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Give your teeth the spa day they deserve! Your teeth work hard every day to help you to eat and do many other things. All that hard work definitely deserves some TLC. Your skin isn’t the only thing that deserves a spa day! Next time you go to the store, take a stroll down the dental aisle and treat your teeth to some fun tooth products. Read on to see which products from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics can have your teeth living the life of luxury!

You can have a trip to the oral day spa with these products…

• At-Home Whitening – Our teeth come into contact with a lot of substances that will dull their pearly sparkle – just think of the morning cup of coffee or tea, any alcohol or smoking habit, etc. Whitening strips are an easy and affordable option that you can do at home to bring back those pearly whites!

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While canker sores are not a serious issue, they can be rather irritating! They are small ulcers that can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. Fortunately, they can be easily prevented. You just have to figure out what triggers them for you! Below is some advice from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics about what causes canker sores and how to prevent them.

Well, the unfortunate news is that braces can contribute to them. This mainly happens in patients that are already prone to canker sores. They may experience an increase in sores because your mouth is adjusting to a big change when beginning orthodontic treatment. Braces can irritate oral tissue, which leaves it vulnerable to little lesions such as these sores.

Luckily, avoiding possible triggers and practicing good oral hygiene can help you to avoid or lessen the instances of them.

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Did you know that an estimated nearly seventy five percent of adults in the United States experience some amount of fear with regards to visiting a dentist? Thus, if you fear going to the dentist, know you’re not alone. About five to ten percent of those people have a strong enough fear to be considered sufferers of dentophobia. Luckily, you can ease your dental experience by finding ways to cope with your fear. Keep reading for some advice about coping with dentophobia from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up – There is Nothing to Fear Here!

First, it is important to note that your dentist is not trying to be scary. They have no intentions to cause you any pain or discomfort. Their goal is to keep you and your teeth happy and healthy! Dentists also have to go through many years of schooling before they are allowed to practice dentistry. Thus, they are extremely qualified experts in their field. Additionally, your dentist doesn’t want your visit to be a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience. If you simply communicate your feelings to them, they will do whatever they can to help make your visit better.

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Taking care of your body and living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just trendy, it’s important. However, many people forget that your mouth and teeth are important parts of your body to take good care of as well. Your mouth and teeth need to be well nourished and taken care of in order to keep your smile radiant. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to help prioritize the health of your mouth and teeth with minimal effort. Here are some tips for keeping the beautiful and healthy smile you deserve from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics!

Brush and floss 

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush and flossing daily in between teeth to keep plaque at bay. Flossing, while boring and annoying, is pertinent to teeth health. Did you know not flossing is linked to heart disease? YIKES!

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One part of orthodontic treatment that doesn’t attract a lot of fans are elastics, also known as rubber bands. These are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment, but are known to cause some discomfort or be a nuisance for some people. However, elastics are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment, and it is imperative that you wear them so that your treatment can be completed timely and correctly. The elastics are supposed to be worn approximately 20-22 hours a day and should only be removed to eat and then to brush and floss their teeth. Additionally, elastics should be changed out for new ones about three times a day. Keep reading for some advice from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics about why elastics are important.

Elastics allow for the jaw and bite alignment to occur. But they are also the patient’s responsibility, and if the patient does not choose to wear them as directed, it may prolong treatment or affect the final result. Before leaving the office, the patient needs to make sure they understand where and when to wear their rubber bands.

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Your mouth is a very sensitive area. While braces are not painful, it is also not uncommon to feel a little discomfort after your braces have been tightened. Everyone is different, but most of the time the discomfort one will feel (if any) is a mild soreness that will go away in a day or two. However, no need to be concerned if you are experiencing any soreness, as fortunately there are many options to help ease discomfort while in braces. Here is some advice from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics that can help ease your discomfort:

Stick to Soft Foods

Soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce are great options when you are experiencing any mouth discomfort. When you initially get your braces, soft foods are a great option for the first couple of days. Then, on each day that you go in for a tightening, it is smart to stick to a soft food diet.

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