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.

National Orthodontic Health Month: 4 Orthodontic Myths

This month we are celebrating National Orthodontic Health Month at Bunn Orthodontic Group with lots of smiles from our amazing San Antonio community. National Orthodontic Health Month is aimed at educating people on the benefits of orthodontic treatment and how easy it is to find the right treatment plan for you.

Did you know the number of adults currently undergoing orthodontic treatment is an estimated 1.61 million adults? That is one in four adults! Many who are right here in our own San Antonio community, choosing to get traditional braces or one of our many orthodontic services. However, whether you are an eight-year-old, just starting third grade or 80 and wanting to continue making your smile shine, orthodontic treatment is the same process. Since our teeth continue to move and shift as we grow older, orthodontic treatment can be done at any age.

The mission at Bunn Orthodontic Group is to create a positive influence in the facial aesthetics, personality, and health of our patients. We are committed to creating the most beautiful smiles in our San Antonio community. We have seen many patients who are thankful for the orthodontic care they have received and how their smile turns out. Check out our Instagram page here.

An orthodontic treatment plan is different from patient to patient, however, the consequences of leaving misaligned teeth untreated bring the same results to your teeth and jaw. Misaligned teeth and jaws can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, difficulty chewing and in some cases, difficulty speaking. With a great treatment plan in place by Dr. Bunn or Dr. Alfonso, your personalized orthodontic treatment plan will create a healthier bite, aligned teeth and jaws, and a straight smile.

This month for National Orthodontic Health Month, we are debunking four orthodontic myths that are common misconceptions of orthodontic care, from traditional braces to how long treatment lasts, these myths are just that, myths.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is just about straight teeth.

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond a straight smile. The most noticeable result when your braces come off or after your final tray of aligners is an improved straight smile. However, orthodontic care is about the alignment of the teeth and jaws and a functional bite that improves. With orthodontic treatment, your oral health improves and helps prevent decay and other dental problems that can occur.

Myth: Traditional braces are my only option.

Traditional braces are a great option for orthodontic treatment, however, we offer various other alternatives, part of our orthodontic services. We are part of the few orthodontic practices in San Antonio that offer Ceramic Braces. These are very popular with adult and teenage patients. They are made of translucent (clear) material and are nearly invisible on the teeth, giving them high cosmetic appeal.

Invisalign is also a popular orthodontic treatment option. Invisalign is a series of clear overlay templates called aligners that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. Your aligners will be customized to fit the contours of your teeth, and each set of aligners will be slightly different to guide your teeth into the position that has been recommended by Dr. Bunn.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment takes forever. 

Advances and technology have made orthodontic treatment much more comfortable and less noticeable for all patients of any age. We feel it is important to analyze each patient’s specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction. Which is why orthodontic treatment can range from a few months to a few years.

Orthodontic treatment requires careful, controlled movements of the teeth to ensure they are moving into proper positions. That is why it is important to visit a trained orthodontists and avoid direct to consumer orthodontics or resort to DIY braces. This can lead to dangerous permanent damage to your gums, teeth and bones.

Part of our orthodontic services when you schedule a consultation at our office, is to discuss treatment options, time frames and financial arrangements. We insist that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of and how long it will take.

Myth: I can’t play sports because I have braces. 

Orthodontic treatment should not stop any of our awesome patients from living their life. Our orthodontic services such as braces and Invisalign are able to fit into anyone’s lifestyle, regardless of his or her age. Most kids worry about their extracurricular activities such as sports and not being able to participate due to having braces. The solution is to wear a mouthguard designed for you. Ask our staff for more information on mouthguards.

This month is a fun month due to all the treats from Halloween. It is also the perfect month to highlight our teeth and jaws and how important it is to keep our smiles healthy. We gain a lot from having a healthy bite and a straight smile. Join your San Antonio friends and schedule a complimentary consultation for orthodontic treatment.

The Nicest Office in South San Antonio!

Thank you for visiting the website of the Bunn Orthodontic Group, an orthodontic care provider committed to creating beautiful, confident smiles throughout the San Antonio, Texas area. Dr. Beverley Bunn and her dedicated team of highly-qualified professionals is committed to determining which treatment solution is best suited for your specific orthodontic needs thus rendering the ideal result. We offer a wide variety of treatment options ranging from traditional, time-proven appliances to the latest innovative orthodontic advancements.

Schedule a consultation today. We are also open Saturdays.

Check out some of our incredible smiles.

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Treatment completed! ✅ These are winning smiles 🌟🏆 #BunnBraces

A post shared by Bunn Orthodontic Group (@bunnbraces) on Sep 12, 2019 at 10:01am PDT

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Treatment completed! 🌟Congratulations on your fantastic smile. #BunnBraces 😀

A post shared by Bunn Orthodontic Group (@bunnbraces) on Sep 9, 2019 at 7:53am PDT

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Awesome smiles when your starting out treatment! 😃🎉👍 #BunnBraces

A post shared by Bunn Orthodontic Group (@bunnbraces) on Sep 18, 2019 at 10:31am PDT

4 Benefits of a Straight Smile in San Antonio

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.

Using 3D Technology to Create Your Smile

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.