What is a Water Flosser?

Water flossers have become popular in the last few years, but what exactly are they and why should you consider using one?

Many people are skeptical about water flossers because they are relatively new mass-market products that can get expensive.

Our orthodontist, Dr. Scheer, is here to clear up some confusion around water flossers and answer some questions you may have about them.

What is a Water Flosser?

Like traditional dental floss, the purpose of a water flosser is to remove bacteria and food particles from your gum line and between your teeth.

Water flossers do this by spraying water between your teeth to remove any food that’s built up.

Can I Use A Water Flosser Instead of Traditional Floss?

While water flossers may not be ready to replace toothbrushes, they can be a good alternative to traditional flossing. Some people debate their efficacy, but this study found water flossers may work better than regular floss.

Waterpik, which is probably the most well-known water flosser brand, has been given the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance. This means it’s proven to be safe and effective at keeping gum disease away.

Even if you have doubts, you can still benefit from having a water flosser. They do a great job removing plaque below the gum line that you can’t get with traditional floss.

We recommend water flossers to a lot of our patients, especially ones with braces. Flossing with braces isn’t easy, and a water flosser is capable of cleaning out hard-to-reach areas.

How Does A Water Flosser Work?

Water flossers work by spraying a thin, pulsating stream of pressurized water. This water removes most of the plaque from between your teeth and your gum line.

First thing’s first, read the instructions! There are many brands and designs of water flossers, and they all have their own requirements.

After reading the instructions, you need to fill the reservoir with lukewarm water. Depending on which type you have, you will then plug it in or put batteries in it. After that, it’s ready to use.

Who Can Benefit From A Water Flosser?

Everyone can benefit from getting a water flosser. Although, some people can benefit more than others, such as:

• Those With Arthritis – Those who suffer from arthritis in their hands know how difficult using conventional floss can be. Water flossers are the perfect size to be easily held and used.
• Those With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Fine, repetitive movements, like what is involved in flossing, can be tough for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Water flossers eliminate this movement and allow for pain-free teeth cleaning.
• Those With Gingivitis – Because water flossers can irrigate below the gum line all around the teeth, people with gingivitis can keep their teeth and gums much cleaner.
• Those With Braces – Water flossers are perfect for anyone with braces. If you have braces, you have undoubtedly found food in them. The water pressure water flossers provide easily removes food particles from braces.

How Long Does Water Flossing Take?

The time it takes to water floss is similar to regular flossing – about two minutes.

At first, it might take a little longer while you get the hang of it, but you will be a pro in no time.

How Much Do Water Flossers Cost?

Depending on the model you get, water flossers can cost between $20 and $150. Do your research by watching videos and reading reviews to see which one is best for you. Dr. Scheer has these available in the office and can offer you personal recommendations.

Orthodontic Care in Parker and Castle Rock, CO

Need help flossing while wearing braces? Don’t hesitate to give our experienced team a call! We’re here to help you find the best tool for your needs and support your oral hygiene efforts.

If you or your child needs orthodontic care in Parker or Castle Rock, CO, give us a call or request an appointment online today!

What Are the Benefits of a Better Aligned Smile?

Aligning your teeth can do more for you than just giving you a better smile. It can help your overall health, save you money on future dental bills, and boost your self-confidence!

With diligent care, a better-aligned smile is something you can benefit from for the rest of your life. Our orthodontist, Dr. Scheer, is here to tell you about the benefits of a straight smile.

7 Benefits of a Straight Smile

Having a straight smile is important for many reasons besides aesthetics. Orthodontics can correct your bite pattern, allowing you to experience all of the benefits below and more!

Healthier Teeth and Gums

Misaligned teeth tend to push against one another, making cleaning between them a hassle. If you don’t floss down to your gum line, you will leave harmful bacteria. This will lead to tooth decay and eventually periodontitis (gum disease).

Additionally, food can get stuck easier if your teeth are too far apart. If you don’t keep floss on hand, the bacteria can eventually begin to eat away at your teeth and gums.

Even Wear

Over time, our teeth naturally wear down a little. However, when teeth don’t line up as they should, they wear quicker and unevenly. Not only can this create a less confident smile, but can also lead to sensitivity, damage to your teeth, and costly repairs.

