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When most people consider orthodontics, they imagine teenagers getting their first set, or adults who want to correct their smiles later in life. Rarely does the thought take you to a child who still has some baby teeth in their mouths. With that in mind, it may surprise you to learn that due to the fact that orthodontics is used to treat irregularities in the teeth and jaws, the age of the patient is not always relevant.

What is 2 phase treatment?

Two phase orthodontic treatment refers to a specialized process combining tooth straightening along with physical and facial changes. The purpose of this approach is to take advantage of unique opportunities your child’s growing facial structure provides. Treatment is strategically orchestrated at two separate developmental stages in a child’s life in order to maximize results, ensuring your child develops healthy teeth and jaw positioning.

Phase 1:

Phase one consists of aiding the jaw in its early development in a way that can properly house all of the permanent teeth that are growing in, while also making sure the upper and lower jaws are fitting together properly. It is very common for children to show signs of jaw problems during growth and development – so taking advantage of an opportunity to intercept these issues early on can prevent more invasive treatments later in life, with no guarantee of a complete fix. Catching and treating conditions such as jaw discrepancies or overcrowding issues early-on is the most effective way to achieve lasting results.

Phase 2:

Phase two is the follow-up phase of treatment, following a resting phase which is intended to allow the remaining permanent teeth to grow in freely and naturally. This phase will incorporate treatments that will look more familiar, such as full upper and lower braces. During this phase, your doctor will ensure that each tooth is aligned in its intended position in the mouth, a place for everything and everything in its place. Not only is this the most esthetically pleasing scenario, but it is also the healthiest – as with everything in perfect alignment, the mouth will function as it should.

When will we find out if my child needs 2 phase treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that an orthodontist evaluate your child around the age of 7 or 8, in order to assess for problems that could be corrected with early phase treatment. It will be at that time during the evaluation that you will learn whether your child is a candidate for this specialized form of treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns that your child may have some early developmental problems concerning the teeth or jaw, talk to your child’s dentist about a referral to SouthShore Orthodontics (813) 815-0080, or contact us through our website here. Together, we will help your child develop safely and properly, so they can have the most attractive smile possible.

It’s typical to see many children with braces around middle school or high school. In fact, braces are all but inherently associated with a child’s awkward, gawky early-teen phase, but did you know that earlier treatment can actually be beneficial to your child’s health down the line?

It might not be as common to see an elementary-aged student running around with braces, but we’re here to tell you that early orthodontic treatment is actually a safe and viable option.

We understand — right now, you may be wondering what, exactly, the difference is between early and regular orthodontic treatment. But don’t worry, we’re here to break it all down for you:

1. What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?Early orthodontic treatment is precisely what it sounds like: orthodontic attention provided earlier on in a child’s life.The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child should be brought in for their first orthodontic check-up around the age of 7. Should any orthodontic problems be identified at or before this age, the treatment provided would be classified as “early” treatment.
2. Does My Child Need Early Orthodontic Treatment?
   There are several signs that your child may need early orthodontic treatment. Some start before age seven, such as if your child is still sucking their thumb at or after age five, or if they lose their teeth earlier than age five.Otherwise, once they lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth start to grow in, common problems that may merit attention include:
   • Late loss of baby teeth
   • Protruding or overcrowded teeth
   • Underbites – when the jaw places lower teeth in front of the upper teeth
   • Crossbites – when the jaw shifts to the side
   • Excessive space between teeth
   • Difficulty eating
3. What Are The Phases of Early Orthodontic Treatment?
   The phases of treatment are dependent upon your child’s age.Phase 1 treatment is usually performed when a child still has some or most of their baby teeth. Also referred to as “preventative” or “interceptive” treatment, it is designed to correct any premature issues with their baby teeth or the jaw. This way, the likelihood that your child will need more extensive orthodontic treatment down the line is reduced.Phase 2 takes place once the adult teeth have fully emerged — this is where we start to return to the idea of the treatment that takes place closer to their teenage years. The second phase will complete any treatment that began in phase 1 and typically involves traditional braces and complete jaw alignment.

If you’re not sure where to go to answer any other questions you may have about your child’s orthodontic needs, be sure to contact SouthShore Orthodontics today! Not only do we provide exceptional results in a welcoming environment, but we offer a truly personalized approach to orthodontic care — whether it be for you or your child.

Shhh, do you hear that? It’s the sound of the ocean. The sound of the wind moving freely without classroom walls in its way. The blissful silence that follows the final bell, signaling the start of your summer break.

It’s… the sound of freedom!

That being said, with freedom comes a smidge of dental responsibility — but don’t worry, we promise you don’t have to think too hard about your braces. After all, you deserve to give your brain a break after a year of hard work at school!

