Tag: for teens

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S TEETH WHILE PLAYING SPORTS

Posted on September 14, 2018 by - Braces, Community, For Children, For Teens

children sports soccer

September 14th, 2018

A new school year has begun, and with that, sports season is just around the corner. As the buzz of club try- outs, evaluations, selecting teams and practice/games schedules begins, it is important to not forget about safety!

Proper Equipment

When participating in sports, safety equipment should be at the top of the list when it comes to an athlete’s uniform. Helmets are typically required when playing sports such as football, baseball, softball, etc. But are mouth guards a part of the standard equipment? The American Association of Orthodontist found that 84% of children playing an organized sport do not wear a mouth guard because they are not required to do so. This is very concerning because athletes who do not wear a mouth guard are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. If your child is playing in any of the following sports, it is recommended by the American Dental Association that they wear a mouth guard: football, basketball, lacrosse, gymnastics, martial arts, roller hockey, skateboarding, soccer, volleyball and even surfing! We will take it a step further and say that players involved in baseball and softball should wear a mouth guard, as well. Any time there is a chance for contact to the face by the ground, another player or a ball, a mouth guard should be worn.

Injuries

While wearing a mouth guard is not a sure proof way of preventing all dental injuries, it certainly helps reduce the potential severity of the injury. Approximately, 50% of sports injuries are directly to the mouth and many require professional treatment to minimize long term complications.

  • Tooth fracture/Tooth loss

One of the most common dental injuries that occurs in sports. When a tooth cracks or is knocked out due to impact with the ground or a hard ball, it is imperative to seek medical treatment in order to try and preserve the tooth. Wearing a mouth guard will significantly lower the chances of cracking a tooth or having one knocked out completely. Treating these injuries can be very costly for the parent and uncomfortable for the child.

  • Splitting of the Lip/Tongue

This occurs quite frequently when a player does not wear a mouth guard. They take a stumble, make hard contact with another player or have a ball hit them directly in the mouth, causing one or more of their teeth to puncture their tongue or lip. Again, a mouth guard can significantly reduce the risk of this injury.

Types of Mouth Guards

  • Ready Made/Boil and Bite

These are the most common mouth guards because they are the least expensive. While they do not offer the same protection as a mouth guard that is made by a dentist or orthodontist, it is still better than wearing nothing.

  • Custom Made Mouth Guards

These mouth guards are more expensive than the OTC mouth guards, but they offer the best protection. They are customized by a doctor or professional technician to ensure a proper fit and are the best option for players with braces or dental implants.

Proper Handling of the Mouth Guard

It is crucial to explain to your child the proper positioning of the mouth guard. We understand it is very common for players to complain that a mouth guard is uncomfortable or bulky and not want to wear it. To ensure the effectiveness of the mouth guard, the player needs to leave the mouth guard in place while in action and not chew on it. The mouth guard cannot do its job if is being treated like a piece of gum.

Once the game or practice is over, the mouth guard should be washed with a non alcohol mouth wash or brushed with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Gently dry the mouth guard and store in a dry case. Never leave the mouth guard loose in a gym bag or store damp, as it can collect loads of bacteria and germs.

Ultimately, it is impossible to guarantee an injury free sports season but there are steps that can be taken to lessen the chances. It is our sincere hope that parents and coaches will do everything in their power to provide proper safety equipment for all sporting participants. Please let us know if we can help in any way!

We wish everyone a safe and fun sports season! Remember, protect those teeth!

HOW TO ATTAIN STRAIGHT TEETH ASAP

Posted on July 13, 2018 by - Braces, For Adults, For Children, For Teens

straight teeth black man

Once you have decided to seek orthodontic treatment and the braces have been applied, your next question is probably “how soon can the braces come off?” We understand that a straight, beautiful smile is the number one goal but the second goal is achieving that smile quickly. In this post, we have listed a few suggestions to help you work with your orthodontist to achieve fantastic results as quickly as possible.

Follow the Orthodontist’s Instructions

Dr. King carefully charts out every patient’s treatment plan/timeline. At each appointment, he will give instructions on how to continue to move the teeth into perfect formation. It is important to make and keep your appointments in order for your progress to be closely monitored. Trust the expert, not following the instructions given can lead to a major setback in creating the smile of your dreams!

Eating Healthy and Safe Foods

Following a diet that is low in excessive sugar will help prevent plaque buildup in the mouth. If excessive tooth decay or gum disease occurs during orthodontic treatment, the braces may have to be removed in order to address the problem properly. Furthermore, make sure that you avoid foods that could damage the brackets or wires. Crunchy, sticky or hard foods/candy can knock wires loose or break brackets. When this happens, it is not only uncomfortable, but the braces are unable to work properly. Still, accidents happen and if you experience a loose wire or bracket, call the office and we will fix it for you.

