Egyptians also used metal to place in the deceased’s mouths. Romans used the method of pressing their fingers consistently to push their teeth into a straighter smile or using thin, gold wire to try shaping their teeth into the correct shape.

The revolution of dental braces couldn’t happen without philosophers’ research such as Hippocrates and Aristotle. One of the first official books on dentistry and orthodontics was Pierre Fauchard’s book, The Surgeon Dentist (Le Chirurgien Dentiste), published in 1728. One of the chapters discusses the use of an iron device known as a “Bandeau.” This was reformed by Louis Bourdet in 1754 to further help the teeth’s arch expand.

Christophe-Francois Delabarre created the first wire crib in 1819, followed soon by the invention of gum elastics by Edward Maynard in 1843. Different advancements such as dental dams and bands were made in the next century. The invention of the x-ray machine created further advancements in dental research so dentists could observe below the gums. The term “braces” was also keyed into society.

Metallic braces consisting of gold and silver followed. These were typically only affordable for those with enough money to purchase gold or silver braces. The biggest breakthrough for ortho was the discovery of dental adhesive in the 1970s. This allowed brackets to be placed directly on the teeth. This was then followed by the use of stainless steel, which was not only affordable for everyone, but was much easier for dentists to bend and adjust according to the patient’s mouth.

Here at Rivera Orthodontics, we focus on giving you your best smile with the most updated technology and methods. Call our office in El Paso, Texas, to schedule an appointment or get a consultation at 915-592-5853. We will be happy to assist you with a better and straighter smile today!

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Tip 1 Brushing

While proper oral health is important for a healthy smile it is even more necessary to ensure a healthy mouth while wearing braces. Why is this? Because brackets and wires can trap food particles and harbor bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. We advise brushing your teeth every time you eat, including meals and snacks, instead of just twice a day. You can use a manual toothbrush or an electric/battery powered toothbrush, whichever works best for you. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush, and carefully clean each tooth around the brackets and gumline. Start with the gumline, then brush up and down around each bracket. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all oral debris is removed.

Tip 2 Flossing

Once your pearly whites have been properly cleaned with brushing, be sure to floss–at the very least once each day. Clean the areas between the teeth as well as the tooth surfaces under the wires. Find a flossing method that works best for you, and use it! You can use waxed dental floss, a threaded floss, an oral irrigator, an interdental brush or an orthodontic floss which is specifically designed to clean around brackets and wires.

If you are snacking at work, or dining out for lunch and forgot a toothbrush, you can remove food particles and debris after eating by rinsing well with water or mouthwash. Of course, follow up with a thorough tooth brushing as soon as you are able.

A beautiful smile can be yours if you follow good oral hygiene habits while wearing braces. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera in El Paso, Texas, please give us a call at 915-592-5853 today. Our Rivera Orthodontics team looks forward to helping you!

The post Are You Cleaning Your Smile Properly While Wearing Braces? first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Braces are can be made from different materials. Traditional braces are made of metal. However, for those who are hesitant about wearing metal brackets and wires, we offer aesthetic braces. These braces have wires and brackets that are made from clear or tooth-colored material. During your consultation, discuss your options with our orthodontist to find the best treatment for you.

Braces have several parts that apply continuous pressure over a period of time to move the teeth to their ideal positions. These components include:

Brackets – The brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth or are attached to orthodontic bands. The brackets hold the arch wires in place that move the teeth.

Orthodontic bands – These bands wrap around each tooth to hold the brackets in place. They are not used in every case. Some individuals have brackets and no bands.

Arch wires – Arch wires guide the teeth to their ideal positions. They attach to the brackets.

Ligatures – These tiny rubber bands hold the arch wires to the brackets.

Elastics or rubber bands – These are attached to hooks on the brackets and worn between the upper and lower teeth. They move the upper teeth against the lower teeth to achieve proper fit of individual teeth.

We welcome you to call Rivera Orthodontics at 915-592-5853 today for more information and to set up your next appointment (or your child’s next appointment) with our orthodontist.

The post Braces for a Straighter Smile first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.

Braces use several components to apply continuous pressure over a period of time to move the teeth to their ideal positions. These components include:

– Orthodontic bands: These bands wrap around each tooth to anchor the brackets in place. They are not used for all patients. Some individuals have brackets and no bands.
– Brackets: Brackets are squares that are attached to the front of each tooth with orthodontic bands or bonding. The brackets hold the arch wires in place as that move the teeth.
– Arch Wires: These attach to the brackets and guide the teeth to their ideal positions.
– Ligatures: These tiny rubber bands hold the arch wires to the brackets.
– Elastics: Brackets have hooks that elastics or rubber bands are attached to to connect the upper and lower teeth in various ways. This applies pressure to the upper teeth against the lower teeth to achieve an ideal bite.

There are certain foods that you should avoid when wearing braces, including:

– Hard or difficult-to-bite foods
– Chewy foods
– Corn on the cob
– Hard pretzels, nuts, carrots, and popcorn

Also, do not chew bubble gum or ice.

We encourage you to contact Rivera Orthodontics today to learn more about orthodontics and to schedule a consultation.

The post The Components of Braces first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.