Do You Know Why Your Retainer is so Important?

Once we have removed your braces, it’s easy to think all the work is done and your teeth need little further attention. But don’t underestimate the importance of a retainer. Take this quick quiz to find out exactly why a retainer is important, and more:

1. A retainer is more of a formality than a necessity. 
1. True
2. False
   
2. When should I wear my retainer?
1. As often as my doctor tells me to
2. I should wear it all the time to speed up my treatment
   
3. How should I clean my retainer? 
1. Toothpaste and a brush
2. As long as I brush and floss my teeth, I won’t need to clean my retainer
3. A cleaner made specifically for retainers
   
4. Using my retainer properly will prevent the need to wear braces again
1. True
2. False

Answers:

1. The answer is B – False. Because a retainer is removable, it is easy to think of it as being less important that your permanent braces were. The truth is that all the work accomplished by your braces could be for nothing without a retainer. Your braces actively moved your teeth into their proper alignment, but a retainer holds your teeth in place and allows them to settle into position next to each other.
2. The answer is A – As often as my doctor tells me. We set up a treatment plan tailored to you and your teeth, and every set of retainer instructions is unique, just as each of our patients is unique. We will determine how often you must wear your retainer depending on the particulars of your situation.
3. The answer is A or C – Toothpaste and a brush OR a special-made retainer cleaner: it depends on the type of retainer you have. Make sure to clean your retainer at least twice every day. Don’t clean with soap and water – you don’t want soap in your mouth! If you use either a Hawley or a bonded retainer you should clean it the same way you clean your teeth, by brushing it thoroughly with toothpaste. If you use an Essix retainer we recommend you clean it with a product such as SoncBrite or Retainer Brite, both of which are made just for this purpose.
4. The answer is A – True. Your braces worked to move your teeth into place, and a retainer compliments them by keeping those teeth in order. If you do not use your retainer as prescribed, you risk letting your teeth once again shift out of place. And remember, using a retainer properly isn't limited to how you wear it. Keep your retainer clean, and be sure to handle it carefully and always keep it in a case when you do not have it in your mouth.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your braces or retainer, be sure to contact us. We are here to help you with your treatment.

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes

It turns out there’s not much difference. WebMD.com cites “a review of nearly 30 studies” that was unable to determine a significant difference in plaque removal between electric and manual toothbrushes. (Some research did find that electric toothbrushes performed slightly better, but only if the electric toothbrush was of the “rotation-oscillation” variety, in which the bristles both rotate and move side-to-side.)

Regardless of what type of toothbrush you choose, it’s important to use it correctly. Brush twice a day, for two minutes each time. Cover the inner, outer and top surfaces of your teeth, and brush all the way down to the gum line. Don’t forget the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth.

There’s a breed of person who drives a stick shift, uses a push mower and prefers sailboats to motorboats. When faced with the choice of a toothbrush, that purist will certainly choose the dependable, disposable, do-it-yourself toothbrush. But what about those of us who swear by Blackberries, iPods and TiVo? We want the latest, greatest gadget and we’re convinced that an electric toothbrush must be better than its manual counterpart… right?
So if electric and manual toothbrushes are so similar in plaque removal rates, how should you decide which is best for you?  Here are a few factors to consider:
Your budget. Electric toothbrushes are pricier. However, while high-end options can cost upwards of $100, you can find some in the $10 range. Remember that you may need to add the cost of batteries and replacement brushes to your toothbrush budget.
Your dexterity. People who have limited manual dexterity – including the very young, the elderly, or those suffering from injury or arthritis – may find that an electric toothbrush allows them to reach spots that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Your habits. If you have a hard time brushing regularly, and you find you enjoy the sensation of brushing with an electric toothbrush, then by all means use the brush that will encourage you to brush most often.
Your patience. Many people are in too much of a hurry to brush for the full two minutes recommended (or they simply forget to watch the clock). Some electric brushes come with a timer that helps enforce the proper length of brushing.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking an electric toothbrush will do the work for you; you still need to guide it around every bit of enamel you possess in order to stave off plaque and bacteria.
And remember that while brushing and flossing daily will help you maintain good oral health, regular professional cleanings are vital to keeping your teeth in tip-top shape.

