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You may be surprised to learn that dental braces are not a modern invention. Even ancient societies like Egypt and Etruria used metal and animal sinew to keep their teeth in place.

Thankfully, dental practices have treated improved since ancient times. Now, children and their parents can choose between different modern treatments like traditional braces vs. Invisalign.

To read about the different factors involved in this decision, check out the information below.

Types of Braces

Everyone is familiar with traditional metal braces, but may not be as knowledgeable about Invisalign. Invisalign is a type of clear aligner or a plastic form of dental braces.

Other forms of dental braces include ceramic braces and lingual braces. Ceramic braces are almost the same as traditional metal braces, but the brackets are designed to blend in better. With lingual braces, the brackets are attached to the back of the tooth so they are hidden.

Braces vs. Invisalign Cost

For parents, a major factor when deciding between these two treatment methods is cost. The cost of each option is not hugely different, but the average cost of traditional braces is slightly lower.

The cost of Invisalign depends on the number of unique, custom-molded trays needed. The cost of either treatment option, however, largely depends on the state of the teeth and how much work is needed.

Hopefully, you have dental insurance, as either option costs thousands of dollars and insurance often helps pay for some of it.

Pros and Cons of Braces

Traditional braces, whether metal or ceramic, are highly visible. However, this method is also highly effective. The reason why braces are more painful than Invisalign is not a drawback — it’s because they work for severely misaligned teeth.

Some children even seem to prefer the high visibility of braces. They can choose a new rubberband color each time they go in.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

The biggest pros of Invisalign are appearance and comfort. They are nearly invisible, with no painful wires or brackets sticking out and cutting up your mouth. The adjustment process at the orthodontist’s office is less frequent and far less painful.

Invisalign, however, is not the best treatment option for severe tooth or bite issues. It’s best for mild-to-moderate crowding or spacing problems. It can also cost more than traditional braces would to fix these issues.

Invisalign has to be removed when eating or drinking, so this option is best for responsible patients who won’t lose the expensive trays. Also, the trays must be worn as often as possible for the treatment to work.

Making a Choice

The traditional braces vs. Invisalign debate is not about which option is best, but which option is best for you. Considering that the cost is similar, comfort plays a big role in deciding between these two treatment plans.

Before you decide, make an appointment with us to get advice from a professional orthodontist.

Do you or your child have crooked, gapped, or missing teeth? Are you wondering if invisible braces are right for you?

Believe it or not, your overall oral health will benefit significantly from braces. So you will your appearance, your confidence, and your breath.

But are all teeth braces the same, and how do you choose the best invisible ones for you?

Let’s take a look.

Why Go Invisible?

Braces provide dental care in terms of making your bite straight. Since it will be easier to clean your teeth, braces can help reduce bacteria buildup and prevent problems like gum disease and tooth decay.

One of the main advantages of options like Invisalign is that most people won’t notice you’re wearing them. Adults and older teens who are responsible enough to wear them the required amount of time per day often prefer them to traditional metal options.

Another reason folks go invisible is comfort. Many find they are easier to wear than metal braces, which can sometimes irritate the sides of your mouth.

In addition, invisible braces allow you to eat most things. While you are restricted from eating chewy or sticky items with metal braces, you can remove invisible aligners when you eat. This means you can continue to enjoy most of your favorite foods.

Invisible braces can also be removed when you’re brushing and flossing, so your teeth will be easier to care for. If you’re ready for a serious positive change, invisible braces could be for you.

How Do I Find The Best Invisible Braces For Me?

There are a number of factors that you should consider when choosing invisible braces. First of all, you’ll want to consider how long you will wear them, as well as the overall cost.

Things like dental insurance and Health Savings Accounts can help make your treatment affordable. Make sure you find out about how much your insurance will cover, and how much tax-sheltered money you can put aside for the treatment before you agree to it.

The timing of your treatment will depend upon the condition of your mouth. However, some brands may have a shorter wear time than others.

Talk to your dentist about the variety of options available. Those like Invisalign have been around a long time and have a trusted reputation.

