If you or your child have an overbite, chances are you’ve considered braces, had braces already, or have been recommended braces by a dentist. Overbites occur when the upper teeth in the mouth protrude over the bottom row of teeth. They are quite common, contributing to roughly 70% of dental-related problems. Luckily, braces are often a viable orthodontic treatment option.

Types of Overbites

Not all overbites are created equal. The type of braces one would need depends on the type of overbite one has and how severe it is. If you have a vertical overbite, it means that your top teeth overlap the bottom teeth, often significantly. A horizontal overbite means that your top teeth simply protrude further than the bottom ones. Some patients have both types of overbites, which may be caused either by the teeth themselves or by bone structure.

The Best Braces for Overbites

Traditional braces are the most common treatment option for overbites of any kind. The two-stage process begins with metal brackets that fasten to the teeth and are connected via metal wires. These brackets help to straighten the teeth, which then allows the orthodontist to repair the overbite. Step two of traditional braces requires the addition of rubber coils and springs, which slowly shifts everything permanently into place.

Some people, especially teenagers, prefer invisible braces since they are less conspicuous. Unfortunately, Invisalign and other clear aligners are not an option for people who have severe overbites.

Before & After Results

Here is one example of adult overbite treatment provided by our Burien and West Seattle orthodontist, Dr. Jorge Peralta:

Before

After

Seeking Treatment for an Overbite

An orthodontist in West Seattle can check your overbite symptoms to determine how severe the problem is. From there, he or she can help you decide on the best treatment options and walk you through the next steps. Always work with a reputable, licensed orthodontist who the schooling and experience to best help you. If you live in the greater Seattle area and are looking for more information on how orthodontics can help address an overbite, give our Burien or West Seattle orthodontic offices a call to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Peralta!

The holiday season brings with it tidings of good cheer, heaping amounts of delicious foods, and candied treats. While there is nothing wrong with a person who has braces to partake in the good cheer or to enjoy a feast or two, when that person indulges in candied treats, it could put their teeth at risk. If you have braces, you can protect your mouth and your investment by following these few simple oral health tips, braces edition.

Avoid Candied Treats and Sticky Snacks

It seems as if everywhere you look during the holidays there’s a candied or caramelized something to tempt even the most strong-willed individual. Even the yams are candied! Avoid temptation and refrain from eating anything that is sticky, hard, chewy or crunchy. Your braces, along with their brackets, bands and wires, will thank you.

If You Must Indulge, Indulge Wisely

Here at our West Seattle orthodontic office, we understand that even the most resolute patients give into their sweet tooth every once in a while. If you find yourself unable to resist a sweet treat, at least make it a sweet treat that won’t pull out your wires and brackets, and that will wash away with a swig of water. Stick with peppermint patties, soft chocolates, peanut butter cups and other candies that can melt in your mouth.

Step Up Your Brushing and Flossing Game

You should be vigilant about brushing and flossing regardless of the time of year, but during the holidays, consider adding one more brushing and flossing regime to your daily schedule. Take extra care to get around all of your brackets and wires, giving extra attention to areas where your braces attach to your teeth.

Have a Travel Kit at the Ready

It is not uncommon for families to go on vacation or to take a stay-cation during the holiday season. Whether you plan on going skiing in the Rockies or staying at Grandma’s house for the holiday weekend, make sure you take your braces kit with you. This kit should include a toothbrush, floss, wax, mouthwash and elastics.

These are just a few tips to keep your smile healthy and dazzling during the season! If you have any questions or have a braces emergency, contact our Burien and West Seattle orthodontic offices for information or assistance.

If you have kids, you understand that the arrival of fall does not just mean back to school – it also means the start of school sports and activities. Football, soccer, field hockey and other fall sports teams have all already begun practicing in preparation for that first big game, which is exciting but nerve wracking at the same time. After all, most fall sports involve contact, and a lot of it. If you’re your child is currently in orthodontic treatment or recently got braces off, you might be tempted to discourage your child from participating in sports. That doesn’t have to be the solution. If your child continues to play, make sure they abide by these four safety tips from our orthodontist in Burien Dr. Jorge Peralta:

1. Wear a Mouthguard: A mouthguard is your child’s number one protection from impact and is the most effective way to prevent injuries to the face, mouth and teeth. Ask your West Seattle orthodontist to have a properly-fitted athletic mouthguard made for your child’s teeth.

