My Invisalign Journey-it's almost over!

Today I am starting my final Invisalign trays! I plan to celebrate by sipping on sweet tea all day for the rest of the year! Alright! - I will probably try to not go back to that bad habit, but I may stop brushing my teeth 3-7 times a day! I think 2 times a day might work for me again! 

I started my Invisalign journey in March 2012 and it is now almost December.  I really thought it would take longer to achieve straight teeth! I can honestly say that wearing Invisalign has been a fairly easy process, although I am definitely happy to almost be done with wearing the trays during the day!

Here are some things I learned during my own Invisalign journey -

1.  Invisalign is not painful.  I was afraid it would be, but it has not been! There were a few times that I had mild headaches after starting new trays.  It was rare enough that I'm not absolutely certain the headaches were even related to the Invisalign.  I found that some trays seem to go on easy and some are tight and a little uncomfortable.  Interestingly, I felt most sore when I'd take out new trays to eat, not while they were in my mouth.  None of it has been intolerable, though.  From talking to people who have had traditional braces, it seems like wearing Invisalign has been a less painful (and all around easier) experience. 

2.  Invisalign is not always invisible.  True, most people don't notice I am wearing Invisalign.  Some people do.  I know this because they will start to stare at my  mouth to figure out what is going on in there.  It's pretty entertaining.  I usually tell them so we can start making eye contact while talking again. 

3. I sometimes got lazy about putting my Invisalign trays back in.  I never left it out for days.  Sometimes I just didn't want to brush my teeth and the Invisalign trays in a public bathroom.  Sometimes I forgot my toothbrush and paste at home.  This might cause me to have the Invisalign out for 1-2 additional hours.  I admit I did fall asleep three times since March without putting the Invisalign back in.  These are not good things, I know.  I suppose I'm saying you are not alone if you start to slack a little.  Just get back on track and wear them like your should!

4. It's fun to give your Invisalign nick-names.  My niece called them "the golden teeth" (not sure why since they are clear).  My husband and kids would talk about them as if I was their Grandma with dentures.  "Where's your teeth mom?"  and "You left your teeth in the car again?"  are not unusual phrases to hear at my house. 

5.  My husband will not miss carrying "my teeth" in his shirt pocket when we are out to eat and I forget to bring the case for them. 

6. Not everyone loses weight while wearing Invisalign.  Evidently some people eat less due to having to remove the Invisalign trays each time they eat, then brush the trays and their teeth before putting the trays back on.  Not me.  Nope, not even Invisalign can slow down my food intake evidently!

I told Dr Shock that if I didn't like the result I would just plan to wear the Invisalign trays in reverse to put my teeth back how they were.  I'm not going to do that!  I am so happy with my straight teeth.  Not just for cosmetic reasons, but for the health benefits straight teeth provide!

Feel free to call Dr. Shock at Hamilton Town Dentistry if you have any questions or would like to discuss Invisalign. 


Audra
Hamilton Town Dentistry
Ph#317-773-9992

Tooth Decay – Also called Cavities, Dental Caries

You call it a cavity. Your dentist calls it tooth decay or dental caries. They're all names for a hole in your tooth. The cause of tooth decay is plaque, a sticky substance in your mouth made up mostly of germs. Tooth decay starts in the outer layer, called the enamel. Without a filling, the decay can get deep into the tooth and its nerves and cause a toothache or abscess.

To help prevent cavities

• Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner
• Snack smart - limit sugary snacks
• See your dentist or oral health professional regularly

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Dentist NoblesvilleHamilton Town Dentistry
David Shock, DDS
Telephone: (317) 773-9992
14139 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 200
Noblesville, IN 46060

Cosmetic Dentistry

Who doesn't want a perfect smile? While few people have one naturally, almost anyone can get one with the help of their dentist. In addition to orthodontic treatment, which can straighten your teeth, recent advances in dental materials and techniques offer near-perfect teeth that are almost as strong as the originals.

Things your dentist can do to improve your smile include

• Bleaching to make teeth whiter
• Repairing chips or rough spots with fillings that match your teeth
• Filling cavities with tooth-colored materials
• Reshaping teeth that don't match the others
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Covering broken teeth with porcelain crowns

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Dentist NoblesvilleHamilton Town Dentistry
David Shock, DDS
Telephone: (317) 773-9992
14139 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 200
Noblesville, IN 46060

Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are at risk for, or already have, gum disease. However, persistent gum bleeding may be due to serious medical conditions such as leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders.

Considerations

It is important to follow the instructions from your dentist in order to maintain healthy gums. Improper brushing and flossing technique may actually irritate or traumatize the gum tissue.

Causes

Bleeding gums are mainly due to inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line. This will lead to a condition called gingivitis, or inflamed gums.

If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and dental appointments, it will harden into what is known as tartar. Ultimately, this will lead to increased bleeding and a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease known as periodontitis.

Other causes of bleeding gums include:

• Any bleeding disorder
• Brushing too hard
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Improper flossing
• Infection, which can be either tooth- or gum-related
• Leukemia
• Scurvy
• Use of blood thinners
• Vitamin K deficiency

Home Care

Visit the dentist at least once every 6 months for plaque removal. Follow your dentist's home care instructions.

You should brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush after every meal. The dentist may recommend rinsing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide and water. Avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem.

Flossing teeth twice a day can prevent plaque from building up. Avoiding snacking between meals and reducing carbohydrates can also help. Follow a balanced, healthy diet.

Other tips:

• Avoid the use of tobacco, which aggravates bleeding gums.
• Control gum bleeding by applying pressure directly on the gums with a gauze pad soaked in ice water.
• If you have been diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, take recommended vitamin supplements.
• Avoid aspirin unless your health care provider has recommended that you take it.
• If side effects of medication are irritating, ask your doctor to recommend another medication. Never change your medication without consulting your doctor.
• Use an oral irrigation device on the low setting to massage the gums.
• See your dentist if your dentures do not fit correctly or if they are causing sore spots in your gums.

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Dentist NoblesvilleHamilton Town Dentistry
David Shock, DDS
Telephone: (317) 773-9992
14139 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 200
Noblesville, IN 46060

Diet and Oral Health

Cut the sugar, grab the milk!

Each time you eat a snack containing sugar or starch (carbohydrates), the resulting acid attack on your teeth can last up to 20 minutes, and a lot of snacks and drinks contain sugar. How much sugar? A single can of pop contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, and if you think that natural sugar (like the sugar in raisins or other fruit) is better for your teeth it’s not. Sugar is sugar, and the average Canadian consumes over 40 kilograms of sugar each year! Click here for a list of how much sugar your favorite snack might contain.

How can you defeat the sugar bug?


Beat the Clock - foods that are eaten during a meal usually pose less of a threat to teeth because of the additional saliva produced during mealtime eating. Saliva helps to wash food particles from your mouth and lessen the damage from acid.

Brush & floss those teeth - toothbrushing is important, and you should brush twice a day. Did you know that if you don’t floss, you miss cleaning up to 35% of each tooth? If you’re not sure how to floss, just ask your dentist.


Stock up on Dairy Products - yogurt and cheese, milk and milk products contain things that are good for your teeth. Everything that’s made from milk is a good source of calcium - an essential nutrient for the development of bones and teeth. Some scientific studies have shown that eating cheese might actually help to protect your teeth from cavities by preventing something called demineralization (the loss of important calcium in your teeth).


Above article from HealthTeeth.org


Dentist NoblesvilleHamilton Town Dentistry
David Shock, DDS
Telephone: (317) 773-9992
14139 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 200
Noblesville, IN 46060