Your dentist can analyze your bite and specific dental needs. Some types of invisible braces may be recommended if you need major corrections. Other options may be more budget-friendly.

The best braces have lots of wearers who can attest to their comfort and effectiveness. Make sure to read reviews of the brands online before making a final decision.

Smiling On

The invisible braces for you or your child will be a success in terms of their results, price, and wearability. Make sure you do your research and find the invisible braces you can trust. You will be enjoying a beautiful new smile for years to come.

Don’t stop getting smart about invisible braces now. For excellent options and professional dentists in your area, contact us today.

Because Invisalign first went public in 2000, most users of Invisalign aligners are now younger than the brand itself. Despite this, many users are still confused about how to live with their Invisalign day-to-day as they work towards straight teeth.

Yuba City Orthodontics is here to help. We’ve compiled seven simple tips to ensure a smooth time with Invisalign. Read on to live your best ‘invisalife’.

1. Brush Your Teeth and Floss Daily

The ease with which you can still brush and floss your teeth is one of the pluses of Invisalign over braces. Don’t waste that advantage and continue to do your proper dental work!

The ADA recommends you floss at least once a day and you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. With Invisalign, you’ll want to brush after meals as well. Speaking of which…

2. Watch Out for High-Risk Foods

One surefire way to ruin your Invisalign aligners is to gunk them up with sticky foods. After eating foods like taffy or hard candies, be extra vigilant with your brushing to keep leftovers out of your Invisalign.

Keep watch for dark beverages as well. Coffee and tea can stain both teeth and Invisalign with ease.

3. Rinse Your Aligners Nightly

Your mouth generates quite a bit of bacteria over a day. Trust us, you don’t want any of that carrying over to tomorrow. Rid your Invisalign of bacteria with nightly rinses.

To rinse your Invisalign aligners, run them under soft water and gently brush them with a toothbrush. Aggressive brushing runs the risk of damaging your aligners for future use.

4. Track Your Hours Wearing Aligners

Invisalign recommends you wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day. While these hours seem simple, it’s easy to lose track of time when you remove Invisalign for eating, drinking, and brushing.

Keep a journal or running timer of time spent with your Invisalign removed. This way, you’ll know exactly when you need to keep them on or take them off.

5. Prepare for Adjustments

While less painful than braces, Invisalign adjustments still cause discomfort. If you have an important meeting or event, you’ll want to acclimate to your adjusted Invisalign beforehand.

Avoid scheduling adjustments before major life events. Alternatively, get your Invisalign adjusted in the evening to acclimate overnight.

6. Don’t Throw Out Your Previous Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign is known for its lightweight design and near transparency. However, both of these factors make your aligners extremely easy to lose!

Keep your previous aligners from your last check-up just in case a disaster strikes. While they won’t advance your progress, they’ll keep you stagnant while you wait for your next appointment.

7. Enjoy Your Life as Normal

Invisalign treatment offers some incredible benefits over braces, so make sure you use them! Eat what you want, drink what you want, and be merry.

Book an Invisalign Appointment Today

It’s easy to keep your Invisalign clean and functional. As long as you remain diligent and conscious of potential pitfalls, Invisalign aligners will fix your teeth in no time.

Want to get started using Invisalign? Contact us online or call us at our nearest office number for Invisalign and other orthodontic work.

Braces affect more than appearance. Did you know wearing braces as a kid can have long-term effects on digestion, neck tension, autoimmune disorders, and jaw tension?

It is important to be aware of the facts when considering if and when braces are right for your child. Below is a guide with the three most important things when considering braces for kids.

1. Know the Benefits

The objective of braces is to straighten and align teeth which of course has cosmetic benefits and can boost your child’s self-esteem for a lifetime. Properly aligned teeth are also important for overall well-being.

Malocclusion, or improper positing of the teeth, can cause tooth decay, and physical damage to teeth. It can be a precursor to digestive issues as a result of improper chewing due to misaligned teeth. A poor bite can also cause chronic neck tension and block nasal passages due to a compressed palate.

Braces are an option to resolve these issues. These issues can develop at any age and might indicate that it is time to see an orthodontist. It is important to at least give time to your child’s oral development before jumping into an invasive treatment.

