What Are Braces Made Of?
You love your teeth because they allow you to eat and look gorgeous. But you might need braces these days due to some problems with them. There are many materials that orthodontists use to make these braces, and we will talk a little bit about them here.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is truly amazing when it comes to corrosion resistance. This material will not readily corrode, stain, or rust with water. This will happen with any kind of ordinary steel, but stainless steel will avoid this at all cost. This material also requires low maintenance. You will also find out that stainless steel has a familiar, beautiful luster that you will love in no time. This is an ideal material for orthodontics because of its many useful properties. This material can also be sterilized and steam-cleaned in no time. You don’t have to paint stainless steel.
Titanium
Titanium is a high-strength metal with low density. It also has a beautiful, silver color that you will adore in no time. The ratio of strength to density in this material is just the highest of any mineral out there, which makes titanium a truly useful item. This material is not rejected by your body, and it is also non-toxic. This allows titanium to exude a lot of uses in the medical field these days. If a dental implant is made of titanium, it might last up to 30 years. Yes, this material is here to stay for a long, long time.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a commonly produced synthetic plastic. This material has also been used in pelvic repair and hernia operation for many years. The goal is protection a body for additional operations that might develop over time. Remember also that Polypropylene is resistant to fatigue. Polypropylene has also been used to manufacture a wide array of piping systems out there. Polypropylene is also truly resistant to chemical leaching and corrosion. This material is very resistant to any form of physical damage including freezing and impact. You don’t have to glue Polypropylene if you to join it because you can use heat fusion right away.
Ceramic
Ceramic will allow you to have a wide array of options when it comes to using this material, as it has all the elements. Ceramic also has almost any kind of bonding and level of crystallinity. This material has a lot of attributes including electrical conductivity, toughness, and hardness. Ceramic has also other properties which make up the norm of this material including high melting temperature, low ductility, and chemical resistance. Dental implants can also use ceramic by harness the power of the now famous bioceramics. Ceramics are great because they can bond quickly to any bond out there.
Braces are here to stay for a long time, and they can be great for you. We have talked about amazing materials that a health professional can use to make a brace. They know what they do, but they can also talk with you about this. Stainless steel is truly awesome when it comes to making a great brace out there, and titanium might also help a lot.
5 Reasons Why Summer is the BEST Time for Braces!
Summer brings to mind many images of fun travel plans, lazy days by the water and freedom from the demands of everyday life. You know what summer is great for too? Finally getting those braces that you’ve been putting off! We fully respect your much needed time for some serious chill time this summer, but if finally getting around to seeing what can be done to straighten your smile is on your “To Do List,” then get ready to cross it off. Summer is the best time to start your orthodontic treatment. Here are a few reasons why starting braces during the summer or, at least, coming in to Columbia Orthodontics for a consultation, is a great idea:
1. Removal of plaque and tartar
With summer comes lots of BBQs and parties that always have lots of sweet treats. Those sugary substances love to glob onto your teeth and build upon plaque and tartar, eventually causing cavities! When you have your braces put on, we’ll do a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar that has built up. This will let the braces stay put better - and get rid of a nesting ground for sugary and bacteria to grow. You will need to be extra vigilant in cleaning your teeth with your braces since it’s easy for food particles to get stuck inbetween the brackets, wires, and your teeth. We will go over some tips on how to clean around your new braces and recommend that you still see your dentist twice a year.
2. Time to adjust
Whether you’re out for summer break, or have a nice vacation planned, summer is a great time to break away from the norm and try out something new. With this extra time you will be able to adjust to your new braces. Some patients experience some sensitivity at first. Who wants to be stuck in a classroom or meeting while your teeth are hurting? Take some time off to get used to your new braces.
3. Develop the right cleaning procedures
There is nothing worse than having a piece of food stuck in your teeth all day and no one says anything to you about it. During the summer, you have time to really understand what works best and become a professional with the right cleaning techniques.
4. Summer color combinations
Just because you have braces does not mean you have to evade the camera. Sport your new grill and enjoy the color combinations according to the color that you wear most. If you do not feel particularly bold, there are always neutral colors. The choice is always yours!
5. WOW factor
Going back to school or work after vacation with a new grill is a fun way to mix things up! Whether or not you want the attention, you’ll get people talking and thinking about their own orthodontic needs. Many people feel insecure about their smiles, but with a little tweaking your perfect smile is just around the corner!
This summer start down the path to get the confidence smile you deserve! You probably still have questions, and we are here to help. Give us a call at (360) 883-3800 to set up an appointment. Your new smile awaits!
Prom Can Still Be Great with Braces
Your prom can be great even with braces.
Prom season is just around the corner and you might wish your braces were going or be removed before the big day. Braces shouldn’t be a problem even during your fancy night out.
We recognize braces have a sneaky way to keep food hidden between brackets. If you are going to eat out before the prom, you might want to carry a small interdental toothbrush in your purse or in some other concealed place. You can always go to the restroom, brush quickly and throw the brush away.
Of course, you should have been brushing, flossing and using mouthwash prior to the date. Which, you probably were or you probably wouldn’t be going out. (Just saying.)
Cleaning your mouth not only gets rid of any embarrassing particles, but it is the best way to reduce bad breath.
Another thing you can do to reduce the chances of bad breath is to drink lots of water during the day. Water will help your mouth stay moist which helps wash away bacteria.
Another thing to consider, if you are concerned about bad breath is to stay away from highly caffeinated drinks like coffee. Coffee does the exact opposite of water, it actually makes your mouth dry by slowing saliva producation. This results in an increase in bacteria. So, if you want to impress a date for the night, grabbing a cup of joe to keep you awake may not be the best idea. Not only can coffee give you major halitosis, but it can also stain your teeth. If you can’t survive without your coffee, try ordering it iced and drinking it through a straw.
Straws are a good idea for many drinks. Using a straw means you are pushing stain-causing dyes past your teeth. If you are drinking a Coke, sports beverage, smoothies or tomato juice you should always ask for a straw. These are some of the highest staining liquids and if used repeatedly can have long term effects on the color of your teeth.
Sometimes kids who are planning to go to prom think they will improve their smile with some whitening bleach. When you are wearing braces, this is not a very good idea. Many of the chemicals used to whiten may cause the exposed part of your teeth to be much whiter than the area the brackets were covering.
For white teeth the best thing you can do is brush with a non-whitening toothpaste. This will help remove the surface stains on your teeth with its polishing agents.
If you have any questions about your braces, or if you want a special color for the night, give us a call at Columbia Orthodontics. We want your night to be fun and safe. Call (360) 883-3800.
Spring Break May Be the Time to See an Orthodontist
Spring break might be the time to stop playing for an hour and have your teeth checked.
is may be a perfect time to get in to see Dr. Croft.
If you presently have braces, the scheduling may be a lot easier without school considerations. So you might want to plan an appointment.
If you have thought about braces for a child, this may be the perfect time to come in. Without having to work around school, you will feel less rushed and can really communicate with Dr. Croft about what options would work best.
There are several suggestions he might make. Maybe your child isn’t ready for braces. Maybe there is some prep work which needs to be done before braces. Maybe right now is the perfect time table.
No two people are exactly alike. Everyone’s treatment will be slightly different. At Columbia Orthodontics, we want to get a good understanding of what is right for you. We also want to make sure you have a good understanding of every option.
As spring break is just barely a month away, this might be the perfect time to make a call to Columbia Orthodontics.
If you have been thinking about improving your smile, now is the time to give us a call at Columbia Orthodontics. We have three convenient locations. Call today. We welcome children, teens, and adults alike. Call us today for an appointment! 360-883-3800.
Confident Children Grow Into Productive Adults
We are all about helping children grow in to confident adults.
When kids, teens, and adults like their smile, they will smile more, appear friendlier, and become even more confident. A strong feeling of confidence and self-worth can even translate into academic areas. A confident child might earn better grades or even make friends more easily.
Confidence is only one of the products of seeking orthodontic care. Successful pediatric orthodontist treatment also can accomplish the following:
- Averted jaw damage
- Improved speech
- Improve pronunciation
- Improve the ability to eat and drink better
- Increase oral health.
Children should see a pediatric orthodontist around 7 years of age (10 to 13 years at the latest). This is especially important if there are any of these warning signs.
- Losing baby teeth earlier or later than the other kids do.
- Habits such as thumb or finger sucking.
- Teeth that are very displaced or blocked out.
- If there consistent biting of the cheek or roof of the mouth.
- Abnormally meeting of the teeth, or teeth that don’t meet at all.
- Upper and lower jaw do not match.
Many serious problems can be treated early by correcting them through techniques like pulling out baby teeth to make room for permanent teeth to erupt. By using early intervention, the time spent in braces can be condensed considerably, the orthodontic cost is lower, and the eventual effects can be better.
Come on in to Columbia Orthodontics. We can answer any questions you have about what type of treatment your child does or doesn’t need.
Invest in More than Your Child’s Smile, Invest in Them
Your child’s junior high and high school experiences are notorious for being hard on their self-confidence.
Some things teenagers have to deal with just don’t change over the decades. There is the need for acceptance, the increase in hormones, and changes in the body. All of these things are part of the package of growing up.
But there are things which are unique to the teens of today. These things cause pressures unheard of in previous generations. The social media aspect of their lives takes regular teen issues to a whole new level.
Of course, this isn’t exactly breaking news for you, but even so, a lot of teens are saying that adults don’t fully understand. If you as a parent can’t understand, then it is very difficult to help.
Parents have to recognize there will probably always be things teens don’t share with them. Discipline is important, but also understanding the reasons why a behavior is present can be crucial. This understanding is difficult because teenagers tend to mask many of their emotions.
The disconnect between parents and teens may be fueled and exacerbated by how this generation communicates. Social media binds teens to their peers in a very firm grasp. This often means that teens today are subject to the pressures of maintaining and image online as well as in-person.
Whatever your child does can now be easily documented and posted online for everyone to see. Often, they don’t dare act the way they want to act because they’re afraid they’ll be judged by a large group of people.
This pressure can create a hesitation to leave the comfort of home. Some teens would sooner stay inside, texting, tweeting, and adding to Facebook, instead of actually leaving the house.
This desire for isolation stems from the understanding that nothing your teen does is ever private. All of those previous private moments are now public.
Just understanding this about your children may explain some behavior. Spend time with your children. Let them know that they can trust your time with them is private and precious.
We believe it’s important to invest in your child’s smile. We feel it is even more important to invest in your child’s emotional development.
If you have any questions about improving your child’s smile, now is the time to give us a call at Columbia Orthodontics. We have three convenient locations. We welcome children, teens, and adults alike. Call us today for an appointment! 360-883-3800.
Different From Dentists – Orthodontists Are Specialists
Dentists and orthodontists are two different disciplines.
Orthodontists don’t just treat children and teens. This is the first misconception that we would like to clear up.
There aren’t a lot of misconceptions about dentists. Everyone understands that a dentist is the doctor who takes care of teeth.
That said, what is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? Let’s take a look at a couple of the myths and inaccuracies about orthodontists.
Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about the orthodontist is that they are just like your family dentist. In actuality these specialists are very different. While it’s true that both orthodontists and dentists are concerned about helping their patients have long a lifetime of good oral health, the two disciplines go about it differently.
For instance, you won’t make an appointment to see an orthodontist if you just need to have a cavity filled. A dentist is also great at treating gum disease, tooth decay, toothaches, and other common oral health problems.
People see an orthodontist for very specific services. Most of the patients we see at Columbia Orthodontics are here because they have braces, or they need to be fitted with braces or another form of tooth-straightening device. In other words, you access an orthodontist if you have any concerns about the alignment of your teeth.