Wear Your Rubber Bands

Wearing rubber bands helps to accomplish tooth movement and not wearing them can cause a need for additional months in braces. We understand that it is annoying to take them in and out when you eat, but being consistent with your rubber bands will keep your progress on track. A small inconvenience for a beautiful end result…

Protecting Your Braces

If you or your child plays sports, wearing a mouth guard will help prevent braces from being damaged. It can also lessen the likelihood of injury to you or your child. Another potential hazard for your braces is mindlessly chewing on pencils, pens or any other non-food item. It is important to be aware of what is put into the mouth. Believe it or not, aggressive brushing can also damage braces and the wires. Be sure to clean the teeth properly. Any member of Dr. King’s team would be happy to show you proper brushing technique, if you need a reminder.

Be Patient

Lastly, be patient with the process. A beautiful smile is not attained overnight. It takes time and precision. As treatment nears the end, it is very common for patients to want to quit or to become frustrated. Dr. King has almost 40 years of experience and has every patient’s best interest as his top priority. If at any point, you have questions or want further explanation, feel free to ask. Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the orthodontist and patient. Both parties have a role to play in order to achieve the best possible results.

MEAW METHOD – NON SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE

Posted on July 17, 2017 by - Braces, Community, For Adults, For Teens, News

young woman smile dentist orthodontist

July 17th, 2017

I FIRST LEARNED the MEAW method in its earliest stages from Dr. Kim.

Having an insatiable appetite for cutting edge orthodontic knowledge this method was inspirational since I was determined to offer patients a non surgical option.
Early in the 1970s, Dr. Kim developed the Multi-Loop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) appliance in his Weston, Mass, practice. This appliance allowed him to treat open bites and other severe malocclusions with excellent clinical results.

The Multi-loop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) technique is a very intricate, complex and non-surgical method for treating patients that would normally require surgical realignment of the jaws. This technique utilizes braces, custom-formed loop archwires, and elastics to guide the teeth into the correct positions.
In all of South Florida very few orthodontist are trained in the MEAW technique and is offering it as a treatment option to their patients. I am proud to have become proficient with the intricacies of custom-fitted loop archwires since 2005 and provide this cutting-edge technology to my patients with a comfortable, non-invasive alternative to painful jaw surgery.

A QUICK FIX FOR MAXILLARY DIASTEMA RELAPSE – AKA: THE GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT TEETH

Posted on April 3, 2017 by - Braces, Community, For Adults, For Teens, News

woman gapped front teeth

April 3rd, 2017

Every once in a while there is a request in Dr. King’s office for a little post treatment help after non-compliance. It happens, a retainer gets lost, a permanent retainer gets broken, things happen and Dr. King understands that. Dr. King has developed a very successful procedure used when the space between the front teeth slowly returns and is not welcome.

Neal Kravitz, Editor for the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics requested Dr. King to contribute an article which describes a simple and esthetic solution he created for consolidating anterior spaces with light force and minimal effort. The technique evolved from a method of minor space closure in which a 1/8”, 2 oz elastic was placed around the central incisors and below the contact point in the gingival one-third of the tooth. This procedure is more comfortable, esthetic and predictable, requiring no special patient cooperation.

The included photos are of a 20 year old who lost his retainer a year previously. First, the anterior teeth to be bonded are isolated and etched and a bonding agent is applies. Next, a clear elastic thread* is cut to a length of 6” and positioned on the middle third of the crowns. A small teardrop of composite** is added over the thread on each tooth surface and cured one at a time. Maintaining tension as the elastic thread is lightly stretched across the teeth. This patient was bonded canine to canine and the space was closed in 10 days.

A space of 1mm or less can close in 24 hours if the thread is bonded fro lateral incisor to lateral incisor. If the patient has an overjet, space will rarely open distal to the lateral incisors. To avoid rotation of the upper lateral incisors, the patient should be scheduled to return to the office in 24 – 48 hours, since the teeth are being moved by uncontrolled tipping with no moment of a couple. If the lateral incisors begin to rotate, either excessive tension has been placed on the thread of the force has been exerted for too long.

If the patient is unable to return within two days, or if the rotation of the lateral incisors is a concern, the elastic thread can be bonded from canine to canine as shown here. Space closure will then take seven to ten days, but there is less risk of rotation due to the added anchorage of the canines. A bonded retainer should be placed once space closure is complete.

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT

Posted on September 28, 2016 by - Braces, For Adults, For Teens

You and your braces have to have a good relationship while you’re spending time together. As is the case with all good friends it’s important to get that relationship off to a good start. If you want to avoid the rocky times there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

The first thing in the order of importance is properly caring for your teeth and braces. FLOSS! It’s a must. Yes, we agree it’s a bit more difficult, in fact a pain to floss around your braces but it’s the best prevention. You want to prevent gum disease and oral health problems and flossing is the place to start. A few minutes each day will stave off significant dental health issues when the braces come off.

Second, you’ll want to avoid foods and treats that are not brace friendly. While it may seem impossible to forgo caramel, gum, pretzels and all the other favorite items in your snacking repertoire we assure you it is not! A clash between hard candy and a bracket or wire will be won by the candy and might result in an additional trip to the orthodontist office. While Dr. King is fun to see, the extra trip should be avoided for the sake of your braces. Avoid those food/snack items altogether.

