October is National Orthodontic Health Month! The American Association of Orthodontists uses this as an awareness campaign about not only the value and importance of orthodontic treatment, but also as a friendly way to remind all existing orthodontic patients about the benefits of good oral care and a healthy bite! It may be no coincidence that it takes place in October, when that special holiday full of candy rolls around, Halloween!
Dr. AJ reminds us that, “taking care of your teeth with braces can be quite a bit more difficult.” Braces can cause food to get trapped in all those tiny spaces, and we know that this can lead to plaque if not taken care of properly. Plaque accumulation can, in turn, lead to other dental problems. In order to prevent this, patients with braces must be prepared to spend a little extra time maintaining your teeth than those without. Remembering to brush after each meal or snack goes a long way to keeping away those nasty white spots occasionally seen after braces. This may seem tedious, but not doing so could cause staining on your teeth. And you don’t want to go through all those months of straightening your teeth to have that problem. Also, be sure to floss or use a waterpik and rinse with mouthwash. This extra attention will pay off in the long run.
We also know that October means candy, and lots of it, for Halloween. This can be a challenging time for youngsters with braces. In general, too many sweets, sodas, and sugary/starchy foods can lead to teeth decay and gum disease. We advise that you stay away from sticky or chewy foods and candy. This can stick to your braces and be very difficult to get off. In addition, it can break brackets and loosen wires. Hard candy can also damage your braces. Choose candy wisely and don’t be TRICKED into TREATS that might damage your braces and negatively effect your dental health!
If you would like more information about National Orthodontic Healthy Month, please feel free to ask us about it at our office.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
