Adult Treatment, Braces, Orthodontics, Uncategorized

How To Use Dental Wax

How to Use Dental Wax If you’ve just recently started wearing braces, our orthodontic team at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics understands that there is a lot to learn and a lot to get used to; the best part is that you do not need to keep suffering through the pain. Dental wax for braces provides […]

How to Use Dental Wax

If you’ve just recently started wearing braces, our orthodontic team at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics understands that there is a lot to learn and a lot to get used to; the best part is that you do not need to keep suffering through the pain. Dental wax for braces provides instant relief to your painful braces problems. Here’s what you should know about it.

What is Dental Wax? 

Dental wax is pretty much what it sounds like! It’s a braces wax used to cover a portion of your brackets or wires that might create painful areas in your mouth. After getting or adjusting your braces, your lips and cheeks may become sensitive to these new, foreign objects in your mouth. Until they “toughen up,” the friction between your braces and the inside parts of your mouth may cause irritation and even pain. Dental wax will help protect the inside of your mouth in areas that may become irritated. It is made of natural wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline, or paraffin wax, making it completely natural and safe. Mostly, the wax is unflavored, but there are added flavors such as mint, cherry, and bubblegum which you can purchase in small packets that you can keep in your pocket or backpack close at hand. 

When to Use Dental Wax:

  • If a section of your brace starts to rub the inside of your mouth, cheeks, or lips, apply some dental wax before it becomes painful.
  • If a bracket or wire comes loose, you can use a piece of dental wax to secure it in place until it can be fixed.
  • Our invisalign patients at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics don’t usually have any issues with their aligners. Occasionally, though, the edge of an aligner can feel slightly rough. If this happens, you can apply a small piece of dental wax along the edge of the aligner. 
  • Orthodontic wax can even save the day after your braces come off. If your fixed retainer breaks, you can use dental wax to cover any sharp areas temporarily.

How to Apply Dental Wax:

  1. Wash your hands and brush your teeth.
  2. Pinch off a small piece of wax roughly the size of a pea.
  3. Soften it between your fingers and roll it into a ball.
  4. Dry off your braces with something like a tissue. The drier the area, the longer the wax will stick.
  5. Gently push it over the bothersome area of your braces.
  6. Ta-dah! Instant relief.

How to Remove Dental Wax: 

Orthodontic wax will come off over time, but you can also remove it with your fingers, a toothbrush, or with a toothpick. If it gets stuck or is particularly difficult to dislodge from your braces, try using floss to remove it.

Quick Tips:

  • Reapply the wax regularly. Keep some wax on you when you are out and about. 
  • Don’t use the same wax for more than two days. It can trap plaque against your teeth and bacteria within the wax. 
  • Remove any wax before eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth.
  • Don’t use too much ortho wax at once because it can impede chewing, disrupt speech, or come off more easily. 
  • You can leave the wax on overnight. It’s not a problem if you accidentally swallow some.
  • Don’t reuse dental wax that you have already used in your mouth. This may result in bacteria buildup. 

Contact your orthodontist if the pain persists. 

Dental wax is meant to help with minor irritation. If your irritation or pain gets worse, or if it persists beyond a few days, you should give your orthodontist a call. Remember that dental wax is not meant to relieve pain but to prevent it. If you ever feel like you have an orthodontic emergency or have questions about your oral care, call your orthodontist right away.

Where to Get Dental Wax:

You can get dental wax at any pharmacy, online, or through your orthodontic team; it usually costs $2.00 to $5.00.

Want to Learn More About Dental Wax, Braces, or Invisalign? 

Contact us at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics! You can give us a call at 703.753.4996 or request a complimentary consultation online to learn how we can help you achieve your ideal smile!

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Braces, Featured, Uncategorized

Everything You Need To Know About Braces Elastics

What are elastics for braces used for? Will I need elastics on my braces? How long should I wear elastics for braces? How often should I change my elastics?

What are elastics for braces used for? Will I need elastics on my braces? How long should I wear elastics for braces? How often should I change my elastics?

