Posts made in 2011

Braces: How Long Do I Need Them For?

Posted on Dec 29, 2011

If you are considering braces and want to know how long treatment will last, we here at HGS Ortho in Richmond or Port Coquitlam want you to know that it depends from patient to patient.

Every case is unique which makes length of time different for everyone. Treatment generally lasts from 1 year to 3 years, but for most average teenagers, treatment will be completed in 2 years.

Here are some things that can affect the length of treatment:

Complexity of the case: If there is a severe dental deformity, this will take longer to treat. Dr. Smith will be able to let you know what is contributing to the complexity of the case and how treatment time will be affected.

Cooperation from the patient: You may not know this, but this mostly determines how long your orthodontic treatment will take. If a patient complies, this will make treatment go smoothly and quickly. If Dr. Smith instructs you to wear things like headgear and other appliances, you must comply and take proper care of these appliances or else your treatment will be delayed.

Growing Patients: If you’re a growing patient, this could affect your treatment. Dr. Smith will make the adjustments necessary for growth, but this makes the end time of your treatment hard to predict. When growth is involved and there needs to be modification to the braces, treatment time is usually longer.

How Old You Are: Adults usually need longer treatment time because of the properties of their bones or a decrease in metabolism when it comes to tissue – this results in slowing down the movement of teeth while being treated by an orthodontist.

Cases With Several Specialists: When different dental cases are involved, treatment time will normally be longer because of communication delays between dentists or doctors.

If braces are for you, our team at HGS Ortho in Richmond or Port Coquitlam will give you the best care possible. Contact us today!

 

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Braces: Why Do I Need Them?

Posted on Dec 22, 2011

There are many reasons people need braces besides maintaining an attractive appearance. Braces are a functional way to improve your teeth and have many great health benefits.

Achieving a beautiful smile is possible through orthodontic treatment. Braces can give you a gorgeous smile by improving the shape of your lips and face. Aesthetics is the usual reason people choose braces, but at HGS Ortho, we want you to know that this is not the only reason people should get braces.

Braces can improve dental function, which allows the teeth and jaw to align so that they can give you the best chewing and speaking abilities. In addition, proper function encourages better long-term health of your mouth.

At HGS Ortho, our team of experts knows that straight teeth are much easier to keep clean.  When your teeth are crowded, it is much trickier to brush and floss, and plaque is more likely to develop. Moreover, if you’re ever in need of dental restorations, it is much easier for us to work on straight teeth.

Finally, braces can help with your self-esteem and self-confidence. Orthodontic treatment has even been known to improve career success in adults, and can improve the quality of a person’s well-being.

If you want to consider orthodontic treatment, come in to HGS Ortho for a consultation!

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Eating with Braces: Foods to Avoid

Posted on Dec 8, 2011

orthodontics vancouver

If you have braces, you know how important it is to keep braces clean. You also know that there’s a certain limit to what you can eat. The orthodontic team at HGS Ortho wants to assure you that there are plenty of foods that are safe to eat if you have braces.

Eating with Braces: Food to Avoid

Never eat the following: sticky foods, candies, gum, hard foods, or nuts. In addition, never chew on pens or pencils if this is one of your habits.

With the following foods, you will have to be cautious. Be sure to cut these foods up or chew with your back teeth: corn chips, hard fruit, breads, pitted fruits, bars, and chicken wings. If you want to eat foods with a high sugar content, be sure to limit the amount and to brush your teeth immediately after.

Eating with Braces: Foods that are Fine

There are plenty of foods that are okay to eat with braces, such as: ice cream without any candies or nuts,  potato chips, vegetables, fries, soft foods like pudding and yogurt, sandwiches, cereal if it is soaked in milk, milkshakes or smoothies, and any other soft food.

