Breaking Bad Habits

At Red Deer 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. Cram.

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. Cram 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 Red Deer Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

The Go-To Mom Talks Invisalign

Our team at Red Deer Orthodontics found a great video that discusses the advantages of Invisalign. In the video, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, "The Go-To Mom," discusses the Invisalign treatment and her personal experience with Invisalign.

To determine if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cram. Have a great week!

How to Freshen Bad Breath, from Red Deer Orthodontics

Dr. Robert Cram, your Red Deer orthodontist, recognizes that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Red Deer Orthodontics, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

Ask Dr. Cram: "How long will my orthodontic treatment last?"

Your treatment time at Red Deer Orthodontics typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of your mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Dr. Cram will tell you that patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. Diligent use of any prescribed elastics or appliances is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.

If you have any questions about your orthodontic treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics, please feel free to ask Dr. Cram during your next visit or give our office a call!

The Advantages of Wearing a Retainer After Your Orthodontic Treatment

If you recently completed treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Cram will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Cram is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Cram, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

"Hey Dr. Cram, What is Malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Red Deer orthodontist, Dr. Robert 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 may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Cram will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

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

Summer FUN with Red Deer Orthodontics!

It’s summer here at Red Deer Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting Canada’s open roads or just having fun in the backyard, Dr. Cram and our team want to hear all about it!

We encourage you to post any stories or photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy travels!