Oral Thrush

Thrush is a medical condition in which a yeast-shaped fungus called Candida overgrows in the mouth and throat. Normally, Candida exists in the mouth in small numbers along with various kinds of good bacteria, but when this balance is disrupted, an infection will occur. Thrush most commonly occurs in elderly patients who wear dentures, but it can also occur in children. Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to explain this condition and assure you that it is preventable as well as treatable.

Thrush often occurs in people with weakened immune systems. It’s not unusual for infants to develop this condition, and it’s usually not serious unless the infection persists for more than a week. Symptoms of a thrush infection include white patches in the mouth or tongue that may bleed, redness or soreness inside the mouth, or painful cracks in the corners of the mouth. Treatment for thrush depends on the cause and the severity of the infection.

If you have questions or concerns about thrush, 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.

Traditional Braces – Pain Management

Have you been putting off braces because you fear they are going to hurt? Well, we can’t say that they won’t - because the pain means that the teeth are straightening out - but the good news is that this pain is manageable. The discomfort that you experience from braces can be internal or external and Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to explain the difference between the two and what you can do to manage the pain.

Braces are used to move teeth into their ideal position and align how they bite together. Each person will have a different response to this orthodontic method, but there is likely to be some pain. After visiting Dr. Cynthia Wong for an orthodontic adjustment, your brackets and wires may cause gum inflammation or tooth sensitivity. Many products are available to relieve this pain, such as ibuprofen, or orthodontic wax if the wires are irritating the soft tissues in your mouth. Additionally, to relieve this pain it helps to eat a soft diet for a day or two after receiving braces or having them adjusted. If you can’t eliminate the discomfort on your own, call our office so we can help.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, 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.

Orthodontics and Oral Piercings

Perhaps you’ve been toying around with the idea of expressing yourself through a lip ring, or a tongue ring. Though oral piercings are a form of expression, it’s important to know what role they play in your oral hygiene. Oral piercings can not only cause pain and swelling in the oral cavity, they also pose a high risk for infection. Dr. Cynthia Wong does not want to discourage you from self-expression, but if you are going to go through with the process, it’s important to wait until your orthodontic treatment is complete.

Fractured teeth are a common problem with people who have oral piercings which are why they are not recommended when braces are in the mouth. This is because every time you swallow, the barbell can hit the teeth. If you already have a tongue piercing or a lip piercing, you should remove your jewelry every time you practice your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing are extra important when you have oral piercings because this lowers your chances for infection.

If you have concerns about the status of your oral hygiene, 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.

Braces and Gum Disease

The first stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, occurs when the tissues around the teeth become inflamed. This is already a pesky problem without braces, but when braces are involved, gum disease becomes a little trickier. While orthodontics can promote periodontal disease, they can also reduce the symptoms of it. The case will depend on the patient and Dr. Cynthia Wong can discuss these issues during a consultation.

It is normal to feel pain in your mouth after receiving new braces or wire adjustments because your teeth are working hard to give you a brand new smile. However, the patient should always be aware of gum disease symptoms because the risk is always there. The patient may experience tender or bleeding gums, as well as redness or swelling. To prevent this from happening, those who wear braces should vigilantly brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. It is important to contact Dr. Cynthia Wong if you are experiencing any pain.

If you are concerned about the status of your periodontal health, 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.

Night Guards

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism. Bruxism is defined as any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight.

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases, tooth loss can occur and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. To fit you with a custom night guard a dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. This is an easy step to take to protect your teeth with an added bonus of improving sleep! 

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.

Clear Braces

Traditional braces are still the most common way adults and children correct their teeth. Methods like clear aligners have become popular, but are not effective for everyone.  Traditional braces use silver brackets and wires that work together to straighten teeth.  This method has always been effective, but results in a metallic look dreaded by teens everywhere. Dr. Cynthia Wong has a solution for every orthodontic patient, and clear braces could be the one for you.

Aesthetic improvements have been made to traditional braces that can achieve the same results without the metallic element.  Brackets are now available in clear and translucent forms that are designed to resist staining over time.  To connect these brackets, wires the color of natural teeth are used.  The final look is not totally invisible but is much more subtle than traditional silver braces and doesn’t look metallic.  Almost any orthodontic patient can achieve the same great results as traditional braces offer with a better disguise during treatment.

To learn about the different types of braces available to you, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Retainers after Orthodontic Treatment

Choosing the type of retainer once orthodontic treatment is complete, typically depends on the patient’s individual preference, but Dr. Cynthia Wong will recommend what she thinks is best. Once orthodontic treatment ends, the use of retainers is critical to upkeep all of the hard work that went into straightening your smile. There are two types of retainers that Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to discuss; fixed and removable.

Fixed retainers are usually a thin wire that is placed across the front of the lower or upper front teeth, which is bonded in place with cement similar to that applied on the brackets of braces. Despite the fact that they may require more maintenance than a removable retainer, they are the best option, because they keep teeth in place 24/7. A removable retainer, on the other hand, is a combination of wire running across the front of the lower or upper front teeth and are held in place with a combination of acrylic material and hooks that insert in or around the back teeth to hold the retainer in the place.

If you have questions regarding your orthodontic retainer, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our 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.