Thirdly, you may need to adjust your eating habits. You’ll want to chew with your back teeth and avoid taking large bites with your front teeth. Taking large bites can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. It is best to cut larger items into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth. While corn on the cob has small kernels this is one food item you’ll want to keep for a post brace treat! Cut it off the cob to enjoy it while you are wearing braces.

Fourth, it’s important to remember to wear your rubber bands. Rubber bands and all other orthodontic appliances may seem trial some at first but failing to work diligently with them can increase the length of your treatment time by months. You don’t want to do that no matter how much you enjoy seeing everyone at Jupiter Orthodontics!

If you have any questions feel free to review information on our site, or call us at 561-747-5766, and we’ll be happy to answer them for you. Dr. King’s patients are the best part of our day!

SMILE IT FORWARD PROGRAM

Posted on August 26, 2013 by - Braces, For Adults, For Children, For Teens, Invisalign

Police officer Mark Borsboom was caught doing a simple, good deed – tying an elderly man’s shoelace for him. As he was standing near the exit an elderly gentleman approached the police officer. The man had no feeling in his hands as a result of a health issue. He had a long way to walk to meet his son and his shoelace had come loose.

ALL GOOD DEEDS COME BACK TO YOU. He asked the office if he would mind tying his shoe for him. Officer Borsboom said, “I didn’t think anything of it – I said ‘sure’ and tied his shoelace”. Such kindness is needed throughout the world on a much larger scale.

Dr. King has created a program to encourage the same kindness. The ‘Smile it Forward’ program allows Dr. King to provide FREE treatment to underprivileged children in the community. For every ten children that start treatment in his office, Dr. King will select one child from a referral base which he receives from area dentists and sometimes teachers regarding kids
who need help and could never afford it.

While a beautiful smile is a priceless gift, for some young ones the much needed treatment is medically necessary for proper chewing and at times improper jaw alignment.

This means that a minimum of two patients per month will receive free treatment because Dr. King chooses to ‘Smile it Forward’ helping children he has never met. If you would like to know more about SMILE IT FORWARD feel free to call the office and we will be happy to explain further how it works.

Come in and join the Jupiter Orthodontics family practice for beautiful smiles and happy people!

We can’t wait to meet you!

BULLIES ARE WEAK

Posted on July 2, 2013 by - Community, For Children, For Teens

Did you know that a bully actually NEEDS you in order to feel important?

Without a victim a bully is just a kid. YOU CAN TAKE CHARGE of yourself and destroy a bully’s power. Here are some suggestions that can help.

  1.  Bullies look for someone who looks timid, so make it a point to walk tall & show confidence so you don’t become a target. Avoid them if you can and show a positive and assertive attitude when you walk to or attend class. Ask your parent how to have strong and assertive body language.
  2. Walking away from a bully can succeed! If you see the bully in the hallway, leave with confidence as you remain calm, keep your head held high and veer around the bully. Refuse to be a target. Your strength is his kryptonite. Again, ask your parent to help you practice this at home.
  3. Set your boundaries clearly if you cannot leave a situation. Hold your anger back because bullies need that to feel strong. If provoked, you could put your hands up if front of you, palms open and outward. Then with a strong, confident voice say STOP and try to veer away. TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR SPACE.
  4. Use your voice. If a bully tries to touch you, pull away and in a REALLY loud voice say “NO! STOP IT.” Bullies feed on your fear and if you don’t show it to them they have nothing to work with.
  5. Remember to talk to someone who can help you. Your parents and teachers are there to help – but they have to know that you need help.

Have you ever had to take out the trash at home? It is the same thing with the words of a bully. Just realize their words are trash and you can throw them away. Be strong, walk tall, wear a huge smile and have confidence that YOU are the person that matters.

THE TRAVELING TEETH

Posted on March 19, 2013 by - Braces, Community, For Adults, For Children, For Teens, Invisalign

Laura’s* story begins with a gorgeous new smile when her braces were removed. “At last the smile I’ve always wanted!” Unfortunately, Laura decided NOT to wear her retainer after a while. “It was a hassle,” Laura complained. She stopped wearing it and months later when she decided to try her retainer again it was so painful that she couldn’t wear it. “My teeth felt like someone was squeezing them with pliers.”

Laura also decided not to go back for her checkups, “After all, I don’t wear braces anymore so I don’t need to see the orthodontist.” Her doctor would most certainly have been able to see the damage and correct it. But Laura waited far too long and when she became really unhappy with the deterioration of that great smile she went to the orthodontist once again.

Back in braces Laura learned that teeth have a memory and will travel back to their original position if not retained. Dr. King encourages all of his patients to wear their retainers so that the smile they dreamed of doesn’t become a nightmare in the future. The best advice to follow is to wear your retainers for as long as you want to keep your incredible smile!

*Name has been changed