Correct Speech Patterns

The way we pronounce words comes from the position of our lips, jaw, and tongue. If you have malocclusion from a misaligned jaw or crooked teeth, you may not be able to get your lips, jaw, or tongue in the correct positions to properly pronounce words.

If this is the case, you or your child might benefit from having a better smile.

Speech is muscle memory, so fixing issues early can prevent certain mouth positions from becoming permanent habits.

Less Risk of Damaging Your Teeth

The grooves on your teeth should fit together like a puzzle. If they don’t, it puts additional stress and pressure on certain parts of your teeth. This can quickly lead to unnatural wear on them, and they can crack, chip, or even break off under the stress of chewing. It also helps keep your jaw in a stable, proper and predictable relationship while chewing.

Better Digestion

Certain types of malocclusion make properly chewing food nearly impossible. For example, an open bite only allows some of your back molars to touch while the rest of your teeth never come together.

As mentioned above, your teeth are meant to come together in a certain way, like a puzzle. When they don’t, your teeth can’t break down food as well as if you had a healthy bite pattern.

This adds work to your stomach and it won’t always be able to compensate. It will pass food before it breaks down, preventing valuable nutrients from being absorbed.

Better First Impression

Teeth are one of the first things people look at when they meet you. This goes for first dates, the first day of school, and job interviews. As much as we want to think people don’t judge others by what’s on the outside, this isn’t the case.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it great.

Improved Confidence

If you have a misaligned bite, you have probably made a conscious effort to hide your smile at one point or another. Wouldn’t it be nice to smile freely and not feel embarrassed? Braces can help by giving you a better-aligned smile that you will want to show off.

What Makes Your Teeth Crooked?

Having naturally straight teeth isn’t very common. You can have a misaligned bite and crooked teeth for a variety of reasons.

Genetics

Genetics has the biggest influence on how our teeth and jaw will develop and shift over time. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about this without orthodontic intervention.

Childhood Habits

Childhood habits, such as prolonged pacifier use and thumb sucking, are often culprits of malocclusion. Because children’s bones are so malleable, these habits can cause abnormal development of their teeth and bone structure.

Facial Trauma

Facial injuries, specifically at a young age, can affect how your teeth and jaw develop. This is especially common when a child knocks out baby teeth before they are ready or breaks their jaw.

Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontitis, causes tooth decay and will lead to bone loss if not treated. When the bones that support your teeth begin to break down, your teeth will shift.

Align Your Smile in Parker or Castle Rock, CO

Dr. Scheer at 20 Mile Orthodontics has decades of experience aligning patients’ smiles. Request an appointment today to start the road to a better-aligned smile.

https://20mileortho.com/locations/Often, people talk about braces “causing” cavities. This is simply not true. The buildup of unhealthy bacteria is what causes cavities. This means that your teeth and gums require more care than usual when you are wearing braces. Although it’s a more involved process, you won’t regret staying diligent with your oral hygiene.

No matter if you come to our Parker or Castle Rock, CO location, Dr. Scheer will detail the proper steps you need to take to ensure your teeth stay healthy.

In the meantime, here are his top tips for caring for your oral health while you have braces!

5 Tips for Caring for Your Teeth and Gums While Wearing Braces

The five main tips to remember when cleaning your teeth are:

Don’t Eat Hard or Sticky Foods

There are many foods to stay away from when you have braces, but hard and sticky foods are among the worst. Stay away from foods like:

• Suckers
• Caramel
• Gum
• Hard or uncooked fruits and vegetables

Have the Right Tools

As you can imagine, properly cleaning your mouth with braces requires more than a toothbrush and conventional floss.

Because of this, you will need to pick up the following tools to keep your braces and teeth clean.

Floss Threaders

You may have heard of these before. They do exactly what their name implies – help you thread floss between your teeth. These are very important because it’s one of the only ways to floss your gum line with braces. Neglecting your gum line can quickly lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Dental Picks

Standard, metal dental picks can damage your braces, teeth, and gums if used improperly. GUM® makes safe ones called Soft-Picks® that work great to remove food particles from braces. You can find these in almost any store with an oral hygiene section.

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush will make your oral care routine less daunting. Plus, they work better than a manual toothbrush. You can also get separate heads with bristles specifically designed to clean braces.

