a small steel ligature tie. Tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform us of the problem.

If a piece of your braces break, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit.

In cases of damaged wires, brackets or bands, it’s important to call our office as soon as possible to arrange for repairs in order to keep your treatment plan on course. Wires that are bent out of the prescribed shape will move the teeth in the wrong way.

Loose Teeth: It’s natural for teeth to become slightly loose when wearing braces…it’s a sign that your orthodontic treatment is working. Sometimes this tooth movement can be accompanied by tenderness, especially immediately after braces are fitted or adjusted. Try taking over-the-counter pain relief. Rinsing your mouth twice a day with a cup of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. A heating pad or warm washcloth placed on your face may help to relieve tenderness as well. Or eating cold food like ice cream, a milkshake, or an Icee or Slushee can also be comforting. Please don’t chew on ice pieces though!

If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food. If you cut your gums, tongue or the inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call your family dentist or our office.

And remember…if you are a patient in retention and your retainer cracks or breaks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair or replacement.