Smile As You Walk Down The Aisle

With the holiday season in full effect many couples are taking the next step towards marriage, and giving a new meaning to the term merry and bright. There are several things that go into planning a wedding from the venue, to the dress, to the photos and bridal party. As some see weddings as an end to an era, weddings are really a celebration of new opportunities and new beginnings. A lot of people start new goals when they become engaged, starting a new workout regimen, changing hairstyles, or getting the brightest whitest and straightest smile they’ve always wanted. If you want to have your best smile on your big day in 2016, don’t panic about a metal smile or longevity because we have a program that can help you achieve just that.

Invisalign, approved by the FDA in 1998, has been a wonderful non-invasive alternative to classic braces for almost 20 years.  Not only has it changed smiles, but Invisalign has changed the look of classic braces using state-of-the art technology; no cement or metal used. Rhode Island Orthodontic Group utilizes the Invisalign system providing a series of BPA-free plastic trays that realign your teeth. Patients wear these trays for 20-22 hours a day, and two weeks at a time.  They’re easy to remove making it easy for brushing, eating, drinking, and oral care.  As the trays are clear, they appear to be invisible which makes it even better for those who may be self-conscious about getting braces in adulthood.

Patients can start to see results fast with Invisalign, usually within a couple of months after beginning a personalized treatment; and in most cases treatment is completed within 1 year.  This is a great treatment for those of you who are ready to say “I Do” in 2016.  Invisalign can produce results in weeks, and still give you a clear smile while taking engagement pictures and celebrating before you walk down the aisle.   

If you are ready to get your best smile in 2016 for your big day, give us a call and we can set up your first visit to get started.

Reasons To See An Orthodontist

Our orthodontic office is not your regular dental facility as we specialize in treatments that you cannot have done at your regular dentist. We help patients with teeth that are misaligned, have eating difficulties, and also treat patients for cosmetic reasons. Almost all age groups need to visit an orthodontist for one reason or another.

Below we at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group have listed the most common reasons each age group might have to visit an orthodontist.

Children

A lot of pediatricians refer children to orthodontists for a variety of reasons. The first and foremost reason is crooked teeth, leading to 'bad bites' or difficulty in chewing. However the age by which referred to an orthodontist is considered is usually after 7 years as the jaw is still developing and teeth are setting in accordingly.

Another reason is crooked or overlapping teeth, which can cause the child to be bullied in school, and thus lead to a lot of distress. This is when we start to consider what interventions should be taken and at what age.

Adults

Adults up to the age of 60 and sometimes even up to 70 years are treated by orthodontists. Here the presenting complaint may either be chronic misaligned teeth since childhood, or smaller issues like recurring mouth ulcers or gum diseases among others.

The most popular reason for most adults is cosmetic as many people wish for their teeth to be straightened, and the growing gaps to be lessened. Other reasons adults seek orthodontists is due to over-biting due to crowded teeth resulting in oral injuries, gingivitis and miscellaneous issues presented at times of adulthood.

Do you want to know more about getting started at the orthodontist? Make sure you visit us at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group as we have good reviews about our treatments and friendly staff.

Tips For Your Teeth On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family to show our appreciation of all things we are thankful for. It's a day we focus on the importance of those we care about most, and let's admit it, we're there for the food too!  With only a few days left before we feast, Rhode Island Orthodontic Group wants to give you some teeth tips for Thanksgiving!

Tip #1

Avoid teeth staining foods - Did you know that cranberries and certain types of pies can stain your teeth? Try to limit yourself when eating foods with strong coloring to them.  These same colors will eventually end up on your teeth, so brushing after your meal is important to help avoid unwanted stains on your teeth. 

Tip #2

Drink plenty of water - Nibbling on food all day is a given when you celebrate Thanksgiving. This year, make sure you drink plenty of water between meals to help flush out bacteria that can come when constantly snacking.  Water can help flush out food particles that would otherwise lay stagnant on your teeth. 

Tip #3 

Just say NO to soda - With all the desserts and side dishes you will have to choose from, adding more sugar to the mix with soda is not a good idea.  Soda has sugars that are unkind to your teeth, and for those with braces those sugars can cause decay around your brackets.  We suggest drinking water and milk instead to spare your teeth stains and decay.

Try to keep these steps in mind before you feast this Turkey Day, and you can give thanks for more years of healthy teeth.  

#NOHM True or False brought to you by the AAO

October Is About Orthodontics

Is it just one of the greatest coincidence that the month children are ecstatic about celebrating Halloween, is the same month over 17,000 orthodontist spread awareness about orthodontic health?

Being that sugary sweet treats are prevalent during Halloween, it gives our orthodontist here at Rhode Island Orthodontist Group a great opportunity to share tips on how to protect your teeth by maintaining great oral health.

Keeping your teeth clean with braces is a lot harder with braces. The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and in braces, and over time, turn into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems while you are in orthodontic treatment, take special care of your braces, teeth and gums to ensure you will have the best possible result.

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth,
between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.

Especially during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces:

• In the morning after breakfast
• After lunch or right after school
• After supper
• At bedtime

If you have any questions about tips for maintaining great oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment, feel free to ask during your next visit! For more information contact a office nearest you click here. 

Look Mom, No Metal

August Is National Picnic Month

August is National Picnic Month, so it’s time to pack up some food, grab those blankets and a meal outside in the fresh air.

As summer comes to an end we must take time to enjoy the warm weather and sunny skies with our family and friends. You don’t have to go far, with this it’s cheaper and more enjoyable alternative to dining out. We have 5 things to consider when planning the best end of summer picnic.

Location: The basis of any great picnic starts off with the location. The best thing about a picnic is that they can take place anywhere, just has to be an outdoor setting. A beach, lake, local park or any other outdoor setting. The location sets the tone for your picnic, so be sure to pick the right site for a great time.

Guest: Invite family and friends out for a day of fun. Picnics parties can be as small or large as you please.

When: Pick a date that your local weather person says will be the right temperature for you. Some summer days can be really hot, so make sure the date you pick is good for you and your guest. But remember, "you can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather."

Seating: Being that you are outdoors you must make the setting comfortable for you and your guest. Depending on your location this could be a blanket, quilt or a beach towel. Table cloths are also an option; some locations may have picnic tables available. You want to have fun in nature, but since there is going to be food involved you don’t want dirt, sand or grass added to your meals.

Food: Depending on your guest you can either go with nice dishes for adults or finger foods for children. But, you can never go wrong with picnic favorites. Favorites include sandwiches, potato salad and fruit salads. You could even bring a portable grill and turn things up on the grill.

The summer season isn’t over just yet so you still have time to plan the perfect summer picnic.