Sometimes you can’t necessarily help the way your teeth grow, and are in need of some dentistry help. When you get braces there are a few new circumstances and routines that you must adapt to besides testing out your new smile in the mirror. These include maintenance of your teeth to keep your mouth and braces clean and fresh, how to prevent sores that having braces are able to cause, and dealing with and relieving the pain and discomfort that they inevitable will give you while you are still learning to adjust. When you overcome these beginning issues and become use to the main customs, you’ll find that having braces aren’t so demanding as you thought. Background on Braces First of all, the main reasons why your braces would become uncomfortable and painful are because, as we all know, they are used to straighten out and align your teeth. As well, they can help in correcting over-bites and under-bites and other dental faults you may have. To do this, the headgear will place sufficient amounts of pressure to your teeth in order to start their adjustment to becoming straighter. Depending on the reason why you receive braces is one thing that will determine the amount of pressure and where it will be most prominent in your mouth. Sometimes brackets or A-braces are used, and also the material your braces are made of may vary as well. Hygiene & Foods When cleaning your braces it is important that you do a sound job at it. Having headgear limits the choice in textured food that you may eat. It is best to avoid foods such as candies, gum, popcorn, nuts, ice, and anything relatively sticky or too hard. Braces add more crevices to the mouth where plaque and bacteria can easily stick to. This gives you a more likely chance at getting swollen gums, cavities, and bad breath. It is important that you brush at least twice a day and very attentively, paying mind to crannies. Floss at least once and regularly rinse your mouth with water when brushing is not an option. Pains, Aches, & Sores Dealing with the pain and sores that comes from braces is a bit more difficult to prevail over. There are a few ways that you can ease some of the aches you will experience. A simple enough method is to dissolve about a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water and gargle and rinse your mouth with it. This also helps to kill off the bacteria. If the pain will not cease, you can also use pain medications such as ibuprofen as well as numbing teeth gel to ward off the discomfort for some time....

Your Orthodontist here at Griffith & Simister in Las Vegas know that the world of Orthodontic treatment changed in 1997, when the creators of invisible braces, Zia Chishti, Kelsey Wirth, and investor Robertson Stephens introduced this new technology to the world. Patients who dreaded the thought of braces had a new hope, and fears of aesthetically looking like Metal mouth Mary, or Iron tooth Timmy were shattered. What is important to remember is that your Invisalign Braces are taking care of you, and you have to take care of them, so here are a few simple practices that should be incorporated in your daily oral care. It is up to you to make sure your Invisalign Braces are well taken care of, so they can serve their maximum purpose for those precious  Incisors, Canines, Molars and Pre- Molars, also known as, teeth.   The Invisalign Cleaning System and Toothbrush is Your First Line of Protection The Invisalign Cleaning System and toothbrush is your first line of protection, just like before you had your Braces, the toothbrush is your oral body guard and your teeth’s best friend. The aligners, as you know are, removable, so follow these steps in your morning and evening oral care procedures: Remove your aligners from bottom molars first, then top. Brush, floss, and rinse your teeth with mouthwash as normal. While aligners are removed brush and rinse them with lukewarm water. Remember the Invisalign Cleaning system should most definitely be used along with brushing. Additionally while you are eating you aligners can be soaked in denture cleaning solution.     Don’t Forget to Remove your Aligners When Eating and Drinking In the days of yesteryears you had to be select about what you ate if you were a metal mouth, but with Invisalign you can, “still get your eat on”. Just keep these things in mind: Don’t forget to remove you your Aligners, and remember bottom first. Always store your aligners in their case, never wrapped up in a make shift storage contraption. You can drink with them in, but if you are drinking tea, coffee, or other dark liquids always try to use a straw. If possible brush and rinse before re-inserting your Invisaligns   Griffith Simister Orthodontics is a Certified Invisalign Elite Premier Provider. We are recognized as one of the top Invisalign Practices in the Las Vegas, what gives us this badge is the satisfaction, happiness, and well-being of you our patients. But with all our training, and skills, it is still up to you to properly care for your teeth, and your Invisaligns. Depending on your condition and age you, and your Invisaligns, will be mouth mates for the next 12 months...

