Burch Orthodontics

Heather K. Burch Orthodontics You may not be excited to be getting braces, but before you know it…you will love your new braces. And soon you will realize your braces are working hard to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. To help you get used to your new braces as quickly as possible, the team at Heather K. Burch Orthodontics recommends... Avoiding Sticky and Hard Foods. Braces are attached to your teeth with an adhesive that normally will withstand the forces of eating. However, braces can be dislodged and wires can be bent or broken when eating certain foods . For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard and sticky foods should be avoided as hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets and sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Smooth Things Over. Although the brackets have been rounded and smoothed, until your cheek tissues have toughened, you may find it helpful to use a small piece of orthodontic wax around the ...

  Heather K. Burch Orthodontics After getting braces , you may develop bad breath from not cleaning your teeth properly. Bacteria feeds on food particles left in your mouth, and this bacteria creates odor. Because braces contain so many small spaces to trap food, the habits that worked great for cleaning your teeth before braces may no longer be enough.  It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack, or to vigorously rinse your teeth with water or mouthwash if you absolutely can't brush. Bad-breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontics (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only eating a small amount. 4 Tips to Prevent Bad Breath While Wearing Braces 1. Brush and Floss Often - Follow a strict routine of brushing and flossing regularly. Brush your teeth after breakfast every morning and prior to going to bed at night. Be sure to also floss daily to remove any food part...

  Heather K. Burch Orthodontics 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. Heather K. Burch plans 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 th...

Heather K. Burch Orthodontics   You just got your braces on and they are driving you crazy. Yep…that sounds about right. To help make this adjustment period a little easier the team at Heather K. Burch Orthodontics recommends... Smoothing things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces.   Avoiding sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your bestie harm. And even though it may seem like the best foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard…sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire. Chewing with your back teeth. Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into smal...

Heather K. Burch Orthodontics   At Burch Orthodontics , we believe that no matter what the reason for seeking orthodontic treatment, everyone deserves a beautifully straight smile. When your teeth are crooked, overlapped, or otherwise misaligned , you place an uneven amount of pressure when you bite down. That leads to pain, and it can cause your teeth to wear down, chip, and even break. Not only that, but poorly aligned teeth are also harder to clean properly which can lead to decay and gum disease. The benefits of braces go well beyond pure aesthetics. Braces have many positive side-effects. Better Breath - If you suffer from misaligned teeth you may also suffer from bad breath. When your teeth are crowded or crooked, adequately cleaning them becomes difficult. Having straight teeth makes it much easier to brush away the bacteria that causes bad breath. Reduced Risk of Bone Erosion - Misaligned teeth can result in jawbone erosion or bone loss. Bones and tissues are less...