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Straighter teeth is something many people desire. A nice smile is one of the most attractive things about a person. However, wearing a mouth full of braces for two, three, or more years can be a major pain, both literally and figuratively.

Luckily, there is another option. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Learn more about the benefits Invisalign offers and why you should consider this exciting method of straightening teeth.

• When you have straight teeth, your mouth is healthier in general and there is less chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign makes it possible for more people to straighten their teeth.
• Invisalign is essentially invisible. You can straighten your teeth without unsightly metal in your mouth.
• The average cost is similar to that of traditional braces, which makes it affordable for many families.
• With Invisalign, the aligner trays are smooth and comfortable to wear. Traditional metal braces can be uncomfortable and cause irritation to the mouth.
• Invisalign is removable, so you do not have to wear the system during special occasions, or when you’re eating. With normal metal braces, you are stuck with them for the entire straightening process.
• Brushing and flossing are simple. Since the system is removable, you can brush and floss just like normal.

As you can see, Invisalign is an exciting option we provide at Alta View Orthodontics for those who want straighter teeth. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, talk to Dr. Tony Skanchy and find out if it would work for your particular situation. Get started today, and before you know it you will be enjoying your straighter teeth.

For more information about Invisalign, or to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Tony Skanchy, please give us a call at our convenient Sandy, UT office today!

If you’re wearing braces, then you know they are working hard to straighten your teeth. However, those hard-working braces are also preventing you from easily cleaning your teeth. It is essential that you put some extra attention into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When your braces are finally removed by Dr. Tony Skanchy, you want a beautiful, white smile, not decayed or stained teeth. Here, we’ve listed the five best ways to ensure you have the smile you’ve always dreamed of once your braces are gone.

Use a Special Toothbrush

A regular toothbrush just doesn’t cut it when you are wearing braces. You also need to use an interdental toothbrush so that you can effectively clean behind the braces. This type of brush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree that can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth. We also recommend using a WaterPik, with its highly pressurized pulsating water, to help get all of those hard-to-reach places.

Brush after Every Meal

Since braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating, it’s important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. The less time food has to sit on your teeth, the less likely it is to cause decay. This may seem like an inconvenience, but trust us, when you get your braces off, you will be very glad you brushed after every meal.

Don't Forget the Mouth Rinse

Even after properly brushing and flossing, there are probably some food particles in your braces. A fluoride mouth rinse is the best way to ensure that every bit of food is removed after meals. If you do not have a mouth rinse available, we suggest using water — it’s better than nothing.

Avoid Sweets

Prevention is definitely the best medicine when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. If you can nix decay-causing sugary foods from the outset, we promise you’ll spend less time trying to treat problems in the future.

Get Regular Checkups

Visit your dentist regularly while you are wearing braces. Our office recommends a thorough cleaning every three to six months. Let our Sandy, UT office know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces - our entire team at Alta View Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!

Surveys show that Independence Day is the biggest cookout day of the year. If you’re celebrating with a feast of hot dogs, fresh grilled corn on the cob, burgers, and other traditional treats, we have some tips to help make your holiday dining fun for you and safe for your braces, so you don’t miss out on any of the fun in Sandy, UT! 

• Skip the “Finger Foods”

Traditional BBQ fare like ribs, burgers, chicken legs, and corn on the cob are usually eaten with fingers, not utensils. This means biting into these delicious favorites with your front teeth, which puts pressure on your braces and can lead to bent wires and broken or loose brackets. 

But being careful with your braces doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Use a knife and fork to cut food into smaller pieces or cut the kernels off the cob, and you can chew with your back teeth, protecting your brackets and wires. 

• Edit The Menu

Crunchy, hard, and sticky foods should never be on the menu when you’re wearing braces. These foods can damage your wires and brackets or get stuck between your braces and your teeth. 

A Fourth of July BBQ is the time for clever substitutions. Exchange crusty rolls and seeded buns for softer, seedless versions. Dig into the potato or pasta salad instead of munching on crunchy chips. Skip hard candies, nuts, and sticky smores and enjoy creamy soft desserts like yogurt parfaits, colorful berries, and soft ice creams.

• Water’s Always a Good Choice on a Hot Day

Proper hydration is essential for both your overall health and your oral health. Drinking water helps prevent cavities by washing away food particles and bacteria and reducing acidic conditions in the mouth. A swish can help dislodge food from your braces when you can’t get to a toothbrush. And water, unlike some darker beverages, won’t stain the enamel next to your brackets.

• Keep Up the Good Work

During your busy holiday, whether at home or on the road, be sure to make time to brush and floss as directed after meals and before bed. 

Talk to Dr. Tony Skanchy about easy ways to protect your braces and teeth for stress-free holiday dining. Everyone at Alta View Orthodontics wants to make sure that, whether you’re enjoying a meal with family and friends, marching in the parade, oohing and aahing at the fireworks, or all of the above, your Fourth of July is filled with healthy, happy smiles!

Your first few days with braces will feel rather odd, awkward, and even painful. The day you get your braces you will probably just feel weird, like you have something in your mouth – because you do. You are most likely to feel pain and soreness during the second and third days. After that, you should be fine. If you experience any pain with your braces, there are a few things you can do to get some relief.

Home Remedies

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will soothe it and promote healing. Rinse several times a day or when your mouth, particularly mouth sores, are hurting. You can also take some Tylenol every four hours. Dr. Tony Skanchy and our team advise against products that contain ibuprofen because it slows down the movement of your teeth.

You can also eat cold foods like ice cream or yogurt. The cold of the food will help dull the pain. Ice packs applied to your mouth help as well. You can also swish ice water around your mouth, but DO NOT eat ice!

Cool Products

Products for canker sores can be applied to the mouth sores you develop from your braces. There are also various rinses you can use that act as a shield or barrier in your mouth, and protect your mouth sores from further irritation.

Dr. Tony Skanchy and our team may have given you some dental wax to put on the abrasive areas of your braces to protect your mouth. Putting dental wax on the brackets creates a barrier that keeps your mouth from getting scraped and sore.

Bite wafers are another great pain relief too. When you bite down on the wafer, it increases circulation in your gums, which can ease the pain a bit. Just a little pressure will work; you don’t want to bite too hard. And they usually come in cool colors, too!

The pain won’t last forever. One day you will wake up and you won’t have any pain. In fact, you probably won’t even notice the braces in your mouth at all!