How old is too old for braces? It’s an interesting question—and the answer may surprise you! Advanced Dental in Lebanon would like to share some information with readers today regarding patient age as it relates to orthodontic treatment.

Spoiler Alert!

Patient age alone is not a deal breaker when it comes to successful orthodontic treatment outcomes, so what’s the determining factor? Simply put— the health of gums and bone. For example, if a patient has uncontrolled periodontal (gum) disease, the moving of teeth within the bone caused by orthodontic appliances can aggravate gum disease symptoms. Other medical conditions or medications can also interfere with orthodontic treatment. Some of these include:

• Severe heart valve disease
• Bleeding disorders
• Severe and uncontrolled diabetes
• Leukemia

Some medications used to treat arthritis and osteoporosis make moving teeth more difficult, so your dentist or orthodontist needs full disclosure of all medications you take before you begin any treatment. Smoking cigarettes and certain other medications can dry out the mouth, increase your risk of tooth decay and make orthodontic treatment less comfortable. Be sure to give Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith all your medical information—including medications you are taking—up front before starting treatment.

What are the Benefits of Adult Braces?

Malocclusion—which doesn’t only apply to crooked teeth, but a bad bite—affects approximately 75% of adults.  About 1 in 5 orthodontic patients are adults over the age of 21. That’s a lot of grown-up braces!

• Orthodontia can correct the bite. A bad bite can be genetic, result from overcrowded teeth, or develop when lost teeth leave gaps in the gums behind. The remaining teeth slip into these empty spaces simply because they remain empty. Adult braces can correct the bite and move teeth where they should be for a healthy bite.
• Straight teeth are easier to clean. Brushing and flossing are much easier to do effectively when teeth are evenly aligned in the mouth, so your risk for tooth decay and gum disease decreases significantly.
• Enjoying food by chewing and swallowing comfortably is one of life’s simpler pleasures. A person whose bite isn’t functional is likely to become discouraged when faced with this problem—multiple times per day, every day.
• Orthodontia—or more accurately, the results of orthodontia—can cause a big spike in self-assurance. People who like their smiles may find it difficult to stop smiling! Personal appearance, self-esteem, and confidence can skyrocket once teeth are straighter. Straightening your smile can actually be life changing!

What Are the Drawbacks of Adult Orthodontia?

Because adult bones are no longer growing, some structural changes in the jaw and mouth cannot be accomplished without surgery. Treatment times may take longer in older patients due to fighting gum disease or bone loss.

Hey, Get Off My Lawn!

Braces are not just for children and teens anymore. Regardless of your age, if your teeth bother you enough to want to correct your malocclusion—you should do it! Crooked and misaligned teeth can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, premature and excessive tooth wear, headaches, and jaw joint issues like TMJ. These are dental problems no one of any age wants!

Technology has grown by leaps and bounds since most of us were kids. Today’s braces are not necessarily the metal and wire contraptions catching every camera flash or trapping food at the worst possible times. While certain dental situations call for more traditional braces, they are smaller and less invasive than ever. Different orthodontic options have evolved over time that look more discreet, often require shorter treatment times, and can be easier to care for.

Different Types of Braces

Clear Aligners

Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® are two popular orthodontic treatments that use clear, custom-fitted aligners to straighten teeth. The aligners are removable, easy to clean, and do not require additional dietary restrictions. They are also nearly invisible due to their clear construction of medical-grade plastic. Millions of people have successfully used these systems to achieve more beautiful smiles—and treatment times average only about a year!

Colorless or Tooth-Colored Braces

Six Month Smiles® is one example of a system using tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires for a short-term orthodontic treatment that improves the alignment of visible teeth. Because the focus is on only the front teeth that show when you smile, the treatment time is much shorter (average treatment times of six months, hence the name) and they’re much less noticeable than traditional braces.

If you are an adult considering straightening your teeth, contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment today!

Sources

http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/22,HD57

https://sherwoodparkdental.ca/dental-myths-101-too-old-for-braces-not/

The post Am I Too Old for Braces? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

A missing tooth or teeth can also cause jaw pain and bite misalignment. Without a full set of teeth, your other teeth tend to move into the empty space, causing unnatural alignment in your bite and jaw—which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to bigger headaches and TMJ/TMD problems.

Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith share how each tooth plays an important role in your health and everyday life, and how dental bridges can restore your smile and the function of your teeth.

Types of Bridges

Depending on your needs, there are three common kinds of bridges that your dentist may recommend. The difference between each type of bridge is how they are installed and secured.

The core of every bridge is the false tooth or teeth that replace those missing. Today these are usually made of quality porcelain and perform daily functions just as well as your natural teeth would-whether you are eating, speaking, or flashing a smile!

Bridges use the teeth on either side to secure your artificial tooth or teeth in place. Sometimes they involve a crown or two over these neighboring teeth and sometimes not. These neighboring teeth – called abutment teeth – are very important. The type of bridge you get will depend on how many abutment teeth are used in your bridge.

• A traditional bridge is supported by two neighboring teeth, each covered in a crown. Your false tooth is suspended in place between the two crowns. Traditional bridges are the most common type.
• Cantilever bridges are not as common but can be used when your missing tooth only has one abutment tooth nearby. Like a traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge uses a crown on the abutment tooth, bonded to the false tooth to keep it in place.
• A Maryland bridge has no crowns on the neighboring teeth. This bridge uses metal wings on the side of the false tooth and bonds those wings directly to neighboring teeth for support.

Bridges vs. Dentures vs. Implants

When looking into tooth replacement options, you may wonder what the differences are between bridges, dentures, and implants. Bridges and implants are “fixed” dental restorations, which means they cannot be removed. Dentures are generally removable.

Dental bridges are also usually cheaper than implants and they can look completely natural. Bridges are a good option if the teeth next to your gap would need a crown regardless, or if the gap has been there for quite some time.  Not every patient is a good candidate for implants, which require a very healthy jawbone and gums to install false tooth roots.

Getting A Bridge

To prepare your mouth for a bridge, the doctor will clean and shape any abutment tooth or teeth in the area your bridge will be placed. The abutment teeth are essential to the permanent fit and function of the bridge. Once you have a bridge, it needs to be cleaned and cared for just like your other teeth: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and come to see us twice a year.  If you’re ready to restore and improve your smile, contact us at Advanced Dental to make an appointment today!

Sources

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/article/dental-bridges-and-oral-health?thumbparam=bridges-and-crowns/468776761

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-bridges

The post Dental Bridges 101 appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it’s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don’t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it’s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common—if not more common—as any other.

Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventative dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues.

Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you’re just at a loss. Lebanon dentists, Dr. Cox and Dr. Smith, explain more below about the current trends in dental insurance and what it means for you.

Forgoing Dental Insurance

Of all the reasons adults avoid the dentist, 40% say it’s because of cost. Followed closely is the 33% of adults who don’t think they need dental care. You can see where this is going—there’s almost no reason someone would pay for a service they think is expensive and unnecessary.

A lot of people seek dental treatments without dental insurance to help cover it. In 2013, the numbers ranged from 12% of children to 61% of senior citizens. Insurance may seem like a luxury but when you need it, it becomes essential. If you can make any changes to your monthly budget to allow room for dental insurance, it might be one of the best ways you take care of yourself and your family. No one wants to be stuck with a cracked tooth, gum infection, or jaw pain while also wondering how you’re going to pay for treatment.

Children’s Dental Insurance

Government-mandated insurance through the Affordable Care Act does not include dental coverage, except in the case of children. This is for good reason—children are vulnerable and they’re growing at such a fast rate. Catching a health problem and treating it promptly is essential for a lifetime of health and wellness.

It’s also important that children develop good oral health habits early that they’ll stick to the rest of their life. Search HealthCare.Gov, or talk with a caseworker if you have one, to learn about your options for enrolling children in free or discounted dental insurance.

Increased PPOs & Decreasing Payments

PPO plans (Preferred Provider Organization), which are more expensive, are becoming far and away more popular, making up 80% of all dental plans. But dental insurance plans are actually paying dentists slightly less per patient than they have in the past.

