Clear braces are a great way to achieve straighter teeth without metal brackets and wires. However, they do require some special care to keep them clean and free of plaque buildup. How does a patient decide between clear braces and other types of devices that straighten teeth? There are many options for a reason: Everyone has different preferences and needs, and not all patients want their braces to be visible to others. Read more about clear braces and learn about a few clear braces maintenance tips.

What are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are similar to traditional metal braces in the way that they use brackets and wires to straighten teeth. Learn more below about how these braces differ from traditional ones (as well as clear aligners) and gain an understanding of which type of appliance may be correct for you.

Clear Braces VS Traditional Braces

Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires that can be adjusted over time to shift the teeth into a healthier or better-looking position. The downside of traditional braces, especially for adults, is that the brackets and wires can be extremely visible to others. If you only have to wear braces for a few months, you may not mind this aspect of the journey — but if you are committing to braces for two to three years, you may wish for a less noticeable route. Clear braces offer an alternative. 

Clear Braces VS Aligners

Clear braces are a great middle ground between traditional braces and clear aligners, which do not have wires or brackets and fit over the teeth much like plastic retainers. While it is possible to straighten teeth with aligners, they are not the right choice for all patients and cannot correct severe malocclusions and other specific issues. Speak to your dentist about choosing clear braces if you wish to have the advantages of braces treatment but do not wish for your braces to be too noticeable.

Clear Braces Maintenance and After Tips

If you are excited about the idea of getting clear braces, you may assume that they will remain the same color for as long as you wear braces. Clear braces’ brackets are typically made of ceramic or porcelain material, and when you first get them, they will look pristine — but certain aspects of your daily life may discolor them. It is important to keep up with your oral hygiene and perhaps cut certain foods out of your diet that may discolor the clear brackets. 

1. Brush and floss regularly

Flossing with braces is notoriously difficult, but it is worth it. Use a water flosser or a needle-and-thread flossing device to string the floss between your teeth. Similarly, brushing your teeth at least twice a day (especially after eating) will help your teeth and clear braces to remain as clean as possible.

Speak to your dentist about whether using certain types of toothpaste such as whitening pastes and rinses are appropriate during this time. Some clear brackets are not compatible with this type of toothpaste.

2. Watch your diet

Perhaps the most common reason for clear bracket discoloration is patients refusing to avoid foods that stain or discolor them. While it is possible to change out the bands on clear brackets, the porcelain or ceramic bracket itself may be stained over time and eventually appear to be much darker than the tooth underneath.

Try to avoid tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, beets, red wine, soy sauce, and any other food that is known for staining. Foods that are artificially dyed may alter the color of clear braces as well. If it really bothers you not to be able to eat your favorite foods during the time your teeth are being straightened, you may wish to consider choosing another type of braces.

3. Visit your dentist for regular cleanings

As with brushing and flossing, it is important to keep up with your regular dental cleanings. Many people are unaware of the fact that dentists and hygienists can clear braces — usually, the wires are removed first and the dentist can check the teeth and perform a general exam as usual.

Do not delay your cleaning appointments or assume that you must wait until your braces are removed to see your general dentist again! Keeping your teeth clean and healthy can help them match the color of the clear brackets for as long as possible. 

After having teeth extracted, many people wonder how long they will have to wait before getting dentures. The answer depends on a few factors, including the number of teeth being removed, the type of extraction (simple or surgical), and the condition of your gums. In most cases, you can expect your gums to take at least a few weeks to heal. 

However, if you are having multiple teeth extracted or if you require surgery, it may take longer. Once your gums have healed and the area has been properly fitted, you will be able to get dentures. In the meantime, you may want to consider using a soft food diet and bridges or partial dentures to keep your smile looking its best.

How long do gums need to heal?

The time it takes for gums and another tissue to heal varies from patient to patient. The type of denture a patient is planning to get also plays a factor. For example, a custom-made denture requires gums to heal for three to six months. 

