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Invisalign Teen Los Angeles

Invisible Aligners Explained

Invisible Aligners 

How many hours a day do I have to wear them?

Your appliances should be worn at all times (except when eating), even when you sleep.  It is recommended that you wear them 22 hours per day. You should only remove the appliance for eating and to brush your teeth. It is also recommended that you remove them to drink hot liquids (ie: coffee or tea) – so not to compromise the material or burn your mouth. Cold beverages are okay to drink while wearing the aligners.

Can I eat with my aligners on?

Unfortunately not. You will need to remove your aligners when you eat. Make sure to store the aligners in the case provided to avoid accidently throwing them away.Invisalign

Can I take them out to speak at a meeting?

Yes, this one of the advantages of aligners. You may remove them when extremely necessary.

I heard that aligners can get stuck on the teeth, is this true?

No. Aligners are made to fit “snuggly” but can always be removed. This process gets easier with practice.

Will aligners damage my crowns?

No. Crowns are cemented unto your tooth and the aligners are not strong enough to damage crowns. If a crown becomes loose during treatment, then the crown was already loose without you knowing it. You should contact your regular dentist to determine the treatment necessary.

How often are my appointments?

Your appointment intervals will correspond with the number of aligners that you receive at each appointment. You can expect your appointments to occur every 4-6 weeks.

How do I clean my aligners?

Your appliance should be cleaned by holding it in the palm of your hand under running water. Scrub it gently with toothbrush and hand soap. Never use bleach or any other cleaning solutions.  Do not use toothpaste as this scratches the aligner and collects more plaque.

*Remember: if the appliance isn’t in your mouth- it is not working! Your aligners should be in a carrying case when not in your mouth. A word of advice, dogs love aligners, and will nibble and eat the aligner if given a chance.

If you need more information about Invisalign, feel free to call us or contact our office.

Beach Braces – 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Invisible Aligners Explained

Halloween

It’s Halloween Season!

Halloween can be one of the most fun holidays that many young adults and children experience every single year. It is however very important to consider that if you are wearing orthodontic appliances that Halloween might be just a bit different for you during your treatment.

If you have braces it’s very important to consider that much of the candy that you might normally be eating on Halloween should be cut entirely out of your diet.

Halloween

Denis Collette via Compfight

Eating candy and sweets on Halloween can be a lot of fun and even though many dentists do not recommend an excessive amount of sugar as this can promote cavities, it is important to enjoy yourself especially on Halloween.

For patients that have orthodontic appliances in traditional braces however most types of candy should be avoided. Candy is usually very chewy and can get stuck in braces which can cause real damage to your teeth and to your oral health. Hard candies can damage braces and also get stuck promoting issues with oral health. Even worse, sticky candies and soft candies can stick in the wires of braces and cause cavities.

Rather than face issues cleaning your braces or even damaging your braces by eating candy on Halloween, it’s usually a good idea to just abstain. Stick with some of the foods that you can regularly eat. If you would like to go out for Halloween however consider collecting a donation for a local charity in lieu of candy or donating your candy to some of the other local neighborhood children. There is no reason why you can’t dress up and enjoy Halloween even with braces on.

For patients that have Invisalign and other removable appliances you can take off your aligners for just a short time in order to enjoy some candy on Halloween. Make sure to properly clean your aligners and thoroughly clean your teeth after you have enjoyed your night of fun. Invisalign makes it easier to enjoy holidays like Halloween but we still strongly encourage our patients to dress up and enjoy the holiday as well.

Feel free to come by our offices throughout October to see our Halloween decorations. If you have any questions about foods to avoid on Halloween, or should you need to schedule an emergency appointment after Halloween please do not hesitate to call or contact our office so that we can provide you with some answers.

Dr Panucci – Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

It’s Halloween Season!

happy woman

Operation Gratitude

We need your Candy! Every Pound equals 10 Reward Points!

candy is bad for braces

National Orthodontic Month

National Orthodontic Health Month

National Orthodontic Health Month

This October is national orthodontic health month and it is especially important with the Halloween season coming up. National orthodontic health month is a time to raise awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment. We are interested in connecting with new patients, and educating people in the community about the benefits that they can experience after receiving proper orthodontic treatment.

The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes October as orthodontic health month and a time to raise awareness for these benefits. The AAO has over 16,000 members located across North America and is one of the oldest professional associations for orthodontists. They have established this month is a good time to educate people about these benefits because it falls in line with Halloween, and because it’s always a

National Orthodontic Month

Pamela Machado via Compfight

good idea to explain the benefits of orthodontic work. By banding together during the month of October we only hope that each orthodontic member of the AAO will do their part to reach out in the community and educate new people about what they can receive along with orthodontic care.

Currently undergoing orthodontic treatment?

