Orthodontist Anaheim Hills| The Hills Orthodontics

August 1, 2023May 23, 2024

First Aid for Braces | Anaheim Hills Orthodontist

When wearing braces, most people may experience occasional minor discomfort. Left unaddressed, some of these issues could lead to larger problems. Most of these issues can be avoided or remedied through practicing proper oral care at home. However, if any of these problems are persistent, it might be time to make an appointment with our team.

Irritation and Soreness
When getting used to braces, a period of minor discomfort is to be expected. The new sensation of the metal on your lips, cheeks, and tongue can sometimes cause irritation or soreness. If you have any existing injuries or sores in your mouth, continual contact with your braces might exacerbate the issue and lead to increased discomfort and longer healing times.

If you’re experiencing discomfort due to your braces irritating your mouth, there are a couple steps you can take to quickly address it. First, be sure to drink plenty of water, as a dry mouth will only worsen the irritated areas. Second, be sure to exercise proper oral care to limit the chance of food or debris contributing to the irritation. Third wax can be used to cover any parts of your braces that are causing irritation. If the issue persists, schedule an examination with our office today to see how we can help.

Damaged Brackets or Wires
Though your braces are built to withstand daily wear and tear, there’s always a slight chance of damage occurring. The most common issues you might experience are a broken or loose wire or a bracket that has come off your tooth. While neither of these are particularly serious issues, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible to have them corrected. Your braces can’t work properly if damaged.

Mouth Injuries with Braces
There is a risk of increased damage if you sustain a mouth injury while wearing braces. It is recommended that you wear a mouthguard when participating in any sort of physical activity to reduce the risk of damage to your lips. Using non-medicinal wax on the parts of your braces that are particularly irritating can also help protect against injury.

Many people go through their entire orthodontic treatment without encountering any major issues. However, being aware of the potential problems you might have can help you prepare for them. If you experience any pain or discomfort when wearing braces, don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Anaheim Hills Orthodontics
Email: info@anaheimhillsortho.com
Phone: 714-998-4700
Url: https://anaheimhillsortho.com
5753 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. #K
Anaheim, CA 92867

July 15, 2023May 23, 2024

Don’t Skip the Floss! | Orthodontist in Anaheim, CA

Our team at Anaheim Hills Orthodontics understands the challenges of keeping up with oral hygiene when wearing braces. But caring for your teeth and gums is still important. Removing food particles and plaque between teeth while wearing braces is much easier if you follow these tips:

Use a floss threader. A floss threader is an inexpensive tool similar to a large, plastic needle that allow you to pull the floss through your teeth above the wire. This allows you to floss between your teeth at the gum line, which is important to maintaining healthy gums. Floss threaders are meant to be disposable, so use a new one each time you floss.

Use waxed floss or dental tape. Waxed floss and dental tape slip between teeth easier than unwaxed floss, making it less likely that you will damage your wires. They also are less likely to shred and leave pieces of floss stuck behind.

Use the right amount of floss. Too much or too little can make flossing more difficult. We recommend using 12-18 inches of floss.

Help younger children with flossing. Flossing successfully, especially with braces, requires manual dexterity. Young children may not be capable of flossing on their own.

Keeping good oral hygiene habits while wearing braces will help ensure that when your braces come off, you will have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Please contact our office if you need additional information or to schedule an appointment.

Anaheim Hills Orthodontics
Email: info@anaheimhillsortho.com
Phone: 714-998-4700
Url: https://anaheimhillsortho.com
5753 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. #K
Anaheim, CA 92867

July 1, 2023May 23, 2024

Unexpected Ways to Use Toothpaste | Orthodontist in Anaheim Hills

Toothpaste does a great job of cleaning teeth, but there are many other uses for toothpaste that you might not expect. The same ingredients that help polish our teeth can also soothe some common ailments, make items sparkle, and get rid of stains and pungent smells. Read these tricks on how toothpaste can do much more than leave your smile looking bright.

Relieve irritation from bee stings and insect bites. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the sting/bite to stop the itching and decrease any swelling. The toothpaste dries up the wound and helps it heal faster.

Remove crayon and other marks from painted walls. Rub a damp cloth with toothpaste gently on the marked-up wall and watch the marks disappear. The best part is that it won’t remove the paint off the walls.

Prevent mirrors from fogging. Rub toothpaste on the mirrors and wipe it off before your next shower. This will help you save time during your morning routine by not waiting for the mirror to clear up.

Remove scuffs from dirty shoes. Apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean. Stubborn stains may require additional toothpaste or multiple applications to remove completely.

Make silver jewelry and diamonds sparkle. Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. You can also shine diamonds by gently scrubbing them using a toothbrush, toothpaste and water.

