Wilson Orthodontics Explains How To Find the Right Mouth Guard

As April is National Facial Protection Month, we at Wilson Orthodontics want to share some helpful tips on choosing a mouth guard.

When selecting a mouth guard the most important thing is fit. It should stay securely in place during your activities and you should be able to breath and talk comfortably.

There are three basic categories of mouth guards.

1. Off the Shelf Guards; these are relatively inexpensive and are preformed and come ready to wear.

2. Boil and Bite Guards; these are a step up from the off the shelf guards because you'll get a better fit by boiling to soften the material and then biting into it to form it around your teeth.

3. Custom Mouth Guards; these are the best and most expensive type and usually come from your Dentist. They require impressions of your teeth and are custom made just for your bite.

People with Braces can only wear one kind of mouth guard it's specially made so that it protects the teeth and mouth from injury that could be caused by the braces if hit, while not forming to the teeth since the teeth are constantly changing while in braces.

Here at Dr. Wilson's office we offer our patients mouth guards free of charge!

Without proper protection you greatly increase your chances of injury, so come visit us at Wilson Orthodontics for your very own mouth guard!

--Pam, Orthodontic Assistant

Wilson Orthodontics Shares What To Do In Case of a Dental Emergency!

Yes it's true "April Showers Bring May Flowers;" however, did you know that it also brings "National Facial Protection Month"? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends the "Top 10 ways to Save Face". Notice that the first one is to wear a mouth guard!

Dental injuries are the most common type of injury sustained during sports activities. It is estimated by the American Dental Association that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in High School and College football alone!

Should you experience a facial injury and a permanent tooth is knocked out you can pick the tooth up by the crown of the tooth--not the root--and rinse it clean with water or milk; but do not store it in water store it only in milk!

Recent studies have shown that the best chances of saving the tooth is to have it safely and properly placed back into the socket within a window of time between 5 minutes to 1 hour. So you should see your Dentist as soon as you can!

However, if you should knock out a baby tooth, you can leave it out; oh, but don’t forget to put it under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy!

You get one set of permanent teeth, so take care of them!

Have fun, stay active, but be safe and guard your teeth and protect your Smile; especially the one we at Wilson Orthodontics help you create! And if you need a mouth guard, remember we give them to our Wilson Orthodontics patients for free!

--Pam, Orthodontic Assistant

Bad Breath Begone! -- From Wilson Orthodontics

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know that bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all revealed from Wilson Orthodontics:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!

More questions about your teeth? Let us know from Wilson Orthodontics!

How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy -- Wilson Orthodontics

We've got so many questions about our teeth, we asked Kandi, at Dr. Wilson's office, to take some time and explain it all. Here's what she had to say:

The main cause of tooth decay is the sugar that is in the foods and drinks you eat. Water is the best beverage you can drink that is healthiest for your teeth. Anything that has sugar in it, you would want to eat at meal times, that way you can brush your teeth after. If you need a good healthy snack you can have things like whole bread, cheese, crackers, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Avoid mints and hard candies. They tend to be sticky and could get lodged in the grooves of your teeth which can cause cavities. They also could chip your teeth if your not careful biting into them. Any foods with acid such as citric juices or sodas can change the balance of the saliva in the mouth. The acid can attack the enamel structure of the tooth and sugar feeds the cavity-causing bacteria.

Spicy foods and chewing gum can increase the amount of saliva in the mouth.
The increased saliva carries protein that helps break down the sugars that can cause cavities so these can actually be good for your teeth.

After each meal you should brush your teeth and gums with a soft bristle toothbrush. A medium would be OK, but with a soft bristle toothbrush you are less likely to harm your teeth and you can clean them better.

So eat the right foods and always brush and floss to keep your teeth healthy!

Kandi Pope, Treatment Coordinator
Wilson Orthodontics