Braces are a source of low self-confidence in many teens. This makes the dating scene seem daunting and heightens nerves all around. Never fear! There’s no reason your orthodontic treatment should hamper your romantic life. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, dating with braces is possible and still just as fun. Here are a few of our tips and suggestions for a painless date with your braces and your beau.
Can You Drink with Braces?
For adults tackling the dating scene with braces, whether enjoying a glass of wine is allowed is a question many ask. Alcohol isn’t something you think of as being full of sugar, but many drinks have deceptively high sugar content. This excess sugar is attractive to bacteria, and those bacteria leave behind enamel-eating acids. Alcohol has a high acid content as well. Mixed drinks made of soda or fruit juices typically have the most acid. If left on the teeth too long, acid can erode the enamel on your teeth, making you prone to disease-causing bacteria.
So how can you safely drink alcohol with braces? First and foremost, drink water as well throughout the night. While this is good practice when drinking in general, consuming water along with your alcoholic drink of choice washes the sugar and acid off the surface of your teeth as you drink. Secondly, slowly sipping your drink isn’t the way to go. Frequent small drinks allow more contact between the acidic alcohol and your enamel.
And when you return home, don’t forget to keep up your oral health routine. Flossing and brushing after alcohol are essential for your dental health.
At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we specialize in discreetand convenient treatment options for adults. Many people don’t realize, but orthodontic treatment is incredibly common amongst adults—in fact 3 out of5 of our patients are over the age of 18. Advancements in orthodontics allows for a lot of patients’ treatment to go unnoticed by others. If you want to improve your smile for a wedding, big event, career advancement, or just to feel your best, you don’t have to put your life on hold to see great results. Here is a rundown of our top three picks for discreet orthodontic treatment options for adults:
Invisalign:
Invisalign is nearly invisible and is a top choice among adult patients. No one will notice that you are wearing aligners! People will, however, notice your confidence boost! You can also eat what you please without the fear of food getting stuck or damaging your braces because the aligners are removable. Greater Houston Orthodontics is also a Diamond Plus level provider. Dr. Davoody, Dr. Mehr, Dr. Ioannou, and Dr. Panos have been recognized because of their experience and expertise in working with the Invisalign system.
Lingual Braces:
Lingual braces are just like traditional braces but they are placed behind the teeth in order to hide them. The inside, or reverse side, of the teeth are referred to by orthodontists as the lingual side, hence the name. Greater Houston Orthodontics offers two systems, both Incognito and BRIUS. Lingual braces can correct most orthodontic problems, including misalignments and closing gaps. People who play sports or a wind instrument also opt for lingual braces because their placement will not interfere with performance. Like other braces, they are a fixed appliance. This makes them a great option for patients who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach to ensuring their smile goals stay on track.
Clear Braces:
Clear ceramic braces are a great option for patients who are considering traditional braces but want to opt for something less noticeable than traditional metal brackets. Ceramic braces utilize tooth colored brackets and clear materials that blend in with your smile. At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we offer the Damon System of clear ceramic braces. Because the system does not require the elastic ties of traditional braces, the brackets will remain clear throughout the entire treatment. Clear Ceramic braces offer many of the same benefits as traditional metal braces and are a popular discreet option for adults.
Want to learn more about your treatment options?
Perfecting your smile is a very individual process, let the professionals at Greater Houston Orthodontics help you find the best fit for you.
To schedule your complimentary consultation, please contact our West University or our Memorial office to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Top quality care from world class doctors:
Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteasare leading orthodontists in the field specializing in orthodontic treatment for adults. The doctors and team use the most advanced treatments available today to provide 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.
So, why do you keep getting canker sores? Canker sores are flat white sores that appear in your mouth and can last for a week or more. What causes these small mouth ulcers is unknown. Though the exact causes of canker sores in children are unknown, many things can trigger their recurrence. Stress, tissue damage in the mouth, poor nutrition, certain foods, viruses, or bacteria are just some of the potential triggers of an ulcer.
With all the effort put towards eating right, staying fit, and otherwise taking care of themselves, there is no reason why adults should not investigate having beautiful teeth! According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four patients is an adult.
There are many benefits to getting braces at any age. Everyone wants a straight and gorgeous smile and the positives do not stop with appearance. When teeth are crowded or badly positioned, it can lead to serious problems in the future. A poor bite can affect the function of the teeth and can even lead to tooth loss and gum disease. Don’t wait any longer for the smile you deserve! There is no better time than the present to schedule a complimentary exam.
With so many options available in modern orthodontics, there’s no reason to put off a beautiful smile. There are many new treatment options available to reduce treatment time and discomfort.
Who doesn’t love to catch some rays? Well here’s some good news for you sunshine lovers – a little sunshine actually HELPS your teeth during orthodontic treatment. A little sunshine has been found to improve mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies. Keep reading for some advice on how sunshine can help your teeth from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr,Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.
While in braces, healthy teeth and gums are of vital importance. Vitamin D actually helps to support oral health in two ways:
It helps our bodies to absorb and utilize calcium
Vitamin D has several major functions. One of its major functions is moderating other vitamins and minerals – including calcium. Calcium is crucial because it fortifies our teeth and supports jaw and bone strength. Several studies have shown greater cavity risk for people who live in regions with little sunlight – sometimes as much as double the risk.
Exercise has numerous benefits for both our physical and mental health, and is a crucial part of living a healthy lifestyle. Running has become a popular form of exercise for improving cardiovascular endurance and being a form of exercise that doesn’t require a gym. However, did you know that running can actually affect your oral health? Even though the two seem unrelated, there is some correlation. Continue reading for some advice about the correlation between running and oral health from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.
While the rest of your body may be in great shape, with each extra training hour, your risk of tooth decay actually increases. Additionally, there are two very specific oral health problems that athletes are at risk for: dry mouth effects and sports-related nutrition effects.
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:
