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All over the Internet you'll find videos and articles showing how you can close the gap between teeth or space them out. There is a plethora of DIY orthodontic techniques out there — you can even mail order your own impressions to get clear aligners, without even seeing a dentist or orthodontist. Following the instructions laid out in these videos and articles (by people who have zero training in orthodontics) is about the worst decision you can make for your overall oral health.

Performing DIY or at-home orthodontia can lead to or cause:

• Loss of teeth
• Infection
• Cavities or infections that are missed or undiagnosed
• Gum damage

Dr. Christina Carter, president of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, says that DIY orthodontics can have terrible consequences. She spoke to TODAY about closing gaps between teeth using rubber bands or elastics:

"The teeth are connected to the gums and the blood supply and there is a risk of infection, of tearing the gums which might not heal properly, and a risk of damaging the attachment between the tooth and gums so the tooth no longer gets the support it needs." She also noted, "A simple rubber band can actually slide up the tooth and cut all the attachments to it and you can actually lose a tooth."

One of the worst parts about DIY orthodontics is that you never consult with a trained orthodontist, so you're really operating on a dangerous lack of information. It's best not to risk damage to your teeth or infection. Let Dr. Daniel Very know what you want to accomplish with your teeth and we will help you find the safest and most cost-effective way to achieve it.

Dr. Daniel Very want you to be informed and practical about your oral health. Should you have any questions about orthodontic treatment options, please do not hesitate to give us a call at our convenient Boardman or Niles office.

Long days in the sun’s rays offer you lots of options for outdoor activities. Beach time? Vacation? Open-air concerts? Baseball, biking, board sports? No matter what plans you have for these sunny days in Boardman or Niles, we have some tips to keep your smile beaming.

Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is good for all ages and skin tones, and it’s also designed to protect your smile. Lip tissue is thin and delicate, and can easily be damaged by the ultraviolet rays which cause skin cancer and premature aging. 

If your regular sunscreen isn’t suitable for your lips, there are many protective lip balms designed especially for your smile.

• Make sure you get the proper level of protection. Dermatologists recommend lip balms with a minimum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30.
• Reapply at least every two hours, and sooner if your lips get wet or if you’re eating or drinking.

Protect Your Smile with a Mouthguard

Mouthguards help protect your teeth from damage caused by impact, whether from hard surfaces or hard elbows! Any time there’s a chance of a fall or a collision, a mouthguard is a good idea. Use your guard for:

• Biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, or any activity where an unexpected fall is possible 
• Contact or low-contact sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer, where bodies collide with equipment or other bodies

If you play organized sports, you might already own a mouthguard. If not, talk to Dr. Daniel Very about over-the-counter options or a custom-fitted model. And if you wear braces, no need to stay indoors! There are mouthguards designed to protect your teeth, cheeks, lips, and braces. Ask the team at Very Orthodontics for recommendations.

Hydrate

On hot days, our brains help regulate our body temperature. How? By sending the signal to start sweating! Some heat is transferred from our bodies to evaporate perspiration, which helps cool the skin. But that cooling perspiration comes at a cost—the water we lose through sweat can lead to dehydration. 

Water is essential for our health, and especially when it’s scorching outside. Drinking water throughout the day is healthier than drinking lots of water at one time, and your doctor can let you know the right amount of water for your body, since we’re not all built the same. A bottle of water doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, caffeine, or sugars, so it’s a great, healthy outdoor companion. 

More? Water is also great for your smile!

• Water washes food particles and bacteria away from teeth and gums for fresher breath and a healthier mouth.
• Most communities add fluoride to their water, and fluoride strengthens tooth enamel to help you fight cavities. If your local water supply isn’t fluoridated, talk to your dentist about other treatments which can provide fluoride’s cavity protection.
• Hydrating helps prevent dry mouth. Normal saliva production doesn’t just keep the mouth moist for eating and speaking—it also protects our teeth and gums as it washes away food particles and helps counteract excess acidity in the mouth.

Summer’s a Great Time for Dental Care

It’s easy to get distracted with summer activities and vacations—after all, they’re designed to be distracting! But don’t let your well-deserved fun in the sun distract you from your regular dental care. 

• If you haven’t started orthodontic treatment, summer is a terrific time to begin. You’ll have several weeks to get used to your braces or aligners before school starts in the fall.
• If you’re going on vacation, let Dr. Daniel Very know. It’s necessary to keep adjustments to your braces or aligners on schedule so you can enjoy your beautiful smile as soon as you possibly can. Don’t delay your progress by missing appointments.
• Wear your appliances or bands as directed. If you don’t put in the hours with your aligners or your bands, you’ll be spending more time in treatment than you need to.
• Regular dental exams catch small problems before they become larger ones, and cleanings make sure your smile is bright all summer long. If you’re overdue for a visit to your dentist, make room in your schedule for a checkup.

Summer can be a time to relax, renew, and recharge. While you’re enjoying those extra hours of sun, take care of your oral health for a beaming smile which will look great on you any time of year!

