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.
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.
Our office has always
followed the strictest sterilization and disinfection guidelines provided by
OSHA and the CDC. We have always disinfected the rooms after each patient,
sterilized all instruments, and wiped down common surfaces. But we did use our
downtime to plan ahead for the safest possible environment we can provide for
both our patients and staff.
During our time away from
the office, our team has been taking a great deal of continuing education
courses, staying in contact through weekly virtual meetings, and making plans
to get back to work. Even though procedures and protocols may be different, the
excellent care you have come to expect from our office will never change!
If you have any questions
about our re-opening procedures and the steps we have taken to ensure our
patients safety please do not hesitate to call San Antonio office at (210)
921-9191. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any
questions you may have.
The mission at Bunn Orthodontic Group is to create a positive influence in the facial esthetics, personality, and health of our patients. We are committed to creating the most beautiful smiles in our San Antonio community. While a beautiful smile is the first thing you think of when it comes to hearing the words, “orthodontist” “braces” or “Invisalign” - orthodontic treatment is so much more than a beautiful smile. It affects your overall health, physically and mentally.
Here are four incredible benefits of having a straight smile, that goes beyond a beautiful smile.
1 - A Healthy Bite:
Orthodontic treatment aims to ensure your bite is correctly in place, that your upper and lower teeth fit perfectly together. A bad bite is called a “malocclusion,” which is the imperfect positioning of your teeth and jaws. Your bite is essential for things we often do not think about such as helping us speak correctly, the way we eat our food and the health of our gums.
2. Decreases Risk of Tooth Injury:
Teeth that are crowded together, are more at risk to be broken in an accident such as sports injuries or a fall. April was National Facial Protection Month, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t remind our patients to wear mouthguards. Whether your son or daughter is playing sports, a mouthguard will help their teeth be protected, regardless of their orthodontic treatment.
3. Improved Oral Hygiene:
A straight smile improves your oral hygiene. Your teeth become easier to clean. Crowded teeth are harder to floss, which leads to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Plaque buildup and lack of an effective oral hygiene routine can lead to bacteria, bleeding gums and tooth loss.
4. Improves Self Esteem / Happier:
An added health benefit of a straight smile is towards our mental health. It’s no secret the end result of your orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile. Like our mission statement states, our mission is to create a positive influence in the personality of our patients. We believe that a smile will help anyone smile with confidence, to grow confidently in all areas of their lives.
Check out a few of our patients fantastic smiles. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and smile with confidence.
A smile is a universal language and no matter where you are in San Antonio, no one can mistake a smile for a warm hello. A smile is often the first thing people notice about you. If you are thinking about your smile and not feeling so confident, there are many ways to ensure your smile is at its best and you feel confident to tackle the world.
Whether it is Invisalign or braces in correcting bites, our team will ensure your treatment is as smooth as possible and your end result leaves you smiling. With our latest technology in our office at Bunn Orthodontic Group, Dr. Bunn and Dr. Alfonso work to ensure your first visit is informative and that you have all the necessary information to choose the treatment plan that is best for you and your health.
Technology has come a long way with orthodontics. We use the latest 3D technology such as our iCat CBCT X-ray machine and the advanced iTero Element that allows us to complement our records to help us develop the appropriate treatment plan. This 3D Technology captures various images of your teeth and creates an accurate 3D model of your mouth, teeth, and gums, all from a scanner.
This technology allows Dr. Bunn or Dr. Alfonso to inspect and plan out your treatment plan from a 3D model of the inside of your mouth within a few minutes. This technology means we have reduced the need for impressions that have you bite down on the sticky stuff. As one of the few orthodontic offices in San Antonio, that offers this, it is far more accurate to ensure your smile is on its way to being the best it can be. This is also beneficial to see your end result, especially when it comes to planning using clear aligners to straighten your smile.
We are committed to determining which treatment solution is best suited for you. Using the latest technology in San Antonio that is convenient and efficient for our patients is what continues to ensure we put our patient's needs first. Check out a few of our patient's fantastic smiles. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and smile with confidence.
The mission at Bunn Orthodontic Group is to create a positive influence on the facial aesthetics, personality, and health of our patients. We are committed to creating the most beautiful smiles. Your smile has an effect on your whole life, so if you are wondering about braces can transform your smile at Bunn Orthodontic Group - we offer two types of braces traditional metal braces and ceramic clear braces.
