If you are a patient of Oakhurst orthodontist, Dr. Raymond Kim, you can be assured that he wants to create a beautiful smile for you, just as much as you desire to have one. However, did you know that you are a very important part of the orthodontic process? By practicing good oral hygiene while you have your braces on you can be assured that the end result will be a beautiful smile without any “decalcification” spotting on your teeth. Decalcification is caused by the excessive build up of plaque on the tooth enamel. Individuals with braces can develop decalcification around the brackets if they do not properly brush and floss at least twice a day, especially after meals. This will prevent the buildup of plaque, and therefore tooth decalcification. In addition, visiting your general dentist on a regular basis for cleanings is equally as important.

It is also imperative that you schedule and maintain the appointments that Dr. Kim sets for you after each appointment. Unfortunately, every appointment that is missed is putting off the removal of your braces in a timely manner. We love to see the smile on your face when we tell you are getting your braces off. The sooner we can tell you that, the better, right?

Finally, keeping and ideally preventing broken brackets and loose molar bands can also reduce the amount of time your braces are on your teeth. How can you do that? It is important not to eat sticky or hard candy or foods; such as hard pretzels, raw carrots, and of course gum. Other foods to avoid are corn-on-the-cob, meaty bones, and whole apples; they can be eaten by removing the food off the cob or bone, or by slicing the apple into smaller pieces.

Together, you and Dr. Kim can create a fabulous smile!!