Miss gnawing on a stip of beef jerky now that your braces are on? Try Shredded Jerky Jumbles
2 oz. dried beef jerky
1 c boiling water
Cut the beef jerky into quarter-inch bits with a sharp knife. Put them in a large bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Let the jerky bits soak for 30 minutes, then drain off the water. Eat them with a spoon. Almost like the real thing!
One of the more frequently asked questions at the initial consultation is whether or not braces will hurt. Although every patient is different and has a different threshold for pain, there are some general guidelines as to what can be expected when it comes to braces and discomfort…
At your first appointment, (the ‘records’ appointment) an impression (mold) of your teeth will be taken. The impression is easy and painless. ‘Separating elastics’ will be placed at this appointment as well. The seperators create room between your molars for the metal bands to be placed at the following appointment. You may feel some pressure when the seperators are placed, but it is usually not painful until a few hours later when the teeth start to move.
At the next appointment the braces will be put on. The process of getting the braces put on is relatively painless. Although, the retractors used to hold back your cheeks are not the most comfortable things. The first step is to get the brackets glued to the teeth. Then, the wire is placed and ligature elastics are added to hold everything together. You may feel pressure after the braces are put on, but it really isn’t painful until a few hours later.
Three to four hours after the braces are put on you will start to feel uncomfortable. Braces work by creating inflammation around the roots of the teeth. The force placed on the tooth cuts off the blood flow to one side of the tooth creating a buildup of lactic acid (the same thing that creates a ‘Charlie horse’ or makes your muscles sore after exercise.) Over the next one to two days your body will dissolve the bone in the area where there is pressure which causes the tooth to move. Depending upon how much force was placed on the tooth the process may repeat itself. Once the force is used up the tooth will relax into the new position and any discomfort will subside. You can expect this process to occur every time your braces are tightened (about every five weeks).
As I mentioned, everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Some patients say they hardly feel a thing while others report severe pain (although this is uncommon). Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol can usually help through the first couple of days.
Each February the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.
Why is attention to children’s dental health important?
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable. More that 40 percent of children ages 2 to 11 have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth, and more than two-thirds of 16 to 19-year-olds have had a cavity in their permanent teeth.
Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene practices such as thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste can help keep children from getting cavities.
Make sure to brush two times a day for two minutes (that’s 4 times a day for those of you with braces), floss once a day and see your dentist every 6 months.
Lakewood Park Orthodontics is promoting children’s dental health
As an active member of the ADA, Dr. Hughes strongly supports this effort! She will be headed out to local Natick Schools this month to hand out toothbrushes, dental information and give fun classroom presentations on dental health.
When you get your braces on our staff explains all of the ways you can help keep your mouth healthy and make your treatment move faster. We tell you to avoid hard and sticky foods that cause broken brackets and to floss every day. We also tell you to brush five times a day - after every snack or meal. However, there are some times when it is better to not brush after your meal or snack… Actually brushing your teeth after certain meals can hurt your enamel!
When you eat foods that are highly acidic like citrus fruits, soda and sugary foods it changes the PH balance in your mouth from alkaline to acidic. After eating highly acidic foods your teeth are susceptible to damage. When you brush your teeth in this weakened state you can damage the enamel because the bristles can wear away the surface.
Now, for all of you who hate brushing, don’t get too excited – you still have to brush five times a day. However, after eating highly acidic foods it’s best to wait an hour before brushing. Other preventative measures you can take after eating acidic foods include rinsing or drinking water and concluding your meal with milk, cheese or another non-acidic food. After you have given your mouth time to return to a healthy PH balance continue to brush as normal.