Consumerism

With or without dental insurance, more people are shopping around for the best rate before making a dental appointment. Following the recession, people care more than ever about understanding what they are paying for when they buy any goods or service.

Dental Plans Need to Stay Current

Research shows that, over time, dental insurance is actually the best “bang for your buck.” To help patients get even more out of their dental coverage, some plans are offering a rollover of funds if you don’t use all of your yearly benefits. Some plans allow for important preventative and diagnostic services without it going against yearly maximums.

Flexible Payment Plans

Your dentist wants you to be healthy and will do whatever we can to increase your access to good oral health care. If you’re avoiding dental treatment because you don’t have insurance and/or you’re afraid of the cost, talk honestly with your Lebanon dentist. Dentists are humans, too, and we understand life circumstances especially in regards to health and finances.

Some flexible payment options we can discuss together are:

• Discounted services for paying up front, before the treatment
• Interest-free payment plans
• Splitting up the treatment over time (when appropriate) so you don’t have to pay for it all at once
• Cheaper alternatives: many dental procedures have cheaper (though sometimes less desirable) ways of treating a problem. Your doctor can tell you what the most affordable route of treatment is.

If you need dental care, whether you have insurance or not, come see us at Advanced Dental. We’re a contemporary practice that can meet you where you are and offer caring, professional services. Make an appointment today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

https://www.healthcare.gov/

The post Dental Insurance Trends appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Teeth are important players in your life! They’re not only the first responders for your digestive tract, but they can make a great first impression – so you deserve a beautiful, fully-functioning set. If your teeth need a real makeover, a crown might be just the thing you need.

A crown is a custom-made shell that fits perfectly over your natural tooth. Crowns look and act exactly like your original tooth – but better. Crowns restore broken and badly decayed or discolored teeth. Crowns also top off dental implants and build dental bridges.

Dr. Cox, Lebanon dentist at Advanced Dental shares what you need to know about getting a crown.

If You Need A Crown

Getting a crown usually requires two trips to the dentist. On the first trip, the dentist makes a plan to suit your specific needs and prepares the tooth. You will also get impressions of the tooth so that a crown can be made to fit perfectly over the natural tooth. On the second trip, your crown is installed and cemented on. A crown is a permanent or “fixed” dental piece. This makes it very stable and durable.

In some cases, a crown can be designed, fabricated and placed in a single appointment with the help of advanced same-day technology.

Crowns can be made of a variety of materials and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Talk with your dentist when choosing between crowns made of porcelain, resin, or metal.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Crowns are a superior restorative dentistry treatment in both form and function. Because they are individually made, your Lebanon dentist can give unique attention to each tooth to make sure it looks and acts just like a natural tooth.

• Form: Crowns look completely natural and are made of materials that match your teeth, they do not stain, and they fill in your smile for a beautiful set of pearly whites!
• Function: Crowns stay perfectly locked in place, they protect your tooth underneath from damage and decay, and they are comfortable, fitting totally naturally in your mouth. They can last a decade or longer if cared for properly.

Getting & Maintaining a Crown

You can (and should) care for a crown the same way you do all of your other teeth. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and seeing your dentist regularly. You should also try to be gentle with your teeth to preserve your crown and prevent you from needing another one down the road. This means not grinding your teeth or using them to open packaging and bottles.

It might take a while to get used to the feel of your newly crowned tooth, but after a little time, it will feel completely comfortable and natural, even much better than it did before!

If you’re interested in a crown, Advanced Dental would love to take care of you. Contact us today for an appointment, and you’ll be on your way to a new smile in no time!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-crowns

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/article/what-are-dental-crowns-and-tooth-bridges

The post Dental Crowns 101 appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Let’s be honest. If you are like most people in Lebanon, you’ve probably put off going to the dentist at one time or another. Some of us have even avoided seeing a dentist for years at a time. Research shows one in three Americans avoids going to the dentist regularly. As the time spent away from Dr. Cox’s chair adds up, so does the cost of potential dental work.