2. Know the Risks

At an early age, your child’s face is still growing and hasn’t reached its mature structure. Braces can potentially alter the mature shape of your child’s face by realigning the teeth and changing the jaw position. For some people, this change can be good, and for others, it may result in a longer, less full face.

It is hard to make this prediction, especially in younger patients since they are farther from puberty. If this is a concern, make sure to consult with only the best orthodontist. Some orthodontists will show a 3D image of the predicted changes in facial structure from braces.

3. Consider the Four Types of Braces

There are four types of braces: traditional metal, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign. All four options are available to kids, teens, and adults. Metal braces are the most common and worn by millions in the US. Lingual braces are also metal but are placed behind the teeth to be invisible.

Depending on your child’s confidence and eating habits one of these four types might be better at a certain age. With all options, it is important to find an orthodontist who uses clean non-toxic metals, ceramics, and plastics free of mercury, BPA, nickel, and lead.

When Should I Seek Braces for Kids?

The best age for braces for kids does not have a one size fits all answer. The main consensus among orthodontists is to monitor early on before jumping into any invasive treatment. Just because your child will see an orthodontist doesn’t mean they need braces right away, or at all.

It is beneficial for your child before their jaw permanently develops, around puberty, to see an orthodontist. This puts the steering wheel in your seat. The best thing to do is get answers by discussing with an orthodontist for children.

Are you new to braces? While you’re well on your way to a straighter smile, the process can be painful. Your teeth need to shift, and because they’re set into your jaw, that means that there’s a lot of pressure in your mouth.

While you can’t fully get rid of soreness from braces (the pain is part of the territory), we’re here to tell you how to relieve braces pain so you can get through the day.

Keep reading to learn more.

1. Use Orthodontic Wax

Did your orthodontist provide you with orthodontic wax? This wax is meant to handle the pain from braces, so it’s a must-have for anyone getting a straighter smile.

To use this wax, ball up a small piece and warm it between your fingers. Place it over any sharp areas that are pressing into the sides of your mouth. This should soften the sharp areas so the pain is more manageable.

Keep wax on hand to replace as necessary. Bonus: This also works for sharp rubber band buttons from Invisalign.

2. Use Cool or Warm Drinks

As with any soreness, soreness from braces can be relieved with heat or cold.

You want to be careful. Don’t use anything too hot or you risk damaging your mouth further. You can use warm teas or warm water.

If you prefer a colder method, cold drinks, popsicles and ice make great choices. If you have something with sugar, make sure that you brush your teeth after.

3. Rinse With Salt Water

If you’re already using warm water to soothe your pain, consider adding salt. Don’t drink this water, but swish it around your mouth for thirty seconds before spitting it out.

This rinse should relieve some of your pain, and it’s also good for your gums.

Salt helps to bring bacteria out of your gums, making it great for your dental health. Some dentists recommend using a saltwater rinse when you’re healing wounds after dental procedures.

4. Try Over-the-Counter Medication

While heavy prescription medications are unnecessary for this kind of pain, there’s nothing wrong with using over-the-counter painkillers. These reduce inflammation.

For more targeted pain relief, oral anesthetics (like Orajel) can get rid of pain almost immediately. While the pain will come back when the gel wears away, it’s easy to re-apply.

5. Change Your Diet

One of the hardest parts about getting orthodontic work done is realizing that you’ll have to change your diet. The change is temporary, but it can still be disappointing.

You should already be avoiding anything too sticky or hard if you have traditional braces, but if you’re dealing with pain, you may also have to cut out things like raw fruits and vegetables.

If you have clear aligners, you may have to cut these things out for the first few days of each tray.

How to Relieve Braces Pain: The Easy Way

Your braces are going to hurt from time to time, but the end result is worth it. Before you know it you’re going to have a straight and healthy smile. Remember… no pain, no gain.

By using these tips for how to relieve braces pain, you can make your time with braces a bit easier.

Are you looking for an expert orthodontist in Yuba City, California? We’re here for you! Contact us at Yuba City Orthodontics to set up an appointment today!