Water Flosser

Water flossers shoot a stream of water at your teeth and braces to remove food particles and bacteria. This study found that the water flosser worked a little better than traditional floss in their trial. We believe that this is a major benefit to help keep cavity-causing bacteria from accumulating around the appliances. You can use one to remove large food particles and cleanse your teeth and braces. As a bonus, some brands allow you to put a 50/50 mixture of mouthwash and water in them.

Regular Visits to the Orthodontist

We understand that life happens, but making it to all your appointments is important. Missing them can put you behind schedule on your treatment. Rescheduling just two appointments can add weeks to the amount of time you spend wearing braces.

Additionally, it gives us a chance to make sure everything is going smoothly and no problems have developed. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions you may have or voice any concerns with treatment.

Have a Travel Kit

Plaque can begin to accumulate on your teeth just a couple of hours after brushing your teeth. Food particles and sugar left behind in your mouth after eating or drinking make this happen even faster. That is why you should always have a travel kit to clean your braces if you’re going to school, work, or anywhere else for more than four hours.

Don’t Rush Cleaning

After a long day, it’s easy to slack on properly cleaning your braces, but you won’t regret taking the extra time to do it right. The best way to stay on top of proper cleaning is to make it a routine.

The extra steps will add a few minutes to your existing at home hygiene routine, so time yourself a few times. Doing so will let you know how much time to set aside to clean your braces, gums, and teeth.

Braces in Parker and Castle Rock, CO

It may seem like a lot of work to keep your teeth and gums clean with braces, but your new cleaning routine will become second nature in no time. We have locations in Parker and Castle Rock, CO, so request your appointment today!

The Benefits of Getting Braces at a Young Age

Did you know that getting your child braces at a young age can save you time and money in the coming years? They will thank you for getting it over with and helping them achieve a smile they want to show off.

With locations in Parker and Castle Rock, CO, you can conveniently bring your child to their appointments at 20 Mile Orthodontics.

Here’s why it’s best for children to get braces at a young age instead of waiting until they’re older.

Benefits of Getting Braces at a Young Age

While braces don’t have an age limit, it’s best for children to get braces as soon as possible if they have issues with crooked teeth or jaw misalignment. Here’s why.

It’s Faster &; Easier for Teeth to Straighten

Up until the age of about 18, our mouths are very malleable. After that, our bones become much more rigid. Because of this, adult orthodontics almost always takes longer than adolescent orthodontics.

Getting braces at a young age effectively prevents future dental issues. It can save you from costly orthodontic treatment as an adult, where it’s more difficult and expensive to correct issues. It can also prevent permanent damage to your teeth and gums as you grow.

Promotes Healthy Facial Development

Getting braces at a young age takes advantage of the growth potential present in young teens as they grow into adulthood. Braces and other appliances, like the Herbst, can balance jaw growth and promote healthy facial development. A crooked jaw can lead to asymmetrical facial development, so correcting these issues early can even change the shape of a child’s face.

Healthy facial profile development also helps with breathing problems such as sleep apnea. The medical community has a strong focus on sleep apnea as it has a direct relationship to normal body and mental function.

Helps Issues with Speech

The way each of us speaks is primarily influenced by the position of our tongue and lips when our vocal cords vibrate. Tooth alignment issues can prevent your tongue and lips from being in an ideal placement for correct pronunciation. By aligning the jaw and teeth at a young age, children can unlearn incorrect speech patterns.

What Age Do You Have to Be to Get Braces?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist around age seven. This doesn’t mean your seven-year-old will need braces – it’s mainly to make sure their teeth and jaw are growing properly.

Children still have their baby teeth at age seven, so this is more about preventative measures. This early intervention means that we can stay ahead of the game when it comes to complex

dentofacial issues.

If any preventative action needs to be taken, we can discuss potential treatment plans.

Common orthodontic treatment for young children includes:

• Making space for adult teeth
• Using a dental appliance to align the jaw
• Aligning teeth early so they grow in correctly
• Fixing severe bite pattern issues
• Correcting bad habits, such as thumb sucking

Lasting results typically come from waiting until a child has all of their permanent teeth.

Is it Necessary to Get Braces at a Young Age?

It is not necessary to get braces at a young age, but some cases require quick action. If a child is in need of orthodontic treatment but doesn’t receive it, they can develop poor speech patterns, have breathing problems, develop unbalanced jaw relationships, and suffer damage to their adult teeth.

