Genetics Plays a Role in Dental Health

We are all individuals, but so much of who we are is attributed to our genetic history. We have inherited our characteristics: hair color, personality, and even oral health.

The shape and size of teeth, smile width, potential need for braces, and risk for certain dental diseases can be strongly dictated by genetic predisposition. If those inherited traits are thought to pose a health risk or a cosmetic risk, they can be addressed and possibly prevented with the help of your family dentist.

Cavities and gum disease, for example, are both caused by bacteria. These bacteria can be controlled by routine dental care and oral hygiene habits, but studies show that some naturally harbor more of these germs than others. If your parents were challenged by dental diseases that these bacteria are known to cause, there is a good chance that you may also be challenged by them throughout your lifetime.

If your parents were challenged by dental diseases that these bacteria are known to cause, there is a reasonable chance that you may also be challenged by them throughout your lifetime. Just like bacteria, if your parents were affected by crowded teeth then there is a strong possibility that you or your siblings, or even your children, might also be presented with spacing issues or crowding and could expect a recommendation for orthodontic treatment.

Your family dentist or orthodontist can help to predict the dental challenges that you are likely to face by asking questions and considering information about your family's dental history. Find out how genetics might be influencing your oral health by contacting Dr. Hurst with Texas Orthodontics to schedule an appointment today.

6 Surprising Facts About Smiling

1 - You’ve probably heard that it takes more muscles to frown than it takes to smile. You’re actually exhausting 43 facial muscles every time you frown – it only takes 17 muscles to smile! Some studies have shown that smiling can actually lower blood pressure and exercise your diaphragm!

2 - Did you know that grinning comes naturally to humans? We don’t learn this from our surroundings. Some newborn babies even start to show semblances of smiles as early as two hours after delivery!

3 - The average woman smiles approximately 62 times a day. In that same day, a man only smiles a mere eight times. Why the frowns, gentlemen?

4 - When asked to select more attractive counterparts, study participants at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen pointed to those people who were beaming. In another recent lab report, 69 percent of those asked said that women look younger and more attractive when they wear a smile rather than makeup.

5 - Research conducted at the University of Illinois has suggested that people who generally feel happy and smile more often have a longer life expectancy of nearly a decade.

6 - During an experiment conducted in Sweden, participants reported that they found it very difficult to frown when they saw other participants who were smiling. Many began to turn their mouths up without even realizing it.

#TheMoreYouKnow

America the Beautiful

If there were a smiles category in the Olympics, America would be the red, pearly white and blue winners! "Say Cheese!" Or as we like to say, "So-chi!"

Thanks for sharing your talent and gold medal smiles, athletes!

Braces for All

There was a time when phrases like “metal mouth” and “brace face” caused students everywhere to hide behind binders and dread school pictures. Before that, students who wore glasses were teased relentlessly and called the infamous “four eyes”. Today, while glasses with corrective lenses are still used to help those with poor vision, some also use them for mere fashion statements and the days of being taunted for wearing them are gone. It seems that braces are on the same path. Today, with over four million individuals in the United States undergoing some type of orthodontic treatment, braces are standard practice. What was once a luxury has become a normal and widely accepted part of development for any pre-teen or teenager.

When braces were first introduced in the early 1900s, dentists used a variety of materials to align teeth depending on their preference and the patient’s monetary situation. Some of these materials included ivory, wood, and copper. The most popular and preferred material however, was gold. Because of its cost, many people who needed orthodontic work were unable to gain access to it. This is a stark contrast to today’s world where 80 percent of teenagers in the U.S. are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment due to more cost effective methods and the sharp rise that braces have seen in popularity.

Kids aren't the only ones who are straightening out their smiles. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment increased by 24 percent between 1982 and 2008. It's not very common to see adults flashing smiles with metal braces, but retainers and invisible braces including those of the popular brand, Invisalign, offer adults different methods to correct crooked teeth that are far more discreet.

Braces aren't only used to boost self-esteem through straighter teeth. It is important that the jaw and teeth be properly aligned for health reasons too. A bad bight can lead to a number of complications including speech difficulty, premature wearing of teeth and enamel, and can leave people more susceptible to teeth and jaw injuries.

With 33 percent of the world's population undergoing orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives, people everywhere are gaining healthier, more beautiful smiles. If you or your little one are in need of braces, join the club! Thankfully, this isn't the 1900s and access to this kind of treatment is now more affordable, more popular and probably a lot more comfortable. (Wood in braces? What were they thinking!?)

Your Guide to a Whiter, Brighter Smile

The majority of us are going for the straight, white teeth look. In addition to basic oral care - brushing, flossing and using mouthwash - refer to the following tips for a pearly white smile. And when in doubt, consult with your orthodontist and/or dentist about over-the-counter and professional whitening treatments.

To prevent staining, avoid:

• Coffee
• Black tea
• Red wine
• Smoking tobacco
• Sodas
• Gravies
• Dark juice

Rule of thumb (rather, tooth) - anything that will stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. 

If you do eat or drink dark foods, brush immediately afterwards and apply a good bleaching agent - either over-the-counter or from a dentist's office.

Home remedies:

• Use a fluoride toothpaste - whitening toothpaste can whiten teeth slightly by removing surface stains and can also be used after a bleaching treatment to help maintain results.
• Gargle with apple cider vinegar int he morning and then brush as usual. The vinegar helps remove stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums.
• Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week. This will remove stains and whiten your teeth. Use it just as you would with toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative toothpaste. Just be sure to spit it out so it doesn't count as sodium intake.

