Thankfully, due to the wonders of modern technology, you may be able to kill two birds with one stone. Just ask Dr. Jaime Rivera about Invisalign®.

These aligners are made from a durable, clear thermoplastic that is easy for the casual observer to miss. They are also removable, so you don’t have to worry about avoiding certain foods or the irritating cleaning adjustments associated with braces. Depending on the severity of your alignment issues, the process may be finished anywhere from six weeks to eighteen months.

You will need to wear Invisalign® for 20 to 22 hours each day. After two weeks, you will switch to a new set of aligners. Each pair will be tuned to be one step closer to your ideal smile. If you are interested in having Invisalign® realign your smile, don’t hesitate to call 915-592-5853 to set up a consultation at Rivera Orthodontics in El Paso, Texas.

The post Invisalign® Corrects Minor Alignment Issues first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Tip 1 Brushing

While proper oral health is important for a healthy smile it is even more necessary to ensure a healthy mouth while wearing braces. Why is this? Because brackets and wires can trap food particles and harbor bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. We advise brushing your teeth every time you eat, including meals and snacks, instead of just twice a day. You can use a manual toothbrush or an electric/battery powered toothbrush, whichever works best for you. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush, and carefully clean each tooth around the brackets and gumline. Start with the gumline, then brush up and down around each bracket. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all oral debris is removed.

Tip 2 Flossing

Once your pearly whites have been properly cleaned with brushing, be sure to floss–at the very least once each day. Clean the areas between the teeth as well as the tooth surfaces under the wires. Find a flossing method that works best for you, and use it! You can use waxed dental floss, a threaded floss, an oral irrigator, an interdental brush or an orthodontic floss which is specifically designed to clean around brackets and wires.

If you are snacking at work, or dining out for lunch and forgot a toothbrush, you can remove food particles and debris after eating by rinsing well with water or mouthwash. Of course, follow up with a thorough tooth brushing as soon as you are able.

A beautiful smile can be yours if you follow good oral hygiene habits while wearing braces. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera in El Paso, Texas, please give us a call at 915-592-5853 today. Our Rivera Orthodontics team looks forward to helping you!

The post Are You Cleaning Your Smile Properly While Wearing Braces? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Here are some service reminders to keep your orthodontic treatment at its peak:

– If you should suffer an oral accident which damages your braces, use your orthodontist-provided wax until a visit can be made to fix your braces,
– Always make sure to practice safe and effective oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing your teeth. Use dental tools that are specially designed for braces.
– Always be sure to visit your orthodontist at Rivera Orthodontics for all your regularly scheduled appointments and adjustments. Any skipped sessions could delay your recovery time and hamper your treatment effectiveness.
– If you have a retainer, always make sure it is cleaned adequately.
– Take extra caution when protecting your teeth and braces. If you are doing any strenuous activity, such as winter sports, or contact sports, be sure to wear proper safety gear such as helmets, mouth guards, and face protectors.
– Certain foods and snacks can get lodged between your teeth and braces. If possible, avoid harmful products that can get stuck in these areas.

For more tips and helpful hints to keep your braces at their best, please contact Rivera Orthodontics to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera. Our office is located in El Paso, Texas, and we can be reached by calling us at 915-592-5853. We look forward to shaping your smile!

The post Embrace Your Orthodontic Care Treatment Options first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

As the festive holiday season begins to spread its cheer across the nation, be wary of any activities that may pose hidden dangers to your aligners. Although most activities are harmless, there are some additional foodstuffs to be aware of.

Because traditional braces may inhibit your regular eating patterns, avoid foods mentioned by your orthodontist that can get stuck in or damage your braces. A few holiday foods to avoid include:

– chewy candies such as taffy or chewing gum
– hard candies such as candy canes
– popcorn or corn on the cob
– apples
– various nuts and snacks
– hard cookies, peanut brittle, and crackers

Always remember to brush your teeth twice daily and floss your teeth once daily. Don’t forget to clean your retainer weekly. It’s also important to be careful with objects around your mouth which can damage your braces or your teeth. It is important to visit regularly with your orthodontist.

If you have any oral accidents, or your braces have been damaged, please contact Rivera Orthodontics as soon as possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera, we can be reached at 915-592-5853, or stop by our office in El Paso, Texas. If you feel you would like braces, or have other questions or concerns, please let us know. We are happy to help you. On behalf of our staff, we wish you a festive and happy holiday season.

The post Do You Need Orthodontic Braces? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Brushing and Flossing While Wearing Braces
Braces and other orthodontic appliances can attract plaque and food, which can stain the teeth if it is not removed. Our orthodontist may recommend brushing your teeth after every meal or snack, to carefully remove any food or plaque that is stuck in your braces. Brush using a soft toothbrush. To clean each tooth, brush down from the top and up from the bottom. Next, use a proxabrush, which is also called a Christmas tree brush, to clean between your braces. Between each set of brackets, insert the brush from the top to the bottom and then from the bottom to the top, using several strokes in each direction. There is also a special procedure for flossing with braces. Insert the short end of the floss between the main arch wire and the part of the tooth closest to the gums. Use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss between the teeth. Be very careful around the arch wire.

Avoid These Foods While Wearing Braces
For those wearing braces, most foods can still be eaten as long as they are cut into small pieces that can be easily chewed. However, some foods can damage braces and should be avoided, including:

– Hard foods that are hard to bite (i.e. apples and bagels)
– Chewy foods (i.e. taffy and caramel)
– Corn on the cob
– Popcorn, nuts, carrots, and hard pretzels

Do not chew ice or bubble gum with braces.

Feel free to contact Rivera Orthodontics today to learn more and to schedule a consultation.

The post How to Brush and Floss During Orthodontic Treatment first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

If you’re having issues flossing between teeth and around the gum line, you might want to try using a floss threader with waxed dental floss. This is a simple loop-shaped tool that can help work floss around wires and other hardware. Using waxed dental floss makes it easier to slide the strand into tight places.

Interdental brushes have small-angled brush heads that can help clean between wires and brackets as well as remove food particles from the contours near the gum line. They can be very helpful for clearing away small food particles from around bands and spacers.

Dental water jets and oral irrigators produce a concentrated stream of water that can help loosen and wash away food particles from hard-to-reach places. Just keep in mind that it cannot replace flossing.

If you have questions about the tools and techniques to help clean and maintain your braces in El Paso, Texas, please feel free to call your Rivera Orthodontics orthodontist, Dr. Jaime Rivera, at 915-592-5853 for further advice. Together we will help you create a healthy, aligned, more confident smile!

The post How to Clean around Your Braces for Optimal Oral Hygiene first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.