During this time, gums will be allowed to heal, and patients will meet with their dentist for fittings and adjustments. This ensures that they will be a perfect fit when the gums are healed and ready for permanent dentures. In the meantime, patients are often given temporary dentures.

Temporary Dentures

Temporary dentures are often used soon after a patient’s teeth are extracted. While these dentures often serve a cosmetic purpose, they also help preserve the jawbone’s integrity and the mouth’s shape as it heals. Temporary dentures are essential in the process. When teeth are extracted, the surrounding jawbone begins to shrink. Temporary dentures stop this from happening. However, temporary dentures must also be relined or refitted to ensure a proper fit until the permanent denture is fabricated.

How dental implants affect the process?

When patients have dental implants as part of their denture process, the healing period between extraction and permanent dentures takes more time. In most cases, patients have to wait between four and six months. This allows the titanium screws in a patient’s gums to connect with their jawbone. Additionally, the tissue around the implants needs time to heal before permanent dentures are put in place.

Once a patient’s gums are healed, the next step in the process is undergoing cleaning. This step may be quite time-consuming, depending on how long it has been since a patient’s last cleaning. However, without clean gums, dentures, especially partial dentures, may not attach to any clasps or remaining teeth. Because of this, it is essential not to skip this step.

If you have dentures, you know how important they are to your quality of life and appearance. If you are new to the denture process and have yet to be fitted for a set, you may wonder what the process entails. For example, if you have to have an extraction to get dentures, you may wonder how long you will wait for your gums to heal before getting the dentures. A general dentist cannot fit you with permanent dentures immediately after an extraction. Your gums and other tissues will need time to heal.

Contact a general dentist today

Suppose you are scheduled for a tooth extraction or recently removed some teeth and have questions. Contact a general dentist. Getting dentures is a life-changing experience. However, there are many steps involved that will make the process easier. Having questions and concerns about getting dentures and all the steps involved is normal. Your dentist can give you all the necessary information.

One of the most common concerns that people have about getting dentures is whether or not they will change the shape of their face. After all, dentures are essentially false teeth, and it stands to reason that they could potentially alter the way that your mouth looks. However, this is generally not something that you need to worry about.

The short answer is yes, dentures can definitely change the shape of your face. But if you’ve been missing teeth or dealing with bad, ill-fitting dentures, the change may be for the better. A well-designed, custom set of dentures will restore your face to its proper proportions, providing you with a more youthful appearance.

Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, and a trusted dentist will take care to ensure that they look natural and blend in with the rest of your teeth. In fact, many people find that their dentures actually improve the appearance of their smile. So, if you’re considering getting dentures, you can rest assured knowing that they’re unlikely to change the shape of your face.

Dentures Can Improve Your Appearance

Doesn’t it feel good when people tell you how much better looking with your new teeth is? We know that feeling all too well. Dentures can improve our appearance and make life more worthwhile for many of the patients who wear them, whether they’ve lost their original set or have had bad denture work done in the past – but don’t just take my word on this! 

Whether you’ve suffered tooth loss or have been wearing bad dentures for a while, you’ll find that a good set of dentures can dramatically change your experience.

With missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, your facial muscles will begin to sag, giving you a lopsided, sunken appearance. But with properly fitting dentures designed at the correct height, your face will be proportioned as it should. Dentures are designed to simulate natural teeth. So they’ll not only help you eat and speak better, but they’ll make you look youthful and healthier too.

The Importance of Denture Fittings

Oftentimes, denture patients are able to do a try-on before their dentures are finished. This allows them to see what their smile will look like and allows them to make changes before the final dentures are complete. Communication with your dentist is essential when it comes to getting exactly what you want in a denture. They’ll work with you in creating a custom-made denture that matches your mouth and face.

So, if you are considering dentures as an option to improve your smile and oral health, know that they may also change the shape of your face. Dentures can be a great way to achieve a healthy smile and boost your self-confidence – just be sure to talk to your dentist about how they may impact the appearance of your face. Have you ever wondered if dentures would change the shape of my face? Contact us today for more information.

