How to Floss Your Fixed Retainer

How to Floss Your Fixed Retainer

 



 A very common retainer given here at Angolkar4Smiles Orthodontics is a permanent lingual retainer. It is a small wire bonded to your lower 6 front teeth with a very strong cement and it requires special care. Retainers that are bonded behind the teeth look nice and do their job pretty much without your help.  

 

One of the most challenging things about having a fixed retainer is keeping it clean as it tends to accumulate plaque and require more time and effort when you are flossing.

 

 

Similar to flossing when you had your braces on, use floss threaders (little plastic needles used to help direct floss between the teeth and under your retainer). Once the floss is under the wire, it can be moved up and down the sides of the adjacent teeth to remove plaque as normal. 

 

Our staff members will show you the flossing technique if you need guidance.  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AkmDIof3EQ

Watch this You Tube Video for further instruction!

Seven Tips for Brushing Your Teeth with Braces

Here at Angolkar4Smiles Orthodontics, we know it is challenging to brush your teeth when you have braces. We have put together some tips that will help you keep your teeth clean so that they will look even more amazing when the braces come off!
 Remember to brush after EVERY TIME YOU EAT as well as in the morning and before bed.  Here's a visual for you to follow as well.

1. Use a soft  bristled toothbrush. Hard and medium toothbrushes can damage gums and should be avoided.

2. Always use a mirror!  It is impossible to see what it is you are doing without looking into a mirror.  Dr. Angolkar always reminds patients to pay attention and focus on just brushing.

3. While using only your wet tooth brush, begin removing debris from around the brackets and under the wire using a picking motion rather than scrubbing. Scrubbing does a decent job on the surface of the braces, but that action will not remove plaque and food that are caught under the braces.

4.Time yourself and spend at least two FULL minutes brushing your teeth. You should spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your  mouth. You might think that you do this already, but most patients who time themselves find that they are brushing an average of only 30 seconds for their entire mouth!

5. The best toothpaste is the one that tastes best to the patient and encourages them to brush for a full two minutes.  When it comes to good oral hygiene it is the TIME SPENT and the technique used and not the brand of toothpaste.

Please let our office know if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene while wearing braces.  Also, Don't forget to floss daily!

 

Tukwila

206-246-9656

 

Issaquah

425-392-0980

 

Seattle 206-523-6327

Proper Diet with Braces During the Holidays

With the holidays upon us... it is tougher than ever to make the right food choices.  Though orthodontic treatments at Angolkar4Smiles are designed to accommodate your lifestyle, chances are you have needed to make some dietary modifications to prevent damage to your braces and prolong orthodontic treatment.

You can eat most foods normally the way you did without braces. However, some foods can damage orthodontic appliances or cause them to come loose. Examples of foods you will need to avoid include:

• Chewy foods like taffy, chewing gum, beef jerky, and bagels
• Hard foods like peanuts, ice chips, and hard candy
• Crunchy foods like chips, apples, and carrots

How to Continue to Eat the Foods You Love Most
Keep in mind that you may still be able to enjoy some of the foods you love by making certain modifications to the way you eat them. For example, steaming or roasting carrots makes them softer and easier to eat. Similarly, you can remove corn from the cob, or cut up produce like apples and pears to avoid biting into them. Other tips include grinding nuts into your yogurt or dipping hard cookies into milk to soften them. If you must eat hard candies, simply suck on them instead of biting into them.
If you have any question whether a food is safe to eat during your treatment, we encourage you to contact our office to get further advise.

 

~ We Wish You A Very Happy Holiday and Joyous New Year! ~

Angolkar4Smiles Annual Food Drive

Help us as we partner with Northwest Harvest in helping our community!  If you have an appointment coming up, please don't forget to donate 2 or more non-perishable items to be entered into our giveaway!

1st winner - $100
2nd winner - $50
Gift cards to Westfield shopping center!!

Nail Biting

 

Also known as onchophagia, the habit of nail biting is one of the so-called “nervous habits” that can be triggered by stress, excitement, or boredom. Approximately half of all kids between the ages of ten and 18 have been nail biters at one time or another. Experts say that about 30 percent of children and 15 percent of adults are nail biters, however most people stop chewing their nails by the time they turn 30.