Braces in Parker and Castle Rock, CO

If your child is seven or older and hasn’t seen an orthodontist, request an appointment today! Your child deserves a healthy, confident smile.

Here’s What to Expect at Your First Orthodontic Visit

It’s human nature to fear the unknown, so there can be a lot of nervousness going into your first orthodontist appointment. Rest assured, there is nothing to worry about, so you won’t need to “brace” yourself.

Whether you visit our Parker or Castle Rock location, the information below should help calm your mind and make your first visit seamless.

What Do You Need to Do Before Your First Orthodontist Appointment?

Your first orthodontist appointment is usually the longest. It’s when your information gets put into the system, and you get the lay of the land.

Before your first appointment, you will need to request one – you can request an appointment online or give us a call at either location.

You should arrive about 15 minutes early for your first appointment to fill out the required paperwork. You’ll need to bring some form of identification and your insurance card.

What To Expect at Your First Orthodontist Appointment

Knowing what to expect at your first orthodontic appointment can reduce a lot of stress. The process is generally the same, regardless of the orthodontic treatment you come in for.

After we have all of the information we need from you, here’s how your first visit will go.

Exam

Before we can make a treatment plan, we will perform a thorough dental exam. During the exam, we will take x-rays, photos, and do a bite test.

We will also look for any issues with your teeth and gums that need to be addressed before starting orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth.

Recommendation for Additional Work or Appliances

If any issues are found during the exam, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist for your needs.

Sometimes patients come in with cracked teeth or cavities that need to be addressed before orthodontic treatment can start.

What’s more, some patients have jaw misalignment that requires more correction than braces or clear aligners alone can do. If this is the case, you may benefit from an Herbst oral appliance or orthodontic headgear.

Tooth Impressions

If you need any work done before orthodontic treatment, we will take impressions of your teeth to accurately map your treatment plan. No two bites are the same, so taking a dental impression allows us to create a precise dental plan.

With today’s advances in technology, most of our impressions are actually digital by using our state-of-the-art iTero scanner. That means that many of our patients don’t need to get the mouthful of “goop”. The scanner sends a digital image to our labs that can fabricate a 3-D printed model.

Advanced Imaging Software

If your orthodontic treatment plan involves clear aligners instead of braces, we will also take a comprehensive digital scan of your teeth. The imaging software helps Dr. Scheer create your personalized treatment plan and lets the dental lab know exactly how your aligners need to be created.

Treatment Overview

When a treatment plan is established, we will go over it with you in detail. At this stage, you will find out approximately how long your treatment will take and how much it will cost. We will also cover your available insurance benefits and financing plans if needed.

Will You Get Braces on the First Appointment?

If no preliminary work is necessary, you could get your braces (and any other necessary equipment) on the first appointment.

Not everyone gets braces installed during their initial visit, though. You will likely need to book a follow-up appointment to get your braces installed.

Once everything is installed, Dr. Scheer will go over proper care instructions so you don’t damage your braces or teeth.

What Happens After Your First Appointment?

After your first orthodontist appointment, you will need to come back regularly throughout your treatment. The following appointments are to tighten or change the components of your braces. These visits will be every five-to-eight weeks.

If you’re receiving other types of orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign® or SureSmile Clear Aligners, we will have to wait for the custom-made aligners to be delivered. During those treatment plans, you will also have regular visits to the orthodontist to make sure your teeth are moving as intended, and that the next aligner will fit properly.

Get a Smile You’ll Love With 20 Mile Orthodontics

With convenient locations in Parker and Castle Rock, CO, we can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Start your journey today with a FREE consultation by calling or requesting an appointment online.

Foods You Can & Can’t Eat with Braces

When you are wearing braces, nothing feels quite as important as what kinds of food you can eat. The wrong food can damage your braces or stain your teeth, particularly berries, curry sauce or grape juice. Protecting your new bands, archwires and brackets along with your teeth and gums quickly rise to the top of your priority list!

Your teeth are vulnerable when you eat a lot of sugary and starchy foods because they produce plaque acid that leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Your braces make it easier to trap food particles between them and your teeth, so it goes without saying (but we’re going to say it anyway) that brushing and flossing are more important than ever in braces! Cavities are bad enough, but plaque and tartar can also leave your teeth with unsightly stains on areas that were not covered by braces.