Valplast dentures are a type of removable partial denture that is made of a flexible plastic material. They are different from traditional dentures in several ways. First, they are much lighter in weight, which makes them more comfortable to wear. Additionally, they are less likely to slip and slide, making them more stable and easier to eat and speak with. 

You may have been told by your dentist that you will need dentures. This can sometimes be a complete shock, and you may not know what to do for your best option. One of the options open to you is to visit our dental surgery to discuss Valplast dentures with our denture technician. These are often a good choice for younger adults who have lost teeth due to accidents or gum disease. There are several things about Valplast dentures which make them different.

What Are Valplast Dentures?

Valplast dentures are typically available through private treatment and are flexible dentures that are fitted to your gums. They are used to replace the missing teeth which would have been in your gums and are sometimes known as partial dentures since they don’t replace the entire set of teeth. They are flexible and durable, and can also be made from a tough, nylon-type material that is lighter in the mouth than the standard set of dentures. These dentures look natural, feel comfortable, and fit easily into the mouth, making them some of the best denture sets around.

How Valplast Are Different

The chief way in which Valplast dentures are different from the standard set available on the NHS is the fact that they are more hypo-allergenic than traditional dentures. This means that even if you have had soreness and irritation caused by an immune reaction to acrylic or metal dentures, you are likely to benefit from using Valplast.

The dentures are also different in that they tend to be much smaller than the standard acrylic dentures. This means that there is less wear and tear on the roof or floor of the mouth, so there is less irritation and less discomfort. As they are smaller, they are also less likely to affect the movement of the tongue and lips, so you can speak more naturally.

The dentures are also different in the way that they are fitted to the mouth. Often, they are not sized until they arrive at the dentist’s office. When the patient is fitted with the dentures, they are immersed in hot water, and then fitted to the gums. Patients tend to use this method at home, heating them up and then inserting them into the mouth so that they take the shape of the gum line. This means that there is more adherence, and better grip even without the use of glues.

Finally, Valplast dentures can be customized to match the exact shade of your natural teeth, providing a more natural-looking smile. As you can see, there are many reasons why Valplast dentures may be the right choice for you. If you are considering dentures, be sure to ask your dentist about Valplast to see if they are right for you.

A severe dental situation is a root canal caused when bacteria reach the main ducts of the teeth, either a result of injury or tooth decay. A root canal infection should be repaired quickly because the condition can increase rapidly once the bacteria infects the soft pulp tissue in the inner chambers of the tooth. Root canal therapy is a helpful procedure that can be performed to destroy the infection and restore the tooth.

Patients are education by the dentist regarding the symptoms of root canal infections so the patient can contact the dentist’s office as soon as conditions develop.

Root Canals and Aftercare

A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the infected pulp inside a tooth that has dealt with damage or decay. This procedure is performed because it’s a great way to save your natural tooth. Therefore, it’s safer and more cost-effective than having a tooth extracted and an artificial device — like an implant — put in its place. 

After you’ve gotten your root canal, you’ll likely experience some discomfort. This is normal and not a surefire sign of infection. You may need to take medications to manage the pain, and getting enough rest is also crucial.

When you finish your procedure, your mouth will likely be numb for a few hours. It’s important to avoid eating during this time, as you don’t want to bite your cheek. You must also take care of your tooth by flossing and brushing like you normally would. In most cases, taking care of a tooth post-root canal is similar to normal dental care.

5 Signs of Root Canal Infection

Unfortunately, some people do experience an infection after their procedure, whether from improper aftercare or because the procedure didn’t remove all the infected pulp. It’s extremely important to look for these five signs in order to determine if you need to make an appointment with your dentist right away.

1. Severe pain

As previously stated, it’s common to experience some pain after a root canal. However, it isn’t normal if you experience severe pain, especially pain that lasts longer than a few days. Other telltale signs are pain that occurs when you expose your tooth to certain temperatures or if you press on the tooth when eating. 