These are just some of the many questions we often get from our perspective or current braces patients. If you’re an existing patient or are about to embark on your braces journey, you may be wondering some of these same questions! Check out some of the most common questions our doctors get and our answers below! 

What are Orthodontic Elastics?

Orthodontic elastics, also commonly known as “rubber bands”, are just that; small rubber bands that orthodontists use to help your braces move your teeth and bite into the ideal placement.

Orthodontic elastics are typically made from a strong and stretchy medical-grade latex material of varying sizes and elasticity for particular needs. 

Why do Orthodontists use Elastics?

The reason is simple. To help correct teeth alignment, your braces work by placing pressure slowly and gently on your teeth and jaw to move them gradually into place.

The point of elastics is to help provide an additional connective force to shift your teeth in specific directions.

If you look at braces closely, you will notice hooks on the brackets where these elastics are attached to move the teeth into a specific alignment. 

Your orthodontist will create a pattern for you to follow depending on the movement they are trying to achieve! 

How Frequently Should I Change My Elastics?

This varies across from one case to the next – but if you are asked to wear them “full time” you will need to replace them 3-4 times in a 24-hour period.

Why? Because elastic bands lose their elasticity over time as they get stretched out and can no longer apply the appropriate force to shift your teeth. 

If you don’t change your elastics and continue using the loose bands, while it may feel more comfortable, it could hinder the progress of your treatment.

Do you Sleep with Elastics for Braces?

Yes! Elastics should be worn all day, every day during the prescribed correction period, with the only exceptions being:

  • Brushing of teeth
  • Eating 
  • Replacing them with new bands

The reason is simple, the longer you keep the elastics on, the more time they have to ensure sufficient pressure on your teeth to move them into the desired alignment. This will help ensure your malocclusion (overbite, underbite, open bite, etc.) is corrected.

The less you wear them, the less effect there is, and the longer the treatment might take.

Can you wear Elastics with Invisalign?

At Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, our doctors are experts in clear aligners and are able to correct any bite with either braces or Invisalign. For certain bites, this necessitates using elastics while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners.

Want to Learn More?

Are you wondering if you will need elastics for your braces or Invisalign treatment or have any other questions about elastics for braces?

Schedule your complimentary consultation online with us at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics and we will help advise what would be the safest and most effective solution for you.

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Uncategorized

STRANGE SMILES: 6 ANIMALS BEYOND ORTHODONTIC HELP!

As human beings, we have advantages that no other living creatures do – besides the pleasures of pizza, music, and games – we have access to great orthodontic care. That means we may always benefit from a strong, healthy bite and smile. Even our domestic companions like dogs and cats have minimal orthodontic resources. Their treatments […]

As human beings, we have advantages that no other living creatures do – besides the pleasures of pizza, music, and games – we have access to great orthodontic care. That means we may always benefit from a strong, healthy bite and smile. Even our domestic companions like dogs and cats have minimal orthodontic resources. Their treatments are usually limited to addressing trauma.

But some animals, through the inequities of evolution, have really gotten the weirder end of the stick when it comes to malocclusion.

Babirusas

A wild member of the pig family, babirusas are infamous for their intimidating-looking upper canines found in males. Both sets of canines are formidable, but the uppers grow backwards towards the animal’s skull in a graceful curve, and are primarily used when scuffling with other males.

Dragonfish

Do teeth that grow in unsuspecting parts of the body count as misalignment? If so, orthodontists would be hard-pressed to fix the smile of a Dragonfish, a fish that grows teeth on its tongue, in addition to a conventional set. The teeth aid in catching prey, and dragonfish probably don’t feel self conscious; they live in deep water and are almost completely blind.

Sheepshead

A lot of fish tend to have unusual teeth, when they have them. Besides the Dragonfish, there’s the Sheepshead, who has a second row of teeth growing on the roof of its mouth. Because this North America fish commonly eats shellfish, it extra row of teeth are used to crush the hard shells.

Alligators and Crocodiles

These aquatic reptiles are wildly successful species – after all they’ve been around since the dinosaurs. Could one of the keys to their success be great teeth? Possibly. Neither species waits around for dental care, though – like sharks, alligators and crocodiles replace their teeth with new, sharp ones throughout their lifetime. They are estimated to go through over 3,000 teeth in the course of their lives!

