6 Benefits of ClearCorrect Invisible Braces

Are you bothered by spacing, crowding, or misaligned teeth?  Maybe your parents never let you get braces when you were younger or you dread the thought of dealing with the metal brackets. Whatever your individual situation it's never too late to get the straight smile you have always wanted! 

THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU IS, CLEARCORRECT INVISIBLE BRACES.

There are so many benefits beside the most important, straightened teeth, that ClearCorrect offers, here are just a few!

• No wires. No brackets. Clear Correct is virtually undetectable to your friends and family. Chances are only you will know you're undergoing orthodontic treatment. 
• No scrapes or cuts from brackets, the aligners are custom fit to you individually with smooth edges
• Removable! Unlike traditional bracket braces ClearCorrect is removable for cleaning and eating 
•  No adjustments or broken wires which means less time in the dental chair for you.
• Treatment is finished within a year to 18 months
• A crooked and overcrowded smile creates hiding places for bacteria and decay. After CLearCorrect straightens your smile, your teeth will be easier to clean and have better defense against plaque buildup.

Whether you have that special day in your near future or simply have been putting it off for far too long, THE TIME IS NOW! What are you waiting for? Show off your smile. 

Come see us for a complimentary consult to discuss your future straight smile! Call Glacier Dental, 920235-3251, now to reserve a time that works best for you.

5 Tips for Proper Flossing!

Have you flossed today? Make sure you are doing it at least once a day! If you don't floss, you miss cleaning 35% of the tooth surface! Missing that 35% of the tooth surface often leads to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. 

Follow these 5 tips to maximize your flossing.

1. 18 Inches around middle fingers:Unwind about 18 inches of floss, one side around your middle finger and the rest around the opposite middle finger.
2. Thumb and pointer finger: Grasp floss tightly between your thumb and pointer finger and gently insert between your teeth.
3. "C" shape: With the floss moving against the side of the tooth make a "C" shape.
4. Up and down: Rub the tooth with the floss up and down while keeping the floss pressed against the tooth. It is important to do this movement slowly so you are not damaging your gums.
5. Between ALL teeth: Lastly, floss between ALL of your teeth, even behind the very back ones. 

A toothbrush is simply not able to fit between your teeth leaving the bacteria to turn into plaque which, again, leads to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Floss is made specifically to help clean your teeth and prevent these things from happening and, lucky for us, it is a quick and easy task to add to our day. 

Yet another tip! The ADA suggests flossing before you brush. This will allow the fluoride in your toothpaste access more of the surface of your tooth making brushing more effective.

Think about it this way, your floss is a detailed paintbrush and the toothbrush is a paint roller. You could paint your kitchen with just one of them, but together your result is much more satisfying.

For more information on the importance of flossing or answers to other dental health questions, call Glacier Dental to reserve a time to talk to one of our dental health experts! 920-235-3251.

What's the purpose of a Dental Filling anyway?

For hundreds of years, dental fillings have been used to restore teeth. Dental fillings are placed in teeth where a dentist has had to remove tooth structure due to decay or fracture. In recent years filling materials have been substantially improved by many technological advancements. Although silver amalgam was the dominant choice years ago, today we have several other preferred options for tooth restoration including tooth colored composite filling materials.

Why do you want a Composite Filling?

·        Decayed teeth require fillings to restore strength and health of natural teeth. Basically, if you want to keep your tooth around, a filling is going to put a halt to the decay. If you decide to not treat the decaying tooth by getting a filling you are putting yourself at risk that the decay progresses until the point where a crown is needed. Or, even worse, the tooth structure is not stable enough to be saved and they only option is to remove the tooth. It will never hurt or cost less than it does right now!

What is a Composite Filling?

The composite filling material is made of a synthetic composite resin (plastic material) that replaces the damaged or destroyed portion of tooth structure caused by trauma or decay. It bonds to the tooth and is sealed after to maintain the color, unlike the Amalgam (silver filling) that can get weak, expand or contract, even crack and leak.

At Glacier Dental we do not do amalgam (silver) fillings, but we do properly dispose of them when they are being replaced. If you are ready to schedule your filling appointment, call now, 920-235-3251!

Waterpik vs Floss: Which is right for you.

We all want a beautiful smile we can proudly flash a grin with, but taking care of your teeth and gums is about more than just looks. The result of poor oral hygiene includes cavities, gum disease, even tooth loss. The effects of poor dental hygiene doesn't stop there, gum disease has also been tied to heart disease. So what does all of this mean to you? Regular brushing is not enough to clean out food particles, plaque, and bacteria. The American Dental Association actually recommends flossing daily. Can you honestly say you floss everyday? Did you know that if  you don't floss you are missing 3% of the tooth surface? This is where the conversation of flossing, and by what method, with traditional floss or a Waterpik comes into play. 

WHAT IS A WATERPIK?

A Waterpik is also referred to as an oral irrigator which is a pressurized stream of water that cleans away the food particles, bacteria, and plaque between and under the gum line.

PROS:

• Easier to use
• Cleans between tight spaces
• Clears out the hard to reach areas

Those who have braces, crowns, implants, or arthritis would greatly benefit from a waterpik because of the ease of use and ability to manure around and dental work. 

CONS:

• May not remove all plaque
• Cost

Waterpiks may be more costly than traditional floss and may not be able to remove all of the plaque on the tooth surface, which would mean the occasional use of  traditional floss. 

WHAT IS FLOSS?

Good old floss was first recommended in 1819 and was patent 55 years later. Today, floss comes in many flavors and can be a waxed or unwaxed strand.

PROS:

• Cleans each tooth completely
• easy to control

Traditional floss provides full control of the cleaning of each tooth as opposed to the, may be hard to handle, waterpik.

CONS:

• May cause your gums to bleed
• unable to reach difficult areas

If you have large hands, arthritis, braces, or other dental work it may be difficult to maneuver floss in an effective way. If only using floss be sure to rinse your mouth to remove the plaque that was scraped free from your teeth.

Regardless of which team you're on, the most important takeaway is that you are flossing daily to keep your teeth healthy and in your mouth for years to come. What side are you on? Team Waterpik or Team Floss? 

If you would like more information on flossing or want to purchase a Waterpik, call Glacier Dental of Oshkosh today, 920-235-3251!

An Experience to Smile About!