You start to feel and even see that your teeth are not in good shape. Plaque and tartar buildup, toothaches, sensitivity to hot and cold, bleeding gums, deep, dark stains, perhaps even loose, clearly decaying teeth. Either way, by the time you get to this point you are probably wondering – is it too late to see the dentist? Here’s what Dr. Cox has to say when it comes to oral health:

It is never too late to seek dental care!

No matter how old you are, what condition your teeth are in, or how long you’ve been avoiding a trip to your local Lebanon dentist, there is something we can do to help. Even if you are missing all your teeth, we can still help restore your oral health, smile, and quality of life. Going to the dentist- even when there is nothing wrong- is the key to three important parts of your oral health:

• Diagnosis and early treatment of any issues – Dr. Cox can detect tooth decay, gum disease, even signs of oral cancer before they become serious. Preventative care is truly the best medicine when it comes to your smile. That’s why most insurance carriers cover the bulk of costs for X-rays, bi-annual cleanings, and checkups.
• Keeping dental care costs down — one of the main reasons people avoid the dentist is for fear of the cost. The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets, and the more time you will have to spend in Dr. Cox’s chair.
• Maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile! At Advanced Dental we put your oral health needs first, so we really mean it when we say don’t hesitate to ask us any questions! We offer everything from simple fillings to full mouth rehabilitation services and we’ll work with the needs of you and your family to give you the healthy, radiant smile you deserve. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Is it Ever Too Late for Dental Work? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common condition. Everyone grinds their teeth at some point, but some Lebanon folks do it so much (especially during the night) that it causes severe damage to their teeth, headaches, jaw aches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) issues and more. The problem is that most bruxism sufferers don’t know that they are actually clenching and grinding their teeth. The best treatment for bruxism is wearing a nightguard to protect your teeth from the most harmful grinding and clenching, which happens during sleep. The bruxism guards we offer at Advanced Dental are custom-fitted to your mouth and extremely effective at protecting your teeth from damage and getting rid of bruxism symptoms.

Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances are also a great way to get relief from sleep apnea. Lebanon adults who frequently snore, wake up with a very sore or dry throat, feel fatigued during the day, and have to urinate many times during the night may be suffering from this disorder. Sleep apnea interferes with air flow, causing you to stop breathing as many as 400 times per night, and can have potentially life-threatening side effects.

In addition to CPAP machines, oral appliances are recognized by the FDA as an effective treatment method for sleep apnea. By slightly shifting your bite, sleep apnea appliances allow for increased airflow and normal breathing. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Cox will fit you with a custom-molded oral appliance to help you get your restful sleep back.

We care about making sure that everyone in Lebanon enjoys quality sleep and can show it with a beautiful smile. For more information on nightguards or oral appliances, or to schedule a consultation, contact Advanced Dental today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mouth-guards

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20060203/mouth-guard-endorsed-for-sleep-apnea

The post How Dental Nightguards Can Help You appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Did you know that our ancestors actually had naturally larger jaws? This meant they had more room in their mouth for all of their teeth to fit comfortably. But over time, due to genetic changes, human mouths are smaller than ever before. One out of every five people will have a problem with how their teeth fit and line up in their mouth! Invisalign® is one great option for the modern human who wants straighter teeth, without unsightly metal brackets and wires.

If for any reason you aren’t fully comfortable with your smile, Dr. Cox in Lebanon wants you to know your options. Read more below about orthodontics and Invisalign.

Malocclusion

When your mouth is closed, your top teeth should rest comfortably on top and a little to the front of your bottom teeth. This resting position is called your bite. If your teeth don’t come down at a good angle, it might be because you have an improper bite. An improper bite, called malocclusion, is sometimes just cosmetic, but it can cause pain and difficulty eating or speaking, as well as problems with the jaw joint (TMJ).

A bad bite can look like:

• Overbite: when your top teeth are too far in front of your bottom teeth
• Underbite: when your bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth
• Crossbite: when your top or bottom teeth fell left or right of center

If your teeth are out of place, it can affect many aspects of your life. You might have head and neck pain, trouble eating or speaking, or feel shy about your appearance. Crooked teeth also increase your chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease because it’s harder to clear debris even with regular brushing and flossing.