Foods to Avoid

It’s important to take care of your teeth when you have braces. It’s completely normal to have a bit of an adjustment period as you get used to having braces.

In an effort to keep orthodontic patients well informed, our orthodontist Dr. Scheer is here to tell you about foods you can and can’t eat with braces.

Neglect can result in damaging the appliance or even your teeth. Both scenarios will lead to a longer treatment time and a more expensive treatment cost.

If you choose 20 Mile Orthodontics at either of our locations (Parker or Castle Rock), Dr. Scheer will lay out a detailed guide on what you should and shouldn’t be eating during your visit. But, here are some general guidelines to help you get started!

Keep Your Teeth & Braces Safe With the Foods You Eat

The best thing you can do to keep your teeth and braces safe when you eat is to follow the doctor’s instructions. This means dietary recommendations and oral hygiene.

Food You Can’t Eat With Braces

Many foods are bad for braces. Being mindful of what you eat could save thousands of dollars in repairs and extra months of treatment.

Sticky foods easily collect onto your braces and are nearly impossible to get out. Caramel, jelly beans, licorice, taffy, toffee and other sticky, hard candies can break off brackets. Gummy candy can bend your archwires and become trapped under the braces attachments. Chewing gum can get trapped in between all of your wires and is almost impossible to get off.

There are other foods so hard they can break your brackets and wires; toffee bits can break brackets and bands, and fibrous meat from the bone like chicken wings and ribs can even pop off a bracket. Beef jerky, pizza crust, chunky nuts and seeds, and raw vegetables (carrots, broccoli and cauliflower) require a strong biting force, which can ultimately harm braces. Steam or cook your veggies, and if you’re eating hard crusty bread, like bagels, soften it with a soup or sauce and cut into bite-sized pieces.

There is also a small list of inedibles that can damage braces, so keep them away from your teeth! Ice is the most common reason braces components sustain damage, so don’t chew it. Even chewing absentmindedly on pens and pencils, paper clips (yikes!), and biting your fingernails can cause damage to braces. The main goal is to keep your braces and smile safe, align your teeth and not prolong your time wearing them.

You should avoid eating anything sticky, hard, or crunchy. This includes:

• Popcorn
• Ice
• Gum
• Caramel
• Candy
• Raw vegetables
• Nuts and seeds

It’s also important to avoid eating meat on the bone – they can cause brackets to pop off. This includes:

• Steak
• Chicken wings
• Ribs

Drinks to Avoid With Braces

As long as you regularly brush and floss your teeth and braces, your beverage choices don’t have to change that much.

You should, however, try to avoid drinks that may stain your teeth, such as dark soda, coffee, and tea. Only the exposed part of your teeth will get stained. So, when your braces are removed, an outline will remain.

Foods You CAN Eat With Braces

Eat a balanced diet so that your teeth are healthy and strong when your braces come off and get your daily requirements of protein, calcium, vitamins, iron and fiber. Soft textured foods are always good for your braces, particularly right after your braces are tightened.

• Soft fruit
  ripe pears, nectarines, tangerines, kiwis, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, applesauce, and fruit that is diced and chewed with the molars
• Vegetables
  steamed or cooked vegetables keep your smile healthy
• Dairy
  low-fat milk, yogurt, smoothies, and soft cheeses feel good in your mouth
• Eggs
  scrambled, hard-boiled, sunny-side up or made into omelets are “eggs-cellent” choices
• Meat
  tender choices like meatloaf, fish, chicken, and turkey or tofu are healthy and safe
• Grains
  soft-textured grains like pasta, rice or quinoa are good for you
• Soft bread
  muffins, pancakes, tortillas, and biscuits are gentle on your chompers

If your braces-friendly foods seem bland or boring, mix things up a bit and find recipes that will help keep your taste buds and your teeth happy. Be mindful with the holidays coming up as many traditional favorites (candied apples, peanut brittle and candy canes) are bad for your teeth and braces! Give our orthodontic team a call if you have any questions.

Orthodontics in Parker and Castle Rock, CO

You aren’t alone on this journey. If you still have questions about what you can and can’t eat, book an appointment online to come in and talk to Dr. Scheer.

Misaligned teeth, known as malocclusion, can be embarrassing and sometimes even cause pain. More than that, though, it can cause irreversible health effects that can change your daily life. Fortunately, Dr. Scheer has nearly two decades of experience helping his patients in Parker and Castle Rock, CO fix their smiles and lead healthier lives.

