familyandcosmeticdentistofallonmo

I hope that everyone is having a good start to the new year. Many of us have made some new year resolutions, and hopefully remembering to take care of your dental health is part of it. A new year means new dental benefits for most people, so if you have been putting off dental work while waiting for your new benefits to begin, now is the time to contact us. Visit our website or call the office for more information. MonticelloDental.com of O’Fallon, MO.

O’Fallon, MO Dentist Gets Braces!

I finally did it! I had braces put on a couple of days just before Thanksgiving. Although I tell patients that orthodontics can be uncomfortable, I had forgotten how painful it really could be. Here are some general tips for people who are in braces:

Soreness

After having your braces placed, you may feel soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting and chewing for the first three to five days. You may want to take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. Your lips, cheeks and tongue may also be uncomfortable for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. You can use wax on the braces to lessen the friction that braces can cause.

Loosening of Teeth

The loosening of teeth throughout your treatment is normal. Teeth will loosen as they move, and then become fixed again in their new location.

Care of Appliances

Teeth can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient is consistent in wearing their rubber bands, headgear, or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time, as does missing or putting off your regularly scheduled appointments.

Foods to Avoid

You will need to avoid certain foods to ensure your brackets do not break loose from your teeth, as this will only prolong treatment. Be sure to cut up foods into pieces rather than taking bites out of foods, like corn on the cob, apples, carrots, pizza, hamburgers, etc.

• Chewy Foods: hard breads, bagels, soft pretzels
• Sticky Foods: gum, caramel, taffy
• Crunchy Foods: ice, popcorn, potato chips, hard pretzels
• Hard Foods: nuts, candy, apples, carrots

Brushing

It’s more important than ever to brush and floss your teeth when you have braces so that teeth and gums remain healthy. The use of a proxy brush and floss threader are a must for patients in braces. Here is a link to videos on correct brushing and flossing for patients currently undergoing orthodontic treatment: Monticello Dental.com.

With Halloween over and the other holidays drawing near, eating candy this time of the year is nearly unavoidable. If you must have candy, choose chocolate instead of hard and gummy candies. The sugars of the hard and gummy candies stick to teeth much longer and can prove to be more damaging. Brushing after eating any kind of candy is very important in helping to prevent cavities, but avoiding candy altogether is best. For brushing, flossing, and other dental information videos, click HERE.

Have a Great Day!

Dr. Dejtiranukul with MonticelloDental.com.

It’s once again time for us to participate in the family tradition of carving the Halloween pumpkin. Here are a couple of tips for you when getting your pumpkin ready for display:

• Use a pumpkin carving kit to carve the pumpkin. They are fairly inexpensive and safer than using a kitchen knife. Parent should always supervise children when carving the family pumpkin.
• Do not put the pumpkin insides down the garbage disposal. It will result in a pricy visit from your plumber to clear out your drain.  Instead, throw the pumpkin insides in the trash or your compost pile.
• Use a battery-operated light instead of a candle to light up your pumpkin.  It’s safer to use a light, and the kids can help light up the pumpkin, whereas lighting a candle would be left to an adult. Try a flickering or colored light to add a little more fun to the pumpkin too.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!  Dr. Dejti with Monticello Dental Care…MonticelloDental.com.

Have you ever wondered what other kids around the world do with the baby teeth they lose? We have the tooth fairy, but other kids ask a mouse or sparrow for a new tooth, and some put their teeth in a glass of water only to find a coin in its place in the morning. Throw Your Tooth on the Roof is a fun and interesting book that both kids and adults will enjoy reading.

Happy reading,

Dr. D. with MonticelloDental.com.

For strong teeth and gums, make fruits and vegetables part of every meal! Dr. D at MonticelloDental.com.

Fruits & Veggies More Matters » About The Buzz: Fruits And Vegetables Promote Strong Teeth And Gum

www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

There may be more connections between good oral hygiene and your health than you realize please read! Dr. D at MonticelloDenal.com.

Oral health: A window to your overall health – MayoClinic.com