After you get your braces removed, chances are your orthodontist will advise you to wear a retainer in order to keep your new smile in place. In most cases, orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer all the time for the first six months to a year. After that, nightly wearing is recommended in order to prevent […]
You have tried whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and even bleaching trays but you are still sporting those dingy, yellowish looking teeth. Are you doing it all wrong? Are your teeth just destined to be dingy? The truth is, not all teeth or stains respond to whitening. In addition, how you prepare and what whitening products […]
Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw or headache? Has your dentist mentioned that it looks like the surface of your teeth is worn down or damaged? If you suffer from bruxism, or night time teeth grinding, chances are you have heard about teeth grinding guards. Maybe you have heard them […]
A beautiful, bright white smile can make a big impact on your self-esteem and is one of the most common cosmetic changes people make. One walk through your local drugstore and you can see just how popular teeth whitening at home has become. You can also become quickly overwhelmed with all the whitening options available. […]
Your braces are off and your dentist hands you your new Essix retainer. They tell you to wear this retainer for 20 to 22 hours a day, only taking it out to eat or drink. That sounds easy at first, but as you enter your first week, you realize that taking your retainer out every […]
When teeth appear yellow or off-white, many people consider teeth whitening to help brighten their smile. Years ago, you would have scheduled an appointment with your dentist for a whitening procedure. However, these days drugstores are filled with a variety of different teeth whitening treatments, making it something you can do in the comfort of […]
Your mouth is packed full of bacteria and, when you wear your mouthguard, that bacteria is transferred to it. Regular rinsing and brushing after wearing it helps reduce that bacteria, but deep cleaning at least once a week kills the bacteria, helping to prevent it from growing and even making you sick. While over-the-counter products […]
You went to put in your retainer last night only to find it didn’t look quite right. White crusty spots scattered the surface of your retainer. Yellow discoloration seems to have replaced the clear or white appearance of your clear retainer. You may also notice a less-than-appealing smell coming from your retainer too. YUCK! What […]
The following article has been medically reviewed for factual accuracies and current orthodontic practices by Dr. Febin Mary George, DDS. Finally getting your braces off after months or years of treatment is a time for celebration. No more pressure and discomfort as your braces move your teeth. Simply wear your new Essix retainer to keep […]
You spend months or years wearing braces with the goal of a straight and beautiful smile. Once the braces come off, it’s time for a celebration! Until, of course, the orthodontist brings out the retainer and tells you your treatment isn’t over yet. And, in all honesty, won’t ever really be over! WHAT?? Do you […]
