Tips to Help Make Wearing Braces Fun!

Posted on: July 17th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

Whether it’s getting up for school, making friends or getting good grades, through the eyes of a teen even the smallest of stresses can feel like a huge struggle, which is why most will turn away at the first mention of braces.

However, the idea of braces need not be something to cringe at. Once your child’s orthodontic treatment is complete, they will have a happier, healthier smile and their confidence will bloom.

Although it may seem intimidating at first, what is important to understand is that braces are not uncommon during adolescence and many teens are experiencing a similar thing, with all the same worries and concerns.

As a parent, there are a number of ways you can help ease any anxious thoughts your child may be having about the treatment. To erase these worries, you can encourage your child to see the overall experience as positive and exciting!  Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

Throw a brace supper party! Before getting their braces fitted, throw your child a party and celebrate with a table full of all the foods they’ll need to avoid whilst wearing their braces. Giving them this day of indulgence will make saying goodbye to their favourite treats less of a loss and give them something to look forward to before having their braces fitted, and after they come off, too.

Join in. Crooked or crowded teeth can be bothersome for adults, too. If you’re unhappy with your smile and have been for a while, it can be encouraging for your child or teen if you go through the treatment process together. You’ll be able to give them further guidance and support throughout the period of their treatment, and you’ll both end up with brighter and healthier smiles.

Add some colour. With a traditional set of braces, each visit to the dentist gives patients the opportunity to change their bracket bands. These come in a range of colours, and so gives each visit an element of fun. Your child can personalise their braces and experiment with their favourite colours by mixing and matching their bracket bands at each visit.

Get blending in the kitchen. Since wearing braces can cause some pressure and tightness, smoothies can be a nutritional, yummy and exciting way to help beat the beat the craving for off-limit foods. Especially after getting your child’s braces tightened, taking a trip down the fruit and veg aisle for some smoothie ingredients can take their mind off of the discomfort.  Go home and get busy in the kitchen by throwing in a variety of different ingredients into a smoothie. You can make up a new one together every time!

Positive reassurance. It can be easy to feel self-conscious whilst wearing braces, which is why it’s important to keep communicating with your child throughout their treatment. Encourage them to always smile and remind them that the treatment is an exciting experience that will have beautiful results.

Straight Teeth Suite offers in braces for children and adults alike. Contact our practice today HERE to see how we can help give you a brighter smile.

4 Things Every Mother Should Do Before Choosing an Orthodontist in Nottingham

Posted on: July 20th, 2015 by freshadmin No Comments

Misaligned teeth and jaws used to be a challenging task to deal with in the past. However, with the latest advances in dentistry, and breakthroughs that no one could have ever imagined a few decades ago, most oral issues are easily treated. What used to be a long and tedious process is now computer-designed and significantly shortened in treatment time, allowing children and teenagers to acquire a bright and straight smile without the use of metal braces and non-aesthetically pleasing headgear. Also, pain has given its place to nervous-free orthodontic treatments and effective pain management.

That said, can you trust just about everybody with your child’s braces? What should every mom know before deciding which orthodontist will treat her child’s mouth? Here are the 4 major points you need to focus on, to make the wisest of decisions:

  1. Don’t Opt for the First Assessment you are Made

Knowledge is power, and the more you know about treatment options, the better placed your decision will be. For that reason, it is proposed not to stick to the initial assessment. They are, sometimes, wrong. To stay on the safe side, better ask for a second opinion. This should give you more knowledge and a more judgmental mind considering the first diagnosis and its accuracy. You will also understand whether your child is indeed in need of an orthodontic treatment and if the time is right to start one.

  1. Get Advice from Orthodontic Specialists

Did you know that millions of people in the UK and across the world go undiagnosed with serious jaw and tooth alignment problems because they never consulted an experienced orthodontic specialist? The result is to have severe jaw joint issues and tooth wear later on in their lives that require more expensive treatments than the ones that should/could have been delivered at an earlier age. To avoid that, you can find the right doctors and get their advice. Maybe your child has biting issues (malocclusion) or other problems that could escalate into a more critical condition in the future. Wouldn’t you want to know beforehand so you can intervene and prevent it? That’s why you need to speak to orthodontists with many years of experience and advanced training in jaw & tooth alignment to develop the most suited treatment plan for your child.