For people who are currently undergoing orthodontic care, October is a great time to brush up on your skills and to learn more about the treatments that you are undergoing. By Learning about some food that you can avoid during Halloween, as well as how to properly clean your teeth even with orthodontic appliances on, you can be more prepared to handle October during your treatment. There are bound to be lots of treats floating around and plenty of temptations. It’s important to note that some of these sticky treats could really set your progress back and lead to some serious oral health issues. Opting for some melt in your mouth treats over some harder sticky items could make sure that your progress isn’t interrupted.

Professionals across all levels of orthodontistry are recognized across orthodontic health month. Orthodontists will receive awards and certificates based off of their performance over the past year. Certified orthodontic assistants and orthodontists can be recognized on behalf of their various boards if they are certified by an exam. Certification lasts just one year but some of the most elite orthodontists and assistants carry these certifications to show their commitment to excellence.

If you are interested in receiving orthodontic care or you are interested in learning more about the treatment that you are undergoing, October is perhaps one of the best months to look into your orthodontic health.

Dr Panucci is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to orthodontic treatments, you can book a complimentary consultation by clicking here !

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

National Orthodontic Health Month

Toothbrushing Mistake 9

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry”

Toothbrushing Mistake 9

There is more bacteria found in your mouth than any part of your body hence when you brush your teeth, some stays on your toothbrush. People don’t usually mind if their toothbrush is not  dry before storing them, and since most people store their toothbrush in the bathroom, a place where airborne bacteria is common, your damp toothbrush is the most appropriate choice for these bacteria to thrive in.

Not letting the toothbrush dry well enough can contaminate it. Contamination happens because there’s moisture left in your toothbrush making it a good environment for bacteria and germs to grow. When bacteria builds up during the time your toothbrush is stored, you will be putting more bacteria into your mouth the moment you start brushing. This is not cleaning your mouth at all; this is reestablishing the old bacteria in your mouth through your contaminated toothbrush. Of course, you don’t want this happening as the more bacteria in your mouth means more tooth decay.

In order to prevent this, make sure to air dry your toothbrush first before storing it in a cool and dry place. Also make sure that the container allows the air to flow, so your toothbrush can breathe properly and moisture can be prevented. Keeping your toothbrush dry literally means keeping your toothbrush clean and safe from bacteria which loves to thrive in damp places.

Brushing teeth correctly is very important . For more Toothbrusing Facts, visit our blog.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9

Brushing teeth

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse”

TM8-BB

Rinsing the toothbrush after using is a healthy practice since not following up with a rinse can contaminate your toothbrush.A contaminated toothbrush can bring bacteria to your mouth the moment you start brushing, hence you are not cleaning your mouth and teeth at all but putting in more bacteria into your mouth instead. More bacteria means a higher possibility of tooth decay thus defeating the purpose of why people brush their teeth in the first place: to preserve their teeth. So how do you make sure you avoid this kind of scenario?

When rinsing your toothbrush with tap water, make sure there’s no debris and toothpaste residue is left. You can closely check the toothbrush for debris and make sure to rinse it with running water. Even if your toothbrush looks visibly clean, it is not a guarantee that there’s no bacteria left in the bristles or other parts of your toothbrush. So, the next best thing to do is to let it air-dry and store it in an upright position if possible.

If there are more toothbrushes on your holder, make sure that they are properly separated in order to prevent cross-contamination among the toothbrushes. Also check if the toothbrush holder is properly designed in order to let the brushes breath.

Closed containers have a higher possibility of moisture, and a moist environment is the breeding place of germs and bacteria so make sure you store your toothbrush in a cool and dry place.

For more Toothbrushing Mistake Facts, please visit our blog. If you’re in the Manhattan Beach area, you can book a complimentary orthodontic consultation by clicking here.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8

Toothbrusing Mistake 7

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces”

Toothbrusing Mistake 7

How does skipping inner tooth surfaces (the surface in which your tongue presses against) when brushing affect your overall oral health? Leaving any part of the tooth behind can cause decay from  bacteria which was not removed when brushing.

The bacteria can spread all over the mouth (tongue, cheek, gums, and teeth) which can also damage other teeth which are thoroughly brushed. In order to avoid this scenario, it is best to include all parts of the teeth when brushing, including the inner surfaces of the teeth. The inner surfaces are commonly skipped since not all people are aware of the detrimental effects of skipping them.

Besides, since the inner surfaces of the teeth are not as visible as the outer ones, most people think it is not necessary to clean them properly thus they are making the biggest mistake when it comes to oral hygiene. Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association says that the plaque that you can’t see is as important to remove as the plaque that you can see so don’t just focus on removing plaque on the outer surfaces. Furthermore, dentists found out that the most skipped area when brushing is the inner surfaces of the lower front teeth so make sure to include this the next time you brush.

Overall, make sure to brush every part of your mouth when brushing in order to ensure that bacteria which causes bad breath and tooth decay is removed.

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Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7

Toothbrushing Mistake 6

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”

Toothbrushing Mistake 6

So does starting in the same place each time when brushing really have an impact to your overall oral health?

