Preventing Bad Breath

At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic practice in Orland Park, we endeavor to make our patients’ treatment as comfortable as possible in all aspects, including odor. While we hope our patients know how to clean their orthodontic devices, the increased risk of dry mouth makes it especially important that they keep up with their oral hygiene, as well.

Saliva is one of the body’s most important defense mechanisms against tooth-decay causing bacteria. When saliva production slows down or is insufficient, bacteria are able to grow out of control, causing a bad odor.

Typically, when people suffer from dry mouth, chewing sugar-free gum is one of the recommended ways of increasing saliva production. But this isn’t an option for people with braces and is impractical for people wearing aligners or retainers. Another option is to use a throat moisturizer, which can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed for people suffering severe dryness. It is also helpful to reduce consumption of sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic beverages and to quit smoking and using tobacco products. Of course, drinking more water and using a humidifier are the most reliable ways of preventing dry mouth.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Cleaning Removable Retainers

Keeping a removable retainer clean isn’t just a matter of oral health; it’s also a matter of aesthetics. Many patients at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic practice in Orland Park desire clear retainers, and nobody wants theirs to stink, so we’ve put this together this guide on keeping retainers clean.

Rinse retainers frequently, but only do so with warm water. Water that is very hot could warp the plastic, making the retainer unusable. Use a separate toothbrush for scrubbing the retainer. You can use soap or a cleaning solution designed for dentures on it, but avoid using toothpaste used for natural teeth. Toothpaste contains gritty substances which the retainer has no defense against and which could scratch it (unlike the surfaces of your teeth, which are harder and have a protective film).

You have to scrub a retainer thoroughly to prevent tartar build-up and bad odors. However, if you do notice plaque accumulating, you can bring it to us for help. Although soft-bristled toothbrushes shouldn’t hurt a retainer, it is possible to damage one by scrubbing it too hard. It will be easier to clean your retainer if you do not allow it to dry out first. Always rinse your retainer well before putting it back in.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Wisdom Teeth Headaches

Are you constantly waking up with facial pain or experiencing headaches more often than usual? If you’ve answered yes to one or both of these symptoms, Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics would like you to ask yourself another question. Are your wisdom teeth still intact? Wisdom teeth that are located under the gum line (impacted) can be a cause for concern. Learn why extraction is the best way to treat the problem.

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, they raise the risk of developing an infection. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth don’t usually emerge without extraction. Because they stay under the gum, they can grow sideways and even at an angle, pushing on a nerve causing wisdom teeth headaches. Wisdom teeth extraction is recommended between the ages of 17-22, but Dr. Cynthia Wong will remove them if necessary, regardless of age.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

Who knew that there was a month that revolves all around dental hygiene awareness? October is National Dental Hygiene Month and Dr. Cynthia Wong wants to encourage patients to celebrate. It’s important to know that you should be practicing proper oral hygiene habits for 12 months out of the year, instead of only one, and we’d like to offer some tips to help you better your dental health.

Most adults and children find brushing their teeth for two minutes, boring. To make brushing more fun, play a song that lasts at least two minutes so that you can rock out while cleaning your teeth. Additionally, try to make it a goal to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day on a daily basis. You should always schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics to ensure optimal oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is one of the most common reasons why people need orthodontic treatment. It is also a common habit among young children, so parents are often reasonably concerned about it.

Until the child’s permanent teeth start coming in, there is little cause for worry. Children’s skull bones are more flexible than those of adults, and while thumb sucking puts pressure on them, they can spring back. However, with the eruption of the first permanent teeth around the age of five, children’s faces start to solidify. After this point, continued thumb sucking will draw the teeth forward, resulting in an open bite, and they have a higher chance of being stuck that way.

An open bite makes oral hygiene difficult and may interfere with speech, which is why orthodontics is needed to correct it. If thumb sucking continues during or after orthodontic work, the patient will have a high risk of relapse. Because thumb sucking is often motivated by a need to self-soothe, it is best to include the child in developing strategies for breaking the habit. In extreme cases, assistance from a child psychologist may be necessary.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

How Long Will I Need My Retainer?

Once you’ve completed the first portion of your orthodontic treatment, it will be important to continue keeping your appointments so that we can ensure your retainer fits properly. Teeth continue to shift around after braces are removed or Invisalign treatment is complete, so it is important for patients to wear a properly-fitted retainer to prevent relapse.

Ideally, patients will keep a working retainer for the rest of their lives. However, in most cases, they will not need to wear a retainer for twenty-four hours a day on a permanent basis. The exact amount of time they will need a retainer varies from case to case, but it will probably be for at least a year and is often for as long as they were undergoing orthodontic treatment. Corrections for gap teeth usually require the longest treatment, since they are the type of misalignment which has the greatest risk of relapse. While retainers should fit snugly, bring them in for adjustment if they are becoming tighter or you have difficulty getting them to fit right. Do not attempt to adjust them yourself.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Treatment for Worn Down Teeth

Your teeth are strong, but they are not invincible. Sometimes, teeth become worn down over time due to bad habits, health conditions, or dental trauma. When this happens, wear and tear on the teeth can be mild, moderate, or excessive. Fortunately, Dr. Cynthia Wong has cosmetic and restorative treatment options for all cases.

When a tooth becomes worn down, treatment is necessary to prevent further damage to the tooth. Because worn down teeth affect the tooth root, teeth may be extra sensitive. If more than the tooth’s surface has been damaged, Dr. Wong may suggest dental crowns or veneers cover the surface and improve the overall appearance of the tooth. If damage to a tooth’s structure is mild, dental bonding can be used to protect the tooth from further damage.

If you have questions or concerns regarding worn down teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.