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910 Lee Dildy Blvd #260 Elgin, Texas 78621
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Dental care

Can braces change your voice?

Adults across the globe are increasingly interested in improving their smiles by considering dental braces. Regardless of what you might look or sound like for a short period with the dental braces on, make sure to consider the long-term effect you will have by getting braces. 

For many individuals, teeth grow crooked or crowded when the teeth move into new positions as adults. 

Braces fit over the teeth to gradually pull and push them into an aligned straighter position over time. 

If you are a singer and consider having braces, you may be concerned that they will affect your singing ability. 

How do braces affect the voice?
Braces have the potential to affect the singing voice a little bit; more specifically the diction and resonance. But whether it does or not depends on the shape of the mouth, what is being changed and how much the teeth are being moved.

Each orthodontic plan is different for every individual’s necessities. So, the treatment for you will most likely be different from that of others. 

You may only need braces for a brief period, or you may need one of a few teeth removed before having your braces fitted. Or then again you may require dental surgery and jaw realignment work done.

Generally, the more work that’s needed, the more likely it is it will affect your voice- but it should be positive!

Can braces make a difference to your singing voice?
Braces on their own will have less of an effect on the singing voice than the rest of the dental work that may be needed to fit them.

By altering the cavity space and shape in the mouth, your voice resonates differently. Thus, a few teeth shifting slightly, won’t make a huge difference. However, long-term braces that entirely realign your jaw shape may create a slightly different tone.

Orthodontics can help make your voice better 
In conclusion, even though braces require some adaptation, then, for sure, they will not affect your singing voice. Subsequent to correcting your teeth, your voice will get even better. Singing is typically impacted by the vocal cords, so if the vocal cords are healthy, then you shouldn’t need to stress.
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Categories
Dental care

Can you stop wearing your retainer after 10 years?

Many people wonder if they should throw away their retainers. It’s an understandable concern. While they were wearing braces and then a retainer, patients felt like they’d been caring for their teeth for years. They want to do nothing more than brush their teeth and do away with it all. However, that is not the case.

What is the need for Retainers?

Teeth are held in place by retainers. Even if they’ve been in their original spot for years, teeth want to return to their original position. The dentition of an elderly person might experience changes, such as narrowing of the lower dental arch. This may cause the lower front teeth to become crumpled up. Your teeth may be changing because of these changes, but the only way to prevent them from moving is to retain them.

Removable Retainers: Wearing them in stages

In certain cases, a permanent retainer may be attached to the back of your teeth by your orthodontist. Those who receive this will wear their retainers throughout the day, even while eating and brushing their teeth. An oral surgeon can only remove the retainer in this case, and when it is removed, a removable retainer is given to the patient to wear at night.

Typically, patients are given retainers, which they are asked to remove while eating or brushing. Retainers have been effective for patients who wear them according to the following schedule:

The First 3-6 Months: Retainers should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day during this period. Only when brushing and flossing or eating, should they be removed. Before approving your request to wear them only at night, your orthodontist will monitor your progress.

The First 2 Years: When you have worn your retainers full-time, you can start wearing them only at night.

From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life:

Your retainers will need to be worn less now. Skipping a few nights here and there isn’t a big deal, and wearing them every other night is a good rule of thumb.

Schedule an appointment and consult with your dentist if you have any queries.

Categories
Dental care

How Does HIV/AIDS Affect the Mouth?

HIV is spread by sexual contact or through the use of a contaminated needle or syringe. When you have HIV, your immune system is weakened, which affects your mouth and oral health. This could lead to tooth loss and pain in the mouth. Dental and mouth problems related to HIV/AIDS dental and mouth conditions can be unpleasant, causing difficulty biting or swallowing. This may make it difficult for you to take your medication

Mouth issues due to HIV/AIDS

  • Dry mouth 
  • Thrush 
  • Kaposi’s Sarcoma
  • Outbreaks of herpes simplex virus
  • Canker sores
  • Mouth ulcers
  • White lesions on the sides of the tongue (oral hairy leukoplakia)
  • Red band gingivitis
  • Ulcerative periodontitis

 Or some other issues like

  • Aphthous/ulcers or canker sores
  • Herpes
  • Airy Leukoplakia 

 Care HIV/AIDS Affected Mouths issues

  • Make appointments with your dentist regularly.
  • Brush and floss your teeth twice a day for two minutes.
  • Make sure you take your HIV medication on time.
  • Inform your doctor if you are experiencing dry mouth as a result of your HIV medication. Inquire about the best treatment for you.