Orthodontics

There are many ways to move your teeth and bite to into a better position. All orthodontic treatment requires careful planning, time, and may cause a bit of soreness. You are moving real bones, after all.

Orthodontic treatments involve some kind of metal or plastic in your mouth that will apply just the right kind of pressure to shift your teeth over time. This is called an appliance and it can either be removable or cemented in your mouth.

Common orthodontic appliances include:

• Metal braces on the front of your teeth
• Lingual braces placed behind your teeth
• Invisalign clear aligners
• Retainers
• Expanders

Invisalign® vs. Conventional Braces

The Invisalign treatment is able to achieve the same results as conventional metal braces but without the ugly metal braces! Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to apply pressure and gently shift teeth into their desired location.

• Invisalign uses plastic aligner trays instead of metal brackets.
• The aligners are removable, so even though you need to wear them for most of the day (20-22 hours) you can actually take them out for eating, cleaning, and for special occasions. Regular braces are permanently cemented in place.
• You will get new Invisalign aligners approximately every two weeks. Each set will be slightly different to slowly move your teeth into a better position.
• Removing Invisalign aligners makes oral care, like brushing your teeth, easier than if you have metal braces for better oral and periodontal health.
• Invisalign may work best on simpler cases but it can often work faster than braces.

Getting Invisalign®

It’s never too early (or too late) to achieve optimal oral health. Having a proper bite and a confident smile can improve nearly every aspect of your daily life. Your Lebanon dentist can give you a professional consultation and even create a flexible payment plan to help you get the orthodontic treatment you deserve.

If you have questions about Invisalign or any other orthodontic options, contact Advanced Dental today! We’d love to give you something to smile about.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/malocclusion-and-orthodontics-topic-overview#1

https://www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/adult-orthodontics

The post It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Invisalign®! appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Take a look around your bathroom and you’re likely to see a lot of products in plastic packaging. Paper boxes and toilet paper rolls are easily recycled in your bin at home, but what about the tricky stuff like toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes? Your Lebanon dentist Dr. Cox has the answers!

Toothbrush Recycling

That’s right, you CAN recycle your toothbrush! (As well as old tubes of toothpaste.) The plastic in toothbrushes can be reused in nearly anything from lawn furniture to plastic containers. The hard part is separating the different materials in the toothbrush – plastic handles, nylon bristles, and metal to hold the bristles in place.

Why Recycle?

We recommend you switch out your old toothbrush every three months or after an illness. This ensures your toothbrush is clean and bacteria free, and that the bristles are in the best shape to actually clean your teeth.

While good for your oral health, consuming four toothbrushes every year is not great for our limited resources on this beautiful planet we call Earth. You don’t have to be a total hippie to care about reducing waste, and thoughtfully getting rid of ANYTHING, including old toothbrushes or toothpaste tubes can be really simple and make a big impact for sustainability.

How to Recycle

There are a number of ways you can go green with your oral care routine. First and foremost, consider buying toothbrushes already made of recycled materials. Buying products made from recycled materials is an important part of the recycling cycle. You can easily recycle the simple stuff like cardboard boxes and plastic mouthwash bottles right from home.

As for recycling your toothbrush or tricky toothpaste tubes, you either need to disassemble and clean them yourself before dropping them off at a center, or you can mail them to a company that will prepare them for you. Be sure to check the packaging to see what kind of plastic they are made of. You can find recycling centers by searching online, Earth911.com is a helpful resource. Call your local center to make sure they accept the kind of plastic you have.

Companies that take toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes in the mail include Colgate, Tom’s of Maine, and Preserve (though Preserve only accepts their own toothbrushes). Both Colgate and Tom’s of Maine partner with a larger company called TerraCycle which recycles nearly everything.

Your Lebanon dentist, Dr. Cox believes in caring for your oral health as well as the environment. Contact Advanced Dental today for an appointment if you’re looking for a professional local dentist to take care of your smile!