Here’s how orthodontics can correct your bite pattern.

Can an Orthodontist Fix a Misaligned Bite?

Keeping your teeth clean is one important step to strong dental hygiene. But, a misaligned bite is another important issue that can be easily overlooked.

A normal bite means your upper and lower teeth fit together evenly. A bad bite, or malocclusion, happens when your teeth are mismatched. Luckily, orthodontics can help you fix a misaligned bite. First, you’ll need a thorough exam to determine what bite pattern issues you have.

Common Bite Pattern Issues

Through our numerous alignment correction methods, we can help with any bite pattern issue that comes through our doors, including:

• Crossbite: A crossbite is when one or more top teeth close inside of the bottom ones.
• Crowded Teeth: When teeth are crowded, they push together and move to random positions.
• Open Bite: An open bite is when the front upper and lower teeth have space between them when biting down.
• Overbite: The opposite of an open bite, this is when the top teeth overlap the lowers excessively when you close your mouth. This can lead to traumatic and uneven tooth wear.
• Overjet: Commonly known as “buck teeth”, this is seen when the top front teeth protrude forward over the bottom ones.
• Underbite: Underbites are defined by the lower teeth closing in front of the top teeth, usually caused by jaw misalignment.
• TMJ Problems: Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can result from malocclusion and cause headaches, jaw popping, and jaw pain.

Bite Correction Methods

Treatment options differ depending on the nature of the malocclusion. A misaligned jaw is treated differently than an open bite, for example. Below is a list of common bite correcting treatments.

• Braces
• Herbst Oral Appliance
• Retainers
• Tooth Shaping
• Expanders
• Orthognathic Surgery
• Orthodontic Headgear

Causes of Improper Bite Pattern

According to the National Library of Medicine, malocclusion affects about 60% of the world’s population to some degree. There are numerous ways to develop an improper bite pattern so it’s no wonder why so many people have it. Some of the more common ways improper bite patterns can occur includes:

• Thumb Sucking
• Prolonged Bottle Use
• Using a Pacifier Past Age three
• Abnormal Teeth or Tooth Growth
• Mouth or Jaw Tumors
• Jaw Injury
• Improperly Fitting Fillings, Crowns, or Dental Appliances

Health Risks Associated With an Improper Bite Pattern

It’s a common misconception that the only reason to fix bite patterns is for aesthetic purposes. Many problems can result from misaligned teeth such as a decline in overall health. We’ve compiled a list of some of the health risks associated with neglecting malocclusion.

Tooth Decay

An improper bite pattern allows food to easily get trapped between teeth and can make cleaning them more difficult. As a result, those with malocclusion tend to have higher rates of tooth decay in the form of cavities or even gum disease. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, respiratory complications, and heart disease, among other things.

Tooth Damage

Teeth misalignment can put excessive pressure on teeth when chewing and talking. This can lead to cracking, chipping, and breaking of otherwise healthy permanent teeth.

Bite Pattern Correction in Parker & Castle Rock, CO

As you can see, bite pattern issues are not something that should be ignored. If they aren’t fixed, they can cause adverse health effects and cost you significantly more money down the road.

Call or schedule an appointment at our Parker or Castle Rock office today to make an appointment and get ahead of any bite pattern issues!

Why You Need To Wear A Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment

Your orthodontic treatment is coming to an end, so what’s next? A retainer.

Too many people neglect this process and end up with crooked teeth again. While you might think everything’s done now that your teeth are straight, wearing a retainer after orthodontic treatment is 100% necessary to maintain your new, beautiful smile.

We have convenient locations in Parker and Castle Rock, CO to make it easy for you to keep your smile straight for a lifetime!

Here’s why you need to wear a retainer after you get your braces off.

Why Do You Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

A retainer makes sure your teeth stay straight after braces or Invisalign®. Without it, your teeth will begin to shift back to the position they were in before treatment. You can either live with it or pay to get them aligned again.

Think of wearing a retainer as phase two of your orthodontic treatment. Even though your teeth are properly straightened now, they’re still very sensitive and want to shift back to their original positions.

It is a lot cheaper and more convenient to wear your retainer than to avoid it and have to pay for additional orthodontic treatments down the road. Plus, you won’t have to go through the one-to-three-year wait for straight teeth again.