 

Here are 3 reasons to stop biting your nails:

1. It’s unsanitary: Your nails harbor bacteria and germs, and are almost twice as dirty as fingers. What’s more, swallowing dirty nails can lead to stomach problems.
2. It wears down your teeth: Gnawing your nails can put added stress on your pearly whites, which can lead to crooked teeth.
3. It can delay your orthodontic treatment: Nail biting puts additional pressure on teeth and weakens roots. It is also known to break brackets.

Our team recommend the following to kick your nail biting habit:

• Keep your nails trimmed short; you’ll have less of a nail to bite.
• Coat your nails with a bitter-tasting nail polish.
• Ask us about obtaining a mouthguard, which can help prevent nail biting.
• Put a rubber band around your wrist and snap it whenever you get the urge to gnaw on your nails.
• Think about when and why you chew your nails. Whether you are nervous or just bored, understanding the triggers can help you find a solution and stop the habit.

We are happy to help answer any questions!

Tukwila- (206)246-9656
Issaquah- (425)392-0980
Seattle- (206)523-6327

or email us at:
info@angolkar4smiles.com



Avoid Treatment Delays

Stay on Track!

Here at Angolkar4Smiles Orthodontics, our patients hate the thought of delaying their treatment and we always stress the importance at each appointment if we see you are behind in where you should be.  Patients NEVER want their braces on for longer than needed but there are some cases in which it does happen. Our team has put together some tips on how you can stay on track in regards to your braces off appointment.
1. Keep your adjustment appointments! Each visit at Angolkar4Smiles is carefully planned to move your teeth a specific way in a certain time frame. It’s important to note that missing an appointment can add weeks or months to your treatment time.  Our office tends to fill the schedule far in advance so if you miss your appointment we may not have another one for some time as well.  
2. Let our team know as soon as possible if you experience any problems with your braces or appliances. A missing wire, rubber band, or broken bracket can delay treatment time, so we ask that you please give us a call right away to report any issues rather than waiting until your next visit.

3. Make sure you wear your rubber bands as prescribed. Most of our patients will need to wear elastics or rubber bands at some point during their treatment. Not wearing the bands or elastics, or not wearing them enough, can delay your treatment time. Rubber bands are critical in aligning your bite. Because of this, our doctors can always tell if you are wearing them enough.  When we check to see how your bite is progressing... we will have seen no change in your bite!  This is the most common delay in treatment as compliance can be hard for some patients. 

4. Finally, we want you to maintain good oral hygiene, just as you did before your treatment began. In addition to flossing regularly, we encourage you to brush your teeth after every time you eat. Not brushing will allow sugar to wear away the cement on the braces, making them less effective in moving your teeth, as well as elevate your risk of developing cavities or tooth decay, which will inevitably delay treatment time.
We hope that you don't experience a delay in your treatment!  Please let us help and guide you from the start to the finish which always results in a beautiful brace-free smile!

We love to hear from you!  Please call us if you have any questions!

Tukwila- (206)246-9656

Issaquah- (425)392-0980

Seattle- (206)523-6327

Visit Your Dentist

 



If you just got your braces on, or have been in treatment with us for some time, and you're wondering if you should continue visiting your general dentist since you’re seeing Dr. Angolkar regularly...  the answer is...YES PLEASE!  Our office specializes only in orthodontics (braces) and nothing else.  That is how you know that we are top notch in what we do because that is all we concentrate on!  Our doctors have you in mind when they stress the importance of your regular dental checkups right from the very start.  The front desk at Angolkar4Smiles take time to send correspondence to your dentist; from your consultation to your initial banding, progress to final braces removal, they have tons of knowledge about you and your orthodontic treatment.  Sometimes you will need to set up appointments to remove brackets or archwires to get the cleaning completed so take time to try and coordinate those appointments with your regular check up here at our office.  Be sure to check with your general dentist to see if we will need to remove anything before a checkup.  Your day may look something like this... come to our office to remove any archwires or brackets for cavities--> go to the dentist to complete the work needed--> come back to us on THE SAME DAY to have your appliances replaced.  Thank goodness this is only required of you 2x a year!

Today, we thought we would share a few reasons why it’s crucial to keep up with your regular visits at your dentist in addition to coming in for your regular adjustments at Angolkar 4 Smiles Orthodontics.

One of the best reasons to visit your dentist while you undergo orthodontic treatment is to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Having braces means you have food traps which particles and millions of bacteria can hide. Eventually, plaque and tartar can form around your brackets, bands or other appliances which can lead to cavities. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can help ensure most, if not all, plaque and tartar is removed.

