If you wear a fixed retainer, you may not even realize that it has broken until you notice your teeth starting to move out of alignment. To prevent a fixed retainer from breaking, be conscientious about what you eat and avoid hard foods that can cause damage. Your dentist will have to remove and repair your retainer, but in the meantime, you should wear a mouthguard when you sleep, and stay away from hard and tough foods until you can see your dentist for repairs.

If your removable retainer is broken or damaged, you will need to have it repaired or replaced. You should take your retainer out when you are playing sports and when you are eating. You will receive a case with your retainer, and you should store your retainer in it when necessary. Get in the habit of keeping your case in your pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase, since retainers are expensive to replace, and you don’t want to lose it.

Make sure that you visit your orthodontist for your regular appointments so that he can check your retainer for damage, and to make sure that your teeth are still in their proper alignment. If you are thinking about correcting your smile, our dentist, Dr. Jaime Rivera would be happy to give you an exam and a consultation. If you would like to make an appointment at Rivera Orthodontics in El Paso, Texas, call 915-592-5853 today.

The post What to do About a Broken Retainer first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

With orthodontic braces, you can enhance your self-esteem by improving your smile. A straighter smile is a happier smile and the first step to a more effective self-image. Straighter teeth are also easier to clean and care for, as plaque has fewer voids to hide in when brushing and flossing.

Orthodontic braces can help repair your alignment and lower your risks for dental damage due to bruxism and temporomandibular disorders. Teeth with severe malocclusions are also likely to suffer from chips and cracks due to the grinding and wear they receive when brushing against each another.

If you would like to schedule an orthodontic treatment session, simply call our orthodontic office in El Paso, Texas, at our number 915-592-5853. Dr. Jaime Rivera and our entire team await. The time is now to make the change you wish to see in your oral health.

The post The Finer Details of Orthodontic Braces first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

What is the greatest form of orthodontic treatment for a teen?
– Each individual case determines which treatments work best, but clear orthodontic aligners are highly effective for fixing crooked teeth with teens due to their clear exterior and lack of metal wires for a more socially conforming look during treatment.

What are some standard everyday risks that could easily affect the oral health of a teen?
– Although many bad bites may happen naturally to your smile, teens face higher risks of oral damage than many due to the increased prevalence of bad habits such as wearing mouth jewelry, chewing or smoking tobacco, using drugs, even recreational ones, as well as competing in contact sports without the use of safety gear.

What form of safety equipment should be used for teens who play contact sports?
– To better protect your teeth, wear safety masks, mouth guards, facemasks, and helmets whenever applicable.

No matter which service you choose to treat your smile, the real importance is to ensure proper treatment is given. If you would like Dr. Jaime Rivera and our team at Rivera Orthodontics to bring you in for an oral exam to determine which orthodontic treatment is best for you, please contact our office in El Paso, Texas, by calling us at 915-592-5853. We can get you on the path to smiles for miles!

The post How to Protect Your Mouth as a Teen first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

– Eating and speaking can often be done with much greater ease with straight teeth.

– Straighter teeth have been proven to be much more efficient in stopping tooth decay and gum disease because they are easier to clean and less likely to harbor plaque in hard to reach places.

– Braces can straighten teeth and lessen the effects of bruxism or other forms of tooth wear that may occur more often if teeth are out of alignment.

– Braces can improve your self-esteem and self-image by giving you a smile you can show off and cherish for a lifetime of joy.

– Many misalignments with our teeth could be the result of malocclusions, also called bad bites, which can change your smile in a variety of ways, including your joint functions within your jaw.

To schedule your orthodontic examination at Rivera Orthodontics with Dr. Jaime Rivera and our team at our office in El Paso, Texas, simply give us a call at 915-592-5853. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Can Orthodontic Braces Deliver on Their Promises? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.