Invisalign Clear Aligners are a popular alternative to metal dental braces for mild patient cases. However, because clear aligners are made of plastic, which is not as forceful as metal, our pediatric patients need to take special care to ensure they get the most out of their Invisalign orthodontic treatment. Here’s how our Houston pediatric dentist recommends they do so.

Remove Invisalign Clear Aligners at Mealtimes

One of the greatest perks about Invisalign is that the aligner trays are removable, unlike metal braces which are glued to the teeth. They are not meant to be chewed with, so it is imperative that they are removed when it’s time to eat a meal or a snack.

Our Houston pediatric dentists recommend that patients undergoing Invisalign treatment avoid crispy, crunchy, and chewy textures in their food. This is especially true when their teeth feel delicate and sensitive after receiving a set of clear aligners. We also insist on the avoidance of hot drinks when wearing clear aligners, as the heat may mess with the shape of the plastic.

Our Invisalign Patients Must Wear Their Clear Aligners as Directed by Our Houston Pediatric Dentists

We recommend that patients wear their Invisalign 20-22 hours a day, as this ensures their teeth are continuously guided to the correct alignment. Wearing them less than that amount of time means their teeth will not straighten out properly.

Responsibility plays an important role in determining whether Invisalign is the right treatment plan for patients with mild cases, as wearing them as directed requires the responsibility to never lose them and the discipline to not undermine the importance of wearing them as directed. If they are worn as directed and the teeth are moving well, then our patients may be able to get away with forgoing Invisalign on a special occasion, such as a school dance. 

Maintain Exceptional Dental Hygiene While Undergoing Invisalign Treatment

Since clear aligners are designed to fit perfectly over the teeth, they can hold in whatever is left behind after our patients eat. This means that Invisalign patients may be more prone to cavities. In order to mitigate this, we recommend they brush their teeth after all meals and snacks with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss every night before bed. It’s also a good idea to rinse their aligners each time they take them off and put them back on.

Our Houston Pediatric Dentists Want to Ensure Successful Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign patients may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings. Please book an appointment with us so we can deeply clean the teeth and ensure our pediatric patients are on the right path to straight, healthy teeth. 

Now that you have your own set of dental veneers, chances are you feel like a brand new you. You have discovered an all-new level of confidence, and we’re excited for you! But, you have to maintain that new, stunning smile. Here are just some of the things our Houston cosmetic dentists recommend that you do in order to care for your veneers.

Clean Your Dental Veneers Like You Would Your Natural Teeth

It is a rather common misconception that once you get veneers, you don’t have to floss or brush as often because they aren’t your natural tooth anymore. The truth, however, is that you must continue to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every night. This is because, even if you only have a partial set of dental veneers, your natural teeth are still behind your veneers–they are just shaven down a bit. If you don’t maintain proper hygiene, you put yourself at risk of gum disease and recession, which, over time, will cause your veneers to chip or detach themselves.

Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption

If you frequently consume alcohol, there is a risk that you will soften the dental glue that keeps your veneers in place. This can make your veneers and your teeth prone to damage and stains, meaning your investment has gone to waste.

Use The Right Toothpaste When Brushing Your Dental Veneers

Many toothpaste brands utilize ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or baking soda, and while these ingredients work well to clean and whiten your natural teeth, they are far too rough for your veneers. They can easily scratch and scrub away the surface of your dental veneers, which will cause them to lose their color and shine. For the most part, gel toothpastes are a safe alternative, as they do not include these ingredients.

Don’t Skip Your Dental Checkups

Most importantly, you must continue to attend your dental cleanings twice a year. This helps us ensure you always take good care of your veneers, your overall health is good, and allows us to complete a deep cleaning of your teeth.

Contact Our Houston Cosmetic Dentists Today

If you would like us to check in on your veneers, or if you are in need of a dental cleaning, please book an appointment today so that we can help you maintain good oral hygiene habits and protect your smile.

Dental bridges are a cosmetic dentistry service we offer at Victory Smiles in Houston. They may look very similar to crowns on the surface, but there are clear differences between the two procedures we offer at our offices in Houston. Here’s how bridges compare to crowns, who might benefit from them, and why.

Dental Bridges Versus Dental Crowns: How Do They Compare?

Dental bridges replace missing or extracted teeth, while dental crowns simply protect heavily damaged teeth so they don’t need to be extracted due to further damage.

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth that are next to each other, a bridge fills that gap. This helps maintain the facial structure and the integrity of the rest of your teeth.

Traditional bridges are the most common type of dental bridge you can get. In this case, the bridge is made up of a single false tooth, or multiple false teeth (depending on your personal case). These teeth are then held in place by dental crowns that are cemented onto the neighboring, healthy teeth. This whole procedure ensures the most natural appearance and comfortable fit, while also protecting your healthy teeth.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

Our Houston cosmetic dentists recommend bridges to our patients who need to replace teeth that have fallen out due to decay, or that have had to be extracted by us due to excessive decay in order to save the rest of their teeth.

Bridges are a great option for patients that are missing teeth because not only do they help them feel confident again, but tooth loss leads to facial collapse, which occurs when the face gets a bit distorted due to its missing teeth. Teeth are meant to work together and essentially keep the face upright, so missing teeth will make the face look sagged and create problems with speech, your bite, and proper chewing.

Consult Our Cosmetic Dentist at Victory Smiles in Houston

If you think you may benefit from a dental bridge, please book an appointment with our cosmetic dentist. Our dentist will determine if bridges are right for you, as well as which type of bridge is most suitable for you.

Both kids and adults need fluoride for healthy teeth. This is especially true for young children who are in the process of losing their baby teeth (milk teeth) and are gradually getting their adult teeth (permanent teeth). Here are just some of the common myths about fluoride, their truths, and why our Houston pediatric dentists encourage fluoride in kids.

Myth #1: Children Who Drink Fluoridated Water Will Develop Dental Fluorosis

Fluorosis is a condition that causes hypomineralization of the teeth, leading to streaks and discoloration on the teeth. We understand why parents may be concerned, but this only occurs when children misuse fluoride.

The amount of fluoride in water is very low because we constantly drink it, so there is no need to add excessive fluoride. Fluorosis may occur if children intentionally swallow their fluoridated toothpaste each time they brush their teeth. However, occasionally swallowing tiny amounts may happen, but it is harmless.

Myth #2: Fluoride is Unnatural and Our Bodies Don’t Need It

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in trace amounts in most water sources as well as several foods and drinks. Some foods and drinks with fluoride include grapes, raisins, wines, black tea, spinach, and potatoes. The process of fluoridation in water simply increases the amount of fluoride that is present; it doesn't create fluoride.

Myth #3: Fluoridating water is expensive

Fluoridation is not an expensive process. In fact, it costs less than it costs to treat tooth decay, so we highly recommend drinking tap water to discourage decay and the need for treatment.

Our Houston Kids Dentist Recommends Incorporating Fluoride Treatments

When kids drink fluoridated water and brush their teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste, they are strengthening their enamel, which acts as a shield against decay. By also flossing every night, they are dramatically decreasing their chances of ever suffering from tooth decay.

In order to further strengthen their teeth, we also offer fluoride treatments after their pediatric dental cleanings. If you would like to learn more about fluoride treatments, please book an appointment with us so we can examine your child’s teeth and further discuss how fluoride treatments work.