How to Clean Your Retainer

Retainers are essential for maintaining your teeth’s position after braces are removed. These dental appliances are worn lifelong to prevent the natural shifting of teeth. But irregularly sterilizing your retainer can wreak havoc to your oral health. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, Dr. Roopi Kattaura provides professional care for braces aftercare, including retainers. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your retainer clean for an amazing smile.

 

There are three types of retainers on-the-market: Hawley wire, clear and permanent bonded retainers. Each retainer varies in terms of hygiene care.

 

Hawley Wire Retainers:

 

Hawley wire retainers are the standard retainers at Ardas Family Dental. Made of hard acrylic or plastic with a metal wire, these retainers are removable and durable. This is why Hawley retainers are the easiest to clean.

 

The best way to wash your Hawley retainer is under lukewarm water and mild soap. If you notice plaque or debris on the surface of your retainer, don’t be afraid to scrub very gently with a toothbrush or cotton swab.

 

Clear Retainers:

Invisalign and Essix retainers both fall into this category. While clear retainers are also removable, the interior surfaces of the appliance are harder to disinfect. 

 

Like Hawley retainers, sanitize clear retainers soon as you remove them. When dry, bacteria and debris are harder to unclog on the surface of retainers.

 

Permanent Bonded Retainers:

These retainers are the hardest to clean because they’re permanently fixed to your teeth. Usually bonded to the back of the molars, these teeth are difficult to floss between the permanent retainer. Dr. Kattuara of Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO recommends a floss threader to weave between your retainer.

 

Additional Tips:

Retainers need to be handled gently to preserve for long-term use. This means staying away from any harsh cleaners and rough scrubbing. 

 

If you want a deeper clean for your retainer or notice bacteria stuck on the surface, bring your device to our Parker, CO office for special cleaning.

 

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

 

Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment

Oral hygiene is already important when it comes to a healthy mouth, but it’s even more important when the mouth is going through orthodontic treatment. There are more nooks and crannies when brackets are placed on the teeth, wherein food is trapped and turned into plaque. Dr. Roopi Kattaura at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, takes pride in educating patients with braces about the importance of an at-home oral hygiene regimen. 

Patients with braces are at an increased risk for early stages of tooth decay and gingivitis if proper oral hygiene isn’t used. Dr. Kattaura recommends brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, as well as flossing, two to three times a day. You should be brushing in and around each bracket and wire, brushing in a circular motion where the gums and teeth meet, and brushing in a back and forth motion on the tops of molars.

Other things to consider during orthodontic treatment:

- Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Sugary foods and drinks erode enamel and make the teeth more susceptible to tooth decay, especially if you aren’t brushing properly or regularly.

- Certain foods can loosen, break, or bend wires. To limit stress on your braces, avoid eating hard or sticky foods.

Do you have a question or concern? We are happy to help! Ardas Family Dental is located at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, in Parker, CO 80134. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit ardasfamilydental.com or call the office at 720-459-8420.

 

Flossing with Braces

Flossing may seem difficult when you have braces, but it doesn’t have to be! The only difference is that flossing is even more important. Your braces give bacteria new places to form. Because of their design, food is much more likely to become snagged. Dr. Kattaura has a solution: this brief guide for flossing with braces! At Ardas Family Dental, we want the best for our patients. Learn how to keep your mouth healthy and happy! Contact our office in Parker, CO, with any questions.

 

It’s necessary to brush and floss daily. Your braces shouldn’t change this. When you have braces, it’s necessary to invest in a Floss Threader. This is a handheld dental appliance that moves the floss under the wire. From there, grab the floss and use it as normal. Floss each of your teeth. Another option is Floss Picks. These are small two-pronged devices. Floss is strung between the two prongs, letting you clean without interference. Carefully place the appliance between your two teeth to floss with it.

 

Proper flossing also makes a difference. Once you manage to get the floss in place, wrap it around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down, rubbing the gums. Be gentle yet thorough when cleaning around your braces.

 

Don’t forget that you can still develop cavities with braces. Debris that gets stuck in your braces attracts bacteria. Always do a good job of brushing and flossing.

 

Ardas Family Dental is located in Parker, CO. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kattaura, visit her website or call 720-459-8420.

Adult Orthodontics in Parker, CO

Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental provides orthodontic care for adolescents and adults.  It is often recommended to start treatment on an adolescent patient once all the permanent teeth have come in, but adults can still get great results from orthodontic care.  There are several options for adults beginning orthodontic treatment, and the best one for you will depend on what needs to be corrected.

To correct bite issues and straighten teeth, the traditional braces method includes brackets on the teeth and connecting wires that are tightened over the course of treatment. Clear braces use the same method but the materials are tooth-colored to avoid a metallic look.  Accelerated orthodontics are applied to correct cosmetic issues in about six months. Severe misalignments and bite issues can’t be corrected in such a short time, but if your concerns are purely cosmetic, it’s a great option for a short treatment time that can completely transform your smile. Invisalign treatment is popular because of its almost invisible appearance.  A treatment plan consists of a series of clear aligners that straighten teeth over time.  Come see us and find out what will be best to correct your smile!

To learn more about orthodontic care and the services we provide at the practice, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental, visit Restorative Dentist Parker, CO for more information or call 720-459-8420. 

Defend against White Spot Lesions at Ardas Family Dental

Without looking it up, can you name the first sign of tooth decay? It’s not pain; at that point, decay has already progressed enough to form a cavity. The first sign of tooth decay is a white spot lesion, which is why white spots are also known as incipient lesions.

Tooth decay is the result of acid being trapped in tartar. When bacteria have a lot to feed on, they produce acid as a result of their metabolism and rapidly multiply. Tooth enamel that has been exposed to acid turns white and chalky as it loses minerals. This can be seen in people with acid reflux as well as tooth decay. But while acid reflux first affects the upper back teeth, tooth decay is likelier to occur near the gum line, on the sides of teeth, and around orthodontic brackets.

White spots form very quickly and can lead to more serious decay in as few as thirty days. Patients should keep a close watch for them and change their brushing habits to remove them before they become permanent. However, if a white spot does develop, it may be possible to remineralize or simply cover up with a veneer once the infection is stopped.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. To learn more about dental hygiene, call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

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Pain From Braces In Parker, CO

At Ardas Family Dental, we see many smiles transformed with braces.  We also know braces are a long process and that there is some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!  

With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Orthodontic wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.

To learn more about our orthodontic options and all the services we provide, visit Kids and Family Dentist, Parker CO for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Roopi Kattaura at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, call 720-459-8420.