Getting braces doesn’t mean giving up the sports you love! Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth 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. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr,and Dr. Thomais Ioannou at Greater Houston 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.
Certain foods like onion and garlic are commonly known as bad breath causing culprits. However, there are many other popular foods that can cause bad breath as well. While it is important to note that bad breath can be genetic, most of the time it is our food choices to blame. Is one of these surprising bad breath foods a part of your daily diet? Read on to find out about some bad breath causing foods from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr,and Dr. Thomais Ioannou at Greater Houston Orthodontics!
1. Pasta Sauce
The acidity from tomatoes in pasta sauce can cause a buildup of acids in the mouth and foster the growth of bacteria. These pesky bacteria can result in bad breath.
2. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a protein packed favorite among many of us, however, its paste-like consistency makes it difficult for saliva to break down the proteins once they’re in your mouth. The stickiness makes it so peanut butter can stay around your mouth for hours. Bad breath bacteria thrive on protein, making peanut butter a potential culprit for your stinky breath.
One of the questions we get asked the most from parents and patients is: “which is better: Braces or Invisalign?”
It’s a hard question to answer because so much depends on each patient and their specific needs. That’s why at Greater Houston Orthodontics we prioritize spending time with you and listening to your needs and goals. That’s what helps us land on the best possible treatment plan for each unique patient who comes to see us.
Let’s talk about some of the different treatment options that we offer and the differences between them. Traditional metal or clear braces are the most commonly recognized and can be a great choice. There’s minimal involvement from the patient’s perspective except for avoiding foods that can damage brackets and wires, and brushing really well is a top priority. Braces are also great for patients who may lack the discipline to wear aligners for 22 hours a day. And that’s okay! You’ll come to us every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile in no time. On the other hand, clear aligners are an excellent alternative for patients that are good at keeping to a schedule and would find it more convenient to have a smaller list of foods to avoid. They are also a great choice if you know brushing is already an issue – a task that becomes more challenging with braces because it’s hard to reach those nooks and crannies when the brackets and wires are in place. If our doctorsfeel that one would be a better option for any reason, we’ll let you know why and we’ll talk through everything in detail together. In most cases both treatment options are efficient and effective at giving your child their ideal smile, and making parents smile along the way.
Where You Receive Your Health Care Is A Very Important Personal Decision
Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Ioannouare leading orthodontists in their field. The doctors and team use the most advanced treatments available today, including Braces, Invisalign, and the ability to virtually monitor treatment progress if needed. They take pride in providing the most effective, safe, and comfortable experience for their patients.
With two convenient locations in West University and Memorial, we are ready to help you start smiling. Please contact our West University or our Memorial office to schedule a complimentary consultation or click below:
Your skin isn’t the only thing that deserves a spa day. Your teeth work incredibly hard day in and day out (think of how much gum, food, etc. you chew on a daily basis!). Luckily, there are tons of affordable products that are available to give your teeth a spa day as well. So go ahead and treat yourself! Read on to see which products from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Niloufar Azami, and Dr. Thomais Ioannou at Greater Houston Orthodontics can have your teeth living the life of luxury!
You can have a trip to the oral day spa with these products…
At-Home Whitening – Our teeth come into contact with a lot of substances that will dull their pearly sparkle – just think of the morning cup of coffee or tea, any alcohol or smoking habit, etc. Whitening strips are an easy and affordable option that you can do at home to bring back those pearly whites!
It is so important to take great care of your body during pregnancy to help you and your baby stay healthy. A lot about your body and health changes during pregnancy, and there are often a lot of things to keep in mind. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth. However, pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, potentially resulting in gum disease and increased risk of tooth decay. Your increased hormones during pregnancy can affect your body’s response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth). Thankfully, with proper hygiene at home and professional care from your dentist, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy. Keep reading from some advice about pregnancy and oral health from Keep reading for some advice about pregnancy and oral health from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panos Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics. at Greater Houston Orthodontics.
Dental Disease & Baby Health
Dental disease can affect a developing baby. Research has found a link between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. However, appropriate dental treatment for the expectant mother may reduce the risk of premature birth.
If you fear going to the dentist, don’t worry, you’re not alone! It is estimated that nearly seventy five percent of adults in the United States experience some amount of fear with regards to visiting a dentist. About five to ten percent of those people have a strong enough fear to be considered sufferers of dentophobia. Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with this fear and ease your dental experience! Keep reading for some advice about coping with dentophobia from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Niloufar Azami, and Dr. Thomais Ioannou at Greater Houston Orthodontics.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up – There is Nothing to Fear Here!
First, it is important to note that your dentist is not trying to be scary. They have no intentions to cause you any pain or discomfort. Their goal is to keep you and your teeth happy and healthy! Dentists also have to go through many years of schooling before they are allowed to practice dentistry. Thus, they are extremely qualified experts in their field. Additionally, your dentist doesn’t want your visit to be a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience. If you simply communicate your feelings to them, they will do whatever they can to help make your visit better.
While canker sores are not a serious issue, they can be rather irritating! They are small ulcers that can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. Fortunately, they can be easily prevented. You just have to figure out what triggers them for you! Below is some advice from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Niloufar Azami, and Dr. Thomais Ioannou about what causes canker sores and how to prevent them.
Well, the unfortunate news is that braces can contribute to them. This mainly happens in patients that are already prone to canker sores. They may experience an increase in sores because your mouth is adjusting to a big change when beginning orthodontic treatment. Braces can irritate oral tissue, which leaves it vulnerable to little lesions such as these sores.
Luckily, avoiding possible triggers and practicing good oral hygiene can help you to avoid or lessen the instances of them.
Elastics, also known as rubber bands, are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment. However, we know that people sometimes find them to be a nuisance or difficult to adjust to wearing. It is important to know that your orthodontist has you wearing elastics because they are essential to the completion of the patient’s orthodontic treatment. The elastics are supposed to be worn approximately 20-22 hours a day and should only be removed to eat and then to brush and floss their teeth. Additionally, elastics should be changed out for new ones about three times a day. Keep reading for some advice from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Niloufar Azami, and Dr. Thomais Ioannou at Greater Houston Orthodontics about why elastics are important.
Elastics allow for the jaw and bite alignment to occur. But they are also the patient’s responsibility, and if the patient does not choose to wear them as directed, it may prolong treatment or affect the final result. Before leaving the office, the patient needs to make sure they understand where and when to wear their rubber bands.
