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Do Braces Cause Canker Sores?

Canker sores are flat white sores that appear in your mouth and can last for a week or more. What causes these small mouth ulcers is unknown. Canker sores aren’t a serious issue, but they aren’t the most comfortable.  However, they are quite easy to prevent, especially once you understand what triggers them.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

  • Do Braces Cause Canker Sores?
  • What Causes Canker Sores?
  • Preventing Canker Sores
  • How to Get Rid of Canker Sores

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Invisalign Myths

When a dentist or orthodontist recommends getting braces or moving forward with orthodontic treatment, many people are scared or apprehensive. Braces are grounds for embarrassment for the self-conscious teen and the up-and-coming professional. Having a mouth full of metal to clean, eat, and live around can be daunting. But, many patients may overlook Invisalign when searching for orthodontic treatment, the nearly invisible alternative to braces. Some people may write this treatment option off due to price or success rate – but luckily both are just Invisalign myths! 

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Am I Too Old for Braces?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four patients is an adult. With so many options available in modern orthodontics, there’s no reason to put off a beautiful smile. There are many treatment options available to reduce treatment time. 

With all the effort put towards eating right, staying fit, and otherwise taking care of themselves, there is no reason why adults should not have beautiful teeth! There are many benefits to getting braces at any age. Everyone wants a straight and gorgeous smile and the positives do not stop with appearance. When teeth are crowded or badly positioned, it can lead to serious problems in the future. A poor bite can affect the function of the teeth and can even lead to tooth loss and gum disease. 

Don’t wait any longer for the smile you deserve! There is no better time than the present to schedule a complimentary exam. 

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Why You Should Catch Some Rays During Orthodontic Treatment

Getting outside in the sun is important for our health and wellbeing for many reasons! However, did you know it can actually help the health of your teeth as well? A little sunshine has been found to improve mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies. Keep reading for some advice on how sunshine can help your teeth from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

While in braces, healthy teeth and gums are of vital importance. Vitamin D actually helps to support oral health in two ways:

  • It helps our bodies to absorb and utilize calcium

Vitamin D has several major functions. One of its major functions is moderating other vitamins and minerals – including calcium. Calcium is crucial because it fortifies our teeth and supports jaw and bone strength. Several studies have shown greater cavity risk for people who live in regions with little sunlight – sometimes as much as double the risk.

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Why Runners Need to Pay Special Attention to Their Oral Health

Exercise is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle. Running is a great way to improve cardiovascular endurance, and is a cost effective form of exercise as it can be done outside almost anywhere. However, you probably don’t think about how running can affect your oral health, as the two may seem unrelated. In fact, running can actually have a big impact on your oral health. Keep reading for some advice about the correlation between running and oral health from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

While the rest of your body may be in great shape, with each extra training hour, your risk of tooth decay actually increases. Additionally, there are two very specific oral health problems that athletes are at risk for: dry mouth effects and sports-related nutrition effects.

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Keeping Your Mouth Safe During Sports

Braces don’t hold you back from doing the sports or physical activities you love! Fortunately, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, braces are an investment in getting your best smile, so you have to take a little extra special care of your teeth while in treatment. To be sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your mouth during athletic activities, be sure to read on for some advice from Dr. Laurie McNamara McClatchey and Dr. James A. McNamara at McNamara Orthodontics.

 

Play Safe, Play All Season

In general, it is not uncommon for an athlete to experience injuries to the mouth and jaw area. Anyone ever taken a soccer ball to the face? A fixed orthodontic appliance, such as braces, does increase your risk of oral injuries. Common oral injuries include: lacerations to the cheeks, lips, and tongue, chipped or broken teeth, TMJ, and root fractures. Have no fear, you can easily protect your teeth, mouth, and braces while playing sports by investing in a mouthguard. While it is suggested that braces patients invest in an orthodontic model, a basic mouthguard will provide more protection than nothing at all.

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