Happy Thanksgiving from Dr. Vives and All Star Family Orthodontics

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we at All Star Family Orthodontics are thankful for all our patients and friends for making each day extraordinary.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Do You Live With Someone That Grinds Their Teeth?

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw 
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration 
• Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower
• Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing habits (pens, pencils, gum) 
• When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by calling (732) 727-6666. Dr. Vives can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.

Orthodontic Fun Facts

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at All Star Family Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).
• The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today’s braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Justin Bieber, Prince Harry, Gwen Stefani, Brett Favre, Chris Rock, Tyra Banks, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Dwight Howard, and Cameron Diaz.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! For our team at All-Star Family Ortho, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and orthodontic patients around the country, October also marks the National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a great time to remind patients of the importance of strong oral hygiene and a braces-friendly diet, especially since many of the sticky and sweet Halloween treats can be harmful to braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Candy remains a huge part of Halloween for tens of millions of American kids each year. The National Confectioners Association says 93 percent of children in the United States go trick-or-treating, and estimates candy sales will be higher this year than ever. Candy is not all bad in moderation, but can lead to big problems in excess! It can lead to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, and delayed orthodontic treatment time due to broken or loose appliances and braces. Get the facts about Halloween candy and orthodontics by asking us! You can also learn more on the AAO’s National Orthodontic Health Month website. We also appreciate your help in spreading the word!

"Hey Dr. Vives! Why are regular checkups so important?"

At All-Star Family Orthodontics, we want to make sure your child is brushing his or her teeth three to four times a day, in addition to maintaining life in braces. But it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day (and visiting Dr. Vives, of course). After all, regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. During the visit, your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth while in braces

During an oral exam the dentist will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment – there are plenty of great dentists in Old Bridge and surrounding areas. Just ask us and Dr. Vives will be able to provide a few names!

Ask Dr. Vives: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Of course not.

In fact, our staff at All-Star Family Orthodontics recently read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great.

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Vives can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Vives would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up

Mouth guards, orthodontics and sports with Dr. Vives

Back to school is around the corner! Gear up...
If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Vives for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing sports such as football, baseball and soccer. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with All-Star Family Orthodontics.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at All-Star Family Orthodontics.

Invisalign Teen™ at All-Star Family Orthodontics

At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already delicate confidence of today's teens. Today, the team at All-Star Family Orthodontics thought we'd remind you about Invisalign Teen™, the clear alternative to traditional braces.

So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

Dr. Vives is a Certified Invisalign Teen Provider. The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please give us a call and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Have a great week!

Ask Dr. Vives: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Vives does is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next Dr. Vives and his team use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Vives is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call.

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth? Dr. Vives Explains...

Some people wonder why Dr. Vives and his team work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it's nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque -- the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you're wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation.  Dr. Vives can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

-The team at All-Star Family Orthodontics

Electric Toothbrushes and Braces

Using a regular toothbrush with braces is sufficient to keep your teeth nice and clean. Personally, I really like my Sonicare toothbrush. However, most electric toothbrushes, such as the Braun Oral-B do a a good job as well. I think the electric toothbrushes make cleaning easier and leave your braces and teeth cleaner than manual toothbrushes. If you haven't used an electric toothbrush before this, you may want to consider getting one. You will need to buy new brush heads more often than normal, but it's worth it.

If you use a manual braces toothbrush, search for one that is "orthodontic cut" otherwise known as "v-cut." The bristles are tapered inward to form a V. The indentation in the middle of the bristles helps clean your brackets and teeth more effectively than a regular toothbrush.

If you can't find an orthodontic toothbrush in your local store, just ask your orthodontist.