If Pain is Your Worry, "Let it Go"

Is Orthodontic Treatment Painful?

When thinking about orthodontics treatment the first question people have is, "Will it hurt?". Whether it's the dentist or the orthodontist most have a common fear of what pain treatment might bring. Well Dr. Bailey has some good news for you, orthodontic treatment is not as bad as you think it is.

Orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically. As a rule, braces make your teeth tender and sore for a few days, but it is not painful. You feel soreness after the wire is place onto the brackets. This is because your teeth are beginning to move and your teeth are not use to the pressure the arch wire and elastic are causing. As time goes by your teeth will get use to the brace and your soreness will decrease.

Today’s braces are more comfortable and use technology that reduces the discomfort. We use the latest in biocompatible braces, the advanced technique with light force and the highest quality of orthodontic materials, in order to reduce discomfort and treatment time.

Here are a few tips to help:

• Take over the counter medicine like Advil
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
• Eat soft foods like yogurt and mash potatoes
• Place heating pad or warm was rag on jaw
• Avoid acidic drinks; those drinks with acid can irritate a sore mouth
• Use over the counter oral anesthetic like Orajel
• Apply wax to any bracket or wire bothering your cheek, tongue or lips

If you have any questions feel free to contact us by calling the office or leaving a question on our Facebook page!

How to Keep Your Selfies Healthy

People all over the world use the term “selfie” as they take their cameras and capture a personal self-portrait.

Selfies are taken and posted all over social media sites daily, but what’s the key to a great selfie? It’s a picture perfect smile. Yes, your smile is the key to selfie success. Everyone’s smile is unique and best smiles are healthy ones. Whether you’re currently under orthodontic treatment or considering treatment, we want you to know your appliance doesn't hinder your smile you should see it as an accessory.  Here are 4 things to make sure your smile stays in tip-top shape.

1.  Oral Hygiene: To keep your teeth clean you must brush, floss and rinse. To avoid the accumulation of food particles and plaque you should brush your teeth four times daily to in the morning after breakfast, after lunch or right after school, after dinner and at bedtime. For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque.

2. Eat right: Eat healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, to protect your teeth. Minimize the sugary foods in your diet; they cause tooth decay and related problems.

3. Visit the Dentist: You must visit the Dentist twice a year to check up on the status of your oral health.You need to make sure you don’t have any cavities and your gums are in good shape, among other things.The dentist could find a problem early and fix it with a small filling before a major problem occurred.

4. Keep up with your Orthodontic appointments: Make all of your Orthodontic appointments is crucial when you are under orthodontic treatment. You must to follow through on scheduled
appointments in order to keep up with treatment timetable. All orthodontic treatments require scheduled appointments in order to ensure effective treatment and reduce treatment time for the patient.

Whether you are a child or an adult making sure your smile is healthy is important. Orthodontic treatment on unhealthy teeth is no good. At Bailey Orthodontics we pride ourselves on continuously providing some of the top patient care in Arizona. To schedule an appointment with us online today just simply click here.

The Invisible Choice

Making the decision to undergo orthodontic treatment is the first choice, choosing which appliance to use is the second. One of the most popular choices today is the clear choice, Invisalign.

Deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth not only affects your appearance, but your lifestyle as well. For adults undergoing treatment this is an important decision. People tend to associate traditional braces with children and young adults. This stigma deters many adults from seeking orthodontic treatment. Invisalign provides the most flexible option for adults. 

Invisalign are clear aligners that provide a high level of discretion. Invisalign alignment trays are created from molds of your teeth giving you custom aligners. Unlike other braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. You can take out the aligners when necessary, which makes Invisalign a flexible option.

Benefits of Invisalign:

• Easy removal
• Allows for easy brushing a flossing like normal
• No food restrictions (you can remove your aligners to eat)
• Can remove aligners for physical activity
• No brackets and wires to worry about
• Invisalign are practically invisible to the naked eye

There are many question patients have about Invisalign, here at the top 4 frequently asked question and we have the answers.

• How often must I wear my aligners?

You must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.

• How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Treatment time varies depending on the severity of the misaligned teeth. Treatment time can be shorter than traditional braces, between six and 18 months.

• Is there any discomfort with Invisalign treatment?

There will be some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two after each initial insertion. This is a sign that your teeth are moving sequentially into their final position.

• Does Invisalign work for kids?

Yes, if their teeth, including second molars, have grown in completely.

To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Dr. Bailey is trained and can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you. For more information or to find out if Invisalign is the treatment option for you schedule an appointment today!