Dolphins

Dolphin teeth look pretty ordinary for a marine predator of their caliber, but they have a secret. Dolphin teeth actually have rings – just like trees do – that show the age of the dolphin. If you cut a dolphin tooth in half, you can count the rings and know about how old that dolphin is.

Musk Deer

This unassuming little deer grows two huge fangs! Also know as the “vampire deer,” the male musk deer uses its fangs against other males, in tussles for the hand of the beautiful female musk deer, who is not endowed with a set of fangs. Despite their somewhat bloodthirsty appearance, these tiny deer herbivores are quite shy.

Unlike your friends in the animal kingdom, we humans have the option of orthodontic care! Contact Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics to get started.

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Uncategorized

PREPARING FOR BRACES

We’re both feeling anxious about my child’s “braces day” Braces are a big investment for parents – but they’re also a huge commitment for you child. All of the different types of braces require ongoing maintenance an can mean that, for the time being, certain foods will need to be avoided. Before any style of […]

We’re both feeling anxious about my child’s “braces day”

Braces are a big investment for parents – but they’re also a huge commitment for you child.

All of the different types of braces require ongoing maintenance an can mean that, for the time being, certain foods will need to be avoided. Before any style of braces are applied it’s essential you talk to your child and explain the full process. Make sure they understand that looking after their braces properly can mean a speedier treatment time, less discomfort, and a fantastic smile when it’s over!

Here are some important steps to set up for the big day:

  • Fix any simple tooth or gum issues at your dentist before your orthodontist applies braces. e.g. fixing cavities, checking for gum problems, or conducting a professional cleaning
  • Braces for children are usually covered by private health insurance as long as your policy includes standard orthodontic work
  • Make sure you address any questions or concerns you may have about how you or child should care for their braces once you get home

Your orthodontist and technician will provide you with lots of information​ to take home but don’t be afraid to ask any questions if you are unsure.

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Uncategorized

WHAT YOUR BRACES RUBBER BAND COLOR SAYS ABOUT YOU

However you may feel about having to wear braces, choosing the color of your rubber bands is sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you want to express your creativity, coordinate your braces with your outfits, or show some serious school spirit, decorating your mouth with colorful bands takes some of the stress […]

Colored BandsHowever you may feel about having to wear braces, choosing the color of your rubber bands is sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you want to express your creativity, coordinate your braces with your outfits, or show some serious school spirit, decorating your mouth with colorful bands takes some of the stress and self-consciousness out of wearing braces. So what do your rubber band colors say about you? Look no further than our rubber band horoscope.

Red. You’re intense and forward thinking, and that you won’t back down no matter how big the challenge. Red is also the color of the heart, so red rubber bands indicate that you’re a caring, loving person.

Blue. Blue means you’re chill – as cool as a cucumber. You’re one cool customer, as the saying goes. You’re relaxed and calm, even when your mom says you can’t chew any gum or eat popcorn because of your braces.

Green. Look at a traffic light and green means go, right? So you’re the type of person who’s always on the move. Go, go, go! It also means you’re generous and kind. Green is the color of nature and spring, so it says you love Mother Earth. Perhaps you even recycle. Green is the color of good luck.

Orange. You’re daring and wild, flamboyant and fun. Orange may indicate you’re an artist or a drama student. It says you have a big personality and that you don’t care what other people think about you. However, orange is also the color of balance and energy. And being flamboyant and fun takes a lot of energy!

Purple. You’re the creative type, for sure. You beat to a different drummer and think outside the box. It says you’re mysterious. Purple is the color of royalty, and when you wear your purple rubber bands you are royally cool.

Color Combinations

What if you can’t choose just one color? Well, you can decorate your teeth with alternating colors. You can choose the colors of your favorite sports team or holiday colors like red and green. If you’re still stumped as to what colors to choose, ask Dr. Dunegan or a member of our team. We can let you in on all the trends our other patents are sporting at our Gainesville, VA office!

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