Here are some service reminders to keep your orthodontic treatment at its peak:

– If you should suffer an oral accident which damages your braces, use your orthodontist-provided wax until a visit can be made to fix your braces,
– Always make sure to practice safe and effective oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing your teeth. Use dental tools that are specially designed for braces.
– Always be sure to visit your orthodontist at Rivera Orthodontics for all your regularly scheduled appointments and adjustments. Any skipped sessions could delay your recovery time and hamper your treatment effectiveness.
– If you have a retainer, always make sure it is cleaned adequately.
– Take extra caution when protecting your teeth and braces. If you are doing any strenuous activity, such as winter sports, or contact sports, be sure to wear proper safety gear such as helmets, mouth guards, and face protectors.
– Certain foods and snacks can get lodged between your teeth and braces. If possible, avoid harmful products that can get stuck in these areas.

For more tips and helpful hints to keep your braces at their best, please contact Rivera Orthodontics to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaime Rivera. Our office is located in El Paso, Texas, and we can be reached by calling us at 915-592-5853. We look forward to shaping your smile!

The post Embrace Your Orthodontic Care Treatment Options 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.

Orthodontic treatment can help you in many ways. In fact, there are many reasons why you should align your crooked smile, and those reasons are:

Reason No. 1: You’ll finally love your appearance

Once you align your smile, you will no longer feel embarrassed or ashamed of your teeth. Therefore, you will have the confidence you need to smile every chance you get and you’ll never feel self-conscious while you pose for pictures or laugh at a joke.

Reason No. 2: Your chances of having dental issues will decrease

Oftentimes, when you have crooked teeth, you have a high chance of suffering from dental issues. This is because plaque and food particles can become easily trapped in the hidden crevices between your misaligned teeth. Then, because your teeth are tough to clean, those substances will begin to create tooth decay and gum disease.

Reason No. 3: Your mouth will function properly

If you have straight teeth, you will have a proper bite, which means you will be able to chew and eat your food better. You will also be able to speak better, which can greatly boost your self-confidence.

To learn more about orthodontics, or to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist, Dr. Jaime Rivera, please call our office today at 915-592-5853. As you can see, orthodontic treatment can help you and your smile, giving you the self-confidence you need and deserve. We look forward to helping you work toward your dream smile!

The post Orthodontics: The Reasons Why You Should Have a Straight Smile first appeared on Rivera Orthodontics.