Treatment
Common oral concerns due to HIV can be cured or prevented. So consult doctor or dentist for it.

Helpful Tips
A dry mouth happens when there is too little saliva or spits to keep your mouth moist. By regulating bacteria and fungi, saliva aids in the chewing and digestion of food, as well as protecting teeth from decay and preventing infections in the mouth. If you don’t have enough saliva, you may develop tooth decay or other illnesses, and you may have difficulty eating or swallowing. You may also have cracked, chapped lips, as well as a sticky or dry mouth with a burning sensation.

To relieve dry mouth, try the following:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free gum.
  • Chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free gum.
  • avoid 
  • Tobacco
  • Don’t drink any alcohol.
Categories
Dental care

What is Benzocaine?

Benzocaine is a white, crystalline powder that causes a temporary numbing effect, which stops nerve motions in your body, easing discomfort or pain induced by skin irritations, painful or sore throat, and hemorrhoids on the surface of the body.

Generally, it numbs down the skin or inside the mouth, nose, throat, and many other parts and organs to reduce the discomfort of inserting a medical instrument. Orajel, Americaine, and Cetacaine are some of the brands that contain this anesthetic.

It is not recommended for long-term use and to treat teething discomfort in newborns or kids less than 2 years old.

During the process, doctors even use benzocaine sprays to numb the lining of the mouth or throat. Benzocaine products are not FDA-approved for these uses.

Side Effects of Benzocaine
Side effects of Benzocaine may appear within 2 hours after using benzocaine. Talk to your doctor for emergency medical help, if:

  • Headache, and anxiety
  • Speedy heartbeats
  • Feeling light-headed
  • Difficult breathing
  • Swelling
  • Severe burning
  • Redness
  • Pale appearances on the surface of your skin, lips, or fingernails

Precautions

  • Use the smallest amount of this medication.
  • Try not to get the product in your eyes.
  • Avoid swallowing the gel or liquid.
  • Do not apply benzocaine to open injuries, burns, broken or inflamed skin.
  • Do not use benzocaine to treat certain skin diseases or serious issues, such as severe burns.
  • Benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia.
  • Call your doctor for medical advice and the appropriate dosage because this is not a complete list of side effects, and other impacts may appear. Call your primary care physician for medical advice about side effects. The FDA urged manufacturing companies to add signs and warnings to their label about methemoglobinemia and other side effects.

Make sure that you keep this and all other such drugs out of the reach of kids, never share your prescriptions with others, and use this medicine only if prescribed by your doctor.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Categories
Dental care

How is the implant attached to the abutment?

A dental implant is a metal attachment or fixture that is surgically implanted beneath the teeth to replace a natural tooth. Following surgery, recovery could take up to 6–12 weeks. It can be costly. When attaching a dental implant to the jawbone, the dentist has 2 choices. The abutments can be covered with gum tissue, which takes around six months to heal. The gums will next be sliced out to reveal the tooth, allowing the crown to be fitted.

Attaching a healing abutment is the second option. As previously stated, the healing cuff is linked to the implant’s external end. It’s a lot bigger than the implant, so there’s enough room for the crown to grow in as the gums heal around it. Patients frequently opt to utilize a healing cuff since it removes the need for additional surgery. The healing cuff is removed after the implant has properly fused to your jawbone, and the dental implant is placed with a crown. Because the gap formed by the healing cuff doesn’t always match the size of your crown, your gums may need to be reshaped.

Steps when the implant is attached to the abutment:

  • The implant is being exposed. A small incision in the gum tissue is created first if you need a second procedure to insert abutments.
  • Putting healing abutments in place. In many situations, the implant is temporarily fixed with a healing abutment.
  • Finally, abutments are being installed. After the gums have healed, an impression is obtained and the final abutment is inserted.

After the abutments have been installed, gums around abutments normally take 4 to 6 weeks to heal, so it is important to carefully follow the doctor’s recommendation.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!