Both dentists and orthodontists help ensure you have a healthy, beautiful smile, but they play very different roles in making this happen. A general dentist, for example, performs a wide range of dental services, ranging from basic teeth cleaning to more extensive procedures such as dental implants. An orthodontist, on the other hand, is a specialist who only performs services — such as braces — related to straightening teeth. The following characteristics will help you distinguish between general dentists and orthodontists so you know which professional best meets your dental needs.     Required Training for Dentists vs. Orthodonists Both dentists and orthodontists attend dental school. However, an orthodonist completes additional training, called a residency, to earn this specialty designation. They must apply for these residencies, which last between 2 and 4 years and are similar to the residencies doctors complete to earn the title of cardiologist, for example. Orthodontics residencies are typically highly competitive, meaning anyone selected has to demonstrate high academic achievement and skill as a dentist.   Services Performed by Dentists vs. Orthodontists An orthodontist only performs services and procedures intended to straighten a patient’s teeth. This includes traditional metal braces as well as newer forms such as clear braces or braces attached to the back of the teeth. Orthodonists also perform regular checkups on patients fitted with these types of dental devices. The orthodonist may make adjustments to a patient’s braces or retainer, for example. They also make molds of a patient’s mouth in order to create braces, retainers and other dental devices. Dentists provide a more diverse array of services, and are responsible for maintaining a patient’s overall dental and oral health. For example, they perform root canals, fill teeth and fit patients for dentures.   Why It’s Important to Know the Difference Dentists sometimes perform orthodontic services such as braces, but they haven’t undergone the additional training that orthodontists complete. For the best results, visit a professional who specifies that they’re an orthodontist, not just that they perform orthodontic services. An orthodontist has more extensive training than a general dentist, and also likely has several years of experience performing orthodontic procedures. They can evaluate your dental situation and determine which method of teeth straightening will be most effective for your circumstances.   When to Visit an Orthodontist If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, or if your jaw isn’t positioned properly, an orthodontist will know how to correct the situation or prevent it from worsening. They also treat issues such as an overbite or a problem with how the upper and lower jaws are positioned in relation to each other. However, you still need to visit your general dentist regularly for checkups and...

If your child needs braces, he or she will be seeing their orthodontist for a few years, so it’s important to find one you and your child both feel comfortable with. It’s a long-term commitment, after all, requiring significant financial investment as well as time. In addition, the skill of your orthodontist influences how effective the process is. Take time to research your options and find just the right orthodontist for you. This might require making appointments with a few so you can assess their personality and experience, as well as inquire about their recommended treatment plan. The following tips can help you narrow your search.   Interview Several Orthodontists Choosing an orthodontist isn’t something to be taken lightly. Meet with several before deciding on one. This ensures that you find one who has not only skill and experience, but will also be easy for you to work with. Meeting with several will also give you a feel for each one’s working style, the overall atmosphere of the office and the friendliness of the staff. Pay attention to how clean and neat the office is and how the employees treat other patients. Also, notice how busy the office is. Is the waiting room crowded and do you have to wait a long time to see the orthodontist? Or is there a short wait time?   Ask Questions When you meet with each orthodontist, make the most of your time with him or her. Ask for a detailed treatment plan so you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect. For example, some orthodontists might want you to come in for checkups more or less frequently than others. Also, ask how long the bracing process will take and how much it will cost. In addition, be sure to ask about all your options. The orthodontist might present you with one treatment plan, but there might be alternatives. Ask what’s available to you and about the advantages and disadvantages of each.   Pick One Who’s a Good Match Evaluate each orthodontist’s personality and how he or she interacts with staff, with other patients and with you and your child. Also ask about each one’s training and years of experience. You might like one orthodontist’s personality, but find that another is significantly more experienced. Consider all of the aspects and try to find a balance you’re comfortable with.   If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Las Vegas, turn to the friendly, compassionate staff at Griffiths & Simister Orthodontics. We can work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your needs and gives your child a beautiful...

Invisalign Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment which is used to help straighten teeth. Invisalign is a great for people who want to have straight teeth but do not want to have the traditional braces that are very noticeable.   How Invisalign Works Invisalign treatment consists of invisible aligner trays which are placed over your teeth. You will have several trays that you switch out ever two to three weeks. The trays that are designed to gradually shift your teeth into the correct place.   The Risks There are some risks involved when you decide to use Invisalign. Some of the risks include:   Invisalign can have an affect on the vitality of your teeth. It can kill the nerve of your tooth, resulting in the need for a root canal or more restorative work. If you have had previous work done to your teeth, then Invisalign can cause issues with the crowns or fillings. Invisalign can also cause discomfort with your teeth. You can experience scratched gums, cheeks and lips, mouth dryness, and speak with a lisp until used to the trays. It is possible for your teeth to not maintain their straightness. It may be necessary for you to wear a retainer for several years after having Invisalign. The aligner can break Some people can swallow or breathe in broken aligners Higher risk of TMJ Possible allergic reactions   Make an Appointment If you are interested in having Invisalign to straighten your teeth, then we can help. At Griffiths & Simister Orthodontics, a Las Vegas orthodontist, we can help you with straightening your teeth. Call us today to set your appointment to be fitted for...

Obtaining Straight Teeth A common way for people to get straight teeth is by having braces. Braces are a device that are used to straight teeth over time. Your Las Vegas orthodontist will be able to slowly apply pressure to the braces which are moving your teeth into their correct position.   Aftermath Once you have completed treatment with braces, your orthodontist is, most likely, going to give you a retainer to use. A retainer is a devise that is used to keep your teeth in the correct position after you have had your braces removed. At first your orthodontist may have you wear your retainer all the time for a few months, but soon you may be directed to only wear your retainer at night.   Maintaining Your Retainer When you have a retainer, there are certain things that you should do in order to keep your retainer safe and clean. When you have a retainer, you should take it out while you are eating. When your retainer is not in your mouth, you should always put it in the case.   Make sure that you clean your retainer. You should clean it at least once a day with toothpaste to make sure that it stays clean.  And always keep your retainer in the case when it is not in your mouth.   Keeping Straight Teeth When you have a retainer, you should do what you can to make sure that it stays safe and clean. If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, then call us today at...