When Your Smile Isn’t Aging as Gracefully as You Are
You might have been one of the lucky few born with perfectly straight teeth and a healthy bite. You might have spent months in orthodontic treatment as a teenager to achieve perfectly straight teeth and a healthy bite. But now that you’re growing older, you might be unhappily surprised to discover that your smile isn’t aging as gracefully as you are. What’s changed? That’s a trick question, because our bodies never stop changing, growing, and adapting. And these constant adjustments include the changes taking place in your teeth and mouth. You might begin to notice subtle differences in your smile when you’re in your thirties or forties. After young adulthood, several factors come into play which can cause shifting teeth and a misaligned bite: Teeth naturally shift. Shifting can be a result of the normal changes time brings. The periodontal ligaments which attach our teeth firmly to the jawbone lose some of their strength; the jawbones which hold our teeth in place lose some of their density and begin to narrow. Our teeth also have a natural tendency to move toward the front of the mouth, a phenomenon called “mesial drift.” Add all of these elements together, and your once straight teeth start to crowd together and even overlap—especially the front bottom teeth. Stressful habits stress your teeth. If you habitually grind or clench your teeth, you’re putting pressure on them. Just like the gentle pressure of braces and aligners can shift teeth into alignment, the more uncontrolled force of grinding can push teeth out of alignment. Losing a tooth affects surrounding teeth. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does your smile. If you lose a tooth, your other teeth will automatically start to drift into the space left open by the missing tooth. A neglected retainer is gathering dust in a drawer somewhere. You might have spent time as a teenager in orthodontic treatment, with a beautiful smile to show for all your hard work. And, back in the day, your orthodontist no doubt let you know that you needed to keep wearing your retainer at night once your treatment was completed. If that’s one healthy habit you abandoned as you got older, don’t be surprised if your teeth start to migrate back to their old, less-than-perfect positions. Between normal biological changes and the wear and tear of daily life, you might find one day that your smile isn’t that same beaming smile you’re used to seeing in the mirror. And it’s not just an aesthetic concern. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, and built-up plaque means more decay and gum disease. Shifting teeth can cause malocclusions, or bite problems, which can bring you jaw pain, headaches, and chipped or cracked teeth. If your smile has changed over time, it’s time to give Dr. Eckler, Dr. Leung and Dr. Black a call. There are many discreet options which can return your smile to you, including: Clear aligners—comfortable, removable, and often unnoticeable. Traditional braces—brackets are smaller than ever, and you can choose ceramic brackets which are color-matched to blend in with your enamel. Lingual braces—these braces are attached to the inside of the teeth, for complete invisibility. And what if you’ve never been as confident in your smile as you wanted to be? There’s good news here as well—it’s never too late to see an orthodontist. Make an appointment at our Mississauga and Brampton, ON office to discover how you can make sure your smile looks just as young as you feel!
Avoid Brushing After Every Single Meal!
Here is some surprising yet worthwhile advice you might be hearing for the first time: Brushing after a meal can be incredibly bad for your teeth if you do it after eating certain foods. Enamel is an extremely hard mineral on the exterior of each of your teeth. It’s actually the hardest substance in the human body: It’s even stronger than your bones! Its only weakness is that acids in the food we eat can easily destroy enamel. Healthy teeth thrive in an environment that has the proper pH balance. That ensures your mouth doesn’t start the process of demineralization. That’s what happens when alkaline turns into acid, which attacks and softens the enamel on the surface of your teeth. Pores and fissures form, and that’s when the harmful bacteria go to work. Our mouth’s pH level fluctuates depending on what we eat throughout the day. Examples of the most common highly acidic foods include citrus fruits, soda, and sugary foods. Highly acidic foods tip the balance of pH in your mouth from a healthy alkaline to a dangerous acid. Can brushing your teeth immediately after a meal lead to even more damage? The answer is yes! Eating highly acidic foods causes your teeth to be more susceptible. If you brush your teeth when they have been weakened by acids, even more destruction can happen to your enamel. Your toothbrush’s bristles will actually wear away some of your enamel. So it’s healthier to wait at least an hour after eating or snacking to brush. Good preventive measures to take instead of brushing after you eat include: Rinsing or drinking water Chewing sugarless gum Consuming dairy or non-acidic foods to conclude your meal These practices help produce saliva, which in turn restores a healthy pH level in your mouth and coats the teeth with minerals they need. Once you’ve allowed time for your mouth to be restored to a healthy pH level, you may brush your teeth as you normally would. Keep in mind that acidic foods can weaken the enamel on your teeth and take the right measures to prevent spiking pH levels. Most important, don’t forget to wait to brush at least one hour after you eat! Still have questions? Call our Mississauga and Brampton, ON office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Eckler, Dr. Leung and Dr. Black.
