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Why Your Visit to the Dentist is Essential

To ensure your teeth and mouth are healthy, you should visit a dentist at least once every six months, just like you have a health check with your general practitioner every year. In most dental checkups, your dentist will do a thorough checkup on your teeth and gums, followed by a dental cleaning.

 

What Happens at a Check-up?

A dental checkup is an important part of maintaining good oral health. During a checkup, the dentist will examine your teeth and gums for any signs of problems. They will also check for any cavities or tooth decay. If you have any concerns, the dentist will discuss them with you and answer any questions you may have. They may also recommend that you schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning.

A teeth cleaning is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from your teeth. It is important to have your teeth cleaned regularly to prevent cavities and oral health problems. X-rays may be taken to detect cavities between your teeth. They will also examine your tongue, throat, face, and neck. This will be to look for signs of redness, swelling, or possible signs of cancer.

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The Invisalign Process

Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so they are much less noticeable when you wear them. Invisalign treatment is custom-designed for each patient, so the aligners are precisely engineered to move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign is an excellent choice for both adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth without wearing conspicuous braces. Learn more about Invisalign from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

  • What is an Invisalign Aligner?
  • Invisalign Treatment 
  • What is SmartForce?
  • What Can Invisalign Fix?

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Getting Braces: Surviving the First Week

The first week with new braces can be tough. You may experience some pain and discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the new hardware. It’s important to take it easy and give yourself time to adjust. We want to make your journey to a beautiful smile easy and painless, so here are a few tips from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics, to get you through the first week with braces:

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

  • How Long do Braces Hurt?
  • Eating with Braces
  • What to Expect When Getting Braces
  • Different Types of Braces

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Why Do I Need a Retainer?

So, you’ve finally gotten your braces off, finished your Invisalign, and you’re done with the orthodontist. Not so fast – after treatment, you’ll be fitted with a retainer to keep that smile perfect for years to come. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

  • What are Retainers?
  • Are there Different Types of Retainers?
  • How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?
  • What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?

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Why Mouthguards Are So Important

Many of our patients are student athletes or have a sport they love. After getting braces, many of these sports-enthusiasts wonder if they’ll have to take a break from their games and practices. We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. Playing sports during orthodontic treatment is 100% possible! The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth, but the soft tissue of your mouth from injury as you play. Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment. Keep reading to uncover the significant role that mouthguards play in protecting your oral health and overall well-being from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

  • Why mouthguards are essential
  • Do Braces put you at higher risk for a sports injury?
  • What type of mouthguard should I buy?

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Can You Get Braces with Missing Teeth

For many children losing teeth is an exciting rite of passage. Another xciting rite of passage is starting orthodontic treatment. And, a question we get from parents bringing in children for s first evaluation is whether or not they can even get started with all of their missing teeth. It’s common to wonder if your child is losing teeth at the right time, or too slowly, or even too quickly. These concerns are normal, and a reason why it’s good to get your child into the orthodontist starting at age seven. Orthodontists Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics can answer all these questions and more and can start any treatment needed early enough to prevent major issues. 

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