What Soda Does to Your Teeth

Who doesn’t love a cold, bubbly soft drink on a hot day? In fact, half of the American population drinks soda regularly. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, have seen the gruesome effects of constant soda consumption on teeth. This is why we are committed to educating our patients about cutting back on soft drinks and maintaining good oral hygiene. If soda is something you can’t give up, limiting your consumption of it can definitely make a difference. 

So how does soda actually damage your teeth? Well, there are actually two major ways: by erosion and cavities. Erosion begins when the acids in your favorite soda meet with your healthy tooth enamel. The acids reduce the hardness of the enamel, making the teeth more brittle and thus susceptible to chipping or breaking. Soda can also cause cavities since it can eat through the layer after enamel, dentin, and even damage fillings.

Help prevent the damaging effects of drinking soda by:

- Using a straw

- Getting regular dental cleanings

- Avoiding soda before bed

- Drinking in moderation

- Drinking your soft drink quickly, so as to not let it linger on your teeth

- Waiting thirty to sixty minutes before brushing your teeth after consumption

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.

 

Tips for Tongue Hygiene

So you brush and floss your teeth two to three times a day as is recommended. That’s great! But did you know that you should also be brushing your tongue? Just as your teeth and braces are covered in food and bacteria throughout the day, so is your tongue. Your tongue has its own nooks and crannies that it could be carrying just as much bacteria as your teeth. This creates the perfect environment for bad breath. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, have a couple of tips to get you on the right track to good tongue hygiene.

We know what you’re thinking, “isn’t my tongue cleaned enough with toothpaste and a good rinse?” Unfortunately, like your teeth need a good scrubbing to get them clean, so does your tongue. That buildup on your tongue is so tough to remove that even mouthwash doesn’t always do the job. If anything, mouthwash successfully removes the top layer of bacteria, but what’s underneath can still thrive. The bacteria can lead to not only bad breath but tooth damage.

Every time you brush your teeth, brush back and forth and side to side on your tongue to remove some of that buildup, then rinse with water. Be careful not to over brush though, it would be very uncomfortable if you broke the skin! Just a gentle yet thorough brushing will do the trick. Some people prefer tongue scrapers, though there is no proven evidence that tongue scrapers prevent bad breath. 

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.

 

Protect Your Braces With a Mouthguard

While preventing head trauma is the main concern during contact sports, some people rarely consider their teeth and any hardware attached to them as another vital area to protect. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, recommend athletes of any age to wear a mouthguard while participating in high impact sports. Such sports include football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer. Mouthguards are especially beneficial for patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You are given only one set of teeth, it’s up to you to take matters into your own hands and protect it!

In addition to mouthguards protecting the structural integrity of your teeth, they also protect against jaw damage and lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouthguards have also been proven to decrease the risk of concussions. What’s better than another way to protect yourself from serious head trauma? While mouthguards are available in most sporting goods stores, these don’t always offer the best protection since they can be ill-fitting.

A custom made mouthguard is the best option if you want to have the highest level of comfort and protection. It is created with thin, hardened plastic specifically to fit your mouth and your mouth only. The thinness of a custom mouthguard also allows for easy breathing and communication between your teammates. To ensure optimal protection on the field, court, or rink, always choose a custom made mouthguard.

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.