5 Steps to a Healthy Smile

Medina Orthodontics

A healthy smile looks and feels terrific. Achieving a healthy smile takes a little effort, but every step is worth it.

The 5 steps below are smart ways to care for your smile. There is no quick fix when it comes to doing what’s best, so stick with these steps and we promise you will see results.

1. Brush your Teeth Twice a Day with a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Bacteria is produced in your mouth in a brief amount of time, and it keeps producing over short periods of time. When you brush your teeth twice a day, you destroy the bacteria in your mouth to make it clean. If left in your mouth for twenty-four hours, bacteria can damage the enamel of your teeth and gradually weaken your gums and roots resulting in the decay of your teeth. Moreover, the removal of bacteria also results in the removal of bad breath.

The proper brushing technique is to: Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

2. Floss Daily

Flossing removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumline where your toothbrush can’t reach. When left alone, plaque and tartar build up under the surface of the gumlines. This can cause periodontal disease, which leads to bone destruction and tooth loss. Daily flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.

To floss properly, wrap the floss tightly around your finger and insert in the space between your teeth. Gently slide it up and down under the gumlines two to three times. If bleeding occurs, this is most likely due to gingivitis or gum disease. When flossing daily, the bleeding associated with mild to moderate gingivitis usually stops after about two weeks.

3. Keep your Tongue Clean

Even if you are an oral hygiene all-star who brushes your teeth twice a day, you may still be missing one step that could help keep your mouth fresh and healthy…cleaning your tongue. Brush your tongue gently from back to front a few times with a toothbrush and toothpaste each time you brush your teeth to keep bad bacteria, as well as food debris, from causing trouble.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. Sipping water is also one of the best things you can do for your teeth. And drinking water with is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities.

Water cleans your mouth with every sip. It washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. You will still need to brush twice a day for two minutes and clean between your teeth thoroughly but drinking water throughout the day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.

5. See your Regular Dentist Twice a Year

Regular dental visits are necessary to preserving your oral health. Having routine cleanings every six months helps to promote good oral health and a beautiful smile. Your dentist is trained to recognize early signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they cause severe damage to your teeth and mouth. Regular checkups are the key to maintaining a healthy smile. When your cleanings are irregular, you can develop periodontal disease. This can cause unsightly swollen, receding, and bleeding gums.

In addition to removing stain and tartar from your teeth, your dental hygienist will also screen for health conditions like high blood pressure and oral cancer. Because many health conditions manifest themselves in the mouth, your dentist and hygienist can make you aware of issues that you should follow up on with your doctor.

It may take some time before you start to notice changes from improved oral hygiene. While these changes won’t come overnight, they are certainly worth the time and effort, both for the sake of your smile and your overall health. If you have any questions regarding the health of your teeth and mouth, don’t hesitate to call Medina Orthodontics.

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Medina Orthodontics

Advancements in orthodontics have given our patients more options for achieving the smile they have always wanted! At Medina Orthodontics, we offer the latest in orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, like Invisalign! If you’re thinking about improving your smile but can’t picture yourself in braces…Invisalign clear aligners might be the perfect option for you.

Most people want to improve their smile but think that traditional metal braces are the only option. With Invisalign clear aligners there are no metal brackets or wires to detract from your smile while undergoing treatment. With Invisalign clear aligners, your teeth can be comfortable, beautiful, and precisely aligned in half of the time it would require with traditional braces.

Invisalign clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment option that straightens teeth without the use of metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear aligners that cover your teeth and gently move them into the proper position over time.

You will wear your Invisalign aligners all day, every day, except when you eat, floss, and brush your teeth. Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you will be able to briefly remove them any time you need to throughout the day.

When you receive your aligners, you will place the clear trays over your teeth. You will wear each set of aligners for two weeks and then switch to the next set of aligners. Every six weeks or so, you will have an appointment in our Katy, TX office to check your aligners and the progress of your treatment. These checkups help Dr. Medina determine if any adjustments need to be made to the aligners or to your treatment plan. You can expect to feel some mild discomfort as your teeth move, however, the pressure you feel will gradually fade over the course of a few days.

Invisalign Is Made To Fit Your Lifestyle

• Clear, virtually invisible aligners 
• Removable, will not get in the way of your activities 
• Easy to remove to eat, brush, and floss 
• Graduate to a new set of aligners about every two weeks 
• Easy to monitor your progress with regular appointments 
• Effective for a wide range of smiles

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using custom-made aligners created for you and only you. These aligners are smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible. Not only are the aligners invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment.

Are Invisalign Clear Aligners Expensive? As Invisalign aligners have become more popular over the years, they have also become more affordable. Invisalign aligners tend to cost about as much as traditional braces; however, the cost of your orthodontic treatment will vary depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

At Medina Orthodontics, we will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget so you will know what to expect before beginning treatment. We also accept assignment of insurance benefits, allowing our patients to make financial arrangements with our office on the uninsured (patient) portion of their orthodontic fee. One of our team members will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have regarding our fees and our financial arrangements.

How Long does Invisalign Clear Aligner Treatment Take? Each patient’s orthodontic problem is unique, and each patient responds to treatment differently, so there is no universal answer for how long your Invisalignaligner treatment will take. In general, the total treatment time for Invisalign clear aligners can be less than a year.

What Happens After Invisalign Clear Aligner Treatment Is Completed? After any orthodontic treatment, whether it’s Invisalign clear aligners or traditional braces, we recommend that you wear a retainer. A retainer is designed to keep your teeth in alignment. Without it, your teeth can gradually move back to their former position. If your teeth start to shift, you may need to temporarily wear your Invisalign clear aligners again to reposition them.

There is a lot to love about Invisalign clear aligners, but Invisalign clear aligners aren’t always a good fit for every patient. If you would like to learn more about how Invisalign clear aligners can transform your smile, give Medina Orthodontics a call today and schedule a complimentary consultation. Dr. Medina will assess your smile to determine if the Invisalign Clear Aligner System is a good fit for you.

Did you know…

Only an orthodontist, like Dr. Medina, who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Invisalign is not appropriate for every teen or adult. After an initial examination, Dr. Medina will determine if the Invisalign System is an effective treatment option for you.

If you want straighter teeth but are concerned about how you'll look in braces...contact Medina Orthodontics in Katy, TX to talk to us about Invisalign!