To keep braces clean, here are some great snack ideas if you have braces:

  1. Apples sliced very thinly, with yogurt or chocolate dip
  2. A classic favorite: cheese and crackers
  3. You can make a mix with cereal low in sugar, crackers or even small marshmallows or Craisins
  4. PB&J with honey, rolled up in a tortilla shell
  5. Cheese strings
  6. Hummus with a soft pita. You can also use soft vegetables like zucchini or peppers
  7. Soft fruits which include oranges, strawberries and many more
  8. A low sugar smoothie made with yogurt
  9. Pizza made on an English muffin and topped with cheese

You may be surprised to hear this, but there’s even a cookbook based on recipes that are good for people with braces. It’s called The Braces Cookbook by Pamela Waterman and can give you some great ideas if you wear braces and want to keep them intact.

Come in for your appointment at HGS Ortho and we can give you tips and answer any questions you may have.

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Braces: What All The Cool Kids Are Wearing These Days

Posted on Dec 1, 2011

braces richmond coquitlam vancouver bcGone are the days of “brace face” or “metal mouth”. Today, braces have completely lost their reputation as being uncool and have become increasingly popular among kids and teenagers in Richmond, Coquitlam and the surrounding Vancouver areas.

Don’t believe it? It’s true! A recent survey found that children going through orthodontics were having a positive experience. New technologies like computer software, and popularity of braces among celebrities such Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Serena Williams make braces a top choice for today’s cool teenagers.

In fact, 86% of moms reported that braces are more popular today than when they were kids. 69% of these mothers also said wearing braces gives children a boost in self-esteem, and 81% said their children’s treatment was either positive or extremely positive.

What is bringing this increased popularity? Patients are revealing that braces are unique, cool, colourful and–most importantly–helping to achieve a straight, beautiful smile!

What colours are cool for your braces? Try some popular options such as pink and purple, blue and green or red and white!

Think it’s time you or your child tried braces? Contact HGS Ortho for a consultation to help achieve a cool, unique smile.

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How to Keep Braces Clean: The Top Ten Tips!

Posted on Nov 24, 2011

braces cleanKeeping braces clean and teeth healthy is extremely important; learning how to keep braces clean will shorten treatment time, prevent health problems and minimize discomfort.

Braces tend to give food fragments more places to hide, which can result in bad breath, stained teeth, cavities and swollen gums. Keep your smile bright and healthy with these top ten tips for effectively cleaning teeth with braces.

1. Never forget to floss: Many patients become too lazy to floss between the metal wires that come with braces. Regular flossing works for many patients of Vancouver-area orthodontic practices, but others prefer to floss with a threader. A floss threader allows for you to get into tight spaces between teeth, keeping your mouth cleaner and healthier.

2. Bring a brush: It’s a great idea to get into the habit of bringing a toothbrush with you everywhere. Always brush teeth after every meal in order to get rid of food trapped between teeth. Create or buy a special container for your toothbrush that can always travel with you.

3. Take it one by one: Each time you brush your teeth, make sure to pay attention to each individual tooth. Try to spend at least 10 seconds on each one, paying careful attention to where the braces touch your teeth.

4. Angle your brush: Angle your toothbrush down towards where teeth and braces meet when brushing the top of teeth. Angle the toothbrush up when brushing the bottom of your teeth and braces.

5. Clean after every meal: During treatment with braces, it is extremely important to brush your teeth after eating any meal. If food stays in your mouth, it can easily lead to cavities and tooth decay. If you are not able to brush, try to thoroughly wash your mouth out with water.

6. Clean back to front, up and down: Don’t just focus on the front of your teeth, the back area is just as important! Always remember to clean the inner surface of teeth, the chewing surface and along the gum line. This will help to effectively prevent plaque build-up.

7. Remove removable parts: Take out any elastic bands or headgear before you brush or floss your teeth.

8. Invest in a pointed brush: Interdental brushes, also known as proxa brushes and interproximal brushes, are great for cleaning hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. The brush is cone-shaped and can clean spots that standard brushes usually miss.

9. Find some fluoride: Fluoride helps to protect against cavities. Use fluoride-based toothpaste and mouth wash when cleaning teeth.

10. Schedule regular check-ups: While you have to take care of your teeth most days, make sure to visit your orthodontist and dentist regularly while undergoing braces treatment. Professionals will provide a deep cleaning that will help your smile look and feel beautiful.

Contact the expert team at HGS Ortho to help keep your braces clean and your smile bright!

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