Remove scratches on DVDs and CDs. This technique works well on only shallow scratches and smudges. Apply a thin coating of toothpaste to the disc, rub gently and rinse clean. Repeat the process if there are many scratches.

Decrease the size of a pimple. Apply toothpaste to the affected area at night before bed and wash it off in the morning. Toothpaste will dry out the area and speed up the healing process.

Deodorize hands. Pungent foods, cleaning products and fragrances can linger on your hands no matter how many times you wash them. Try washing your hands using a small dab of toothpaste in addition to soap and water.

Fill in small nail holes in walls. Squeeze toothpaste into the hole and use a putty knife to remove excess toothpaste. Let the toothpaste dry and your wall will look good as new. If needed, you can also touch up the paint.

At your next dental appointment, be sure to tell our orthodontist how you decided to use toothpaste other than for your teeth!

Anaheim Hills Orthodontics
Email: info@anaheimhillsortho.com
Phone: 714-998-4700
Url: https://anaheimhillsortho.com
5753 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. #K
Anaheim, CA 92867

July 1, 2023May 23, 2024

6 Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Toothbrush | Orthodontist Anaheim, CA

Do you ever think about your toothbrush? You use it twice a day, but how much do you know about it? We’ve compiled a list of interesting toothbrush facts. The next time you are brushing for a full two minutes, consider these bits of trivia.

1. Toothbrushes Are Less Common Than Mobile Devices

It is estimated that more people own and use a mobile device than those who own and use a toothbrush. With nearly 8 billion mobile devices, the world has more mobile phones, tablets, and other gear than people. However, only 3.5 billion people are estimated to use a toothbrush.

2. Where Did It Come From?

It is believed that the first modern toothbrush was invented by a prisoner in England. Sometime around 1780, William Addis created a toothbrush from bone and used swine bristle for the brush.

3. A Long History

Long before Mr. Addis invented what we know as the toothbrush, ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Chinese crafted tools for cleaning their teeth. The ancient Chinese used “chewing sticks” to freshen their breaths as early as 1600BC.

4. What are the bristles made from?

Originally, toothbrush bristles were primarily made from cow hairs or boar hair. Today, nylon is the material of choice, and has been since the 1930s.

5. What Color Is Your Toothbrush?

Blue is the most common toothbrush color. The second most common color is red.

6. A Home for Bacteria

More than 100 million bacteria call your toothbrush home. You don’t get sick regularly because, like your toothbrush, your mouth is home to hundreds of millions of bacteria. Your body is usually effective at fighting off these germs, but if you don’t change your toothbrush regularly or share with someone else, you might catch an illness.

Now that you are a toothbrush expert, spread the word about the importance of regular brushing. Be sure to brush for two minutes twice each day. The American Dental Association recommends that you change your toothbrush every three to four months. If you have a weakened immune system or have been sick recently, you should replace your toothbrush.

For more dental care tips, or to schedule your next visit to our office, please contact us.

Anaheim Hills Orthodontics
Email: info@anaheimhillsortho.com
Phone: 714-998-4700
Url: https://anaheimhillsortho.com
5753 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. #K
Anaheim, CA 92867

July 1, 2023May 23, 2024

The Benefits of Adult Orthodontics | Orthodontist Anaheim

The benefits of orthodontics are no longer just for children and teens. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 18. There are many reasons why more adults are receiving orthodontic treatment to improve their overall lives.

Wide Variety of Options

Orthodontics have evolved beyond traditional braces. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, is an option that resembles a mouth guard without the use of metal or wires. Invisalign® offers faster treatment times with a better fit to move your teeth more precisely. Even traditional braces have changed. They are now designed much smaller and less noticeable than in the past.

Long-Term Oral Health

Crooked and overcrowded teeth can lead to significant complications. Without straight teeth, you have a higher chance of plaque building up between your teeth. This can lead to gingivitis and potentially worsen into gum disease. With orthodontics, you can also avoid tooth decay, gum and bone loss, irregular wear of the tooth enamel, and TMJ/TMD pain. Orthodontic treatment can improve your life beyond your smile.

Confidence in Your Smile

If you never had braces or your teeth have since shifted back, adult orthodontics can transform your smile. It is never too late to straighten your teeth. You will be able to smile in photos and talk to others without being self-conscious. Research has shown that a smile is one of the first things we notice about others when we meet someone new. Make the right impression with a straight, healthy, and beautiful smile.

There are benefits to receiving orthodontic care that more adults are now opting towards. Treatment can boost your confidence and promote oral health with virtually invisible options.

Contact our team to schedule a consultation today.

Anaheim Hills Orthodontics
Email: info@anaheimhillsortho.com
Phone: 714-998-4700
Url: https://anaheimhillsortho.com
5753 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. #K
Anaheim, CA 92867