How important is your smile to you? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 96% of people believe that a smile is important to a person’s appearance. For a lot of us, a beautiful smile means having straight, aligned teeth. Unfortunately, most of us don’t naturally have straight smiles, which means braces or Invisalign aligners are usually great options to consider when trying to get a smile you love. But how do you know which option is best for you or your child? Both Invisalign and braces will straighten your teeth, but offer different unique benefits that suit the needs of different patients. We have outlined below everything you need to know about both options to help you make your decision on whether Invisalign or traditional braces are better for you or your child. Appearance We’re all familiar with the appearance of traditional braces. We have come a long way from chunky train-track style braces of the past as braces continue to be designed smaller and smaller. Clear braces are also an option now. They have the same pieces as traditional braces except they are made of clear ceramic. Invisalign is also popular option due to the invisibility. Many patients prefer the inconspicuous look of Invisalign aligners. Adult and teenage patients in particular love that their peers can’t see that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Functionality Braces are worn 24/7 as you are not able to take braces off. Thus, you must avoid hard and sticky foods so that the braces do not get damaged or come loose. With Invisalign the aligners must be removed when eating and drinking anything besides water. This means you don’t have to change your diet or the way you eat certain foods. Oral Hygiene Invisalign must be removed when you brush your teeth, meaning you will not have to alter your oral hygiene routine too much. You can continue to brush and floss as you have always done. However, you will also have to brush and clean your Invisalign aligners. With braces, specialized tools such as water flossers and floss threaders are helpful to remove all food and plaque from the braces. Comfort Straightening your teeth can cause slight discomfort as the teeth are being moved in the surrounding jaw bones. Braces will take a few days to get used to and for the inside of your cheeks and lips to become accustom the the braces. Invisalign will also take some getting used to. Both treatment options will cause some soreness temporarily. Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Motrin can be taken to help alleviate the discomfort. Effectiveness Both methods are very effective treatments. Braces cannot be removed by patients and therefore are highly effective. Invisalign requires discipline from patients to ensure you wear the aligners for the recommended amount of time to ensure you get the desired effect as quickly as possible. The Verdict In short, it ultimately comes down to personal choice. Invisalign is a great option for those of us who want a discreet, efficient and comfortable solution to straightening teeth. However, some people prefer braces due to the fact that you don’t have to remember to put your braces on as they are fixed in place. If you’ve been considering straightening your smile, give us a call today to schedule a consultation to see which option would be best for you.

You’re going to the game! And no matter which sport you follow, there’s so much to enjoy—the best athletes, exciting play, hometown pride—and those delicious concession stands! But if you’re wearing braces, your team spirit might be flagging. Here are a few ideas to help keep your food choices out of foul territory. You know that you should avoid the foods that can damage braces or stick around your wires and brackets. This means any snacks that are sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy are benched. So most of the traditional game foods—peanuts, popcorn, licorice—are just not safe for traditional metal or ceramic braces. Let’s save those for next season. So what is on the program? You still have many great choices. Ice Cream – A favorite that’s easy on your braces. Dip and Dots are also a great choice! If you want a healthier option, try frozen yogurt or a smoothie. Hearty Snacks – Pretzels, pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers are all perfectly fine to eat with braces. Remember to take smaller bites! Soft Candies and Cookies. Licorice, caramels, and crunchy cookies are out, but soft chocolate bars, soft cookies, and cotton candy are still on the menu. Just remember to get a good brush and floss in when you get home. Sodas and sports drinks can create a sugary and/or acidic environment which can damage enamel over time. If you do indulge, try to rinse with water ASAP and brush and floss when you get home.Stadium and arena menus contain a lot of starches and sugars, which stick to braces and fuel cavity-causing bacteria. So it’s best to go easy on the snacks. But you don’t have to give up a half-time treat entirely—just enjoy in moderation and be sure to brush thoroughly when you get home. If you wear clear aligners, your choices are simpler. You can remove your aligners, eat normally, and clean your teeth thoroughly before replacing them. But one flag on this play—remember that you’re supposed to wear your aligners for a set number of hours each day. You don’t want to be putting your treatment behind schedule if the game goes into triple overtime. Keep your eye on the clock, and you should be fine.  Dr. Ashlee Weber and our team are always happy to recommend the best food options for your individual orthodontic treatment, and we can help you select a roster of safe and healthy choices. You might miss out on a few of your favorite sports snacks right now, but let’s remember the true fan’s motto: There’s always next year! Taking care of your braces and teeth means faster treatment and healthier teeth. Your All-Star smile will be worth it!