Whats going on at Century

Century Orthodontics has some new things that we are offering and doing different in our office.

We are promoting our Facebook page.  Why? Well we love to stay in touch with our patients.  We like to see whats going on in their lives.  It helps show off the great smiles that the kids and adults are receiving.  As you know smiles are contagious we would love to help more people smile.  The more smiles we can bring to the world means a better place for all of us.  So if you are not a friend of our staff page yet or haven't liked our business page please do so.

We will be offering great prizes this summer. We are trying to get 1000 likes but the end of the summer.  We need your help. Please help us reach this goal by sharing our link with your friends and family.  Starting April first we are launching our 1st Facebook only contest. Our Fans will have to like our page then pick the Staff members T-shirt who they like the best.  The staff member with the most likes will receive a Special Prize to the spa or dinner and the movies.  Everyone who voted for our staff members T-shirt will be entered to win an ipad mini.  ONLY if we get a 1000 likes.  So we are asking everyone and everyone that we ask to ask someone.

What other fun things are we doing?

We are changing the way we do contests in our office too.  We going to have more guessing contests. We will also have two photo challenge contests.  This Summer we are going to ask all of our patients to make their Century Orthodontic T-shirt fun.  They can design it anyway they want to.  We will take a picture and share it with all of our offices and on Facebook. July 28th will be the last day to share them for the August contest. Then In the month of August our patients will pick their Favorite T-shirt, Most Creative and Most Crazy.  The T-shirts with the most votes will get a Special Summer Prize that will be announced in August.

Faces without Braces

We will be asking all of our bracket removal patients if they would like to share their new smile with Facebook   We then take a special picture that can be shared on Facebook for friends and family to see.  We just ask that patients and parents sign a release so that only the patients that would like to have their picture on Facebook have them on Facebook.

New Brace Face.

Patients with their new tooth jewelry will also be asked if they would like to share their smile on Facebook   This is such a great way to share with your friends and family your new smile.  Patients love the chance to show off their new bling!  Most people don't realize that braces are some of the most expensive jewelry that most people will wear.  These brackets are beautiful and you may make them as colorful or camouflaged as you like.

Mother & Father's Day

Patients who schedule their appointments the week before Mother or Father's Day will receive a special gift to give to their parent or Motherly or Fatherly figures in their life.  We will also be taking pictures to share on Facebook with Parents and friends.

Please ask if you have questions about any of the new things that are going on.  If you haven't read our blog before please look at past blogs.  There are many interesting articles not only about how to take care of your teeth but also fun things that we do.  Don't forget to visit our Webpage www.centuryorthodontics.com

How do I Clean my Toothbrush?

How To Keep Your Toothbrush Clean And Safe?
One reason we brush our teeth is to remove bacteria from your mouth so it is important to keep your toothbrush clean and free of germs. 

So how do I keep my toothbrush clean?

Here are some tips to help keep your toothbrush clean and healthy:

• Keep your toothbrush covered when traveling and in a clean dry place at home.  When you are on vacation it is important to cover your toothbrush so it doesn't pick up dirt and grim from inside the suitcase or travel bag.  When you are at home it is important to keep your toothbrush covered but allowing it to dry out as well. (in a drawer or mirrored closet)  Don't leave it on a cup next to the sink in a bathroom.  Bathrooms have the most bacteria and germs.  Every time the toilet flushes bacteria is spread throughout the bathroom.   


• Replace it when you’re sick. Even if you just bought a new toothbrush or changed the head on your rechargeable electric brush, it’s a good idea to replace it when you have recovered from an illness to avoid exposing yourself to more of the bacteria that your body has just defeated.  If you don't want to throw it out you can always put it in the dish washer.  This will sanitize your toothbrush to get rid of the germs you got when you were sick.

• Keep you toothbrush away from little ones and pets.  Pets love to get a hold of your toothbrush and chew on them (they like clean teeth too.), hide them and put them in gross places.  Young children love to play with toothbrushes.  This can mean your toothbrush going to places you do not want your mouth to be (toilet, trash can, the dogs mouth or worse)

• Rinse your brush. Make sure after you brush your teeth to always rinse throughly so that there is no toothpaste left  in the brisles.

Why are Braces like Trains

Trains and teeth and Orthodontics…

Here is another way to help you get done faster

 if you are supposed to wear elastic bands!

Think of your teeth as individual train boxcars….

 

Think of the arch wire (connecting

the individual teeth together) as the railroad track, guiding the movement of the boxcars

Finally, the train cannot move without an engine…nor can your teeth move without the power of your elastic bands.

Moral of this story…..If you’re not wearing your elastics, your orthodontic train is sitting on a siding in the middle of nowhere not getting anywhere. 

 Wear your elastics and get to your destination…. your braces off and a great smile!

 

So get moving!!!!

What is Decalcification?

Decalcification

The white marks sometimes found on teeth after orthodontics treatment

            There are two types of white discolorations that are found on teeth.  In one case there is a defect in the enamel formation when the tooth is being formed under the gums, causing internal white marks that can be found at any position on the tooth, even up around the biting edges.  Teeth just erupt this way and it is not a sign of decay, but they may not look very aesthetic.  Most of the time we do not know why this occurs although infections during early childhood may be a cause.

In the other case, the white marks are caused by acids that have begun to eat away the enamel of the tooth (decalcification).  This is the first stage of tooth decay.  As the enamel starts to dissolve it begins to appear white and chalky.  Eventually the enamel starts to turn brown or black and disintegrates.  At this time it is considered a “cavity”.

Typically these white marks are around the gum line where the patient has not done a good job of brushing and flossing.  As food particles collect in this area they are colonized by bacteria forming plaque.  The bacteria then eats the sugar and excrete acids which then eat away the enamel.  Any additional acids added to the mouth like citrus fruits, soft drinks, sports drinks, sour candy, etc. just make the situation even worse.  Of course sugary things just give the bacteria more to eat, so sugary acidic foods are doubly bad.  Some of the worst things are sports drinks and soft drinks.

          In the “old days” before orthodontist learned to “glue” the brackets directly to the tooth they used metal bands that were cemented around the tooth to which the brackets were welded.  Sometimes the cement would wash out from under a band, even though the band would stay around the tooth.  In those cases plaque would cause decalcification under the band that would not be discovered until the bands were removed and a white “belt” was seen across the middle of the tooth where the band was positioned.  Those were unfortunate discoveries that we just don’t see anymore.

So how do you prevent decalcification in patients with braces?

·       Brush or at lease rinse out your mouth after every meal or soft drink.

·       Make sure you do one GREAT brushing every day to remove all the plaque (it takes days for plaque to form to the point where it produces acid)

·       Avoid stick, sugary, acidic foods as much as possible.

·       Use the fluoride rinse we prescribe to lessen the risk of decay.