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woman smiling in front of door

Confidence with Invisalign | HOW EASY? | 7 QUICK FACTS

Creating confidence. Invisalign creates a confident smile, different from the one you have today. Clear aligners are the new benchmark for orthodontic treatment. In this post, we’ll show you why you can gain confidence with Invisalign. Let’s get cracking.

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Life with Braces - Beautiful Smiles in MN

What to Expect When Seeing an [Orthodontist]

Seeing an Orthodontistt
LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 26, 2017

What to Expect When Seeing an Orthodontist?

If you have never visited an orthodontist then you need to know what to expect. First, you must understand that orthodontic staff know that patients are nervous, especially during the first visit. The staff at an orthodontic office try to make the process comfortable for everyone no matter what their age. There are frequently fun waiting areas with a television or magazines to read. To keep children busy, there is a small playroom with toys, crayons and coloring books. The facility wants to keep teenagers happy by supplying computers with an Internet connection. In most cases, you won’t need to wait long to see an orthodontist because facilities keep patient’s appointment times structured.

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charles tweed

Orthodontic Fact #10 The first ever certified orthodontist in the United States is Dr. Charles Tweed from the late 18th century

charles tweed

Orthodontic Fact #10 The first ever certified orthodontist in the United States is Dr. Charles Tweed from the late 18th century

In 1925, future orthodontist Charles Tweed was refused admittance to the Angle School of Orthodontics in Pasadena., California. He was told that he needed to take orthodontics more seriously. He was accepted to the school on his second application. Some years later, Charles Tweed would advance orthodontics by improving on the Angle School’s techniques, and carve a place in history for himself and the orthodontic world.

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greeks

Orthodontic Fact #11 “In 1000 BC, the ancient Greeks fashioned a catgut or metal strips with goat or sheep intestines to correct teeth deformities. Be thankful that you are living in the 21st century.”

Greeks

Orthodontic Fact #11 “In 1000 BC, the ancient Greeks fashioned a catgut or metal strips with goat or sheep intestines to correct teeth deformities. Be thankful that you are living in the 21st century.”

It just goes to show that even the ancients had their issues with teeth. They figured out an ingenious way to straighten tooth issues that we have incorporated into our practice. No, we don’t use catgut, goat or sheep intestines. However, because of their ingenuity, we have learned to improve our procedures and techniques.

Learning from the past and improving on it is one of the ways we operate here at McDermott Orthodontics. It is fascinating to note that the metal strips the Greeks used to straighten their teeth are the basis for the metal braces still worn today. It is equally fascinating that most, but not all, the skill set the Greeks acquired by trial and error is being used today.

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brushing

Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard”

tooth brushing

Brushing Too Often or Too Hard

Getting braces like Invisalign is one of the best ways to enhance and protect your smile, providing a lifetime benefit. However, some people with dental hardware get over zealous in caring for their teeth during orthodontic treatment. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Don’t overdo it

Everyone should brush daily with appropriate equipment like a clean toothbrush and dental floss. However, you don’t need to spend five or ten minutes at it. Dentists and orthodontists often recommend brushing for one to two minutes at a time. Check with your orthodontist to find out his or her recommendation for brushing while wearing braces.

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foods

Words of Wisdom No. 4 – Eat Cleansing Foods

Eat Cleansing Foods

If you want to keep your teeth clean, then eat healthy cleansing foods instead of low-quality junk foods that stick to your teeth. Fruit that is crisp and firm will help to remove the food debris, bacteria and plaque from your teeth. Some of these fruits include fresh pears or apples, but you need to use caution while eating these foods to prevent any damage to the brackets and wires of your braces. Cut fruit into tiny chunks or thin slices before eating the foods. You can remove your Invisalign aligners before eating cleansing foods such as fresh strawberries that will help to whiten your teeth naturally.

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