The Holidays are Quickly Approaching
Happy November! We are in the home stretch and the holiday season quickly approaching. With Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all coming up we anticipate this time being incredibly busy. But despite all that is going on in the world, we are looking forward to spending time with family. Family dinners with games, good food, small gatherings, and quality time are all on the agenda for the following weeks to come. While there are still COVID restrictions in our area, we plan on being careful and limiting too many gatherings. Some of the best memories come from the holiday season. With sleigh rides, playing in the snow, tobogganing, skating, and warming up with hot chocolate. The holidays are really one of the most magical times of the year. There are many holiday rituals that are important in our family. Decorating the home, preparing extravagant holiday recipes, homemade gifts, and playing all of our favorite board games are some of the many things we love to do during this time. What are some of the traditions that you have with your family during the holiday season? Speaking of extravagant recipes, cooking (well eating) is the best part of the holidays. Turkey and cranberries, stuffing, potatoes, and especially dessert – like the Waterloo Apple Crunch. What are some of your favourite holiday recipes? With the holiday season just in our reach, appointments are filling up so please book your appointment well in advance. You can always call our office or use the Appointment form on our website. We wish our team, our patients, and our extended dental families & colleagues all the best for the holiday season!
Why is orthodontic treatment important?
The goal of orthodontic treatment at Smile Solutions, which may include the use of braces, retainers, and aligners, is to straighten your teeth. Treatment often starts in the pre-teen or teenage years, but adults may also need orthodontic treatment. The treatment can feel like a chore that lasts for several months or a couple of years, but it can fix important problems. These include: Crowded teeth spaced too close together Gaps between your teeth Crooked teeth Overbite or underbite Upper and lower teeth that do not meet Straight Teeth are More Attractive You are more likely to be proud of your smile when your teeth are straight and evenly spaced. Pride in your appearance can give you more confidence and encourage you to try new things. This can be particularly important for adolescents. In addition, people often judge others based on first impressions. A smile that shows straight teeth is more attractive. Better Oral Health is Easier Brushing and flossing your teeth are two basic components of an oral health routine to protect your teeth from conditions such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and plaque build-up. As Dr. Eckler, Dr. Leung and Dr. Black and our staff know, caring for your mouth is easier when your teeth are straight. The Canadian Dental Association says the following conditions are less likely to occur if you have the proper orthodontic treatment. Dental caries Gum disease or gingivitis Tooth loss Impaired speech Worn tooth enamel Orthodontic Treatment Improves Nutrition Poorly aligned teeth can reduce your ability to chew properly or make certain foods more difficult to eat. Many of these more challenging foods are healthy, and avoiding them can cause you to limit your diet to softer, often less-nutritious foods, such as ice cream and canned soup. Straighter teeth and a better ability to chew let you eat crunchy foods, such as apples and carrots; stringy foods, such as asparagus and chicken; and chewy foods, such as raisins.
Happy Halloween!
6 Candies to Avoid if you’re Wearing Braces Happy Halloween! We are just days away from our spookiest holiday of the year. With things approaching fast, we are in full Halloween mode. We are currently running our annual costume contest on Facebook. If you haven’t had a chance to enter, make sure you submit a photo in the comments of our contest on Facebook of you or a family member wearing your costume! We can’t wait to see how everyone dressed up this year – including our own Smile Solutions Team! During this time, we love to get out in our community and participate in all the festivities. A few of our favorite places to go are Downey’s Farm Market, The Apple Factory, Martin’s Family Fruit Farm, Dixie Orchards, Big R’Apple Farm and Albion Orchards Farm & Market. Since it’s the season of eating, some of the things that are enjoyed by our team members are picking apples, grabbing the perfect pumpkin, and making delicious desserts. There are also farm stores that tend to carry seasonal treats and products that make for excellent dinners. Oh, and while you are out at the farms don’t forget to do the corn maze, one of our favorite activities here at Smile Solutions Orthodontics. Of course, we’re sure many of you will be enjoying all the goodies this holiday season, always remember to maintain your dental health. We highly suggest that you do not eat any type of nuts, hard kernels of popcorn, caramels, gummy bears, gum, or toffee. In general, try to avoid sticky, chewy, hard foods and any foods that are high in sugar. We also recommend brushing your teeth at least three times a day. Reminder for all of our patients, with the upcoming holiday season we advise you to schedule your appointments as far in advance as possible. We want to wish you all a terrific Halloween and hope to see you soon at your next appointment.