The next reason to visit a dentist is to help protect your teeth from decalcification... A serious condition which causes white spots on your tooth surfaces, and is irreversible. Decalcification is preventable; patients who cut down on sugary sweets and acidic foods, practice good oral hygiene, and visit their dentist regularly can help prevent decalcification.

Making sure to visit your dentist will help ensure your teeth look their best once your braces come off. If you do not have a general dentist please give us a call or let us know at your next adjustment appointment and we would be happy to refer you to someone wonderful!  Having braces is a team effort between you, your orthodontist and general dentist... we are so happy to be part of your team! 

Electric Toothbrush VS Standard Toothbrush

This is SUCH a FAQ that we decided to blog about this HOT TOPIC!

Since the introduction of the power toothbrush in the 1960s, this tool has undergone many technological advances, from design and bristle motions to rotation oscillation and sonic vibration.
What is rotation oscillation? That’s when the head of the toothbrush alternately rotates in one direction and then the other. Power toothbrushes can deliver up to 50,000 strokes per minute, which is much more effective than the average 300 strokes per minute with a manual toothbrush.
The brush heads are replaceable and should be changed every three to six months. Each family member should have his or her own brush head while sharing the base motor.

We recommend you brush for a minimum of two minutes. Some electric toothbrushes include a signal you can hear, such as a beep every 30 seconds, to indicate it's time to switch to a different area of the mouth. Others sound an alert after the full two minutes has elapsed.

Our doctors say that it doesn't really matter which toothbrush you use... it's all about the technique.  You have to brush all the quadrants of the mouth and don't forget along the gum line and above and under those braces!!  Using a mirror to REALLY look at what you are brushing is best and use a timer if helpful as well.  Also, don't forget to brush in the morning, after each meal, and again at night!

HAPPY BRUSHING!!!

4th Of July!

 

Happy 4th Of July!

 

 

 

Angolkar4Smiles is wishing you a safe, fun, long weekend!  No matter how you celebrate...know that it is a holiday that forever changed history...

 

 

Wikipedia states that this is a paid federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independance on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

Some more background behind the holiday...

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain.  After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.

No matter how your family chooses to celebrate the Fourth, stay safe, take precautions, and don't forget to brush after your fabulous Fourth feast! 

Did You Know?

Our office does not require a referral?

Here at Angolkar4Smiles Orthodontics we specialize in orthodontic care.  A common misconception is that a referral is needed in order for our orthodontists to complete an oral exam and consultation.  This is simply not true!  We welcome all walks of life regardless of how they heard about our office.  Most dentists aren't aware that our office also prefers to see children as young as 7 years old.  It is also commonly believed that all baby teeth have to fall out before braces are needed, our doctors can offer a lot of preventative treatments that can address many developing concerns early on.  The best source of knowing is us!  Call our office for a complimentary consultation today and we will do an initial exam including x-rays at no charge. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Get Outta Town!

Here are some helpful and useful orthodontic tips to apply if you are getting out of town this summer!!

 

 

If you are wearing braces and are planning a vacation, our team at Angolkar4Smiles would suggest that you be prepared. We put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are out of town. They include:

• Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners
• Travel toothbrush
• A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse
• Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires
• A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth

*Putting these items together in a “braces/oral hygiene kit” may be wise.

If you happen to be on vacation and experience problems reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get him or her out of pain or discomfort.

We also suggest avoiding the following foods to prevent broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation:

• Chewy, sticky, or gummy food
• Apples, pears, and other whole fruits (cut fruit into wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies
• Hard cookies or pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews
• Cut up your protein into small pieces

Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation! Please give us a call if you have any questions!

 

Happy Traveling!

 

Emergencies that can occur with braces

Brace Yourself... here comes an emergency!

Braces are delicate and must be taken care of in order to prevent damage to them. Always be careful with what you eat and your activities to keep from breaking any of your appliances. Sometimes, however, things happen and something breaks. It is important to know what to do. The following are some of the common problems that occur and what to do about them.

1. Broken Bracket

If you have a loose band or bracket and it is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it is uncomfortable, place wax on it, if it comes out completely, wrap the brace or band in tissue and bring it to your next appointment.

2. Loose Wire

If your wire comes loose, try to place the wire back in place with tweezers. If this is not possible, clip the wire with fingernail clippers behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If there is any discomfort, place wax on it.
Sometimes a wire tie can get loose and poke the inside of your mouth. If it does, then gently tuck the wire back in place with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Popsicle stick. When you can't nudge it back, then cover the end with a piece of wax until you can get to your orthodontist's office.

