Flossing with Traditional Braces

As Dr. Cynthia Wong will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have these devices. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, here are some tips for flossing effectively and keeping those brackets and wires clean.

Although flossing with braces is tricky, it’s important to use the right tool. An orthodontic floss threader is a very thin piece of flexible plastic with a large loop at the end. After putting your floss through the loop, you pull the threader up and under the wire. This inexpensive and disposable tool is available in nearly any drugstore. It is indispensable when flossing teeth with braces because it allows you to pull the floss through the teeth above the wire and reach the gum line. Using this tool is an easy way of getting dental floss under your wires. Floss picks are another tool that can make the habit easier. These picks come with a short section of floss held in place by two thin prongs that are often thin enough to fit under the wire.

If you have questions about how to floss with braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What Am I Allowed to Eat with Braces?

 

When you get braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. As much as we love to see you at the office of Dr. Cynthia Wong, we don’t want you to delay your orthodontic treatment by eating the wrong foods that may loosen, break, or bend wires and bands. Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. Below, we will explain what you should and should not eat while wearing braces.

You should never eat sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and chewing gum when you have braces. You should also avoid popcorn, because the hulls can get stuck between your brackets and cause gum inflammation and infection. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces. 

Recommended foods while wearing braces generally include anything soft such as: bananas, yogurt, light crackers, cheese, mashed potatoes, melons, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as noodle dishes like ravioli, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese. 

If you have additional questions about what you can and cannot eat while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

When you get braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. As much as we love to see you at the office of Dr. Cynthia Wong, we don’t want you to delay your orthodontic treatment by eating the wrong foods that may loosen, break, or bend wires and bands. Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. Below, we will explain what you should and should not eat while wearing braces.

You should never eat sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and chewing gum when you have braces. You should also avoid popcorn, because the hulls can get stuck between your brackets and cause gum inflammation and infection. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces.

Recommended foods while wearing braces generally include anything soft such as: bananas, yogurt, light crackers, cheese, mashed potatoes, melons, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as noodle dishes like ravioli, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese.

If you have additional questions about what you can and cannot eat while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the types of braces we provide at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

 

Oral Care For Braces

Dr. Cynthia Wong wants you to have the best results possible when it comes to your orthodontic care. Because thorough oral hygiene is more difficult with braces, braces wearers are more prone to gingivitis, tartar, and demineralization than non-braces wearers. While you are wearing braces, it is essential that you take care of your teeth and gums properly.

Braces have countless tiny spaces to trap food, and this trapped food causes plaque, which can lead to many other dental problems. Because of this, it's very important to brush your teeth after every meal (snacks count, too), to rinse with mouthwash, and to floss at least once a day. This may seem tedious or excessive, but neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to serious oral health problems, force you to spend additional time in braces, or cause unsightly staining on your teeth.

If you have questions about how to maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What Do Rubber Bands Do For Braces?

In some cases, when a patient is wearing dental braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong may need to supply the patient with rubber bands. While brackets, archwires, and ligatures are responsible for moving teeth along the gum line and the angle at which they point away from the gums, rubber bands pull the jaw forward or backward in order to line up your top and bottom rows of teeth to improve your smile and make your teeth fit together comfortably when you bite down.

Rubber bands attach to the braces in specific ways to apply proper pressure on your teeth. The constant, steady pressure moves teeth. Elastics must be worn consistently, usually 24 hours a day. Leaving your elastics off for as little as a day can allow teeth to move back and erase the progress you had made. The way in which the elastics attach to the braces dictates the direction of the tension, so the specific configuration of the rubber bands is customized for each patient. The rubber bands typically hook over loops on the brackets of upper and lower teeth and may be placed vertically, diagonally or in a zigzag pattern.

If you have questions about using rubber bands while wearing braces, give us a call. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How are Braces Removed from Teeth?

It’s official. You have undergone months, or perhaps years, of orthodontic treatment in the form of dental braces and now the glorious moment has come to finally have them removed. Understanding the process that Dr. Cynthia Wong will follow to remove your braces will help you better know what to expect when the time comes.

The removal of braces is a relatively quick and painless procedure and they must be removed in the reverse order from how they were applied. Therefore, the small elastic bands that are placed around each bracket to hold the wiring system in place must be taken off first. To do this, Dr. Cynthia Wong will use a small dental instrument with a hook to carefully remove each band.

After the elastic bands are removed, Dr. Cynthia Wong will use small pliers to gently detach the wire from the groove on top of each bracket and from the anchor bands that may be located on the back molars. Dr. Wong will then use special pliers to squeeze and remove each bracket individually. Because the separation of the bracket and tooth occurs at the point where the bracket met the adhesive keeping it in place, residue will remain on the tooth until it is polished and cleaned.

After the removal of your braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong will discuss the need for you to continue orthodontic treatment in the form of permanent or temporary retainers. To learn more about the different types of braces available, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

What are Clear (Ceramic) Braces?

Orthodontic braces serve to reposition your teeth and may be necessary if you suffer from an overbite, misaligned teeth or a misaligned jaw. All types of dental braces rely on a metal arch wire that applies steady pressure to move teeth. The wires attach to the teeth with brackets, and the material of the bracket varies according to the type of braces selected. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Wong suggests ceramic braces so that the brackets blend into the tooth and are virtually invisible except for the arch wire.

Clear (ceramic) braces are composed of ceramic brackets (rather than metal) that are attached to each tooth. Because the brackets match the color of your teeth, ceramic braces are less noticeable and beneficial for those who want to correct their bite or misalignment but worry about their appearance during the process. The greatest benefit of clear braces is that your teeth won’t have that metallic look. In addition, clear braces are specifically designed so that they won't stain or wear over time.

If you are searching to straighten your smile give us a call today to see if you're a candidate for ceramic braces! To learn more about clear braces, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Traditional Braces in Orland Park, IL

Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, traditional braces are the standard among patients looking to straighten their smile. They’ve been around for years, but have since gone through some cosmetic upgrades. Especially after all of the improvements, they still remain the most trusted form of adjustment for orthodontists today.

Dental braces are used to straighten crooked teeth, align upper and lower jaws, improve the aesthetics of smiles and faces, and relieve pressure on temporomandibular joints. With traditional braces, metal brackets are the sturdiest option, which means less chance of damage to the appliance and less time spent in the orthodontist’s office.  To apply traditional braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. Next, she will apply the bonding glue to your teeth and attach the brackets. Finally, Dr. Wong will place the archwire in the brackets and secure them with elastic bands. Getting them on doesn't hurt, but your teeth and mouth will be sore afterwards. Most people want a great smile and many say that the payoff is worth the temporary inconvenience and expense of braces.

If you are searching to straighten your smile, give us a call today so we can discuss in more detail about getting you that perfect smile. To learn more about traditional braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.