2. Swelling

Swelling isn’t a common side effect of a root canal. It probably means there is an infection brewing post-procedure. You might notice swelling on the gum line around the tooth, but severe swelling can spread to the face and neck. This is a strong sign that you need to reach out to your dentist immediately.

3. Pus 

Discharge or pus leaking from the site of the root canal is a severe sign of infection. It could be yellow, green, brown (from blood), or discolored tint. Whatever it looks like, discharge is a sign something’s wrong.

4. Bad taste

Your mouth will taste bad if an infection has taken hold or is still there from before your root canal. If you notice that you consistently have a bad taste in your mouth, especially if the area around your tooth tastes bad on your tongue, don’t waste time and make an appointment immediately!

5. Bad smell 

Bad breath is another telltale sign of infection. You might have noticed it before, and it could have even been the reason you came in to see your dentist in the first place. When your breath constantly smells bad, it may mean something is wrong, so make sure you rule out a root canal infection. 

Root Canals Can Help

These procedures are highly effective for ridding a tooth of infected pulp, but sometimes, further issues occur. This is why it’s vital to be aware of the signs of infection post-procedure and to get help when you need it. 

Some patients put off getting dentures because they fear dentures will make them look older. Although dentures may affect your appearance, you’ll be happy to hear they often make our patients look younger.

It’s becoming more common for patients to choose dentures for aesthetic purposes in addition to their many health benefits. A rejuvenated smile can go a long way to a more youthful appearance and a restored sense of self confidence. 

We’ve spoken at length about the many health benefits of dentures (eating more of your favourite foods, improved ability to speak, and self-esteem), so let’s examine a few of the ways dentures can positively affect your appearance. 

A YOUNGER SMILE

The smile is often one of the first things you notice when you meet a new person. A person with cracked, broken, or missing teeth may be hesitant to smile — which can directly impact that person’s overall level of happiness. 

A new set of dentures, whether they’re partial, complete, or denture over implants, can restore your smile to its previous brilliance. Patients who require complete extractions can also choose immediate dentures, so they never have to miss a day without teeth.

Dentures also replace worn or yellowing teeth with bright, pearly white teeth. With proper maintenance and care, your dentures will stay white for years to come. 

All of our dentures are designed to look and feel natural — many people may not even realize you’re wearing them. During your free consultation, our friendly denturists will recommend the right product to reproduce your youthful smile. 

SUPPORT YOUR FACIAL STRUCTURE

Missing teeth can cause your face and jaw to sink prematurely. Sunken features are a major reason why some people look older — dentures can support your face and jaw to keep shrinkage at bay.

When a patient is missing teeth, the body begins to break down the bone where the teeth once were. This process is called bone resorption — learn more about it here.

Dentures provide much needed stimulation to your mouth and jaw to keep bone resorption at bay. Dentures over implants, with anchor points surgically inserted into the jaw, are particularly effective at fighting bone resorption. These anchor points serve as an artificial tooth root, which tells the body to keep producing jawbone material. 

Gaps in your natural teeth can cause your other teeth to shift. Shifting teeth can lead to uneven stresses and unnecessary wear and tear. Dentures remedy these issues by providing much-needed support to your teeth and jaw — reducing the risk of inflammation and shrunken features. 

LOOK YEARS YOUNGER WITH DENTURES

A new set of dentures will likely change your appearance — for the better. It’s a myth that dentures make people look older. The right denture will take years off your appearance, in addition to making your life easier. 

By restoring your smile with a custom-made denture from The Denture & Implant Centre, you can reclaim the smile of your youth. Contact our Red Deer offices today and schedule a free consultation with one of our oral health professionals.

One of the biggest complaints of denture wearers is that dentures often don’t fit well. The good news is that this is one of the most easily correctable denture problems. If you’re not sure if your dentures fit improperly, take a look at some of the signs of poorly fitting dentures. 

