Orthodontist Rancho Cucamonga, Dr Robert Stockdale

Robert Stockdale, DDS, MS

Orthodontic Emergency Care

June 27th, 2013

 

Although major orthodontic emergencies are relatively rare, when they do happen

it is important to seek immediate attention. By comparison, a minor orthodontic

issue is something you can usually take care of yourself, or wait until your next

scheduled appointment for care. Here are some guidelines to help you understand

the difference between an orthodontic emergency and a minor issue.

 

ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES

 

Acute, Direct Injury to the Mouth, Jaw, or TeethWhether undergoing orthodontic

care or not, if you injure your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you should see a doctor or

dentist immediately. You may need an X-ray to determine the extent of your injury.

If the injury affects the orthodontic appliances, they will need adjustment or

possibly replacement, depending upon the extent of the injury.

 

Infected Teeth

 

It is possible for teeth to become infected following orthodontic treatment. This may or may not be related to your orthodontic appliances. If you experience pain or swelling around a tooth that gets progressively worse, seek professional care as soon as possible.

 

MINOR ORTHODONTIC ISSUES

 

While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, minor issues are much more common. Here are some examples of minor orthodontic issues that can be remedied on your own and/or fixed at your next office visit:

 

•  Poking wire

•  Loose bracket

• Loose elastic band

•  Loose wire

•  Loose appliance

• Headgear does not fit

•  Lost or broken elastic band

• General soreness

 

Any of the above issues can happen as a result of normal usage, shifting, and wear of your braces. Eating unusually hard or sticky foods can cause or exacerbate these problems. Vigorous brushing of the teeth can also be a factor. None of these issues are emergencies unless they are accompanied by acute or prolonged pain or discomfort.

 

As for on-the-spot remedies, covering a loose bracket or wire with wax can be a quick fix to alleviate discomfort until your next orthodontist visit. Poking or protruding wires can be moved with a cotton swab or tweezers, or clipped down with nail clippers. Be sure to sterilize the tweezers or clippers in alcohol first. Cover any clipped wire ends with a small ball of wax.

 

Some soreness or small abrasions in the mouth are normal, especially with recent orthodontic work. Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution comprised of eight ounces or warm water and one teaspoon of salt.

 

When in doubt, be sure to contact our Rancho Cucamonga, CA office with any questions, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Stockdale at Rancho Cucamonga Orthodontics.

 

Your Five-Step Guide to Preventing Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

June 20th, 2013

 

If you’re wearing braces, then you know they are working hard to straighten your teeth.

However, those hard-working braces are also preventing you from easily cleaning your

teeth. It is essential that you put some extra attention into preventing tooth decay while

wearing your braces. When your braces are finally removed by Dr. Robert Stockdale, you

want a beautiful, white smile, not decayed or stained teeth. Here, we’ve listed the five best

ways to ensure you have the smile you’ve always dreamed of once your braces are gone.

 

USE A SPECIAL TOOTHBRUSH

 

A regular toothbrush just doesn’t cut it when you are wearing braces. You also need to use

aninterdental toothbrush so that you can effectively clean behind the braces. According to

HealthGuidance.org, this type of brush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree that

can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth. We also recommend using a

WaterPik, with its highly pressurized pulsating water, to help get all of those hard-to-reach places.

 

BRUSH AFTER EVERY MEAL

 

Since braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating, it’s important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. The less time food has to sit on your teeth, the less likely it is to cause decay. This may seem like an inconvenience, but trust us, when you get your braces off, you will be very glad you brushed after every meal.

 

DON’T FORGET THE MOUTH RINSE

 

Even after properly brushing and flossing, there are probably some food particles in your braces. A fluoride mouth rinse is the best way to ensure that every bit of food is removed after meals. If you do not have a mouth rinse available, we suggest using water — it’s better than nothing.

 

AVOID SWEETS

 

Prevention is definitely the best medicine when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. If you can nix decay-causing sugary foods from the outset, we promise you’ll spend less time trying to treat problems in the future.

 

GET REGULAR CHECKUPS

 

Visit your dentist regularly while you are wearing braces. Our office recommends a thorough cleaning every three to six months. Let our Rancho Cucamonga, CA office know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces – our entire team at Rancho Cucamonga Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!

 

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

June 13th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your smile is unique, so your orthodontic treatment time should also be unique and customized for your special needs. In the past the average orthodontic treatment took approximately two years, but with today’s new technology and our commitment to providing the best orthodontic care in the least amount of time, we have experienced a reduction in our patients’ treatment time. With the use of lighter forces, customized braces, and clear aligners, our patients experience less discomfort and shorter treatment time while achieving a great smile.

 

Of course, treatment time will vary depending on your specific situation. Very minor tooth movement may only take a few months to correct, while serious malocclusion (poor bite) may need more than two years to correct. Only Dr. Robert Stockdale will be able to accurately estimate the time your treatment will take. But trust us—it’ll all be worth it in the end!

 

Has your child or teen visited Rancho Cucamonga Orthodontics for an orthodontic consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help him or her begin the journey to a gorgeous smile! Please feel free to contact our Rancho Cucamonga, CA orthodontic office, and let us know how we can help you. We look forward to working with you and your family, and giving you the right orthodontic care that makes you smile.

 

Don’t forget your retainer this summer!

June 6th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we start our summer, our team at Rancho Cucamonga Orthodontics want to remind our patients who have completed treatment that it is very important to wear your retainer as prescribed even while away for vacations and summer camps.

 

If you are away from home and only wearing your retainer at night, here is a helpful tip: after removing and brushing your retainer in the morning, place it back in the case and then put it with your PJ’s or on your pillow. That way you have a reminder to put your retainer back in at night.

 

Remember, retainers should be worn every night, not just some nights.

 

We wish you safe travels and adventures this summer!