Burch Orthodontics

April is National Facial Protection Month and the team at Burch Orthodontics would like to take this time to remind our athletes to wear a mouthguard during recreational and organized sports. Burch Orthodontics A mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth. Mouthguards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. They also help prevent injuries to the lower jaw and temporomandibular joint in the jaw. A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks. An effective mouthguard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or s...

February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. Did you know more than 80% of Americans are living with periodontal or gum disease, which most often than not, goes unnoticed? Because the symptoms are barely noticeable at first and there is no pain involved, it can be tough to recognize you have gum disease at all. According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), you may have gum disease, even if it's in its early stages, 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. or some of 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. The American Den...

Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, d on't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. Foods to AVOID with braces: Chewy foods — bagels, licorice Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum Hard foods — nuts, hard candies Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots Foods you CAN eat with braces: Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice Treats — ice cream without nuts, ...

We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact  Burch Orthodontics  as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. In an emergency, you can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain until your appointment. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at ( 850) 877-1692 immediately if you experience any issue with your braces. 

At  Burch Orthodontics  we know that even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. This soreness is the way your body reacts to your teeth as they begin to move. Your braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile but you may experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated. Canker Sores Canker sores are a common occurrence when braces rub inside the mouth. There are ointments available to reduce the pain and irritation associated with mouth sores. We recommend Canker-X gel and we can provide you with a sample to try. Loose Brackets If you have a loose bracket you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the bracket temporarily. You might also apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Please call the office for an appointment. Loose Bands The band will need to be reattached. Please call the office for an appointme...