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So, why do you keep getting canker sores? Canker sores are flat white sores that appear in your mouth and can last for a week or more. What causes these small mouth ulcers is unknown.Though the exact causes of canker sores in children are unknown, many things can trigger their recurrence. Stress, tissue damage in the mouth, poor nutrition, certain foods, viruses, or bacteria are just some of the potential triggers of an ulcer. 

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• What Causes Canker Sores?
• How to Prevent Canker Sores
• How to Get Rid of Canker Sores
• Do Braces Cause Canker Sores?

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Braces can be sharp and restrictive. This makes the dating scene seem daunting and heightens nerves all around. Never fear! There’s no reason your orthodontic treatment should hamper your romantic life. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, dating with braces is possible and still just as fun. Here are a few of our tips and suggestions for a painless date night! 

 

Dates to Avoid with Braces

You CAN feel beautiful and have a successful date night with braces. Also, you can always pack a toothbrush if you want to be super prepared. For a successful and embarrassment-free dating experience with braces, we advise you to stick to soft foods you know won’t get caught in your brackets and teeth. 

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With all the effort put towards eating right, staying fit, and otherwise taking care of themselves, there is no reason why adults should not investigate having beautiful teeth! According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four patients is an adult. 

There are many benefits to getting braces at any age. Everyone wants a straight and gorgeous smile and the positives do not stop with appearance. When teeth are crowded or badly positioned, it can lead to serious problems in the future. A poor bite can affect the function of the teeth and can even lead to tooth loss and gum disease. Don’t wait any longer for the smile you deserve! There is no better time than the present to schedule a complimentary exam. 

With so many options available in modern orthodontics, there’s no reason to put off a beautiful smile. There are many new treatment options available to reduce treatment time and discomfort. 

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When a dentist or orthodontist recommends getting braces or moving forward with orthodontic treatment, many people are scared or apprehensive. Braces are grounds for embarrassment for the self-conscious teen and the up-and-coming professional. Having a mouth full of metal to clean, eat, and live around can be daunting. But, many patients may overlook Invisalign when searching for orthodontic treatment, the nearly invisible alternative to braces. Some people may write this treatment option off due to price or success rate – but luckily both are just Invisalign myths! 

Invisalign Doesn’t Take Longer

The most asked question from our patients is “how long will this take?” With traditional braces, treatment times can take between 18 and 30 months; but with an Invisalign treatment, it may only take between nine to 15 months. That’s almost half the time of traditional braces!

Your Invisalign aligners are customized to fit your mouth. We use advanced 3-D computer imaging technology to replicate an exact impression of your teeth and surrounding tissue. This allows us to customize each aligner so that it fits your mouth and over time moves your teeth into the proper position. 

A set of aligners is worn for only two weeks. After two weeks you can switch your aligners with the next set and continue straightening your teeth. Over time you will notice changes in the alignment of your teeth, and in just a few months you will have a straighter, healthier smile!

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Exercise has numerous benefits for both our physical and mental health, and is a crucial part of living a healthy lifestyle. Running has become a popular form of exercise for improving cardiovascular endurance and being a form of exercise that doesn’t require a gym. However, did you know that running can actually affect your oral health? Even though the two seem unrelated, there is some correlation. Continue reading for some advice about the correlation between running and oral health from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics.

While the rest of your body may be in great shape, with each extra training hour, your risk of tooth decay actually increases. Additionally, there are two very specific oral health problems that athletes are at risk for: dry mouth effects and sports-related nutrition effects.

1. Dry Mouth Effects – When you’re on a run you’re likely breathing heavily through your mouth. This makes your mouth as dry as a desert. Due to the potential for dehydration (at some level), you don’t recover from dry mouth as quickly as you otherwise would. Dry mouth creates a danger zone for your teeth.
2. Sports-Related Nutrition Effects – Think about the things you might be consuming as a runner, such as: acidic sports drinks (some which are loaded with sugar), energy gels or gummies, and energy bars (also often containing lots of sugar). These substances inside a dry mouth along with the fact they will sit on your teeth for a while, creates a toxic environment from your teeth.

Despite these things, running is still an excellent form of exercise that you should continue to engage in. However, use this information as a way to deliver some healthier habits that will protect your teeth. You can do this by: drinking lots of water (not energy drinks), brushing your teeth before and after workouts, and if you’re consuming gels, mix in carrots or celery which act as scrubber foods. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your running and your oral health, contact our office and we’ll be happy to help!

Getting outside in the sun is important for our health and wellbeing for many reasons! However, did you know it can actually help the health of your teeth as well? A little sunshine has been found to improve mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies. Keep reading for some advice on how sunshine can help your teeth from Dr. Christy Fortney at Hidden Valley Orthodontics.

While in braces, healthy teeth and gums are of vital importance. Vitamin D actually helps to support oral health in two ways:

• It helps our bodies to absorb and utilize calcium

Vitamin D has several major functions. One of its major functions is moderating other vitamins and minerals – including calcium. Calcium is crucial because it fortifies our teeth and supports jaw and bone strength. Several studies have shown greater cavity risk for people who live in regions with little sunlight – sometimes as much as double the risk.

• It may help fight periodontal disease

Vitamin D is also an anti-inflammatory. Periodontal disease, which is the result of inflammation of the gums due to harmful bacteria, is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. Several studies have found that people with high vitamin D levels are less likely to experience bleeding gums and gum detachment. 

While too much sun can actually be damaging to the skin, a little sun will be helpful. Not much sun is required to get your daily dose of vitamin D, often 10 or so minutes is enough! Unfortunately, cloudy days do come around. When they do be sure to eat foods like: egg yolks, fatty fish, fortified milk & juices, and vitamin D supplements to help keep your vitamin D levels up. So, go out and soak up a little sun today! As always, if you have any questions about your orthodontic treatment, please contact our office.