Health Leader, Brace Yourself

Brace Yourself

What is "orthodontics," and why do people get braces?

Orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws.

Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders of the jaw joints are corrected.

When is the right time for braces?

Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly any age. An ideal time for placement of braces is between 10 and 14 years of age. Braces aren't just for kids! Many adults are also wearing braces to correct minor problems and to improve their smiles.

What kind of braces will I have to wear?

The most popular type is brackets, metal or plastic, which are bonded to teeth and are less noticeable. The traditional type, bands, covers most of your teeth with metal bands that wrap around the teeth. The "lingual" type of braces is brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hidden from view. Recently, some patients have been treated with computer-generated “invisible” plastic overlays which pressure the teeth into movement .

How long will I have to wear braces?

The more complicated your spacing or bite problem is, and the older you are, the longer the period of treatment. Most patients can count on wearing full braces between 18 and 30 months, followed by wearing a retainer for at least a few months to up to two years to set and align tissues surrounding straightened teeth. Some patients may have to wear a permanent retainer.

Will treatment be uncomfortable?
The interconnecting wires are tightened at each visit, bearing mild pressure on the brackets or bands to shift teeth or jaws gradually into a desired position. Your teeth and jaws may briefly feel slightly sore after each visit. Some teeth may need to be extracted to make room for teeth being shifted with braces and for proper jaw alignment.

Do I have to avoid any foods or personal habits?

Cut down on sweets, chips and soda.
Sugary and starchy foods generate acids and plaque that can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease.
Cut healthy, hard foods like carrots or apples into smaller pieces.
Sticky, chewy sweets like caramel can cause wire damage and loosen brackets.
Avoid crunchy snacks that can break braces, including popcorn, nuts and hard candy.
More don’ts: ice cube chewing, thumb sucking, excessive mouth breathing, lip biting and pushing your tongue against your teeth.

What about home care of my teeth with braces?

Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped.
Brush carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Rinse thoroughly and check your teeth in the mirror to make sure they're clean.
Take time to floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss threader.
Be sure to have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining around brackets or bands.

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Eating healthy
reverses metabolic syndrome

Dr. Tasnime Akbaraly of University College London and her colleagues were interested if healthy eating could actually turn-the-tide and reverse metabolic syndrome, which is having 3 or more of the following risk factors: excess abdominal fat; high triglycerides, hypertension, low levels of HDL the “good” cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Having metabolic syndrome doubles a persons’ risk of heart disease and greatly increases the odds of developing type 2 diabetes.

The researchers studied 339 British civil servants with metabolic syndrome, and how closely the adhered to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) to see if it could help reverse metabolic syndrome. The AHEI is a set of published nutritional guidelines by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2002 that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables and decreased red meat consumption.

Five years into the study, nearly 50% no longer had metabolic syndrome. People who followed the AHEI guidelines the closest were nearly twice as likely to have reversed their metabolic syndrome. The results of the study were published in Diabetes Care, online July 29, 2010.

Dr. Alice Lichtenstein, an expert on diet and heart health from Tufts University in Boston who was not involved in the study said, "It's not about focusing on individual components of the diet, it's really the whole package, and that becomes important because it means that if one of the components of a healthy diet is to eat more fruits and vegetables, just buying a pill saying that there's a concentrated extract of fruits and vegetables is probably not what's going to help you."

Call and make an appointment with Wellness Coach Sam Hester, CWC, CPT, LWMC, at 713-500-3327. It's confidential and free. For more information on the wellness services provided, visit UT Counseling and WorkLife Services.