Children’s teeth may come in crooked. This happens for a number of reasons. Ideally, an orthodontist would take a look at a child’s teeth at around seven years of age. This is when it becomes possible to identify any problems with tooth alignment. Often family dentists refer children to an orthodontist once the adult teeth have fully grown in.
Another common misconception about orthodontists is that they only treat children. Granted, many orthodontic clinics, including Columbia Orthodontics have a lot of younger kids in the waiting room. We also have a lot of teenagers, several college students, and a large number of adults in there too. This is because crooked teeth can be caused by a number of different factors.
You can come in and see us at one of our three southwest Washington locations, or give us a call at 360-883-3800. Click here to learn more about Dr. Croft.
Valentine Ideas for Those Wearing Braces
Prim roses are a creative idea for Valentine’s Day.
If your Valentine has braces, you will want to take a little extra consideration on what you get him or her for the romantic day.
Here are a few suggestions from Columbia Orthodontics on what to give to show your love and affection.
Flowers
Many people really enjoy getting flowers. It is starting to turn into spring, so if you don’t want to buy roses or another type of bouquet, you can always go with a wonderful pot of colorful flowers.
An Adventure
Think of something the two of you can do together. There is a place over in the Portland area that simulates sky diving. You are actually only about 6 feet off the ground in a wind tunnel, but it’s a great ride.
If sky diving simulation is a little too outside the box, consider taking a cooking class or dance lessons together.
Ice Cream
This will provide a treat for your Valentine that actually feels good on the braces.
Make a Special Meal or Treat
Here is a really great recipe called Melt Aways. They do just melt away when you put them in your month. Regardless of whether you or your Valentine just recently got braces or have had them for a long time there is nothing in this cookie which can cause pain.
The oven should be preheated to 300 degrees.
Powder sugar is a key component in these great melt away cookies.
You will need the following ingredients
1 cup flour
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The following is needed for the frosting:
½ cup margarine or butter, softened
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Cream butter and powdered sugar together. Add vanilla. Add in flour and cornstarch; mix well.
Refrigerator the dough for about 45-60 minutes.
When dough is cooled roll into 1″ balls. Use the bottom of a glass to just slightly flatten each cookie. To keep the glass from sticking dip it in powdered sugar.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake these cookies!
Let cookies cool for 5-10 minutes on their pan.
These cookies are very delicate and must be handled carefully.
In a medium bowl, mix together the frosting ingredients until well-blended and frost each cookie.
Oral Hygiene For Kids
Your teeth should last you an entire lifetime, so we need to care for them properly. This means you should start when you are young.
Our first set of teeth called primary teeth begin appearing as young as six months. They are destined to be replaced by permanent teeth starting at about age six.
These first primary teeth are just as important as permanent teeth for chewing and digestion. Primary teeth are also indispensable in our learning to speak and developing correct pronunciation. These first teeth are also part of the proper growth and spacing of permanent teeth.
Unfortunately, the enamel of primary teeth is less densely mineralized than the enamel of permanent teeth, making them particularly susceptible to tooth decay. That’s why it is crucial for caretakers to limit sugary snack and drinks for children.
Here are some suggested dental hygiene techniques all children should learn, courtesy of Colgate.
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. This is the sticky film on teeth that’s the main cause of tooth decay.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gum line. Plaque which is left on the tooth will eventually become tartar. The only way to remove tartar is by having your teeth professionally cleaned.
Brushes miss the food particles between teeth. So as parents, you should floss for your children by the time they are about 4-years-old. By the time they are 8-years-old most children can begin flossing by themselves.
If fluoride is your child’s greatest protection against tooth decay, then frequent snacking may be the biggest enemy. The sugars and starches found in many foods and snacks like cookies, candies, dried fruit, soft drinks, pretzels, and potato chips combine with the plaque on teeth to create acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel and may lead to cavities
If you have questions about the health of your child’s teeth call Dr. Croft at Columbian Orthodontics. He can help you understand what treatments he or she may need in the future.