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.

 

Sugar and Your Teeth

We know it’s not something you want to hear or maybe you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true, sugar negatively impacts your teeth in a big way. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL take pride in educating our patients about the importance of restricting sugary foods and drinks. It would be ideal to cut these out of your diet completely, but we understand that sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp soda on a hot day. More attention should be paid to, say, how many sugary beverages you drink in a day or week. Is it really adding up? If so, consider restricting your intake for the sake of your teeth.

Sugar easily coats the surface of your teeth and attracts the “bad bacteria,” such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. These destructive bacteria feed on the sugar and disturb the natural pH of your mouth, to the point where the acidity is too much for your teeth. Over time, the enamel on your teeth is broken down little by little. This isn’t so good since tooth enamel cannot be replaced. Once that natural barrier is gone, it’s gone for good. Having braces speeds up this process if you do not practice proper measures of oral hygiene.

If you can’t give up sugar completely, then consider these tips to fight tooth decay:

- Watch what you eat and drink. Make sure to incorporate healthy options, such as fibrous vegetables.

- Restrict the sugar. Try drinking more water, your teeth will thank you (and so will your body).

- Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing two to three times a day.

- Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to take a closer look inside your mouth, monitor anything suspicious, and give your teeth a good professional cleaning. 

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.

 

Dental Sensitivity and Hygiene

People with straight teeth have a much easier time keeping them clean. But until the braces come off, they have to be especially careful to keep their mouths free of food debris. One of the most reliable signs of tooth decay is sensitivity. If you’ve noticed a shooting pain in your teeth when you eat or drink something cold, we at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park orthodontic practice want you to understand why that’s a problem.

It is normal for people to feel pressure after their braces have been tightened. This sensation is noticeably different from the sharp pain that comes from biting into an ice cream sandwich. The inner pulp of our teeth contains a sensitive nerve and the outer layer of the crown, the enamel, is made up of hard minerals. In between them is dentin, a yellow-grey porous substance that heat is easily transmitted through. Although enamel is thick, cementum, the outer layer of a tooth root, is much thinner, leaving the dentin less insulated. When tissue has receded, the tooth roots will become very sensitive to temperature changes.

When enamel has been thinned by acid erosion, the dentin beneath may become visible. Acid erosion and gum recession are usually caused by oral infections. Acid reflux may also be a factor, although usually not in children. Patients who notice sensitivity should make greater effort to clean using a standard tooth brush, Christmas tree brush, and floss threader or super floss. They may also want to try fluoridated toothpaste to help their enamel remineralize and make sure they brush for two whole minutes during each session.

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

 

Proper Flossing Technique

Dr. Cynthia Wong of Orland Park, IL, recommends that patients add flossing to their daily routines. Flossing is the only way to completely clean debris from your teeth. It cleans areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Not only are many patients not flossing, but most aren’t flossing properly. That’s why we have provided this simple flossing guide.

 

Besides brushing twice a day for two minutes, start flossing daily too. Begin by removing 18 inches of floss from the packet. You’ll want to wrap one end around each of your middle fingers. This lets you rotate out the dirty floss and rotate in the clean floss. Next, slowly place the floss in between two of your teeth. Be careful not to irritate your gums by snapping the floss. Loop the floss around of the teeth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up an down, rubbing the area clean. Rinse and repeat for all of your teeth.

 

Your Orland Park dentist has some suggestions to help you floss. Most grocery stores and supermarkets sell floss in different thicknesses and materials. If floss isn’t fitting between tight-gapped teeth, invest in a different type. There are also small flossing appliances available. These handheld devices are easy to use and maneuver.

 

The only way to have a completely clean mouth is through flossing. Without it, food debris attracts cavity-forming bacteria. Preventing teeth decay is as easy as flossing once a day.

 

To learn more about flossing and dental hygiene, contact Dr. Cynthia Wong. Our office is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

Flossing With Braces

Dental health and hygiene are always important, especially when you have braces. Traditional metal braces catch food and debris, making brushing and flossing crucial. Dr. Cynthia Wong, D.M.D. of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL. has a few tips and tricks for flossing with braces.

 

With braces, your daily hygiene routine should take three times longer. Food has a lot more pathways to hide and lodge between your teeth. You need to be flossing at least once a day with braces to make the most of your oral health. One of the largest deterrents for flossing with braces is the difficulty. This doesn’t mean you should just give up. Besides the traditional approach to flossing, there a few other methods that make flossing with braces a lot easier.