1. Play With Caution: While this tidbit of advice is bound to go in one ear and out the other, it is still worth mentioning. Encourage your child to only engage in rough play if absolutely necessary, and to use his or her wits over brute strength when possible.

1. Wear Other Protective Gear: If allowed by the league, have your child wear a mouthguard, helmet and/or safety glasses.

1. Be Prepared for Emergencies: If you cannot prevent emergencies, you can at least plan for them. Our Orthodontist in Burien offers 24/7 emergency services for our patients. If your child does sustain serious injury to his or her teeth or jaw during a sporting event, you can count on our orthodontic team to do what is necessary to prevent further damage and repair his or her smile to look like new.

Schedule An Orthodontic Appointment In Burien or West Seattle Seattle Today

If your child has braces and plays sports, make sure that he or she takes measures to protect the smile we’re work hard to achieve. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our orthodontist in West Seattle or Burien, give us a call today about additional precautions that may help.

Once your West Seattle orthodontist puts braces on your teeth, you’ll be well on your way toward the straight and healthy smile you deserve! While it does take a little time to adjust to having braces, before long, you’ll be completely used to wearing those appliances on your teeth.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is super important when you’re wearing braces because there are many tight spaces around your bands, brackets, and wires that can trap food and plaque. This means you’ll need to arm yourself with the best teeth cleaning tools you can find. The most important item to have in your arsenal of plaque-fighting tools is a good quality toothbrush. If you’re wondering what type of toothbrush is best to use with braces, we’ve put together the following information that should help!

Electric or Manual: It’s Up to You

You can use either a regular manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush to clean your teeth and braces, it’s up to you! If you decide to go the electric route, make sure to choose a brush head with soft bristles. When brushing your teeth, use a moderate setting and don’t allow the back of the brush to vibrate against your braces, to prevent damaging your appliances. If you’re going to use a regular brush it’s best to use a brush that has bi-level bristles that will easily get into all those small spaces around your braces.

A Proxabrush Can Reach Hard-to-Reach Areas

To make sure that you get into all those hard-to-reach areas like around the bands on your back teeth and up and under the archwire, pick up a proxabrush at your local pharmacy. This is a small spiral-shaped brush that’s sometimes called an ‘interproximal brush’ that does an excellent job of removing bits of food and plaque from tight spaces.

In a nutshell, it’s important to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s easy to hold and manipulate. When shopping for a toothbrush, choose one that carries the ADA seal of approval to ensure it’s deemed safe and effective to use. If you have any questions or need help picking out a toothbrush, contact us and we’ll help!

Our Seattle orthodontist would like to send out a heads-up about the perils of at-home orthodontic care. There are companies in operation today advertising DIY orthodontics designed to help people save thousands of dollars on the orthodontic treatment they need. These companies sell plastic aligner trays that look like Invisalign which are created from impressions consumers take of their teeth at home.

The Problem with Do-It-Yourself Invisalign

The main problem with at-home orthodontic care is that this type treatment cannot address very important issues regarding how the upper and lower teeth meet or the health status of the jaw joints and gums. Even though the companies offering at-home orthodontics do provide customer support, the “patients” have no licensed orthodontists overseeing their progress as they move through the series of aligners they’re given.

This lack of professional guidance can lead to some serious problems developing like:

• Unpredictable and undesirable tooth movement
• Permanent damage being done to the teeth
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Tooth decay & gum disease

An In-Person Orthodontic Evaluation is Important!

No licensed and reputable orthodontist would ever recommend orthodontic appliances to a patient without first providing that patient with a thorough orthodontic evaluation. Even though the companies offering at-home orthodontics advertise that each case is reviewed by a dentist, these hired dentists are approving cases based solely on selfies and models of questionable quality, with no diagnostic records and no oral health evaluation.

Contact Your Local Seattle Orthodontist

Dr. Peralta is a licensed and experienced orthodontist who offers individualized orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages living throughout Burien, West Seattle, Renton, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and the greater Seattle, WA area. If you want to improve your smile safely, predictably and effectively with braces or Invisalign, we encourage you to request a free consultation with Dr. Peralta today. We hope to hear from you soon!