Properly fitted dentures should be comfortable to wear and allow you to live a normal life. However, while our mouths change over time, our dentures do not. If you’ve noticed something is not quite right with how your dentures feel, it might be time for a check-up to determine if a new set of dentures is needed.

1. Dentures Slip

This is probably the most obvious sign of ill-fitting dentures. Dentures shouldn’t slip out when you talk, eat, laugh, or sneeze. If your dentures do this, they may require an alignment or replacement to resolve the issue. At no point should your dentures ever slip out.

2. Denture Sores

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Even if you don’t actually notice your dentures slipping around in your mouth, you may notice a sign of their movement: denture sores. When dentures move,  it causes them to rub up against the gums in ways that cause irritation. If they develop denture sores, your dentures do not fit properly. Don’t ignore ill-fitting dentures symptoms like denture sores. This is a major red flag that it’s time to consider better-fitting dentures.

3. Denture Pain

Denture sores can be painful, but your dentures may also be causing you pain even before sores develop. This pain can be due to the movement of your dentures, but they can also be caused by dentures that fit snugly but have an uneven balance of bite forces, causing some places in your mouth to be subjected to much more painful force when you chew.

4. Trouble Eating

We can’t expect to eat all the same foods we ate with our natural teeth. However, properly fitting dentures should make it possible to eat most of them. When you have denture fitting problems, it’s common to experience trouble eating. 

This trouble can occur as soon as you get your new pair of dentures if they don’t fit correctly. In this instance, your dentist should create you a new pair. Make sure to test your dentures in the dental office before you go home so you can ensure they fit properly.

5. Dentures Are Hard to Clean

It’s normal for your dentures to have some food residue on the outside, but if you’re starting to notice that there are more and more food particles and other types of residue on the inside of the denture, that’s a sign your dentures don’t fit properly. They should create a good seal that prevents material from getting up inside the denture.

6. Denture-Related Infections

When food, bacteria, and fungus start getting under the denture, you are at an increased risk for denture-related infections, such as yeast infections. This can lead your gums to become red and swollen everywhere they come into contact with your dentures. If you develop these infections, make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning your dentures. If they still recur, it may be time to get new dentures.

How Should Dentures Fit In Your Mouth?

If you never had dentures before, it’s difficult to know exactly how your dentures should fit in your mouth. You might find yourself asking, are they too big? Too small? Too loose? When you first start wearing dentures, they might feel like they don’t fit well because you’re not used to wearing them. More often than not, they are simply low-quality dentures that aren’t made with an optimal fit in mind. If you notice ill-fitting denture symptoms like swollen, red, and painful gums, frequent gagging, or your dentures slip around, it’s a good indication that they don’t fit well.

Your dentures should stay in place and rest comfortably on your gums. If anything happens otherwise, you need a second opinion. 

“Are you flossing regularly?” is probably a question you get asked every single time you visit the dentist. And that’s because it’s important! Many people hate the feeling of moving a piece of floss between their teeth, and therefore leave flossing out of their daily teeth cleaning routine. 

But just brushing your teeth often isn’t enough to remove plaque and prevent cavities. Helping you maintain a healthy smile by protecting your teeth and gums and protecting you from other diseases, here’s why flossing needs to be a part of your daily routine.

Why Isn’t Brushing Enough?

The tooth has 5 surfaces, but your toothbrush can only reach 3 of them. The two untouched surfaces are very close to the sides of other teeth, making it easy for food to get trapped in between. When food gets stuck in these gaps, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria to build up, creating plaque. This is where floss comes in handy – as an interdental cleaning tool, it can get into these tight spaces and remove 80% of plaque.

If you’d like your pearly whites to stay healthy as long as possible, it’s time to improve how you floss. After you eat, debris between your teeth forms a film of bacteria called plaque, which you can’t get rid of with a toothbrush. 

Crucial as flossing may be, research shows that less than one-third of adults in the United States floss daily. And among those who do, problematic mistakes are common.

Why Flossing Well Matters

Flossing properly removes harmful plaque between your teeth and around your gums. That is important, given that plaque buildup commonly leads to cavities and gum disease. 

