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When the time comes for Dr. Razavi to remove your braces, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers. Should you go with permanent, removable, or a combination of the two? It is always wise to follow Palladium Orthodontics recommendations, but knowing more about the two types of retainer beforehand can be helpful.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers offer the advantage of easy use: you will generally put a removable retainer in at night and take it out in the morning. Regardless of your retainer schedule, you'll be able to enjoy some time with no retainer. However, a removable retainer can easily be forgotten at times, and this means you won't be taking full advantage of teeth retention.

Another potential advantage of a removable retainer is that you can take it out and brush and floss your teeth with ease, which is more of a challenge with a permanent retainer. Although removable retainers can be very effective, they don't tend to be as effective as permanent retainers, especially if they are not used as directed.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are the clear choice for patients who want to “get it and forget it.” Once your permanent retainer is placed in your mouth, you won’t need to worry about daily retainer schedules, since it is permanently affixed to your teeth.

Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can't forget to put it in — it's already there! Temporary retainers get lost or are forgotten on trips, and often fail to get used as often as they should be.

One drawback to permanent retainers is flossing. Some patients find it more difficult to floss with a permanent retainer, but we can show you effective ways to floss fairly quickly with your permanent retainer.

Some orthodontists may recommend a combination of the two; for example, a removable retainer for the top teeth and a permanent one for the lower ones because the lower teeth are smaller and tend to shift more.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that wearing your retainer as directed is extremely important. As long as you follow our orthodontist’s advice, you will get the best results from your retainer, regardless of its type. If you’re still not sure whether the choice you’ve made is truly right for you, get in touch with us at our Kanata, Ontario location right away!

A whole month devoted to our gums? If that seems a bit over-the-top, let’s take a moment to consider just how important these under-the-teeth heroes are. Because, while your healthy, confident smile is a gift you’re happy to share with the world, that smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums protecting your teeth and the structures which support them.

The gums are made of connective tissue covered with a mucous membrane layer. Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around each tooth. This snug fit prevents plaque and food particles from reaching the tooth’s roots, which can cause decay. But our gums don’t just protect our teeth—they also cover and form a seal around the ligaments and bone which hold our teeth in place, protecting them from bacteria and infection.

Healthy gums are essential for healthy smiles. Give your gums the protection they deserve from the very start with some basic gum care:

Treat Your Gums Gently

Gum tissue is delicate. If you’re in orthodontic treatment, you might be tempted to brush and floss harder to keep your teeth and braces clean, but heavy-handed brushing and flossing can damage gum tissue.

• Always use a soft-bristled brush. Brush at an angle to clean away plaque where the gums meet the teeth. Floss properly to avoid gum injuries, and use floss made for braces to get teeth and gums their cleanest.
• Ask the team at Palladium Orthodontics for tips if your gums are suffering from too-vigorous brushing and flossing. A quick refresher in proper technique might make all the difference.
• Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can be very helpful for thorough and gentle cleaning around the gums—with the added bonus of making cleaning around brackets and wires easier and more effective as well.
• Orthodontic appliances might cause some gum irritation at first. As you get used to your braces, retainer, or other appliance, this problem should disappear. If pain or irritation persists, give Dr. Razavi a call for any adjustments needed to make sure your appliance fits you comfortably.

Eat a Gum-Healthy Diet

September is also the month we celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, and “arrr” pirate friends can teach us a lesson about gum health. Life on the high seas centuries ago was never easy, and scurvy was one of the major reasons why. In its early stages, this disease caused painful, swollen, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The cause of scurvy? Too little vitamin C in sailors’ diets.

Today we realize the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, with nutrients from A to Z providing essential benefits:

• Vitamin A is necessary for the integrity of mucous membranes, including the gums, as they act as a barrier to infection.
• Vitamin C helps us produce collagen, which provides vital support and structure to gum tissue and helps encourage tissue repair.
• Vitamin D fights infection and reduces the inflammation which can lead to gum disease.
• Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which prevents our immune systems from working effectively to fight infection.
• Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Zinc is important for reducing inflammation and healing wounds.

These are just a few examples! The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and proteins are good for your whole body, not just your gums, so talk to your doctor if you want to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need.

Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease can sneak up on you because it’s painless in its early stages. If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, plaque and tartar around the gum line will build up. This buildup irritates the gums, causing redness, bleeding, and swelling—an early stage of gum disease called gingivitis.

Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease. The gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets around them. These pockets become home to harmful bacteria which attack the ligaments and bone tissue around the teeth. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out or need to be extracted.