Tip: If your gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt every other day.

• Whitening strips work by bleaching teeth with peroxide. Some contain an enamel-damaging ingredient. The longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become. But, the higher the percentage of peroxide in the whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth. Keeping the gel on longer will dehydrate the tooth and increase tooth sensitivity.
• There are other teeth-bleaching agents sold in stores - be sure to talk to your dentist before trying them, because not everyone will see good results. Bleaching will not whiten porcelain crowns or composite tooth-colored bondings.

Tip: You can clean teeth naturally with certain foods - carrots, apples, celery, etc.

Whitening in braces:

• Using whitening products with traditional metal bracket braces is not recommended. The brackets adhere to teeth with such a strong bond, the enamel underneath is sealed by the glue and bracket overlay. The whitening agents will react with the exposed parts of the teeth, but the covered surfaces won't receive the same treatment. Instead, they will stay the same color they were before the brackets were applied.
• Use an interdental brush for getting underneath wires, and add toothpaste for an extra deep clean.
• Darker color braces will create a contrast with your teeth, making them look whiter.
• Getting your teeth professionally whitened is a nice reward for successfully completing your orthodontic treatment.

Tip for the ladies, with or without braces: Choose a medium coral or light red lipstick. These colors make your teeth look whiter, whereas lighter-colored lipsticks tend to bring out the yellow in teeth.

Valentine’s Gifts for Your Sweetie in Braces

Valentine’s Day is coming up! Are you prepared? If you have a loved one in braces, consider adding some of these items to a gift basket for the perfect way to say, “I love you!” Besides a smooch, of course.

Wax, wax and more wax – It’s not the most romantic thing in the world, but to someone in braces, it can be a lifesaver.

Orthodontic floss – There are a couple of different types of orthodontic floss, but this floss is perfect for braces. It’s made with a built-in threader to get in-between brackets.

Chocolate – In terms of candy, the BEST candy for someone in braces is chocolate – specifically, a chocolate bar. Chocolate can melt in your mouth, so there’s no need to bite down. Avoid anything with crunchy bits in it, namely nuts.

Waterpik – This is by far the most expensive gift on the list, but if you’re looking for the ultimate in oral hygiene, this is it. The water jet removes bacteria deep between teeth and below the gumline for better oral health – no floss necessary!

Ice cream gift card – When all else fails, it’s nice to have something soft, cold and soothing for a sore mouth. Consider a gift card to his or her favorite ice cream, smoothie or yogurt shop to sweeten Valentine’s Day.

Texas Orthodontics Can Make You Invisa-Fine

Invisalign, which we affordably provide at Texas Orthodontics, is a great alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment, metal braces. During your initial visit, the first thing we do is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Invisalign treatment, which consists of a series of aligners that you switch out approximately every couple of weeks, can help patients with crowded teeth, crossbites, overbites, underbites and more. Invisalign gradually shifts your teeth into place, creating the stunning smile you’ve always wanted. During treatment with Dr. Hurst, patients wear the aligners all day and night, except for during meals and when they’re brushing and flossing; cleaning your teeth and eating is not a problem since you can easily remove your aligners! And because they’re clear, no one will know that your teeth are steadily straightening!

To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, we invite you to give us a call and schedule a consultation.

Super Bowl-of-Chili Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday—it can bring out the best in people. Families come together in matching jerseys, new recipes are tried, and old traditions come to light. Hopefully, this sounds like your own Super bowl celebration last night. As most people know though, the big game can also bring out the worst in people. Friends become enemies, things may be broken, and let’s face it…that New Year’s resolution we all made to make healthy eating decisions? Chances are that went out the window last night, too. It’s okay. You’re not the only one whose hand was caught in the cookie jar…literally.

Assuming your celebration didn’t result in anyone’s teeth being broken after a lost bet or good old sibling rivalry—although, please head to the dentist if for some reason it did—we’re going to focus on what some of those snacks may have done to your braces and how you can take care of it!

Snack culprit #1—Chicken wings. They’re probably America’s favorite Super bowl Sunday snack. What’s not to love? They’re the perfect size for simultaneously snacking and yelling at the television screen, they’re smothered in tangy sauce, and they’re easy to dip in even more sauce, i.e. ranch dressing. These were made to be devoured. If you’re sporting braces, though, they can easily become a problem food. Tugging the meat off the bone is almost the same as eating corn on the cob. If you still couldn't resist this tasty treat, make sure to take extra care of your teeth in the next couple of days. Brush with care and remember to floss, floss some more, and floss again! 

Snack culprit #2—Chips and dip. The two of these together have become a party staple. What is a chip after all? It is a mere vessel for dips that are still not socially acceptable to be eaten alone (although, something that yummy really should be by now). Salsa, guacamole, French onion, queso with chili, bean dip, ranch…the list goes on and on. It’s not the dip that’s harmful—not to our braces anyway. It’s those hard chips. They can cause the wires and brackets in braces to break, causing discomfort and unnecessary orthodontist visits. If you’ve noticed damage after munching on hard snacks, a visit to Texas Orthodontics may be needed to get you patched up.

Though we only mentioned two, there are so many hard-to-resist Super Bowl snacks and it’s alright if you let the excitement of yesterday’s game get the best of you. We’re here to help you get back on track. We want you smiling as big and bright as the Seahawks were last night. You may not have just won the biggest game of the year, but if you continue to take care of those pearly whites, you will win the confidence that only a beautiful smile can bring. That’s something that will last for many Super Bowl parties to come.