Five-Step Guide to Preventing Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

If you’re wearing braces, then you know they are working hard to straighten your teeth. However, those hard-working braces are also preventing you from easily cleaning your teeth. It is essential that you put some extra attention into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When your braces are finally removed by Dr. Jason Vives, you want a beautiful, white smile, not decayed or stained teeth. Here, we’ve listed the five best ways to ensure you have the smile you’ve always dreamed of once your braces are gone.

USE A SPECIAL TOOTHBRUSH 

A regular toothbrush just doesn’t cut it when you are wearing braces. You also need to use an interdental toothbrush so that you can effectively clean behind the braces. According to HealthGuidance.org, this type of brush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree that can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth. We also recommend using a WaterPik, with its highly pressurized pulsating water, to help get all of those hard-to-reach places.

BRUSH AFTER EVERY MEAL

Since braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating, it’s important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. The less time food has to sit on your teeth, the less likely it is to cause decay. This may seem like an inconvenience, but trust us, when you get your braces off, you will be very glad you brushed after every meal.

DON’T FORGET THE MOUTH RINSE

Even after properly brushing and flossing, there are probably some food particles in your braces. A fluoride mouth rinse is the best way to ensure that every bit of food is removed after meals. If you do not have a mouth rinse available, we suggest using water — it’s better than nothing.

AVOID SWEETS

Prevention is definitely the best medicine when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. If you can nix decay-causing sugary foods from the outset, we promise you’ll spend less time trying to treat problems in the future.

GET REGULAR CHECKUPS

Visit your dentist regularly while you are wearing braces. Our office recommends a thorough cleaning every three to six months. Let our office know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces – our entire team at All Star Family Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!

Halloween Guidelines from the American Association of Orthodontics

Fall can be a really enjoyable time of the year for you and your family. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing, and Halloween approaches. This holiday is a lot of fun for kids, but All Star Family Orthodontics wants to remind you it can also be risky, especially for your child’s braces. If you have kids with braces, take a look at the following tips from the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) on how to keep your kids and their teeth safe this Halloween season.


Important Safety Tips
Trick-or-treating is a favorite Halloween activity for kids everywhere. While it is a great holiday tradition for children, it comes with some potential risks. To keep your kids safe while trick-or-treating, try following these simple guidelines:

• If you have young children, make sure they are accompanied by an adult at all times.
• You or your kids should always carry flashlights.
• For costumes, try to include a light-colored or reflective element that can be easily seen by oncoming traffic.
• Avoid costumes that include a mask, especially for younger children. These can pose a safety hazard for both the wearers and the people around them.
• Tell your kids not to eat any of their candy until they arrive home. Be sure to inspect all treats carefully before letting them dig in.

Following these guidelines can help you keep your kids safe on Halloween.


Halloween Treats to Avoid if Your Child Has Braces
If your kids have braces, you’ll want them to steer clear of certain treats on Halloween. Many candies can cause damage to braces, so it’s wise to avoid them while you’re celebrating this fun holiday. Here is a list of treats to stay away from:

• Hard candies
• Chewy candies
• Nuts
• Caramel
• Licorice
• Jelly beans
• Taffy
• Bubblegum
• Hard pretzels
• Popcorn

Some of these treats may seem harmless, but all of them have the potential to bend or break your child’s braces. So it’s best to avoid eating them altogether.

Braces-Friendly Halloween Treats
If your children have braces, they may feel like they can’t enjoy any treats on Halloween. However, there are plenty of braces-safe treat options for them to choose from, including the following:

• Soft chocolate
• Peanut butter cups
• Gelatin treats
• Ice cream
• Smoothies
• Root beer floats
• Apple cider

These are just a few braces-friendly alternatives to traditional Halloween candy. Helping your kids have a fun and safe Halloween—while at the same time protecting their braces—can be easy if you follow these simple tips and guidelines. Help your kids enjoy the holiday without having to visit Dr. Vives for repair work on damaged braces!

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:

      · An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly

      · A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in

      · A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

Are retainers really that important? Ask Dr. Vives!

If you recently completed treatment at All-Star Family Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Vives will provide you with retainers. After braces are removed the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receiver your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Vives instructs otherwise.
* Take your retainers out when eating…and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Retainers can also be cleaned by soaking them in a denture solution such as Polident or Efferdent (YES, we said denture solution!) as instructed.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments.
* Retainer replacement is expensive…with proper care they will last for years!
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).
* Keep retainers away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Dr. Vives selected as New Jersey's Favorite Kids' Docs!

Recently, Dr. Vives received a prestigious honor of being included on “The List” of New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Docs, and was featured in New Jersey Family Magazine’s December 2011 issue. The list includes the nearly 400 children’s doctors, dentists and other pediatric healthcare professionals in New Jersey, all of whom have been nominated by local patient and parents. Dr. Vives and our entire team at All-Star Family Orthodontics are thankful to be included in the group of “physicians who have earned the trust, admiration, and professional respect of moms.”

To learn more about New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Docs, head over to their web site. If you have any questions about New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Docs, or if treatment at All-Star Family Orthodontics is right for you, please give us a call!

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.

"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. 

You Can Now Find Us On Facebook!

At All Star Family Orthodontics, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients over the years.  Even if you visit our office regularly, did you know that you can always connect with us on Facebook and other social networks?


By "Liking" us on Facebook you can receive regular updates, contest announcements and exclusive special offers from our office.


We will be announcing our holiday contest soon.....stay tuned!