Most right handed people have the habit to start at the upper left corner of their front teeth while left handed people tend to start at the upper right corner of their front teeth. The bad news is that starting at the same place each time when brushing can cause excessive wear to that certain teeth. Aside from the excessive wear, starting at the same place each time when brushing also makes you get bored on the same areas each day hence those areas won’t be as clean as those areas where you start brushing.

Richard H. Price, DMD (consumer advisor for the American Dental Association), added that by the time you reach the last quadrant of your mouth, you’re already bored and lazy hence you are missing the most important places to clean, especially the back of your last teeth. People tend to start brushing harder then let up as they go on and the usual places left behind with less cleaning effort are the upper back teeth. So how can you change this habit?

Whenever starting up, always remember to start with the inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth where most bacteria builds up. Do not start on the same place each time and remember to include brushing the tongue in order to remove the white film which also contains bacteria and causes bad breath.

Dr Panucci is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to oral hygiene and orthodontic treatments, you can book a complimentary consultation by clicking here !

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6

 

Invisalign FAQ

Seven Invisalign FAQ’s

Invisalign FAQ’s

Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth. These are some common FAQs for new patient wearing Invisalign.

Invisalign FAQ

1. What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance that works similarly to braces and is completely removable. Invisalign is created using nearly invisible dental aligners made of thermoplastic. The aligners look very similar to teeth whitening trays that you may use it the dentist or you may have purchased from your local drugstore. As you progress through Invisalign treatments you will need to change these aligners to gradually adjust your teeth into the position for your ideal smile.

2. How do the aligners work?

Over time you will need to change out the aligners to move your teeth into their correct position. The aligners will put a controlled force on teeth to slowly move them into their position. Orthodontists will map out these forces and dictate how aligners should be adjusted to properly adjust your teeth. Over the length of your treatment your teeth will gradually move as you change each aligner until they are eventually formed into their correct structure.

3. How would Invisalign treatment affect me?

Unlike braces and some other forms of traditional orthodontic appliances, Invisalign is completely removable. Patients are only required to wear Invisalign for 20-22 hours a day for the best results. Removing the aligners to eat or drink means that you are not restricted in the types of food that you would regularly eat and you will also have no difficulties cleaning your teeth. The best part is the aligners are virtually invisible so it will be very difficult for anyone to know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign may be a bit uncomfortable for the first few days that you wear the aligners, but after that they have a minimal effect on your life.

Invisalign vs braces

4. Do I need to take care of my aligners?

You will need to clean your aligners regularly. You can do this by both brushing them as you would your teeth and rinsing them with lukewarm water, or looking into the specialty Invisalign cleaning system. Changing  your aligners whenever your orthodontist recommends is also required as part of your treatment.

5. How long does the treatment take?

Treatment will depend on how severe your individual case is. The average amount of time that the aligners are used is around 12 months for adults. Your orthodontist will be able to give you an indication of the amount of time your treatment may take but ultimately the deciding factor will be how well you personally adjust to treatment with the aligners.

6. How often will I need to schedule appointments?

Invisalign will require less appointments than with traditional braces but you should still see your orthodontist at least once every 4 to 6 weeks to track your progress.

7. How much does Invisalign cost?

Only your individual orthodontist will be able to determine the full cost of Invisalign. It depends on the amount of treatment that you need individually and the number of aligners that you might need to complete your treatment. Some of the factors on pricing include: The area that you live in, the difficulty of your case and the amount of orthodontic insurance coverage you may have. The national average for the cost of Invisalign treatment in the United States is around $5000.

If you need more information about Invisalign, feel free to call us or contact our office.

Beach Braces – 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

  Seven invisalign FAQs

 

Toothbrushing Mistake 5

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5: “Not Brushing Correctly”

Toothbrushing Mistake 5

Not brushing correctly can lead to several types of damage including gum abrasions. It is important to make sure you are brushing in proper strokes every time in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Long horizontal strokes are the primary cause of gum abrasions. It is necessary to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria which stick to your teeth) by carefully brushing your teeth in a short vertical or circular motion. According to Sesemann, you should aim your bristles at 45-degree angle on the gum line and softly brush up and down your teeth.

Make sure to include the back of your teeth, the inner surfaces, and the outer surfaces. You can turn your brush facing the top of your molars (chewing surfaces) to make sure all the stuck food and debris are removed. Bear in mind to spend at least 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth to ensure that you are spending the recommended time on all your teeth equally. Furthermore, you should also brush your cheeks and tongue aside from the teeth. Bacteria can also build up in these places so it should be included.

Lastly, rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing to prevent ingesting the fluoride from your toothpaste. You can also combine tooth brushing with flossing just to make sure there are no stones left unturned. Again, brushing correctly is the key to a cleaner and healthier mouth.

Some people do a great job of brushing their teeth, unfortunately a toothbrush cant straighten teeth. If you have a friend or family member who may benefit from orthodontic treatment, click here to refer them. They will be in the best hands in Manhattan Beach.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5