To determine whether or not teeth are actually missing, x-rays must be taken and carefully evaluated by an orthodontist. At times, a tooth may not actually be missing, but hidden underneath the gums and in poor position, preventing normal eruption and requiring orthodontic treatment to bring the tooth into alignment.

When permanent teeth are missing, an orthodontic consultation will determine if the space caused by the missing teeth can be closed or remain open, requiring a replacement to fill the space and maintain the bite. Without orthodontic treatment, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will move randomly and tip into the open space, causing poor tooth alignment, bite problems and bone loss as we age.

If the problem is diagnosed at an early age, a simple appliance (space maintainer) is placed to hold the space and makes orthodontic treatment easier, when all the permanent teeth erupt. In some instances, if a space maintaining appliance is inserted and all the other teeth erupt normally into the mouth, orthodontic treatment can be avoided after wearing a very simple appliance. A general dentist can then replace the permanent tooth, if it is missing, when the child is old enough, with an implant and crown or another type of permanent replacement.

If you take good care of your teeth on a regular basis with proper brushing and flossing, the cost of maintaining your teeth is minimal. (watch video below) However, if your oral hygiene is lax, the cost of dental care rises, depending upon what it needed to correct the situation, be it a routine filling, root canal, or implant and bridge to replace a lost tooth.

Dental care expenses can mount up quickly in a family, especially with a member of the family in orthodontic treatment. The best assurance for good dental health has always been and still is regular brushing and flossing. Flossing is something that many of us do not do nearly as often as we should and some probably do not do it at all. If it is difficult to get adults to floss regularly, the battle parents have getting their kids to do it, especially if they have to weave the dental between teeth and wires while wearing braces, is even harder.

Some consider using a WaterPix, whether in orthodontic treatment or not, a substitute for flossing to flush out food between teeth. The WaterPik is sometimes considered simpler and faster to use than dental floss, but the question is does it work as well to keep teeth clean rather than regular flossing?

While using a water pick can seem much easier to maneuver in the mouth than dental floss, it actually doesn’t do the job as well. The water can’t penetrate as well between teeth that tightly fit together or are crowded, which prevents proper removal of food and plaque which causes gum disease and decay.

So, the answer to the question… Is a Waterpik as effective in removing food and particles from between teeth and around the gum line as good as dental flossing? The answer is no.

However, it is a great way to remove large pieces of food from between the teeth, especially while wearing braces. At McBeth Orthodontics, we want to stress the importance of both brushing and flossing during treatment to maintain good dental health. If you want to use a Waterpik, that’s great, just don’t use it as a substitute for flossing.

Watch this video below on what can happen if you don’t brush and floss your teeth properly and learn how to properly floss between teeth while wearing braces.

After watching this video, how important do you think it is to take care of your teeth properly during orthodontic treatment? Please comment below.

According to the American Dental Association, most kids stop sucking their thumbs on their own by the ages of 2 – 4 with little if any damage as a result. The habit no longer serves its purpose, so they stop. However, children who vigorously suck their thumbs and continue to do so beyond age four risk causing damage that will require orthodontic treatment to correct. The thumb or fingers can exert unwanted pressures upon teeth, bone, and soft tissues in the mouth causing problems with positioning of teeth and growth of the jaws.

The most obvious consequences of a persistent thumb or finger habit are:

• Pushing the upper front teeth (incisors) out and the lower incisors in… resulting in the “Bucky Beaver” smile.
• Preventing the front teeth from erupting all the way together causing an openbite.
• Stopping the lower jaw from developing normally, resulting in a recessive or “weak” chin.
• Narrowing of the soft tissue in the palate of the mouth, resulting in a crossbite.

If a child doesn’t eventually stop sucking their thumbs on their own, an orthodontist can install appliances that take away the pleasing sensation children get when sucking their thumbs. However, before I recommend placement of an orthodontic appliance, I always encourage a child to stop the habit on their own.

Here are five tips that McBeth Orthodontics offers parents to proactively encourage their child to stop a damaging finger habit after the age of 5. Remember, in many cases, it is just as difficult for a child to stop sucking their thumb or finger as it is for an adult to stop smoking cigarettes. Be supportive and understanding.

• 1. Explain to your child the damage their habit is causing to their mouth and teeth. Kids today are smarter than you think. They like being treated like an adult. Pictures of buck teeth and openbites go a long way helping drive home the point.
• 2. Develop a program with your child’s input to stop the habit. Let them be proactive in determining the best way to correct their own problem. They are more likely to cooperate if they have a choice in the process. Suggest aids like, wearing a sock to bed at night when they fall asleep as a reminder or sitting on their hands while driving in a car or watching TV. With some children, there is a blanket or stuffed animal that goes hand in hand with the habit. It is difficult to stop one, without removing the other. I know it sounds like a double whammy… but it is often what is needed to be successful.
• 3. Set up a calendar to track progress with a reward system at the end of every week offering small rewards. There is nothing wrong with bribing your child to stop a habit that is adverse to their dental health. With older children, offer a large reward after the habit has stopped for at least 4-6 weeks. Make the reward well worth the hard work and emotional stress it takes to stop a persistent habit.
• 4. If you notice your child relapsing, work on alleviating what is causing the stress and anxiety which causes the reaction, rather than the habit itself.
• 5. Children always respond more favorably to positive praise vs negative criticism. Instead of reminding them to stop the habit, praise them when they are proactively decreasing or eliminating the habit.

Even though the habit stopped at an early age, orthodontic treatment still may be indicated due damage prior to stopping the habit.  As a parent, it is now your turn to be proactive when it comes to your child’s long term dental health. Have your child checked by an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if early orthodontic treatment is indicated to correct a skeletal growth problem caused by a thumb or finger habit by age seven.

Young children seem to be fascinated with them also.  They may not chew on them like a pet, but they tend to pick them up out of curiosity, distort them, and drop them wherever they roam, making them hard to find. 

At McBeth Orthodontics we can’t stress enough the importance of taking care of your retainers.  Here are some tips on how to keep your appliances out of harms way.  We have heard all the horror stories and very little surprises us anymore.  The safest place for retainers is usually in the mouth.

1. Always place the retainer in the retainer case when not in your mouth. If it is in your case, it is more protected.  If placed in a pocket it can fall out and disappear or end up in the wash and be destroyed.  If it is out of your case in your backpack, gym bag, or on a locker shelf, you are asking for trouble. If you leave it lying around in the open on furniture, it is an accident waiting to happen in more ways than one.
2. Do not wrap the retainer in a napkin while eating at home, school, or a friend’s house. There is a good chance it will end up in the garbage by mistake.  It’s a nasty job sifting through garbage for a retainer, especially at school or in a restaurant! YUK…
3. Do not clean the retainer with hot water or boil your retainer to sterilize.  It will distort the plastic so it won’t fit and then you must replace it!
4. Take them out when swimming. More than one retainer has ended up lost in the ocean surf, bottom of a lake, or public pool.
5. Take them out when vomiting.  Once you flush, they are gone!
6. And the one rule that seems to be most popular…KEEP RETAINERS… AWAY FROM PETS AND SMALL CHILDREN!

If you go without wearing your retainer for any prolong length of time, especially right after the braces are removed, your teeth will begin to move.   One set of retainers is included with treatment.  If you break or lose them due to your own loss or neglect, there is normally a replacement fee, so please be careful. 

If you have lost or damaged your retainer or retainers, contact our office to schedule an appointment to replace them.  Maintaining your smile depends on it!

The Kings Firecrackers are an amazing performance jump rope team from the Kings Local School District in Ohio and was rated the #1 halftime touring team in 2009. The team is made up of talented 4th-8th graders and their foot work, skill and cardio-conditioning will take your breath away! They perform at venues across the country under the coaching of Lynn Kelley.You will not be surprised to learn that they have graced performances such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a Presidential Inauguration and an appearance on The David Letterman Show.

We are constantly amazed everyday with the kids in our practice here in Rogers and Bentonville AR and all over the country. The Kings Firecrackers are a great example of what can happen with dedicated hard work, a fun environment, and inspirational coaching. Go KINGS!

Let us know what you think about this amazing young team and their accomplishments. Leave a comment below. Would love to hear from you!

• How can you tell if you have bad breath?
• What is the cause of bad breath
• Is there any way to prevent it?

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a term used to describe the noticeable bad odors exhaled when breathing. It is difficult to notice yourself, and embarrassing if you experience other people’s reactions. They may back away slightly when you start to speak or change expressions when the two of you are standing and talking face to face. If you are lucky, a friend or family member will let you know if you have bad breath before you are offensive to others.   

Bad smell can come from bacteria in the mouth or poor health. It has a significant personal and social impact if you are offending others. In fact, people who have a fear of halitosis, called halitophobia, often contact their dentist to find ways to combat halitosis.

There are many causes of bad breath

• Eating foods with strong odors such as garlic or onions are the biggest offenders
• Poor oral hygiene if you don’t brush and floss regularly. Food particles that remain in between the teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue can cause bacterial growth
• Health problems like gum disease, yeast infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, diabetes, postnasal drip, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.

Tips to prevent bad breath

• Brush after every meal to remove plaque and food debris from the mouth.
• Replace your toothbrush every two to three months, or sooner, if you see the bristles wear out. This often happens with patients wearing braces.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. Eating a variety of fruits can cleanse your tongue as you chew and help prevent the accumulation of odor-causing bacteria before you start your day
• Stop smoking or chewing tobacco-based products. This includes cigars of course. The only remedy for this is to “kick the habit.”
• Dehydration – drinking lots of water washes away loose bacteria on your teeth, gums, and tongue… just like a shower or bath.

Many products today help to effectively treat bad mouth. Mouthwash, gum, or breath mints are helpful but only mask a problem caused by bacteria, dental disease, or a medical problem.

If you discover you have bad breath, research your daily habits to determine what may be causing the problem and adjust your routine accordingly.  You may just need to improve your oral hygiene or pick and choose when you eat foods you love that offend others.

Here is the latest scoop on new tongue brush put out by Oral B if you want to go the extra mile.

Watch this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSYdUt6xg0c  

Whatever the cause, take positive steps to combat bad breath! Keeping friends may depend on it.

There are generally three different types of bristles; hard, medium, and soft. We always recommend our patients, especially children and seniors, use a soft bristled toothbrush. This is true for a hand held as well as an electric toothbrush. Why? Because using a hard and medium bristled brush can cause problems with your teeth and gums. If the bristles are too hard, they can wear away the enamel on your teeth and irritate the gums so they become red and sore. Over time, the wrong bristle can even cause your gums to recede.

Using the correct bristle will also help slow down gum recession due to the aging process that occurs slowly throughout life, even when correctly using a soft bristled toothbrush. Taking preventative measures now to protect your teeth and gums, will pay off over a lifetime.

Soft bristles are much gentler when brushing your teeth and are especially recommended for children, seniors, and patients wearing braces. Children tend to brush back and forth over their gums and teeth with incorrect brushing technique that can cause problems. Seniors are already experiencing gum loss due to aging and hard bristles can speed up the process. Patients wearing braces can bend wires or damage the attachments holding a wire in the orthodontic brackets. This can effect treatment results and may require and additional trip to the orthodontist to correct the problem.

Soft bristles, and even extra-soft bristles are every bit as effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth; in fact, the next time you go to buy a toothbrush, try a soft bristled brush. We bet you won’t be able to notice a difference! You are always better off safe than sorry… so buy a soft bristled toothbrush for yourself and everyone in your family from now on if you don’t already.

Watch this video on YouTube about the importance of wearing mouth guards and protective gear when playing contact sports. You can also download a free Emmitt Smith Family Poster at http://www.braces.org/sportsafety/sports_safety_tips.html

The McBeth Orthodontic Team asks all our patients to be proactive and protect yourselves when playing any contact sport, organized or just with friends, by wearing a mouth guard.  It only takes a split second to damage your beautiful smile! Too often, a patient comes into our office with a preventable sports injury.  Extensive dental care is then required to repair the injury and many patients will experience needless discomfort, aggravation, loss of time, and incur an unnecessary financial investment throughout their lives to maintain the dental work required to repair the injury.  So please “Play It Safe” and wear a mouth guard.

If you have any questions about what type of mouth guard will work best for you or your child… please contact our office to discuss options.

How do you feel about the importance of wearing mouth guards?  Do you make it mandatory for your children?  Please comment below.  We would love to hear from you.