  1. Ask the Right Questions

– Is the doctor a specialist?

– When is the best time to start a treatment?

– How soon should my child be evaluated to rule out possible problems?

– Do I pay for the first visit?

– Am I paying extra for the retainers?

– What are the differences between treatment options (Lingual, Invisalign, etc.)?

– Are emergency appointments charged extra or included in the quoted fee?

– Are there any payment options?

– Do the orthodontist and staff at the clinic make my child feel special?

These are some of the important things you need to know about, to familiarise yourself with the nature of your child’s jaw and tooth alignment issues and be more able to understand the approach suggested.

  1. Book a Consultation

To make a confident decision, you have to visit the clinic in person. During that visit, you will not only be able to get clarifications to the burning questions you have in mind, but also take a good look around to see if the practice is comfortable, clean and infuses serenity and professionalism. You will also be able to tell whether the orthodontist is fully engaged in conversation with your child and you, or if you are rushed, among so many others. If you are happy with everything, you can then say you have found the perfect specialist for your child. Just trust your mommy instinct on this one; it is never wrong!

Finding the right doctor to allow your child to acquire a lovely straight smile in a timely manner while setting the foundation for an excellent oral health is paramount. At Straight Teeth Smile in Nottingham, you will get the exceptional care you want for your child and feel our innate passion and deep love for what we do right away.

 

Contact us NOW to book your first FREE consultation, where we will discuss all about the significance of oral hygiene and health and develop a fully optimised plan for your child’s confident and healthy smile!  

 

What to do if you can’t get NHS braces in Nottingham for your child?

Posted on: June 15th, 2015 by freshadmin No Comments

Braces are in high demand in the UK and worldwide. In 2013 alone, more than one million British people, adults and children alike, started an orthodontic treatment. Now, more than ever before, people want a treatment, be it for cosmetic or other reasons, which means that more and more parents ask for NHS treatments. However, getting NHS braces is not always guaranteed, and you may as well be refused NHS braces. The law is seemingly clear and straightforward: Orthodontic treatment is available on the NHS (for free) for under 18-year-olds, who need it. This means that if you have a child younger than 18, they are eligible for NHS braces. Right? Well, NOT always! You see, the trick part of the regulation is the last one, the “who need it”. Who determines whether a child needs an orthodontic treatment on dental health grounds? Orthodontists using IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need).

What is the IOTN Assessment?

The IOTN, with the unanimous consent of the British Orthodontic Society, is a measure of the necessity of an orthodontic treatment for children under 18. It is believed that if a treatment is to be rationed, there has to be a way to assess the children’s cases and decide on the ones that will benefit most from a treatment. That way, the limited NHS resources might be better (and fairer) prioritised.

The IOTN comprises the following: (1) The Dental Health Component, and (2) The Aesthetic Component, and are divided in grades from 1-5 with 1 being the closest to perfection and 5 the most severe dental problems, such as protruding upper teeth (> than 9mm), large number of teeth missing, cranio-facial anomalies, and teeth that can’t come into the mouth as supposed because of crowding or any other cause.

Where to Address If you are Refused NHS Treatment for your Child

So, what happens when you are denied NHS or are being put on an unreasonably long waiting list?

The first thing you can do is contact your local NHS branch. You can find a list of authorities and trusts per area, here. Besides that, you may want to seek private treatment. The best way to get around it is to get recommendations from either the BOS website or your dentist. Talk to other people that have had an orthodontic treatment for their child and get some personal recommendations from them as well.

If, for any reason, you feel that the assessment that your child has received is unfair, you should speak to the family dentist so that he arranges a second option. Additionally, you can address your local PCT (Primary Care Trust) and see what they have to say.