Sources

http://earth911.com/living-well-being/health/recycling-toothbrushes-and-toothpaste-tubes/

http://recyclenation.com/2015/06/how-to-recycle-toothbrush

The post Can I Recycle My Toothbrush? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

Has it been so long since your last dental appointment that you’re not even sure how to find a dentist you can trust? Or perhaps you know and love your dentist but you dread the idea of trying to catch up on life with the hygienist while your mouth is being propped open by a tiny plastic jack. (Yes, we think about that too!)

Lebanon dentist, Dr. Cox, and our staff are happy to help you prioritize your dental health, which is why we go to great lengths to remove any barrier that might keep you from stepping through our doors.

Sedation options, flexible payment plans, plentiful office hours, and a skilled dental team can help you achieve your best smile. Our relaxed office is comfortable from the waiting room to the dentist chair. Advanced Dental is completely up to date with the latest technology for any service from a regular cleaning to professional whitening services and tooth repair.

“I am embarrassed of my smile.”

“It has been too long since my last dental cleaning.”

What’s keeping you from the dentist now can end up being what brings you back in later. Remember, dentists are also human. They have teeth and sometimes need to be reminded to floss, just like you.

Advanced Dental wants to hear your concerns and do everything we can to help you work through them. We can even offer a warm neck pillow, just to make sure your visit is a little more comfortable. Avoiding the dentist is nothing to be ashamed of, but dental check-ups are still an important step in oral cancer screening and preventing gum disease.

Oral health is not only essential for strong teeth and fresh breath, it can also dictate other lifestyle and wellbeing factors such as heart health and self-esteem. We can think of so many reasons (beyond just keeping your teeth in your head) that make seeing the dentist worthwhile.

In a world that rewards multitasking and instant results, it can be difficult to think ahead and prioritize seeing the dentist. Contact Advanced Dental today to allow us to serve you and your dental health needs. And after your appointment, let’s go right ahead and schedule that next visit!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Have You Been Avoiding the Dentist? appeared first on Advanced Dental.

There are a lot of reasons to straighten your teeth, and there are a lot of ways to do it. But you may not know that there are many unique times in your life when it might be best to straighten your teeth. In general, dentists begin considering the potential need to straighten a patient’s teeth around 8-10 years of age. People of any age can have their teeth straightened-there is never a bad time-but there are certain times when it makes more sense. Lebanon dentist Dr. Jerry Cox is a local provider of professional orthodontics and teeth straightening treatments. Read below to learn tips for deciding if it’s time to straighten your teeth.

Time for Aesthetic Teeth Straightening

If you’re self-conscious about your smile at all, it’s time. If you cover your mouth when you laugh, or if you avoid social situations because you’re not confident, correcting your smile is a worthwhile investment. Your smile is your own personal accessory and it’s the first thing people notice. You deserve to feel proud of it.

Is a big life event coming up where lots of pictures will be taken? If so, you will want to feel naturally confident in your smile. Consider straightening your teeth with enough time to enjoy the results during an important time of life, whether that’s a wedding, graduation, or starting a new career.

If you’ve recently gotten in shape or overcome a health obstacle, getting your teeth straightened can be the final element to celebrate your new, healthy self!

Time for Functional Teeth Straightening

• Before cosmetic dentistry: straightening your teeth is often the first step to any major cosmetic work. This is to make sure that your final results will be aligned properly.
• Mysterious headaches could be caused by an unhealthy bite or teeth alignment. Straightening your teeth can relieve the pressure that causes pain in your mouth, face, head, and neck.
• Prevent decay: correcting your smile is an excellent way to prevent further damage if you experience the troubling buildup of plaque and decay on certain crooked teeth. This can also prevent chronic bad breath or dangerous gum disease.
• Sleep apnea and allergies are some of the most common medical reasons to straighten your teeth. Improving the shape of your mouth and jaw can go a long way in improving these problems.

It’s Time!

Of course, in real life, function and aesthetics are often connected. The adjustment period to starting orthodontic treatment is very short (perhaps 24 hours) and shouldn’t get in the way of anything you want to do. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Lebanon dentist Advanced Dental is the right place to begin your journey toward straighter teeth. Contact us today to make an appointment to learn more and receive a professional consultation!

The post Is it Time to Straighten? appeared first on Advanced Dental.