Fortunately, gum disease is largely preventable.

• Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and floss once a day (or more often if your orthodontist advises it) to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation.
• Evaluating your gum health is part of every dental exam, so see your dentist for an examination and a professional cleaning as often as recommended.
• Hormonal changes during puberty can leave gums at risk for inflammation and gum disease. Your dentist and doctor can work together to design a treatment plan to make sure your gums are their healthiest.
• If you show symptoms of more advanced gum disease, ask your dentist for a periodontic referral. Periodontitis is uncommon in young people, but genetic factors and certain medical conditions make some patients more vulnerable.

Quit the Habit

Smoking increases the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer, as well as many other health complications. Smoking can even extend orthodontic treatment time because it slows the bone’s ability to remodel and strengthen around the teeth as they move into their new positions.

• If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.
• If you do smoke, talk to your dentist or doctor about the best ways to quit the habit. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping smoking, and your care team can suggest methods which will work best for you.

Take a moment this month to review your gum health, to check for ways to improve your gum care routine, and to contact your orthodontic or dental team in Kanata, Ontario if you have any questions. After all, while your smile is the main event, your sparkling, confident smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums providing essential support!

You’ve got a lot going on in your busy life, and whether it’s school, practice, or simply socializing, you want to put a confident face forward. And part of that confidence comes from knowing your breath is its freshest!

Too often, though, this time of your life makes that goal seem difficult. Let’s look at ways to keep you smiling your brightest and feeling your freshest in any social setting.

• Watch Your Diet

Sure, garlic, onions, and other pungent food choices are obvious culprits when it comes to bad breath, but did you know that sugars and simple carbs are the food of choice for the bacteria that cause decay, gingivitis, and bad breath? Eating a nutritious, braces-friendly diet will help keep your mouth, your braces, and your breath healthy.

And it’s not just what you eat. Dehydration also causes bad breath. But those caffeinated drinks and sodas that keep you going through the day are the source of acids and sugars that contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and less-than-fresh breath. Water, milk, and healthy smoothies are a great way to stay hydrated, add vitamins and minerals to your diet, and go easy on your braces.          

• Keep Up with Oral Hygiene

It’s hard to keep your teeth and gums their cleanest when it seems like you’re always on the go, but good oral habits are just as important now as they were when you were younger.

Brushing after every meal and snack and flossing daily will help get rid of the bacteria and plaque, which lead to cavities. Our tongues also harbor the bacteria that cause bad breath, so finish off your routine with a gentle brush of the tongue, or try a tongue scraper.

Flossing helps keep gums healthy, which, in turns, keeps your breath healthy as well. Dentists generally suggest flossing once a day, but wearing braces could require flossing more often to make sure you’re getting rid of all those food particles that can become trapped in brackets and wires. Studies have suggested that hormonal changes in teenagers can mean your gums are more at risk for periodontal problems, which can also lead to bad breath, so don’t neglect your gum health!

And be sure to make room in your schedule for regular checkups and cleanings. Your dentist and hygienist will let you know if you’re on track for healthy teeth and gums and fresh breath.

• Wearing Braces?

Part of careful brushing and flossing means getting to all those places in your braces which trap food particles. Besides being a source of unpleasant odors, food particles lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay, another cause of bad breath.

Dr. Razavi can suggest the best methods for keeping your braces their cleanest—even in hard to reach spots—with suggestions for brushing and flossing techniques. We can also suggest the best and easiest-to-use products for your particular braces, and recommend or prescribe antibacterial mouthwashes.

• Wearing Aligners?

Aligners are removed before you eat, so it’s easy to forget that they also need attention. Follow instructions given at our Kanata, Ontario office for daily cleaning to prevent saliva and plaque from sticking to your aligners and causing odors. And always remember to brush before you replace aligners after eating a meal or even snacking—otherwise, you’re just trapping the food particles that cause cavities or odors next to your teeth.

You’ve got a lot going on in your busy life, and the last thing you need to worry about is fresh breath. Keep up with your solid dental routines, make sure your braces or aligners are clean and plaque-free, and show the world your healthiest, freshest, most confident smile.

If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Razavi and our team think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, or as recommended, in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing. (And visiting Palladium Orthodontics for regular adjustments, of course.)

Dental checkups are crucial for maintaining good oral health. Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of tooth decay, as well as catch and treat oral health problems early. During an oral exam, your dentist can also check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next adjustment visit and we will provide a few great references in the Kanata, Ontario area!