A New Year With Albrecthsen Orthodontics

Here we are again at the start of a new year.  We look forward to 2011 with new hopes and dreams for our practice and our families.  As patients and parents, here's what you can look forward to for this year.  


Quarterly Good Patient Contests:  Every quarter we give away a fun prize to those we feel have done their very best at being a Good Patient.  Of course, they must follow our rules; be on time, have excellent brushing, wear appliances as instructed, and never have any loose or broken brackets or appliances.  We do understand if a broken appliance is not the patients' fault.  We always take this into consideration.  


Annual Patient Appreciation Party:  Dr. Albrechtsen and his team always look forward to our fun summer party at Surf N' Swim.  Here, we can kick back, soak up the sun, hang out with friends and family, and not worry about your braces for a few hours.


Monthly Fun Contests:  Every month we have a contest that everyone is sure to participate in.  Whether it's answering silly questions, finding the celebrity smile or testing your social media knowledge, there's always a game for someone.  Whenever you come to our office, make sure you ask what the Fun Contest for the month is.  


$50 Club:  Any time you refer a friend to our office for treatment, you get rewarded.  If a friend that you've referred starts a full set of braces and they mention your name, you get $50.  It's that simple!  Not only does Dr. Albrechtsen give you the best smile anyone could ask for, but he rewards you for spreading the word about it.


Watch for our quarterly newsletters! If we have your e-mail address, you have given us permission to send you a newsletter.  If you don't want the newsletter, it's easy to opt out...just click on the link when you receive your newsletter.

Annual Christmas Food Drive

Bring your non-perishable food items to our office so we can donate them to the Utah Food Bank for those less fortunate.  We want everyone to have a happy holiday season!

Facebook Boo

We love getting fun messages from our patients on our Facebook wall, but right now, we want to get "BOOED".  Become a fan of Albrechtsen Orthodontics on Facebook and post "BOO" on our wall. Every booer will be entered ina weekly drawing for a booootiful $25 cash treat from now until Halloween!

Congratulations to our Shrek Trivia Winners!

Congratulations to our Shrek Trivia Contest Winners...Britain, Stetson and Mykol.  They won $50 to Fandango!

Diet

The primary cause of cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease is accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. The bacteria normally present in your mouth converts the food you eat into acid, which in turn combines with bacteria and leftover food to form a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque accumulation can begin on your teeth in as little as 20 minutes after you've eaten. If not removed, the acid in the plaque dissolves tooth enamel and creates a cavity.

The way you eat and the things you eat will either aid your body in fighting cavities and gum disease, or make you more likely to develop them. While your grandmother would have probably told you that eating candy was bad for your teeth, today's dental nutritionists know that she was only partly right. Yes, sugary snacks are one of the culprits that set up the right conditions for development of plaque, but did you know that carbohydrates, such as bread or potatoes, are just as bad for your teeth as a candy bar? And did you know you can combat these conditions by eating your food in the right combinations?

The two main factors that make a food a bad snack is the amount of sugar in the food and the length of time the food stays in your mouth. Strangely enough, the sugar and chocolate in a candy bar will actually be washed out of your mouth faster than the sugars from some fruits or the bread from your pizza. So it's the frequency of meals and snacks and the way foods are combined that increase the risk for cavities. Any food or beverage, even a healthy one, will be converted into acid if it stays in your mouth long enough. When eaten with a healthy meal, sugary or starchy foods will be washed away by the protein and fat in the meal, leaving your teeth cleaner and healthier.

Here are a few suggestions that will help you eat healthy for your teeth...

• Eat a moderate, balanced diet using the Food Guide Pyramid
• Combine sweet or starchy foods with protein rich foods, so that the sweets and starches will have less chance of sticking around
• Chewing sugarless gum after meals and snacks can help the pH (acidity/alkalinity) balance in your mouth and also increases the production of saliva, which helps wash food off your teeth
• Only drink sweet or acidic beverages with meals and snacks to buffer their effect on your teeth
• When planning your diet, choose foods and meal patterns that give you the energy you need to get through the day, provide the nutrients your body needs, and promote oral and general health

Remember that your teeth are essential, not just for smiling, but for biting and chewing food. They're a very important part of physical growth and health. Brush and floss every day, and eat a diet that keeps your body functioning properly and keeps your teeth and gums their healthiest.