 

Waterpik’s are unique handheld tools that spray a steady stream of water at the teeth. The pressure from the water cleans out food from the teeth and gumline. Special tips are offered to help clean orthodontic devices. This lets you clean brackets and between teeth easier.

 

Floss threaders are small, inexpensive tools that help pull floss behind brace wire. This lets you get around the metal work, allowing you to floss.

 

Dental tape is just like floss but more sensitive. This is a better option for flossing with braces if you didn't floss regularly beforehand.

 

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, D.M.D., visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

Water Flossing with Orthodontics

Flossing is crucial when it comes to maintaining great oral health. Cleaning between the teeth is an important step to remove food particles that have been left behind after brushing. Flossing can significantly reduce periodontal disease and cavity-causing causing bacteria that leads to tooth decay, but sometimes the act of flossing is difficult for a patient with orthodontics. Dr. Cynthia Wong may suggest using a water flosser for those hard to reach places!

A safe, easy, and effective way to remove plaque around dental braces is to use a water flosser. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. Not only is this beneficial to patients with traditional braces, water flossers are also an option for people who have trouble controlling traditional floss by hand. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to reap the maximum benefits of a healthy mouth!

To learn more about orthodontics and the treatments 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.

National Dental Health Month

National Dental Health Month is a great reason to celebrate fall! If you’re undergoing orthodontic work, you doubtlessly know the importance of regular oral hygiene. You also have an advantage in that you frequently make trips to Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park office. But because Halloween and the holiday season are coming up, we thought it might still be a good idea to remind patients of how to brush and floss properly.

Anybody with teeth needs to brush them twice a day. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that patients can remove their appliances and brush normally or with an electric toothbrush. For people with traditional braces, it gets a bit trickier. Only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used on teeth. Usually, people should replace toothbrushes every three months, but ones used on braces may wear out sooner. Brush bracketed teeth in a circular motion, making sure you get near the gum line, since that’s where tartar builds up.

There are many kinds of flossers approved by the American Dental Association, but nobody should use improvised devices to pick their teeth. This could hurt the gums and spread disease. People with braces can use threaders to draw floss behind orthodontic wires or use specially-made floss with stiffened ends. When flossing, rub the strand along the side of each tooth down to the gum line and use a sweeping motion to gather up plaque.

You can also protect yourself from bad breath by brushing your tongue and using a scraper on it once per day. Mouthwash can help, too, but it isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing.

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

 

Oral Care with a Floss Threader

A floss threader is a flexible, yet rigid plastic device used for passing dental floss under fixed bridgework, fixed retainers, or behind orthodontic brackets and wires. Floss threaders make flossing easier with these dental appliances and resemble large plastic “needles” that are effective in getting the job done. Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics may give you some in your dental goody bag if you are visiting her for a routine tightening, or to have orthodontics placed.

To ensure the optimal health of your gums, Dr. Cynthia Wong recommends flossing at least once a day, but if you have traditional braces, it might be best to aim for twice a day. A threader is a simple, disposable tool that you can find in the dental care section of your local drug store. To use a floss threader, simply thread the floss into the eye of the threader. Once the floss has been inserted, the ends can easily be manipulated to floss underneath your oral appliance.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about 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.

Water Flossing

A little floss goes a long way when it comes to oral health. This is because it removes food particles that have been left behind after brushing. Flossing can significantly reduce periodontal disease and cavity-causing causing bacteria that leads to tooth decay but sometimes the act of flossing is difficult for a patient with orthodontics. Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics suggests using a water flosser for those hard to reach places.

A safe, easy, and effective way to remove plaque around dental braces is to use a water flosser. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. Not only is this beneficial to patients with traditional braces, water flossers are also an option for people who have trouble flossing by hand. You should never get by on flossing alone. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to reap the maximum benefits of a healthy mouth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

The staff at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics wants patients to remember that brushing and flossing are important no matter what stage of orthodontic treatment you are in.  But how do you get the best clean with braces? Here are some tips!

• ·        Holding the head of the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line will help the bristles clean around the brackets most effectively.


• ·        Floss threaders and orthodontic floss help you thread floss underneath the wires of your braces.  Once you thread the floss underneath each wire, wrap your pointer fingers around each end of the floss. 


• ·        Rub the side of each tooth up to the gum line, and once you’ve removed the plaque and food particles, remove the floss the thread it underneath the next wire. 


• ·        If you feel flossing between your braces does not remove all the lingering food particles, you may be more effective with a water flosser.  Water flossers use a stream of water and pulsing pressure to clean between your teeth and any brackets or appliances.

To learn more about oral hygiene and all the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.