The importance of straight teeth, from Red Deer Orthodontics

People ask our staff and Dr. Cram all the time: "Why are straight teeth so darn important?" Well not only does it feel great to have perfectly-aligned teeth, but straightening your teeth can also keep them healthier. Straight teeth are also less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay. And, straight teeth are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are crooked, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Cram can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics.

Ask Dr. Cram: What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Cram calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics may be necessary to correct the issue.

Untreated malocclusion can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, chipped and cracked teeth, as well as uneven tooth wear. The most common solution for malocclusion, however, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of the malocclusion. If overcrowding is causing the problem, Red Deer orthodontist Dr. Cram may need to remove one or more teeth as part of treatment.

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results during your treatment. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

April is Facial Protection Month! From Dr. Robert Cram

You may remember that in early February, Dr. Cram and our staff blogged about the advantages of wearing a mouth guard when playing sports. Well, we thought a reminder today wouldn’t hurt. You see, April happens to be National Facial Protection Month, and it’s a good time to remind our young athletes about staying safe on the field this spring.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

That is simply unacceptable.

By simply wearing a properly fitted mouth guard, these accidents could prevent this along with other traumatic facial injuries. The above video from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists outlines five ways you can protect yourself this spring and summer. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our team at Red Deer Orthodontics. And remember to stay safe and have fun!

Your turn! From Red Deer Orthodontics

By now, you’re probably used to our blog process: Week after week, Dr. Cram and our staff write about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being, including orthodontic treatments offered at Red Deer Orthodontics. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Cram or our team for a while now? Here’s your chance! Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Give us your best shot, and we’ll try to answer any question you may have!

Red Deer Orthodontics, supporting National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Cram and thousands of orthodontists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Cram and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve your periodontal health.

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association, or ADA, has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, there are many options to find new, fresh foods here in Red Deer and surrounding communities.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Resist, resist: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new health favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call! Dr. Cram and our team want to hear from you!

Ask Dr. Cram: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Red Deer Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: cosmetics. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Cram can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Cram would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!

At Red Deer Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

Dr. Cram and our team understand not everyone always enjoys visiting the orthodontist. But at Red Deer Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our practice that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our amiable professional staff? Dr. Cram himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!