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Orthodontics is a great way to get the smile of your dreams! Beyond cosmetic improvements, orthodontics can help correct jaw conditions, bite dysfunctions, and crooked teeth. If you or your child are experiencing any of these issues, an orthodontist may be able to help. Additionally, oral health is very important and an orthodontist can help to keep your oral health in tip-top shape! Keep reading to learn from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics about what to expect at your initial visit to the orthodontist.

When you arrive at the orthodontist for the first time, the staff will check you in and then you will have the opportunity to meet the doctor. They will take some time to look at your teeth and explain to you what your best treatment options are. During this time, the orthodontist will measure the person’s bite. This will help the doctor to detect any issues that will need correction. Additionally, you will have an X-ray taken of your mouth to give the orthodontist another look at your teeth in a different way. You may even have an impression, which is when the patient will bite into a try filled with a substance called alginate. This creates a mold of the person’s mouth and can help the orthodontist to have a look at the patient’s tooth placement.

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Straight teeth help to create a beautiful smile. However, straight teeth actually do so much more than provide a great smile. Teeth are made to fit together in a certain way. If they don’t fit together properly, they can’t function properly, which can lead to a variety of oral health problems. To learn more about the importance of straight teeth from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics, keep reading.

Straight teeth are easier to clean. It is easier to remove plaque when teeth are aligned. Additionally, crooked teeth provide more places for plaque to hide and get missed while brushing. Plaque buildup can result in cavities and gum inflammation.

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It is common knowledge that smoking tobacco is bad for our teeth and mouths. Smoking drastically increases your risk for several things, including oral cancer and gum disease. However, it is important to know these side effects do not go away with e-cigarettes. Read on to learn more about why vaping is bad for your teeth from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.

Research shows that vaping is bad for your teeth just like smoking traditional cigarettes, even with no tobacco in e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes use an aerosol, or vapor, to deliver nicotine into the lungs. This vapor not only contains nicotine, which is bad for the teeth and body by itself, but also ultra-fine particles of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Many of these chemicals are linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease. 

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Our teeth, and braces, can encounter a lot when we’re out living our lives. These activities are not limited to: sporting events, pizza crust, cake and ice cream at birthday parties, and maybe even a hot dog eating contest. Fortunately, our teeth are strong and often allow us to go through these activities without too many major problems. 

However, sometimes accidents happen. But you can prepare yourself to deal with these accidents if you have some tools on hand. Keep reading to learn more about what items you should have on hand in case of a dental or orthodontic emergency from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.

There are a few ways to safeguard against dental emergencies. This includes: wearing a mouth guard during sports, taking good care of your teeth and gums, and staying away from food that is hard, crunchy, and/or sticky (especially when in braces).

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Did you know that early orthodontic care may help you avoid costly treatment in the future? Like most things in life, orthodontic health can be much more manageable if you get ahead of it. The American Association of Orthodontics suggests that a child visits the orthodontist by age 7 in order to keep their oral health in check. Much like you wouldn’t skip a well visit with a pediatrician or a dentist appointment, you shouldn’t wait until your child absolutely needs braces to get an orthodontist’s opinion. Keep reading to learn more about how an early visit to the orthodontist may help you avoid more costly or invasive treatments in the future from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.

There are several things an orthodontist may suggest when seeing a child. They may suggest a palatal expander, early interceptive treatment, baby tooth removal, or other things. A palatal expander is often used when the patient is still growing. This device in younger patients may reduce the need for extraction of permanent teeth or prevent teeth from impacting. Cases that are not corrected in growing patients may require surgery down the road or lead to abnormal wear and tear on teeth. 

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The majority of people’s teeth will come through in a specific order and in specific positions. However, some people have missing teeth. They may have one or more gaps because the teeth that should have erupted and grown in simply aren’t there. This condition is known as hypodontia, and it can affect both baby and permanent teeth. Read on to learn more about how orthodontics can help with hypodontia from Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Randy Womack, and Dr. Larry Davis at Affiliated Orthodontics.

From a dental health perspective, having gaps in your mouth can affect the health and functioning of your teeth. Gaps mean that neighboring teeth won’t have the right support to keep them in their correct positions. Additionally, from a cosmetic perspective, gaps in the front teeth can affect the appearance of one’s smile. If you have hypodontia, it is likely you will need some kind of treatment to either reinforce the surrounding teeth or to deal with cosmetic concerns. Fortunately, orthodontics can be a great solution for those with hypodontia.

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