Ask Dr. Underwood: "I just got braces. Now what?"

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before prior to your orthodontic treatment.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Kent Underwood and our team at Underwood Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; just ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Dr. Underwood and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Underwood Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below or on our Facebook page. You may also give us a call!

Breaking bad habits

At Underwood Orthodontics, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Dr. Underwood.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Underwood if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Underwood Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Underwood asks: Is your child nearing their seventh birthday?

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Underwood for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Underwood Orthodontics to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Underwood Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Underwood asks: Can you hula hoop on one leg? Many of our patients can!

Last Saturday, Dr. Underwood and team hosted our Patient Appreciation Party at the Powell, OH Coffman Park Shelter House West. The event was a huge success! There was a Hula Hoop Contest, as well as a magician, three bounce houses, and face painting. Check out this short video, and visit our YouTube channel to see more great videos from the Hula Hoop Contest this year. Congratulations to our contest winners Hannah, Jaymie, Margaret, Shashana, Brian, Lena and Isabella!

For more information on Dr. Underwood and orthodontic treatment in Powell and Marysville, OH, feel free to give us a call. Thanks to everyone who attended our Patient Appreciation Day!

-Dr. Underwood and team

Ask Dr. Underwood: How do I know if Invisalign® is right for me?

Invisalign is customized for each patient, which is part of why it is so effective, says Dr. Underwood. To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next, we use are able to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning to the end of your treatment. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position.

The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Underwood is a certified Invisalign provider in Powell, OH and surrounding areas. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

What do you love about Underwood Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to Underwood Orthodontics, our dedicated staff and Dr. Kent Underwood strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Underwood? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your smile?

Our staff at Underwood Orthodontics is committed to creating a beautiful smile for every patient. Our goal is to provide you with the highest level of orthodontic treatment and an enjoyable experience. We offer excellence in orthodontic treatment for children and adults, and has what it takes to make you smile!

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!