February is Gum Disease Awareness month, a timely reminder that preventing gum disease is one of the best ways to protect our oral health. 

Gum disease is easily treated in its earliest stages. Left untreated, the progressive nature of gum disease makes it one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. 

And while we often think of gum disease as an older person’s disease, the fact is that teens and young adults can suffer from gum disease, too. Irregular brushing and flossing habits, hormone fluctuations, family history, and even orthodontic treatment can make people of any age more vulnerable to gum disease.

Let’s take a moment in this shortest month of the year to discuss how understanding, treating, and, above all, preventing gum disease can help us enjoy long-lasting healthy smiles.

How Gum Disease Develops

Gingivitis is the first, mild stage of gum disease. 

• Gingivitis begins with plaque. 
• Plaque irritates gum tissue, causing inflammation, which is the body’s reaction to injury or infection. 
• Typical symptoms include gums which are swollen or red. The gums might feel tender or bleed easily when you brush or floss. You could develop persistent bad breath. 

With proper care, gingivitis is reversible. Because gingivitis symptoms can be very mild, they’re sometimes overlooked. That’s why it’s important to keep up with regular checkups to discover and treat the disease in its earliest stages. 

Periodontitis is a serious gum disease which is destructive to the structures which support our teeth: gums, connective tissue, and bone. 

• Plaque, when it’s not removed, hardens into tartar, which can form on the tooth above and below the gumline. 
• The gums pull away from plaque and tartar deposits, creating a space between the gum tissue and tooth roots. 
• As the gums continue to recede, pockets form between the teeth and gums.
• Infection-causing oral bacteria thrive in these pockets. Gum infections can lead to painful abscesses—but gum disease is not just an infection.
• The body normally responds to bacterial infection with inflammation. With periodontitis, this inflammation becomes destructive chronic inflammation. 
• Over time, chronic inflammation and infection break down the gum tissue, bone, and connective tissue holding teeth in place. Teeth become loose or shift out of alignment.

The tooth’s support structure eventually becomes so compromised that extraction is the only option. That’s why prompt treatment is essential.

Treating Gum Disease

Several options are available to treat gum disease, depending on its severity.

Treatment for gingivitis can be as simple as paying more careful attention to your brushing and flossing and, if necessary, seeing your dentist for a professional cleaning. In some cases, your dentist might recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash or rinse.

Periodontitis requires specialized treatment from your dentist or periodontist, and this treatment will be based on how advanced the condition is:

• Topical, oral, or time-release medications treat infection.
• Non-surgical deep cleaning procedures called scaling and root planing remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, allowing gum tissue to reattach to the tooth. 
• Flap surgery treats more advanced gum infection by reducing pocket depth and re-securing the gums snugly around the teeth.
• If needed, bone grafts, gum grafts, and other regenerative procedures are available which help repair and restore damaged tissue.

Preventing Gum Disease

What many people aren’t aware of is just how preventable gum disease is! Because wearing braces can make brushing and flossing more challenging, it’s especially important during these months to stay on top of your dental hygiene and be on the lookout for signs of gingivitis.

• Brush twice a day for two minutes each time, after every meal, or more often if your orthodontist recommends it. 
  • Use proper brushing technique, angling your brush toward the gums to gently clean around and below the gum line. Be sure to brush around your brackets and under your wires. Use a soft-bristled brush to protect both gum tissue and tooth enamel.
• Floss once each day, after every meal, or as directed by Dr. Daniel Very. 
• There are specialized brushes and flossers available to make cleaning around brackets and wires much easier. Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can also be helpful in removing hard-to-reach plaque. Ask Dr. Daniel Very to recommend the flossing tools and techniques which will work best for you.
• See your dentist regularly. Gum disease can be invisible in its beginning stages. Discovered early, treatment is simple and effective. 
• Having your teeth cleaned every six months, or as recommended, will remove tartar buildup which brushing alone can’t handle. 

Your dental hygienist is experienced in cleaning teeth when patients wear braces. And you can get tips for better brushing and flossing techniques from the team at Very Orthodontics in Boardman or Niles, too!

Even when it seems like there aren’t enough days in the month or hours in the day, it takes just a few minutes daily to care for your gums and teeth. And when you’re aware of just how much those few minutes mean to a healthy smile, it’s time well spent!

At Very Orthodontics, there are a few things we want to remind you of when you're on vacation, so that a day with friends and family won’t be spent dealing with an orthodontic emergency. Firstly, we are here for you whether you are in town or out of town on vacation. Give us a call and we may be able to address the problem over the phone. Second, if we are unable to help you fix the problem over the phone, we will help you find an orthodontic practice in your vacation area that can help you.

If you experience problems reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get them out of pain or discomfort.

If you have braces, whether they are metal, ceramic, or lingual, Dr. Daniel Very and our team suggest steering clear of the following foods to avoid broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation:

• Chewy, sticky, or gummy food
• Apples, pears and other whole fruits (cut fruit into thin wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Bubble gum
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies
• Hard cookies
• Pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews

Finally, if you have clear aligners and you lose your tray, don’t worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home!

Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation!