Author Archives: Roy Orthodontics

Change And Me

Seed To Flower To Tree

We all want to change something about ourselves — jobs, weight, home… It’s human nature to want to be better than you were, to want to grow. Nearly all worthwhile changes are far easier said than done, however. Putting on a new tie won’t get you a promotion. One run on the treadmill and a salad for lunch won’t drop 2 inches from your waistline. An hour on Zillow won’t make that dream house any more affordable. Change is hard, but if you follow through on your goals and achieve change, not only will your confidence increase but you’ll have grown into a better, more experienced person.

change

CHānj/

noun

  1. the act or instance of making or becoming different.

 

Why Should I Change?

Even though we all want to change something, it can be hard to admit to ourselves that we need change to change it; harder still to admit it to other people. When we stay the same, we stay comfortable. To change is to risk failure and the loss of comfort. Fear of failure is universal, and it’s one of the hardest personal challenges to overcome when you’re trying to change yourself.

Once you overcome that fear, however, you allow yourself room to grow. When we let the fear of failing hold us back, we stagnate. Comfortable though it may be, this stagnation leads to lower self-confidence, lack of motivation, and general feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

 

How Do I Change?

Even if you know you need to change and have readily admitted it, it’s still harder said than done. Self-motivation can be difficult at the best of times, but changing ourselves requires an extra level of commitment. The only way to achieve the goals you set out for yourself without getting overwhelmed is to remember that change is a process, not a flip-switch.

The first step to any meaningful personal change is to accept responsibility, for who you are and for who you will be. Only after you accept responsibility can you also accept that you can change your situation only by working on yourself and learning. Once you’ve accepted all these things, set and define your personal goals. Break them into tiny, manageable steps and every day to bring those goals into reality.

 

Change, Change, Change Again

You never, ever stop changing and growing as a person. You can always be better than you were — kinder, smarter, healthier. Embrace the changes in your life, get excited to grow. Your life is your own reward, and it’s time to seize it.

Sources:

http://www.briantracy.com/blog/personal-success/building-self-confidence-through-personal-development-setting-goals/http://lifehacker.com/5982622/why-youre-so-afraid-of-change-and-what-you-can-do-about-ithttps://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201201/personal-growth-motivation-the-drive-change

Brace Yourself

Kids & Corrective Dental Work

For all that 80s movies and Saturday morning cartoons like to make fun of ‘brace faces’, they are quite common among Americans. Over 4 million Americans have braces, 75% of whom are children or adolescents. As orthodontic care has become more available and more affordable, Americans have become proactive, seeking corrective dental work to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

Why get braces?

There are plenty of reasons to get braces, benefits ranging from improved oral hygiene to reduced self-consciousness. The consequences of not getting braces early may be as minor as a few crooked teeth or as severe as permanent damage to jaw joints and teeth. The sooner treatment, the more varied the treatment options and the easier the treatment itself.

What are the signs that braces are necessary?

The most obvious sign that braces are necessary are crooked or crowded teeth. There are other, more subtle signs however. Some hints that your child might need braces include:

Difficulty chewing or biting
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Mouth breathing
Thumb and finger sucking
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

What are the social benefits of braces?

A smile is your ‘Hello!’ to the world. It’s your first impression on friends, teachers, employers. As a parent, you want to give your child every advantage and access to every opportunity in life. Giving your child the best smile possible gives them just one more advantage in life. Braces don’t just mean straighter teeth, they also mean:
Improved self-image and self-confidence carrying from childhood to adulthood
Clearer speech and easier pronunciation of words leading to more confidence in speaking
Teeth are one of the most important features that people pay attention to a remember when meeting new people
Unattractive habits (chewing on pencils, thumb sucking, and biting lips) may be beaten by braces

What are the health benefits of braces?

So you know your child needs braces, and you know that getting them will improve their smile and self-esteem, but did you know that braces have huge health benefits as well? By getting braces not only will your child’s attitude towards life improve, so will their quality of life. Some short-term side effects of dental problems include headaches and earaches. Braces can help your child not only with these issues, but also with a multitude of long-term problems down the road such as:

Prevention of cavities and gum disease
Making flossing and brushing easier and more effective
Prevention of irregular wear on teeth
Reduction of clenching jaws and/or grinding teeth
Improved ability to chew food properly and thoroughly
More space for permanent teeth to grow into
Teeth are less likely to shift later in life
Less likely to damage to jaw joints in the future
Decreased likelihood of permanent tooth extraction
Lowered risk of injury to protruding front teeth (“buck teeth”)
Improved width of dental arches
Reduced likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
Guiding permanent teeth into better positions

Braces offer huge benefits to your child short term and long term. With healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, they can confidently take on the world!

Sources:

http://www.smileschangelives.org/for-kids-and-parents/benefits-of-braces/

http://www.chattanoogaortho.com/blog/2016/07/5-ways-braces-improve-life

https://drnease.com/braces/7-health-benefits-braces/

https://www.humana.com/learning-center/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/dental-braces

Remembering Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day?

It is often confused with Veterans Day. It is even sometimes confused with Labor Day because one falls at the beginning of the summer and one at the end. It is thought of as the day for remembering those who’ve served their country, who are still serving their country, died in battle or having served in specific wars such as World Wars I and II. So which is it?

The first official Memorial Day was celebrated on May 28, 1868. It’s popularly known as the day when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It was originally declared Decoration Day; established on May 5, 1868 by The Grand Army of the Republic.  Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that it be observed on May 30, and today Memorial day is celebrated annually on the last Monday of May. It is the official holiday for paying tribute to our Military personnel who have died in service to their country; a time for the nation to decorate the graves of our war dead. It was made an official holiday by congress in 1971. Though history tells several versions of the actual inception of this day and it’s becoming an official holiday, it’s clearly a time to remember.  

There are many ways to honor our Military on this special occasion. Here is a short list to get you and your family started.  

  • Say Thanks: Write a thank-you letter to a veteran or current member of the armed forces; whether it’s your grandfather or someone you’ve never met. A Million Thanks makes it easy to send a letter to men and women in the military, and making a card is a fun, hands-on activity for kids of all ages.
  • Barbecue for the Troops: This year, the USO is encouraging people to host Barbecues for the Troops, backyard fundraising events to support the morale-boosting efforts of the USO. Find out how you can host your own at BBQforthetroops.org.
  • Support Injured Service Members and Their Families: In Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, over 48,000 service members have sustained physical injuries, with at least 400,000 more facing post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues. The Wounded Warrior Project provides everything from outdoor rehabilitation retreats to career connections.
  • Visit a Veteran’s Cemetery: One of the most traditional ways to recognize Memorial Day is to visit one of the VA’s National Cemeteries for Memorial Day Ceremony. (You can find a list here.) Others also honor the dead by placing flags and flowers on veterans’ graves.

We honor our military men and women who have died in battle or from wounds sustained in battle today. Flags fly at half-staff until noon; short pole flags on homes and other structures display a black ribbon from the end of the flagpole until noon. Our hearts reach out to you, your families, and your loved ones today. Thank you

 

Sources: http://www.feedourvets.org/news/ways-to-honor-veterans-and-military-families-this-memorial-day/

Dental Care Travel Tips

Eating healthy while you travel is just as important for your teeth as it is for your waistline! You and your smile require a smart balance of foods and practices to stay healthy. This basic guide below can help keep your smile bright when traveling!

1. Pack a dental kit. Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss should always be in your luggage when taking any trip. Make sure your carrying case for your dental kit is clean and free of contaminants, along with packing your brush only when it’s dry.

2. Consider mealtime cleaning. Our general dentist in Torrance recommends brushing your teeth an hour after meals, which can be hard to do for midday meals. While you may not want to carry around a toothbrush, you can fit convenient pocket-sized disposable dental cleaning products. Most drugstores carry these supplies.

3. Stay hydrated. Whether you’re flying or taking a long drive, it’s all too easy to get dehydrated while traveling. And dehydration isn’t just tiring, it can actually put your teeth in danger. When your mouth dries out, the bacteria that can cause your teeth damage run rampant. Help protect your smile by staying hydrated.

4. Bring sugarless gum. If you can’t clean your teeth between meals, then sugarless gum can help remove contaminants. It’s also good for chewing when you’re feeling dehydrated during your travels, as the gum can stimulate the flow of saliva to protect your teeth.

5. Eat smart. Don’t let your healthy dental habits take a backseat while traveling. Avoid foods and drinks that stain, such as highly acidic wines and fruits. If you do indulge in these treats, make sure that you’re properly cleaning your mouth afterwards.

Source:
Ji, Mylena. How can you keep your teeth healthy while traveling. A general dentist’s travel, dental tips. Dentistry4u.com. 25 November. Web 2015 April. 2016 http://www.dentistry4u.com/how-can-you-keep-your-teeth-healthy-while-traveling-a-general-dentist-travel-dental-tips/

Holiday Update: Managing Minor Dental Emergencies

How to Manage Minor Dental Emergencies

 

Protect Your Teeth during Emergencies

Dentist PNG

Tastes so Sweet, Feels so Bitter

 

Young or old, everyone loves a nice treat! For those with a sweet tooth, the time from Halloween to the New Year can seem like an extended holiday in and of itself, but too many sweets can wreak havoc on your dental health! You probably realize that sugary candy and treats are one of the leading causes of tooth decay so we will cover what to do if one experiences non-preventable dental emergencies.

 

Prevention is the Best Medicine!

mouth-guard-blue PNG

You will never have to worry about a dental emergency if you take the necessary precautions first! Easier said than done we know, but it is something to consider especially when playing contact sports. If you or your child participates in a sport where there is a chance of dental injury, consider purchasing a mouthguard. Mouthguards are used to treat all sorts of dental conditions and can also protect teeth from chipping or breaking during contact sports.

 

What to do for a Toothache

 

While parents in days of yore may have used whiskey to treat toothaches, the modern dental community is almost unilaterally opposed to wantonly using alcohol to treat minor aches! Instead, rinse the affected area with warm water and check to see that nothing is lodged in the gums. If you believe the pain to be associated with tooth growth then consider a numbing agent such as Orajel. If swelling is visible externally then apply an icepack and contact your dentist as soon as possible.

How to Handle a Chipped Tooth

Missing Teeth

Chipped teeth are unsightly and can cause great pain if the tooth is chipped along nerve endings. Although small chips can usually be fixed by filing down the affected tooth so that the chip is no longer noticeable, larger chips often require more work. In the event of a larger chip always try to save the chipped off piece! It will probably look more natural than an artificial dental crown in most cases. To prevent most cases of tooth chipping, avoid chewing hard candies and ice.

 

Managing Loss of a Tooth

It’s common to have a nightmare wherein you lose your teeth, but what do you do in the unthinkable situation that you actually do lose a tooth? First and most importantly; don’t panic! You will want your full mental capabilities to handle what is to come. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown being sure to avoid the root of the tooth. Then rinse the tooth off in a bowl of water but do not scrub the tooth. Rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply gauze if there is bleeding. Then, attempt to place the tooth back in the socket if possible, or in between the gum and the lower lip, but be sure not to swallow it! Now you are ready for emergency dental treatment!

 

It would be impossible to cover every form of dental emergency out there, but we hope that you have enjoyed our brief overview of what you can do for prevention and first aid for minor emergencies! As always our team here at Roy Orthodontics is present and happy to answer any question you might have concerning orthodontic treatment. If you would like to contact us or book an appointment, please contact us by email by following the link or by phone at our Chesapeake office by calling (757) 382-7357 and our Virginia Beach office by calling (757) 471-2900. From the Roy Orthodontics family to your own, we would like to wish you a heartfelt merry Christmas, and a wonderful new year!

Sources

  1. http://www.mouthhealthy.org 10 Tips for a Healthy Haloween Author: American Dental Association (Blog Post) Retrieved From: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halloween-tips
  2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com 10 Common Dental Problems And How To Avoid Them Author: Catherine Pearson (Article) Retrieved From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/dental-problems-common_n_834935.html
  3. http://www.webmd.com How to Save a Knocked Out Tooth Creator: Channel Health (Video) Retrieved From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/video/save-knocked-out-tooth

Two Sides to Every Smile - Orthodontist Update!

Occlusion and Malocclusion

Good day and welcome to the very first blog post on our new site! Today’s topic is occlusion. Whether you know what occlusion is, have a basic understanding of the word, or have never heard it at all, this blog aims to clear up some of the misconceptions you may have about the condition and hopefully will guide you towards preventing occlusion before it begins! (more…)