3. Losing a color off your braces

If you lose one of the colored rubber bands on your braces, all you need to do is notify your orthodontist at your next visit. Unless it becomes uncomfortable, you do not need to see your orthodontist before your next scheduled appointment.

4. Soreness and Irritation 

For any soreness after an adjustment or any time while wearing your appliances, take aspirin, Tylenol, or Advil.
Sometimes your appliances can cause irritations on your tongue, cheeks, lips, or gums. Rinsing your mouth with salt water can help to heal the irritation and wax can be used to cover the appliance causing the irritation.

4. Lost Appliance or Retainer

When you lose any appliance or your retainer, call your orthodontist's office as soon as you can so that treatment will not be delayed for too long.



It is important to pay attention to the condition of your appliances and take immediate action when there is a problem. That way your treatment time can be kept to a minimum and you will be smiling with beautiful teeth as soon as possible.
Paying attention and doing your part will bring great rewards with a sparkling smile. This includes the essentials of brushing and flossing every day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Healthy Food Substitutes

More and more parents are looking to replace everyday items with another for a better, healthier and safer life for their kids.  When in orthodontic treatment, substitutions are a must...applesauce instead of apples, steamed carrots instead of natural, that sort of thing.  This post is to help give you some ideas on what you can feed your fellow brace-face :)

BREAKFAST:

This meal happens to be the easiest to keep similar to what you were doing before braces since most are options that are soft.  We recommend eggs (cooked any way really), French Toast, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, hot cereal, grits, soft toast, and cereals that will get soggy with milk.

LUNCH:

During the school year, it may be tricky to find foods on the school menu that won't damage or bother braces.  We suggest you opt for bringing lunch from home to help your child make smart food choices.  Tuna, chicken or egg salad sandwiches can help provide nutrition, and are soft enough not to bother braces.  You can also pack turkey or ham sandwich or soft bagel for bread.  Options for sides would include applesauce, yogurt or pudding in a variety of flavors.

DINNER:

Soft meat choices and slow-cooked meats such as meatloaf, meatballs, pot roast, roasted chicken, soft-cooked fish, fish sticks and chicken nuggets.  Serve as a side soft consistency vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, squash, and greens.  Rice, past, risotto, or couscous are excellent sides to add carbohydrates to the meal also.

DESSERT:

Indulging in dessert is fun for every kid, those with braces should be no different.  Soft options such as ice cream, cake, smoothies, milkshakes, cheesecake, cream pies, pudding and Jell-O.  Pick a flavor... they are all yummy :)

SNACK:

Curb their hunger in between meals with yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, bananas, baked apples and ripened fruits with soft consistency.  Saltine crackers are an option to replace chips; then can be broken into smaller pieces and softened by the saliva in the mouth.

Orthodontic Health Month

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

 

 

 

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recognizes October as a time to raise awareness of the benefits of orthodontic treatment. The AAO is the largest, oldest professional association for orthodontists in North America,
and is comprised of more than 16,000 members (which includes Dr. Angolkar).

 

In a month full of hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy treats, it’s more important than ever to encourage patients to be kind to their teeth during treatment.

As always, remember to brush and floss after consuming sugary foods. Exposing your teeth to sweets increases your risk of cavities, and allowing it to sit there can
lead to decalcification, the loss of calcium from the teeth.

 If you can’t keep yourself away from the sugar, opt for softer candy such as peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth treats.




 

Social Media

Attention fellow Social Media Users!

Did you know that we are a part of all kinds of Social Media sites?  Looking for a helpful article to aid in gaining knowledge about braces?  Start following us on Pinterest!  It is an excellent site that allows us to share with you interesting facts in a unique way.

http://pinterest.com/angolkar4smiles/

How many of you are using Twitter?  I bet not enough!  This one is AMAZING for getting condensed, quick information about anything under the sun.  We Tweet helpful articles, cool photos, and interesting facts about our office that you will find helpful!

 

https://twitter.com/Angolkar4Smiles

 

 

If you are not our friend as of yet on Facebook, we would love to get to know you through this interactive, fun site.  Almost every day we post on Facebook about braces, our office, our staff, and our doctors.  Check us out today!