Adults and Braces
Nowadays, many adults are taking advantage of getting straighter teeth with braces. Dr. Eckler, Dr. Leung and Dr. Black and our team love to help patients create the dazzling, confident smile they’ve always wanted. Our adult patients usually fall into two categories: some had braces in the past but didn’t wear their retainers, while others are brand-new to wearing braces. Either way, both groups want the same thing: straighter teeth and a beautiful smile! You will have several options for getting braces, depending on your financial situation and how quickly you would like your treatment to finish. Traditional metal braces are a less-expensive option and can help people who have severely crooked teeth. But many adults may not prefer this option because they dislike the appearance of metal brackets. If you’re concerned about how you’ll look, we offer clear ceramic braces that aren’t as visible. These are more expensive than metal braces, and patients need to be careful with colored drinks that can stain them, such as coffee or red wine. Another popular option is a clear aligner treatment called Invisalign®. This type is practically invisible; it uses a series of aligners that are customized to fit your teeth. The process of straightening your teeth can last anywhere from three to 18 months. For people who have extreme bite problems or crowded teeth, a different method may work better. Don’t hesitate to call our Mississauga and Brampton, ON office today to set up a consultation. Dr. Eckler, Dr. Leung and Dr. Black will help you choose the best option so you can be on your way to a straighter, more confident smile!
Make Your Braces Bands Work for You!
Well, of course, they already are working for you—as an essential part of the alignment process. Rubber bands, also known as elastic ligatures, are used to secure the wires inside your brackets. But bands can be more than functional. Since the ligatures around each bracket are replaced when you visit our office, why not use that opportunity to choose a new color scheme as well? Make a Statement Bands offer a chance to coordinate your braces to an interest, team, or event. Are you a swimmer? Maybe cool blues and turquoises appeal to you. Batman forever? Black and yellow. (That will work for beekeepers, too.) Have a favorite sports team? Choosing team colors will support your team with every smile. Love your school? Show your spirit by wearing bands in your school colors. Favorite time of year? Celebrate by selecting festive bands in holiday colors. Suit Your Mood Fiery reds and oranges, tranquil blues and greens, millennial purples and pinks, or exuberant neon—you know that there are just some colors that suit your personality. Showcase that personality with your choice of band color. And if your mood changes, choose shades that express a completely different side of you. Coordinate Your Colors Match your bands to your eye color, your makeup, or the clothing colors you choose most often. If there’s a color profile that works for you, make your bands a part of it. If you don’t want everything matching, complement your coloring or clothing with a different but coordinating shade for a cohesive effect. Keep a Low Profile Most adults will stick with a monochromatic set of bands, and this might be a look that appeals to you as well. Grey and silver bands will blend nicely with silver braces. If you have clear or white brackets, you might want to test out which bands will be least noticeable. Clear bands can become discolored, and white bands can make teeth look darker. If there’s a band which mimics your own tooth color, this will be the choice for you. Make Color Theory Work for You Certain colors and tints bring out the best in your tooth color and work with your skin tones. White and yellow bands might make teeth appear duller, and any shade combination that resembles food particles (greens, browns, and black) is probably not a look you’re going for. Have fun with a color wheel and decide which colors you find most flattering. Make your bands more than a tool—make them an accessory. There are so many colorful options available that you are bound to happen on a color scheme that just suits you. And if you change your mind? Change it up during your next visit to our Mississauga and Brampton, ON office!
Smile Solutions – Smile Now! Why Wait?
Smile Solutions Orthodontists has been in practice for more than 30 years, providing beautiful healthy smiles in the Mississauga, Brampton, and surrounding areas. We love changing smiles and transforming lives, one person at a time! As a family-friendly and patient-centered practice, we care about you, the person whose teeth we are straightening. We want only the best for you: health, happiness, and a beautifully healthy smile that ensures your confident personality shines! Our five doctors bring more than 30 years of combined experience and have treated more than 5000 patients with braces. As Invisalign® Diamond Providers, our doctors have created more than 1000 amazing smiles using the Invisalign system as well. Our use of innovative technological advancements means a faster, more accurate, and more comfortable experience for our patients. Starting with diagnostics with our iTero® Element™ digital scanner, which eliminates traditional goopy impressions, our patients can take advantage of at-home dental monitoring, virtual consultations, and text messaging to keep in touch and on top of their treatment. We offer complementary consultations with no dental referrals needed. We work with our patients to come up with an interest-free payment plan to make treatment affordable, without sacrificing quality of care or results. Each of us is dedicated to providing you with the same quality orthodontic experience we would provide for our own family. We respect your individual situation, seek to learn your expectations and concerns, and recommend treatment that we feel is best for you, grounded in evidence-based diagnostics and science. Everyone at Smile Solutions Orthodontists is excited you’re considering changing your life by straightening your teeth. We’d love to help you realize your goal of a confident and beautifully healthy new smile, and promise to make treatment a wonderful experience.
Welcome to Our Blog
Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice. Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!