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Own Your Braces! Be Confident In Your Braces Journey

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Getting braces can be an exciting and challenging time. You may feel uncertain about your appearance or unsure about how braces will impact your life. While you may feel self-conscious about braces, you should think about what braces are actually doing for you. Braces will make your smile healthy and beautiful, which will garner many compliments in the years ahead.

Inspiration throughout your smile journey

When you are wearing braces, you should be confident and not avoid social situations. While you may be self-conscious, the truth is that very few people will even notice the difference. Here are some tips to help you stay optimistic and confident during your braces journey:

  • When you get braces accept them. They will be a part of your life for a while.
  • Feel confident. Own them and let your confidence shine through.
  • People of all ages wear braces. It doesn’t matter if you are in middle school, college or an adult, you are wearing them for the same purpose.
  • Braces are temporary. Before you know it they will be gone.
  • Always visual the end result and how they will help you.

Braces are designed to help straighten your teeth and improve your smile. The treatment plan depends on your situation’s complexity and severity. Therefore you may be wearing braces anywhere from a few months to two or three years.

If you are feeling anxious about getting braces, feel free to talk to Dr. Michael Larson or our team here at Yuba City Orthodontics. We realize children and adults have different needs, so as a provider of braces and treatment for patients of all ages, we work to address your personal orthodontic needs.
When it comes to questions or concerns regarding braces, call us at (530) 674-5047. We will gladly address your concerns and answer any questions that you may have regarding braces.

Yuba City Orthodontics
1215 Plumas Street, Suite 500
Yuba City, CA 95991
(530) 674-5047

Manual Vs. Electronic Toothbrushes, Which is Better?

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manual vs electronicWe love dental questions! In fact, all of our staff at Yuba City Orthodontics encourages patients to ask our staff any dental questions that come to mind. One question that we hear often is about the on-going debate between manual and electric toothbrushes. Which is better?

Before we go any further, we’ll openly admit that we do not take sides in the manual-electronic toothbrush battle (we’ve had too many casualties in the Android-iOS war). We’ll simply present the advantages and disadvantages of both and let you make an informed decision. Please note that there are a number of personal factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush.

MANUAL TOOTHBRUSHES

Before electric toothbrushes came into existence, the manual toothbrush enjoyed the title of undisputed champion of tooth cleaning products. It’s staying power remains firm to this because of the following:

Advantages

  • Easy leaning curve. Manual toothbrushes are plug and play. It only takes a few minutes of practice to understand how to apply.
  • Variety. There is no shortage of manual toothbrush colors, styles, bristles lengths, grips, and angles.
  • Travel friendly. A small case or a bag is all that is needed for a manual brush.
  • Very cheap & accessible. You can go to virtually any store and find a toothbrush for a few bucks. You can save even more if you clip a coupon!
  • Multi-functional- they are amazing at cleaning household items. These include faucets,kitchen sinks, hair dryers, and even your fingernails. (Just in case you wanted to know). Make sure you use a new toothbrush and dispose of it.

Disadvantages

  • Technique. Unfortunately, many people brush incorrectly because they were either taught the wrong way or not taught at all. Brushing too hard, too softly or for too briefly can result in problems.

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES

Fast, spinning and thorough; electric toothbrushes are the favorite hygiene tool of many.

Advantages

  • Little effort required. The marvel of electricity! Just hold, angle and let the e-brush do its job. It’s electric!
  • Very effective. The consistent spinning motion of electric brushes creates a more thorough cleaning than manual brushes in most occasions. Hands and wrists tend to get fatigued after brushing for a bit; especially in certain angles. Additionally, circular brush heads commonly found on electric brushes conform to tooth surfaces better.
  • Fun factor. The thrill of having a spinning electrical object in your mouth doing something that many find boring is great. Young children often tire of manual brushes and fail to brush properly. E-brushes can make brushing fun.

Disadvantages

  • The expense. Good electric toothbrushes are not cheap.
  • Travel hassle. Electric toothbrushes are a lot bulkier than manual ones. If you are traveling, you’ll need a separate pouch for it and its charger.

Yuba City Orthodontics 1215 Plumas Street, Suite 500, Yuba City, CA 95991 Call (530) 674-5047

How To Wear Braces To Prom

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If you are nearing the end of your senior year of high school, you are probably excited at the thought of prom. Pictures of yourself in that tuxedo or dress flood your imagination. It is a once in a lifetime event where you get to celebrate with classmates and friends. But then your excitement suddenly turns to worry: you have braces! That’s bad enough to ruin your special day. Or is it?

Your braces might have been recently put on, or you might have had them for a while. Whatever the case, they don’t have to shatter your dream for a memorable prom.

For the ladies, here are the awaited beauty tips. Included in this video are some suggestions on makeup products to make you feel like a princess

Here Are 5 tips to help you go to prom with braces:

  • Embrace your braces. Smile as you normally would and don’t let them suck the joy from your night. You might feel a little self-conscious and that’s okay. But, the truth of the matter is that the people around you could care less about your braces. They are here to have a good time, and probably want you to do the same. Smile and laugh freely.
  • To give yourself some options, take two prom photos. In one pose, smile naturally with your teeth showing. In the other, keep your mouth closed. If you do not feel comfortable with your braces, you can just pick the one with your teeth hidden.
  • To lessen the appearance of  your braces, carefully select the color of your orthodontic ties. Try to match them with the color of your outfit. By so doing, you show that you’re not bothered by your braces and have accepted them. It makes you give off an aura of confidence, which is attractive.
  • It’s possible for food to lodge in your braces and this can be awkward. To avoid this, bring a travel toothbrush, mini dental floss, and compact mirror and clean your teeth after eating any appetizers or dinner.

With the right approach, braces can be the least of your worries on your prom night.