Finally, there are practices that offer payment options that make the cost of an orthodontic treatment manageable. Plus, if your child’s problem is minor, you can find treatments that will fix your child’s dental issue in a few months, which means the fees will probably be much less than you first imagined.

 

At Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham, there are various finance plans to suit your budget. Feel free to take a look.

No one should decide whether your child needs an orthodontic treatment or not and no one has the right to deprive a child of a beautiful (and self-confidence boosting), straight smile. So, don’t hesitate. Contact us NOW and let’s find the best way to give your kid the smile they deserve!

Will my Child’s Crooked Teeth in Leicester, Get Worse?

Posted on: June 1st, 2015 by freshadmin No Comments

 

Many teens and adults in Leicester come to our practice to fix their crooked teeth and enhance their appearance. We can’t stress enough the significance of having your misaligned, or crooked teeth treated the soonest possible. If left unattended, they WILL get worse. Untreated crooked teeth can cause a series of serious problems, such as periodontal disease, which is an extremely difficult issue to deal with that creates enormous amounts of stress on your jaw and teeth. 

 

Why Should I have my Child’s Crooked Teeth Treated Immediately?

Misaligned teeth (teeth that don’t align properly in the mouth) create malocclusion, which affects the majority of adults over the world. If left untreated, it can escalate into a more serious type of malocclusion, and eventually to periodontal disease. What is periodontal disease and what does it do to your mouth and overall health? Crowded teeth cause buildup of tartar and plaque and harbor bacteria. When this happens, you may develop periodontal disease, which could result in tooth and jaw bone loss. The disease starts with bleeding gums or gum redness. You may also notice bad breath. If you don’t get it treated, the gum inflammation will become worse, the gums will recede, and you may see pockets between your gums and your teeth. Then, you will experience bone loss and eventually tooth loss. To avoid all this undesirable and uncomfortable situation, you child’s crooked teeth have to be treated and be properly aligned.

Note: With good oral hygiene, your child may reduce the chances of tooth decay, plaque retention, and periodontal disease. However, they should be regularly seen by a dentist to start an early intervention if a problem arises.

Other than that, crooked teeth don’t allow for proper cleaning and food stays lodged between the teeth for long. This could result in tender and sore gums. Now, if your child also has a deep bite, another form of malocclusion, they can cause premature chipping and wear of the lower front teeth and damage to the palate, as well. The same applies to cross bite and edge-to-edge bite that can result in chipping of the teeth, worn down front teeth, and law joint pain, among others. As for an open bite, your child could experience gum recession, bone and tooth loss, excessive wear on the back teeth (prematurely).

 

Why is periodontal disease so dangerous?

Because it can increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is when the arteries harden and block the normal blood flow to and from the heart.

 

Is there any Chance they Become Worse during Treatment?

The most popular option is Invisalign, with 96% patient satisfaction rate.

YES: You may hear of parents having braces to straighten their children’s teeth saying that their teeth look worse than what they did before (have gaps where they didn’t have, etc.).

This does not mean that the treatment is doing any damage or is ineffective (provided they had their braces fitted by a skilled orthodontist). It is because teeth straightening is a dynamic process that changes the teeth. During the alignment process, especially the first 6 months, the teeth are forced to reposition. You see, they had drifted into a position where they are functional and stable for all these years, and the body had adjusted to the malocclusion by making what is called dental compensations. When straightening the teeth, we are asking the body to make other changes and adjust to the new situation as we unravel the crowding and remove dental compensations. At this phase, you may notice some changes in the alignment of your child’s teeth, get spaces where you didn’t have before, have a couple of teeth look more crooked and develop an underbite/overbite where there wasn’t before. All of this is 100% temporal, necessary, and normal.

 

Have any unanswered questions? We are here to help! Just Contact our office in Leicester today and book your first consultation entirely free of any obligations!

Together, we will find the best options for your child to grow up a healthy adult and face life with a wide, bright, straight smile!