Nearly half of adults have a form of gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and flossing well is a crucial way to lower your risk. As a result, you’ll have a lower risk of related complications, such as receding gums, tooth loss, and infections that require a root canal.

Mistakes To Avoid During Flossing

Before we get to the best practices to adopt and maintain, here are several common flossing mistakes to avoid:

• Flossing straight up and down without moving along your gum line
• Stopping when you notice a bit of blood
• Reusing the same part of the floss for all of your teeth
• Flossing only occasionally, versus at least once a day
• Proper flossing technique

Dipping floss between your teeth as quickly as possible won’t cut it when it comes to making the most of your flossing habits. To floss properly, hold 1-2 inches of floss from a roughly 18-inch piece tightly between two fingers. Then, using one of your index fingers, guide the floss between your teeth. Create a C-shape by curving the floss along the side of each tooth and slightly below the gum line.

Use a new portion of the floss for each tooth. If you use flossers, rinse the flosser in water or mouthwash after each tooth to prevent the transfer of bacteria to the next one. 

If you find yourself skipping flossing at the end of the day because you’re tired and eager to turn in, consider flossing in the morning or even shortly after dinner and before you wind down for the night.

If your gums are inflamed and sore, your mouth is trying to tell you there’s a problem. You may have gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. This condition can proceed from bad to worse if left untreated, so you should seek periodontal treatment right away. 

What is periodontal disease? 

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of your gums that makes them tender and sore. If you do nothing when you have gingivitis, the condition morphs into periodontitis, the advanced stage of the disease. The gums eventually recede and pull away from the tooth, loosening it from its foundation. The result is tooth loss.  You may not realize that your oral health affects your overall health. 

A gap from a missing tooth or teeth increases the chance of an infection, which can spread throughout your body. Bacteria in your gums from periodontitis can travel in your bloodstream to other organs, where it can lead to such problems as heart disease and sepsis. 

Bacteria from the food you eat builds up on teeth and forms a hard substance called plaque between your gums and teeth. If it’s not removed through careful dental hygiene and regular professional dental cleanings, plaque causes gum infections. 

In the earliest stages, periodontal disease is called gingivitis, and it causes tender, swollen gums that may bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed. In later stages, periodontal disease can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth and your teeth may even fall out. 

How did you get Periodontal Disease? 

As you can imagine, your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Brushing twice a day, flossing your teeth, and having dental checkups twice a year are the foundation of good oral health that keep the bacteria at bay. 

Perhaps you’ve been under stress and have skipped brushing or flossing regularly. Poor oral hygiene is one of the major reasons for periodontal disease. 

Other factors contribute as well, including: 

• Genetics
• Smoking (toxins in smoke cause bacteria to cling to your teeth)
• Medications
• A compromised immune system or an illness
• Hormonal fluctuations during menopause, puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy

The Chronic Disease — Periodontal Disease connection

Researchers have found associations between some cardiovascular issues and periodontal disease, possibly due to the chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease. The bacteria in your mouth can make you more susceptible to heart disease, arterial blockages, and stroke. 

There is also a link between type 2 diabetes and gum disease and it seems that having one makes the other more difficult to control. If you have diabetes, you may not be able to fight off infection as well, and the infection may make it more difficult to control your blood sugar. 

Another chronic condition that seems to be associated with periodontal disease is rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects your joints. 

Periodontal disease can increase the likelihood of an early delivery for pregnant women. Having gum disease means that your baby is at a higher risk of being born preterm and having a low birth weight. 

Prevention

Excellent at-home dental hygiene combined with regular visits with Dr. Vilderman is the best defense against developing periodontal disease. 

However, if you do have periodontal disease, there are treatments to help. A deep cleaning called scaling and root planing removes plaque from between your gums and your teeth, which allows your gums to reattach to your teeth. In more advanced cases, Dr. Vilderman may recommend periodontal surgery.