How Long Do You Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

Most likely, you will have to wear your retainer for as long as you want straight teeth. The first month after you get your braces or aligners off is the most important – at this stage, it’s vital to wear your retainer around the clock. Even a few days of not wearing it can cause the teeth to shift enough for your retainer to no longer fit.

You will have to wear your retainer from 20-22 hours a day for the first three to twelve months after alignment. This won’t last forever, though – when Dr. Scheer gives the okay, you’ll only have to wear it at night.

Of course, every patient’s situation is different depending on what type of orthodontic treatment they received.

Can You Only Wear Your Retainer at Night?

After three to twelve months of wearing your retainer for 20-22 hours a day, you will be able to wear it only while you sleep. Until then, though, you need to wear it as directed to ensure your teeth don’t shift back to the way they were before treatment.

Can a Retainer Straighten Your Teeth?

Technically, a retainer can straighten your teeth but don’t try it. The purpose of a retainer is to keep already straightened teeth in place.

If you find your retainer putting a lot of pressure on your teeth or causing you pain, schedule an appointment immediately. An improper fit usually results from not wearing your retainer for a few days. If this happens, do not try to force your retainer onto your teeth. We will likely need to give you a new, custom retainer.

Types of Retainers

Not all retainers are created equal, but your orthodontist will select the one that’s best for your treatment plan. There are a few different types of retainers:

• Permanent retainers – As the name suggests, these are permanently cemented to the back side of your teeth. These are the most convenient since you don’t have to remember to wear them. However, you do have to make sure to properly clean it and visit the dentist for regular cleanings, because it’s easy for plaque to build up.
• Hawley retainer – This is the most common type of retainer. It’s a removable retainer made of plastic and wires that fits right over your teeth.
• Clear retainer – Clear retainers are more discreet than Hawley retainers. They’re made of clear plastic that most people won’t even notice you’re wearing!

Retainers in Parker and Castle Rock, CO

Are you in need of a retainer? Don’t let the money you spent on braces go to waste! Schedule an appointment online today so you can keep that confident smile for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, many people think that orthodontic headgear is outdated and don’t know why it is still in use.

The truth is, orthodontic headgear can be an important part of your overall treatment plan. It’s used to correct everything from misaligned bite patterns to an asymmetrical facial structure. Headgear is usually recommended for children, as their bones are still growing and they might need additional correction.

Learn more about how orthodontic headgear works from our experienced orthodontist here.

How Can Headgear Help You Get a Better Smile?

Headgear primarily influences jaw growth, which helps to properly align your teeth. Even if you already have braces, you may benefit from orthodontic headgear — it could help you achieve your dream smile sooner.

There are three main types of headgear that work to give patients a better smile by applying force in a certain direction.

Three Main Types of Headgear:

High Pull Headgear

High pull headgear attaches to the top bracket of the braces with a metal wire. It pulls up and back to correct overbites and overjets. 

The high pull headgear gets its name from the positioning of the supporting straps which sit on the crown of the head.

Cervical Pull Headgear

Cervical pull headgear attaches to the braces via rubber bands. It pulls teeth straight back with an attachment behind the neck.

The most common use for cervical headgear is to correct overbites and overjets.

Reverse Pull Headgear

The reverse pull headgear is used to fix underbites. It does so by attaching to the braces of the top teeth and pulling forward. This headgear requires pads on the chin and forehead that act as leverage points to pull the teeth to the front.

How Can Headgear Help Improve Facial Structure?

Headgear is commonly used with adolescent orthodontic care, as their facial structure is still developing and can be improved dramatically. This change in facial structure is possible because headgear helps to train the jaw to grow a certain way, similar to a rapid palatal expander.

Plus, taking care of bite pattern issues early helps children avoid more serious issues once they get older. If these orthodontic problems aren’t corrected at a young age, they might end up with TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, or need jaw surgery.

Properly aligning jaws with headgear can also dramatically improve facial symmetry — instead of your child’s jaw growing out of alignment, headgear helps it to grow symmetrically.

How to Tell if You Need Headgear

Just because you need braces doesn’t mean you’ll also need headgear. Of course, this decision is ultimately up to your orthodontist. However, there are some common issues that require headgear to fix.