Traditional metal braces are the most commonly known type of braces. They are usually made of high-grade stainless steel and due to the changing technology, are much more comfortable than ever.
Ceramic braces are a growing option to correct your bite and straighten a smile. The ceramic braces work just like traditional braces, however, these are made of a clear material and are nearly invisible. There is a perfect option for adults or teenagers who want to continue to live their life and smile confidently throughout their treatment.
So what is the process of dental braces and how they shift your teeth? After your initial consultation with Dr. Bunn or Dr. Alfonso, we will map out your entire treatment plan using our latest technology. Once you are ready for braces, your teeth are first cleaned to ensure that the brackets will bond properly. A conditioner is used on the front surfaces of the teeth for 30 seconds to further prepare them for bonding the brackets.
A special cement is placed on the back of the brackets, which are then applied to the predetermined positions on the teeth. Once the brackets are in place, excess cement is removed, and the brackets are hardened into place with a high-intensity light. The retractor is removed, and the dental archwires are then put into place.
Once your braces are well adjusted, you can expect some soreness, discomfort, and tightness as you get used to the feel of your braces. Some dental wax and over the counter pain medication can be taken to help with the discomfort.
We are committed to determining which treatment solution is best suited for you. Check out a few of our patient's fantastic smiles. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and smile with confidence.
A smile is uniquely yours and allows you to express who you really are. If you are deciding whether or not to straighten your teeth, our team at Bunn Orthodontic Group understand it is a big decision that affects not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well. Having proper aligned teeth, gives you additional benefits beyond a confident smile.
Your teeth can be aligned at any age, from children to teenagers to adults. If you are an adult or a teenager in the San Antonio community, counting down to a healthier smile and want to live your life uninterrupted, Invisalign can be your perfect opportunity, after all San Antonio is known as the “Countdown City.” Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic. Here are 4 benefits of using clear aligners, to help you decide to a healthier smile.
1. Appearance - When we say “live your life uninterrupted,” we mean for you to continue to live your life the way you do. The clear aligners are custom designed for you at our office and Dr. Bunn or Dr. Alfonso will design a treatment plan to move your teeth from their current position into the best possible alignment. Your invisalign clear aligners are nearly invisible, so you can continue to smile with confidence during treatment. Aligners are designed to minimize the appearance of the appliance to better fit any lifestyle.
2. Comfort – Using clear aligners has a big advantage over traditional braces, you will not have to worry about poking wires or cuts traditional braces can give you. One of the benefits of utilizing clear aligners is the ability for them to be easily removed. There may be very little to no discomfort when you switch to a new set of aligners, however this can easily be managed.
3. No Restrictions on Food - One of the greatest benefits of using the clear aligner system (Invisalign), is lesser food restrictions during your treatment plan with Bunn Orthodontic Group. Unlike traditional braces and the food restrictions during your treatment, there are certain foods you should avoid because of all the wires and sensitivity of your mouth. You can easily remove your aligners while you enjoy your favorite foods.
You should try to avoid drinking soft drinks, flavored waters or sports drinks of any kind with aligners in. These sugary liquids can seep into your aligners and can rapidly lead to staining of the teeth and cause decay, if there is acid or sugar in your drinks. Many foods and drinks can stain or discolor your aligners.
4. Hygiene - Your oral health routine should be ruled by brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and using a mouthwash. Proper upkeep and good oral hygiene are essential in keeping your clear aligners clean, invisible and odor free. You will be wearing your aligners 22 hours a day and only remove them for cleaning and eating.
The aligners can be easily removed for eating and drinking, however, failing to properly clean your aligners afterwards can result in discoloration and a buildup of bacteria. With Invisalign, it is easier to clean your teeth than if you had traditional metal braces. You simply remove your aligners and go on with your routine.
With proper hygiene, you avoid the dangers of plaque buildup, cavities, swollen gums and bad breath. By maintaining a good oral hygiene you help minimize your time in treatment.
With orthodontic treatment that is practically invisible, you can be confident that you’re doing what’s best for your health without putting your life on hold to accomplish your dental goals. A personal consultation with Dr. Bunn is the best way to determine if Invisalign is right for you. Contact our office today to reserve your appointment for more information or request an appointment online.
