Clear Ceramic Braces

Medina Orthodontics

Your appearance can make a significant difference in your confidence, and a healthy smile is one of the first things people notice.

Dr. Liana Medina is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles with straighter teeth and good bites. One of the orthodontic treatment options offered at Medina Orthodontics, includes Ceramic Braces.

Ceramic brackets can be clear or tooth colored. They come in different shades of off-white that can be customized to match your teeth. The archwires that connect the brackets are also available in less obvious shades like white.

Ceramic Braces are perfect for adults looking to improve their smile but would rather avoid any noticeable differences that may draw attention to their mouth. Teenagers that already feel insecure about their smiles choose Ceramic Braces over metal braces most of the time.

Ceramic Braces offer our patients the look they want, with all the functionality of traditional metal brackets. The comfortable, sculptured design and attractive translucent appearance help provide the self-confidence that comes from wearing braces that look as good as they perform.

With Ceramic Braces, Dr. Medina and her team can deliver faster treatment times, fewer appointments, greater comfort, and consistent high-quality results. If you’ve been considering orthodontic treatment, consider Ceramic Braces. Give Medina Orthodontics a call to schedule your initial consultation today.

 

Chewing Ice is Bad for Your Teeth

Medina Orthodontics

Chewing ice is an incredibly common habit. Some people chew on ice after finishing a drink, while others do it to cool off in the summer heat. No matter what the reason people chew ice, just like many other hard foods, chewing ice can cause cracked or chipped teeth. It can also damage your enamel, causing increased sensitivity to hot and cold leaving you more prone to tooth decay and cavities. Chewing ice can even damage existing dental work like fillings, crowns, and veneers creating expensive trips to your local dentist.

If you wear braces, have a retainer, or an expander, chewing ice makes you particularly vulnerable to tooth damage.

Why Chewing Ice Can be Dangerous

Destroyed Orthodontic Appliances - Orthodontic appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing healthy smiles. Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can cause severe damage to brackets, wires and other appliances resulting in extra visits to our office and delayed treatment times.

Broken or Fractured Teeth - Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they are not designed to crunch extremely hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped tooth, which will require an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth.

Cracked Tooth Enamel - Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body yet chewing ice can still damage it. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense against cavities and helps protect teeth from sugar and acid attacks. If tooth enamel is damaged by chewing ice, it can leave teeth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth decay. That’s because acids produced by bacteria can penetrate the softer layer of the tooth, the dentin, much more easily and cause tooth decay. Cracked tooth enamel can also lead to hot and cold sensitives and tooth pain.

Chewing on ice is a common habit that can create a lot of problems for your oral health. As with any habit, the first thing you should do is make yourself aware. If you are concerned about your oral health or if you chew on ice frequently, make sure you schedule an appointment with your general dentist to have your teeth and gums evaluated. If your teeth are damaged, your dentist will know exactly what to do to help.