13945 Panther Dr.Dewitt, MI 48820
(517) 669-5833
5238 W St. Joseph Hwy., #1Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 321-4375
After a difficult year, more hopeful times seem to be on the horizon. We’ve all had to make some long-term adjustments, which means there’s a continued need for flexibility in your orthodontic journey. Here at Grubaugh Orthodontics, we’re doing everything we can to keep our team and patients safe and healthy, but there may be times when you’re away from the office longer than you would normally be. Whether we’re able to maintain your regularly scheduled appointments or need to extend the intervals for some reason, there are several things you can do to keep your smile healthy and happy in between visits to our Dewitt or Lansing offices! Keep reading below to learn more.
We should all be doing our part to keep our teeth and gums healthy, but this is absolutely essential when you’re an orthodontic patient. Cavities or gum disease can interrupt the progress you’re making and lead to longer treatment times. In some cases, poor oral health may even affect your final results.
To keep tooth decay at bay, brush a minimum of twice a day and floss every night before bed. It’s preferable to brush after every meal, but we know this isn’t always possible, so at least try to give your mouth a good rinse with water after eating and drinking. To clean effectively, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. If you wear braces, brush gently around the brackets to remove any food debris without disturbing your appliance.
Here are a few other guidelines to keep in mind for your dental hygiene routine!
Just like a proper brushing and flossing routine, keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is essential for good oral health. It’s also an important part of keeping them transparent! If you don’t keep your aligners clean, they can become stained, which makes them much more noticeable.
Food particles can also get stuck in your Invisalign aligners if you don’t maintain them the way you’re supposed to. This can cause bacteria to spread, resulting in bad breath and other more serious issues. Cleaning your aligners regularly will keep your aligners almost invisible, your breath smelling fresh, and your teeth looking bright!
You should be cleaning your aligners each time you remove them—rinsing and soaking them in water alone won’t prevent a build-up of bacteria. Use a clear soap, denture cleaner, or Invisalign cleaning crystal instead. These will thoroughly clean your aligners and prevent bacteria from clinging to them!
Remember to always use room-temperature water when cleaning your aligners, as this will allow them to maintain their shape. The thermoplastic material they’re made of can bend in hot water and contract in cold water.
As a highly trained and experienced orthodontist, Dr. Grubaugh knows what it takes to create a straighter, healthier smile. If you’ve been given elastics to wear with your braces or aligners, continue to change them out exactly as directed. Invisalign patients will normally be provided with several weeks’ worth of aligners at a time. If your current set happens to run out before the next scheduled appointment, we’re happy to arrange a curbside pick-up for the next set, or you can run in and grab them.
If we’re unable to provide you with a new set of aligners right away, you can continue wearing the last set you were given with one difference—you only need to wear them for 10-12 hours each day instead of the standard 20-22 hours. Doing this will help extend the life of your aligners until an appointment is available. It will also keep your treatment plan on track and ensure you don’t lose any of the progress you’ve already made on your smile!
If you’ve recently completed treatment with us, you should continue to wear the retainer you were given according to Dr. Grubaugh’s instructions. This will keep your beautiful new smile in place for years to come!
While many of us are still sticking close to home, for the time being, we encourage you to stay prepared for any orthodontic issues that may come up. One simple way you can do this is by creating a braces “care kit” to keep with you when you’re on the go. You can include any items you think you’ll need, but we recommend starting with these essentials.
Throw everything you’ve collected together in a portable bag and keep it with you to handle almost any orthodontic need to keep on hand and you’ll have almost everything you need for any problem that might come up in between appointments.
While things look to be getting back to some version of “normal” at the moment, we want you to know that we’re here for you even if circumstances change! If you can’t make it to our Dewitt or Lansing office as planned, just let us know as soon as possible—we’ll still be happy to answer your questions or walk you through any concerns you may have about the treatment process. Would you like to learn more about being proactive on your journey towards a more confident smile? Get in touch with us today to schedule a FREE consultation or follow-up appointment with Dr. Grubaugh!