Get Rid of Your ToothBrush

Bunn Orthodontic Group

 

The toothbrush is your number one oral hygiene accessory.  Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush?

It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since it is constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn that's a clear sign you need a new toothbrush.

People who wear braces should change their toothbrushes more frequently because braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness.

It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement.

3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush:

1. Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing. Now, this isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck.

2. Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that…an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque.

3. Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to switch out your toothbrush.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution. Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great at cleaning around facet fixtures and in tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer key boards, and tennis shoes.

My Braces Are Giving Me Bad Breath

Bunn Orthodontic Group

 

We understand that bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about but unfortunately it happens to most people for several different reasons.  The most common factor for bad breath in patients with braces at Bunn Orthodontic Group is poor oral hygiene.

After getting braces, patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth correctly. Bacteria feeds on food particles left in your mouth, and this bacteria creates odor. Because braces contain so many small spaces to trap food, the habits that worked great for cleaning your teeth before braces may no longer be enough.

5 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath While Wearing Braces

1. Brush and Floss Often - Follow a strict routine of brushing and flossing regularly. Brush your teeth after breakfast every morning and prior to going to bed. Follow this up with a daily flossing to remove any food particles and buildup of plaque between your teeth.

2. Stay Hydrated - Dehydration is bad for both your overall health and your oral health as it can increase the chances of bad breath greatly. Drink a lot of water every day to keep your mouth constantly clean and moist.

3. Eat the Right Foods - Try to avoid sugary foods as much as possible as they lead to poor dental health which in turn leads to tooth decay and bad breath.

4. Use a Water Flosser – The powerful jets of water provided by a Water Flosser is great for cleaning between your braces…leaving your mouth clean and fresh.

5. Schedule Regular Dental Visits - Scheduling regular dental visits will help you keep any tooth and gum problems at bay as well as to rectify any oral health issues that may be contributing to bad breath or affecting your braces.

For more information on fighting bad breath visit our website or give one of our friendly team members a call...we are here to help.

Does My Child Need Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?

Bunn Orthodontic Group

Dr. Bunn can successfully correct most orthodontic problems regardless of the patient’s age. But that does not mean that the orthodontic treatment starting age does not matter. As with any decisions regarding health care, it is best to act when time is on your side.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that involves facial and jaw changes along with straightening teeth.  As a child grows, both the upper jaw and lower jaw will grow in three dimensions. This growth will decide the final positioning of the mid and lower face. Sometimes, the upper and lower jaws will grow at different rates and create alignment issues.

Two-phase orthodontics starts with interceptive treatment. Such treatment usually occurs between the ages of seven and ten in order to make more space for developing teeth, shift teeth, or manipulate growth. The goal of interceptive treatment is to take advantage of growth potential and to catch an orthodontic problem before it gets out of hand.

Once a majority of the adult teeth have erupted, the second phase can begin. This most commonly occurs at the age of 12 or 13. The goal of Phase II treatment is to achieve ideal alignment and bite relationships with all of the permanent teeth.

Dr. Beverley Bunn recommends scheduling your child’s first orthodontic consultation around the age of 7. Even if you think your child’s smile is perfect, early diagnosis and treatment can have a lasting improvement on the function of their teeth and their overall appearance.

Not every child requires Phase I treatment. If you are interested in learning more about Two-Phase Orthodontics, contact our San Antonio orthodontic office to schedule an initial consultation for your child.

Amazing Smiles For Life

Bunn Orthodontic Group

 

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve just gotten your taken braces off and your smile looks awesome!

If you want to keep that super straight, amazing smile you're going to need to make sure you wear your retainer...your retainer is the final phase in correcting your smile.

We know you know this…the braces come of, the retainer goes on. But we can’t stress it enough. If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth are going to move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places…just as if you never even had braces at all. 

Here’s something you may not know…your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces and/or other orthodontic appliances, it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth and smile don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable, and that crooked smile you thought was a thing of the past is back again.  

The retention phase of your treatment begins as soon as your braces are removed and lasts about two years. So, please wear your retainer as prescribed by Dr. Beverley Bunn, otherwise your nice straight teeth won’t be nice and straight for long. And we know you didn’t go through orthodontic treatment just for the fun of it. 

If you have any questions about the retention phrase of your orthodontic treatment, please don't hesitate to contact our San Antonio office. A member of our friendly and knowledge team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Providing Safe Orthodontic Care

Bunn Orthodontic Group

The last few months have been a little stressful due to the unprecedented and rapidly changing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic. We know you might feel a little apprehensive about starting your orthodontic treatment, but we want you to know that the entire team at Bunn Orthodontic Group has taken great care to ensure your safety.

Whether you’re thinking that right now might not the best time to start orthodontic treatment or that if you start treatment you will likely be stuck with cancelled appointments…don’t worry, the Bunn Orthodontic Group has taken the crucial measures required to reduce infection, we have found innovative ways to provide you with excellent orthodontic care, and we will support you at every stage of your orthodontic treatment.

What Our Office is Doing

• We are screening our team members daily for signs and symptoms of respiratory illness as well as taking each team member’s temperature.

• We continue to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects both our patients and our team members.

• We continue to adhere to the proper protocols for sterilizing, disinfecting, and cleaning of all instruments and equipment involved in patient care.

• We are constantly disinfecting surfaces that are commonly used by anyone entering the office.

• We continue to minimize the production of procedures that produce aerosols as well as work hard to reduce the amount of aerosols produced during certain procedures.

With the Bunn Orthodontic Group by your side, you can be confident about starting any necessary orthodontic treatment. From the initial consultation to the day your braces come off, your orthodontic treatment will be a smooth, simple, and safe process.

The Bunn Orthodontic Group is open to see all patients and is currently accepting new patients. Contact our San Antonio office to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Beverley J. Bunn today!