COMING SOON...

COMING SOON

Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics is developing a new Google Tour. Have you heard of Google Tour? It will give you a virtual tour of our office from the outside in. Check us out on the web at Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics to see our Google Map location, and keep checking back for the release of the Virtual Tour.

Mouth Guard Check!

School football programs, and other school sports are gearing up for practice, so before a referee calls a time out because you've had your bell rung, ensure that your mouth guard fits properly. Wearing a proper-fitting mouth guard is imperative while playing football, and could prevent:

• Chipped teeth
• Broken teeth
• Lip and cheek injuries
• Jaw fractures
• Joint injuries
• Concussions
• Tooth root damage
• Mouth lacerations (particularly for players who have braces)

It is important that people with braces on their teeth use mouth guards designed to protect the teeth and braces. Never use the form-fitting mouth guards with braces, because that could loosen or break brackets. Also, the continual tooth movement, from the braces, would cause it to no longer fit properly.

The American Dental Association estimates that a third of all dental injuries are sports related. Fifty-eight percent of game injuries are the result of player-to-player contact. If you have any questions about a mouth guard you are currently using, or are in need of a mouth guard, please contact any of our Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics staff members, who will assist you with the proper type of mouth guard.

Keeping your retainer clean

After your treatment is completed and your braces are removed, you will be fitted for a retainer to keep your teeth in their corrected positions. There are several different types of retainers, and they all have one thing in common -- they need to be kept clean. Along with brushing and flossing, wearing your retainer is an important step in maintaining your new smile. Be sure to clean your retainer and your teeth, to help to prevent any tartar build-up on both.

Here are a few helpful hints for keeping your retainer clean:

• Always rinse your retainer in water after you have removed it, as drying saliva can cause tartar build-up.
• Remember to clean your retainer case periodically.
• Brush your retainer with a toothbrush and toothpaste every night.
• Wash your hands before and after handling the retainer.
• Never use hot water to rinse or clean your retainer, as it will distort the retainer.

While most people are aware of good brushing and flossing habits, the care of removable appliances is often overlooked. Make it a priority to keep your retainer clean as a part of your daily routine. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of our Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics staff members.

BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS

We know a new school year brings a lot of stress for many kids. New classes, new teachers, new friends and new academic challenges can be overwhelming! We thought providing a few steps would help our patients enjoy their time in school and make this another successful year!

• Get plenty of sleep every night. Eight hours is recommended.
• Eat a healthy breakfast as it's the most important meal of the day.
• Pack a healthy lunch or make healthy choices when selecting your school lunch. Try to limit the amount of junk food.
• Stay on top of your homework and reading assignments.
• Stay active. Limit time in front of the TV or playing video games. Instead, try to get outside for some exercise--go for a walk or ride your bike.
• Ask for help. When you are having a hard time understanding a concept, ask your teacher, parents or your peers for guidance.
• Always have a positive attitude and a smile on your face!

Dr. Sondhi, Dr. Biggs and the entire Sondhi-Biggs team would like to wish everyone a successful, productive and fun filled school year!

Tips to help prevent decay while wearing braces

Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets. Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

• Eat food that is safe for your braces. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause more plaque, which is difficult to remove while brushing. There are certain foods that should be avoided while wearing your braces. First, sticky foods like caramel can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove while brushing. Next, hard foods such as nuts and candy could bend wires or even break the brackets off your teeth. Foods that are firm or hard to bite into, like apples, carrots, or corn on the cob, should be cut up into smaller pieces.
• Brushing is key. You want to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and gently in the area between the wire and teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride paste for best results. Rinsing your toothbrush every time you brush will help as well. Rinsing is always important, but especially so when you have braces because you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can't always reach.
• Cleaning tools. Waterpik flossers, special brushes and other tools to get under the wires and clean around your braces are available. You can ask any one of our Sondhi-Biggs team members to explain this further, or show you examples.
• Keep your regularly scheduled cleanings with your Dentist. It is important to keep your routine appointment with your dentist for a thorough cleaning approximately every 6 months, or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits is up to your dentist, as some patients require more frequent cleanings.

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips, you should have no problems keeping your teeth clean while you are in treatment. Feel free to visit our Sondhi-Biggs YouTube channel for instructional cleaning videos as well as much more helpful information.