 

 

 

 http://www.facebook.com/Angolkar4Smiles

 

 

 

We have also recently added a channel on You Tube that we hope to make a go-to place to find helpful videos in your journey to getting braces, all the way to getting them removed.  Feel free to send in your own videos about your experience with braces!

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/Angolkar4Smiles

 

See you online!



Review us on Yelp!

The greatest compliment we could ever receive is a referral or a positive review from you!

Yelp. com allows you to let us know how we are doing!  If there is something that you would like to rave about our office we would love to hear about it!!  Taking the time to help us spread the word helps other families and patients in need of orthodontics.  More and more people are turning to these review sites for helpful tips on local businesses and we have just updated our listing with them.  Simply visit Yelp.com and search Angolkar4Smiles Orthodontics and select which office you are a patient at, write a few lines to us and you are done!

We hope to hear from you soon!

A Promise to Keep you Smiling!

Our Purpose...

Dr. Raj Angolkar and his professional staff are committed to maintaining the highest standards in orthodontic care for both children and adults.

We are committed to excellence, both in our orthodontic results and in the creation of an environment that is warm, friendly, and fun.  When you leave our office, we want you to feel better about yourself for having been here.  We dedicate our time, skills and energy to this objective.


Knowledge...

Our friendly and professional staff is trained to assist you in answering any questions you may have about orthodontic treatment.  We keep you informed throughout your treatment about what procedures are necessary and why they are needed.

We Promise to:

~Always make you feel welcome.
~Always give you the highest quality orthodontic care.
~Always respond promptly to any need or questions you may have.
~Always give you a service that will make you smile forever.

Brace Friendly Recipe

Three-Cheese Macaroni Extravaganza

Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
Water for boiling noodles
(optional: 1 or 2 onions, chopped)
(optional: 1or 2 Tablespoons margarine for sauteing onions)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh is best, but the canned type works too)
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup bread crumbs or dry stove top stuffing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium pot, boil macaroni in water until you can just cut it with the side of a fork; drain and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, saute the onions in the margarine until they are clear and tender.  In a 3-quart greased casserole, stir together the macaroni and milk.  Sprinkle with the cheeses and onion, then stir it all together.  Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top.  Cover and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.  Serves six to eight.  From "The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You and Your Orthodontist Will Love" by Pamela and Brenda Waterman.  www.bracescookbook.com

What are the different types of braces?

We get many frequently asked questions and many of you are wondering about the different types of braces that we offer at our practice. 

Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Translucent clear ceramic braces are the most popular with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile and have some limitations. The Angolkar4Smiles team will discuss these choices of braces at the consultation appointment.

The Invisalign system is becoming a very popular method of orthodontic treatment for adults who are candidates. The Invisalign system consists of a series of clear orthodontic appliances called aligners that allow you to straighten your teeth without having to wear traditional braces. Each set of custom-made aligners is worn for about two weeks and moves the teeth in small steps to the desired final position. However all orthodontic patients are not candidates for this treatment option. For more information about the Invisalign system, please call Angolkar4Smiles to make an appointment for a complimentary exam to see if you are a candidate for this exciting new system.

Your First Visit

What to Expect at your Initial Exam

Complimentary Consult with X-rays:

Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your first visit consists of a complimentary examination with orthodontic x-rays and a discussion of potential treatment options. We take orthodontic x-rays on all patients before the initial consultation. These x-rays help us to evaluate the orthodontic needs of the patient thoroughly and are an important step in the path to get a beautiful smile.

Financials:

Our Financial coordinator will discuss the financial options after the Doctor has finished the consultation and gone over the treatment options, Generally, orthodontic treatment fees are financed by the practice with no interest and affordable monthly payments over a period of two years.
Our office has a unique financial model whereby we offer an option of "NO DOWN PAYMENT" to most of our patients. We strongly feel that braces should be made affordable to all.
Financial and Consent forms are signed once the treatment recommendations and financial plan are accepted and you are ready to start the process to get that dazzling smile.

Orthodontic Records

The next step involves taking Orthodontic records of the patient. These consist of impression of teeth to make study models and digital photographs.
There is a fee for this step, however, our office offers a 50% discount if the records are done on the same day as the initial consultation. This saves time for the patient as well as our office and expedites the process of starting the orthodontic treatment.
THIS FIRST VISIT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 90 MINUTES, SO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH MOST COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION.
Appointments to put the braces on are scheduled as soon as possible after the above steps are completed.