Valentine’s Day is coming and millions of Americans are planning
to take their loved ones out to eat, buy them flowers, and buy them
jewelry. Relationships take effort and
time to maintain, even relationships with family members, friends and
co-workers.
Teeth also take effort and time to maintain. We need to clean
them effectively (brushing and flossing daily (https://www.okunortho.com/brushing-and-flossing)
is the number one priority, because all diseases of the mouth are caused by the
bad bacteria which build up when you don’t clean effectively. Eating fewer
sugary things, keeping the time that the sugar is bathing your teeth to a
minimum, and rinsing the sugar off your teeth after eating, will all help to
minimize dental decay. Eating fewer
acidic things, and rinsing after having acidic beverages (like carbonated
beverages, fruit smoothies and sports drinks) will help to keep decay and
erosion to a minimum.
Teeth that are well aligned are easier to clean than teeth
that are crowded. Dr. Okun will happily show you how to clean difficult areas,
but she will also recommend orthodontic treatment (braces) when it is indicated
for the longevity of your teeth. Properly aligned teeth are in positions and
angulations that help them to function at their best, and to hold up to the
functional forces of chewing and speaking. But even well aligned teeth have
trouble holding up to excessive forces that are generated by clenching and
grinding your teeth (bruxism) and generated by leaning your tongue on your
teeth at rest or when swallowing (tongue thrust). Obviously, it’s best to eliminate these
damaging habits, but it’s impossible to monitor habits when you are sleeping. Therefore, if Dr. Okun diagnoses you with one
of these habits, she will recommend that you wear acrylic appliances (such as a
hard full occlusal coverage maxillary guard, or a Hawley retainer) at night
(indefinitely) to protect your teeth and their supporting structures from these
damaging habits.
(NOTE: This blog was written in January, and did not post on it's scheduled post date. Sorry it's late.)
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