Headgear can correct many common orthodontic issues. This appliance is most often used to correct bite patterns that may be too misaligned for an Herbst® oral appliance, traditional braces, or Invisalign®.

You may need headgear if you have:

• Misaligned Teeth
• Misaligned Jaw
• Overcrowded Teeth

Can Adults Wear Headgear?

Yes, but not for the same reasons as kids. 

Orthodontic headgear is typically not very effective on adults. Their mouths are fully developed and not as malleable as they were during childhood and adolescence. For this reason, when headgear is used for adult orthodontics, it is to correct teeth spacing after one or more teeth get extracted.

Does Headgear Require Braces?

Most headgear requires braces, but you do not always have to have braces to benefit from orthodontic headgear.

Sometimes a version of high pull headgear is used before braces are applied. This specific headgear uses a chinstrap to pull the lower jaw back, similar to an old-school football chinstrap. It’s usually used to correct an underbite.

Orthodontic Headgear in Parker & Castle Rock, CO

Not everyone will need to wear orthodontic headgear with their braces, but the 20 Mile Orthodontic teams in  Parker and Castle Rock, CO are here to make the process as smooth as possible if you do.

Schedule an appointment online or call us today to get started on your journey to a better smile!

Halloween starts off the busy holiday season where the nights get longer, the days grow cooler, and festivities begin. If you are wearing braces, Halloween may be a little tricky for you this year. Resist temptation by only keeping treats that are safe for you to eat and letting yourself enjoy them, guilt-free!

Sugary Treachery

Holidays aside, it is important to remember that sugar is bad for your teeth in general. Oral bacteria feed on sugars and starches and then release enamel-eroding acids. With braces, grazing on sugar can lead to cavities and decalcification, harming tooth enamel and affecting the state of your teeth (or your child is in braces) when the hardware finally does come off.

Oral Health Tip:
Whenever you or your child eat sugary treats, rinse and brush those teeth thoroughly around the brackets and gum line, cleaning every single tooth. Clearing away plaque and acids help avoid cavities!

If you or your children are currently undergoing orthodontics, we recommend the following braces-friendly treats to keep smiles safe this Halloween season:

Satisfyingly Safe Treats

• Ice cream without hard to chew chunks or nuts
• Chocolate milkshakes and pumpkin-flavored smoothies
• Soft chocolate like peanut butter cups, Kit Kats, Reese’s Pieces, 3 Musketeers, Oreos, Hershey Bars or Kisses, plain M&M’s, and peppermint patties
• Gelatin without nuts or hard fruit chunks
• Blondies and brownies
• Soft, chewy cookies without nuts
• Sliced apples with a thin, diluted caramel sauce (it can’t be super sticky or it will pull on your braces hardware)
• Soft candies or candies that you know you will suck on (never bite!) until they dissolve

Avoid These Tricky Treats Like the Plague

Snacking on these bracket and wire-damaging sweets can mess with your braces hardware before you know it:

• Candy apples, because biting into a regular apple can harm your braces, so any apple should be sliced or cut into small chunks. If the caramel coating is thick, it will double your risk of braces damage!
• Hard or sticky candies like Skittles, jelly beans, gummy candies, licorice, taffy, caramel, nutty M&M’s, and gumballs or bubble gum.
• Hard candies like Tootsie rolls or pops, Starburst fruit chews, or Jolly Ranchers. These can also damage teeth yank off your cement out of your braces bands.
• Sour candies like Warheads and Sour Patch Kids have acidic levels that can wear down tooth enamel, increasing the potential for cavity development.
• Any kind of brittle; they are hard by nature and sticky to boot!
• Regular or sweet popcorn as the popcorn shells get stuck in the gums and can lead to pain or infection.

Horrifyingly Hard on Braces

The reason hard and sticky candies are so bad for your braces is because people typically bite down on them. That is when the scary stuff happens, like breaking off a bracket or bending a wire and having it poke your soft oral tissues. Do not let your treats damage your braces, at least if you want to avoid having to come in and see us more than usual. Remember, every time a bracket or band needs replacing or repairing, it sets the orthodontic process back a step.

What happens when you do have a problem with your braces hardware? Be sure to call our orthodontic office right away, so we can take care of it as soon as possible and get you back on track. We hope you safely enjoy the upcoming holiday season, starting with Halloween!