And that’s why we’re here to give you our three keys to summer survival with braces. Once you’ve got these down, tackling the summer with the brightest and healthiest smile will feel like the most natural thing in the world:

1. Summer Snacks, Dental Danger
   First things first: when you’re not in school, you may not always have the structured meals or regular snacks you’re used to eating in the classroom. It’s easier to grab for the trail mix or other snacks that are on-hand without really thinking about what they could do to your wires and brackets, so be sure to stay away from these tempting goodies while sitting on the sandy beach or around your evening campfire:
   • Marshmallows, gummies, and other sticky foods
   • Nuts and pretzels
   • Hard, uncut fruits like apples (be sure to slice them before eating!)
   • Hard candy and bubblegum
   • Popcorn
2. Upkeep, upkeep, upkeep
   We get it — it’s just so easy to be a little more lazy than usual during the summer! Between afternoon naps, mornings where you can sleep in, or late nights when you can stay up for hours doing nothing, sometimes all of that freedom leads to… forgetfulness. It’s important to remember to keep up with your regular cleaning habits and pack your hygiene tools if you’re going out of town for any length of time. If you’re still worried you’ll forget, we recommend writing a packing checklist for your dental toolkit and/or setting regular alarms on your phone at least once in the morning and once at night.
3. A Visit Now Means More Free Time Later
   We understand that you might drag your feet a little at the prospect of walking into your orthodontist’s office when you could instead be poolside or at the movies with your friends. But by coming in for your regular summer visits, you’ll increase the likelihood that your braces will remain in a healthy condition — thereby reducing the amount of time you have to spend in the chair!

If you have any further questions about your braces — or if they are in need of an adjustment before you launch into your long-awaited summer vacation  — be sure to contact SouthShore Orthodontics. We provide exceptional service in a welcoming environment, so don’t forget to call us today to schedule an appointment!

It’s no surprise that good oral hygiene is important to anyone’s smile, as well as their general health and well-being. However, when braces are introduced into the equation, not only is it more difficult to maintain a healthy mouth, but it is even more important to do so, paying attention to healthy dental habits that will ensure your success long after those brackets come off.

Here at Southshore Orthodontics, we see it as our responsibility and privilege to steward your orthodontic care here in our offices, however, we would be doing our patients a disservice if we didn’t stress the importance of in-home care and the patients’ responsibility to take the best care of themselves after they leave our office.

Fortunately, we’ve all been given a fantastic initial indicator of poor dental hygiene: bad breath. You may be asking yourself, how is bad breath a good thing? Well, it’s really our first “tell” that dental hygiene may be lacking – and it’s a great barometer to understand oral health. If you can maintain great breath, by brushing and flossing twice a day, you will ensure a healthy mouth for years to come. Proper dental health is also fantastic preventative medicine that can help you avoid costly procedures or health problems later in life. Keeping a clean mouth and healthy gums are the best way to maintain overall good health because conditions such as heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and infertility can be attributed to poor dental hygiene and gum disease.

Having good oral hygiene and dental health is hard enough these days with busy lives and fast-paced lifestyles – so we understand that adding the increased responsibilities of orthodontics can be difficult to maintain. We at Southshore Orthodontics know how hard it can be to manipulate that toothbrush to get it in-between your braces. We get that normal brushing just doesn’t cut it. The struggle is real, and we are here for you to get you through it! Allow us to be your cheerleaders – encouraging you to do the work, and “brace” yourselves for some hard work ahead to really take care of your mouth and teeth during your orthodontic journey.

Taking the best care now will lead to the best case scenario – and a happy and healthy smile for the rest of your life. And it is our pleasure to guide you every step of the way. So, if you ever need a refresher course, or an additional discussion over the importance of orthodontic oral hygiene or helpful tips and tricks to keep those braces clean, give us a call. Whether you are a current patient: (813) 815-0080 or a new patient: (813) 448-7900 – you can also contact us online here. We look forward to seeing you!

We see you, feeling pretty good about yourself, but still looking for that New Year’s resolution? Got your diet in check, already joined the gym.. What else is there? How about the perfect smile? Teeth tend to move over time, so whether you’ve had braces in the past and your smile isn’t what it used to be, or you’ve been considering correction for awhile now, the new year is a great time to resolve everything about your smile that might be making you frown.

At SouthShore Orthodontics, we have all of the correction options you could possibly want to design the smile of your dreams! Orthodontics has come a long way from the bulky, metal-mouths of the past to a wholly personalized experience. You have options now, each one serving the purpose of providing you with straight, properly aligned teeth – which reduces the risk of gum disease and increases self confidence!

Traditional Braces

Traditional Braces treat a wide array of cosmetic and functional teeth and jaw problems. They are often the best option in more severe cases of malocclusion and tooth rotation, or when vertical tooth movement is needed.

Traditional braces correct:

-Open bite
-Overbite
-Crossbite
-Underbite
-Crowding
-Overlap
-Spacing
-Crooked teeth
-Short or elongated teeth

Invisible Aligners

Invisible Aligners such as Invisalign is a good compromise between permanent traditional braces, and the completely invisible aligners. This solution uses a series of comfortable clear aligners that progressively straighten your teeth over a period of time, changing out the aligners, and replacing them with new ones as your teeth progress toward perfection.

Benefits of choosing Invisalign:

-Comfortable, clear aligners
-Nearly invisible
-Convenient
-No metal
-No soft tissue irritation
-No dietary restrictions
-Better homecare results
-Reduced risk for gum disease and decay

No matter which route you choose, you can’t go wrong with SouthShore Orthodontics. So give us a call at (813) 291-2010 to set up your consultation today! We look forward to seeing you smile.

Eat and Enjoy: Approaching Your Thanksgiving Meal with Braces

Tender teeth may feel like a hindrance on a holiday where all you want to do is sink your teeth into your family feast. But from turkey to corn on the cob to every other classic side dish and dessert, we want to assure you that your braces don’t have to get in the way of your holiday enjoyment! However, if you’re beginning to sweat over how to navigate the Thanksgiving table this time around, we’re here to give you some food for thought on how to formulate a successful plan of attack:

Dive Into These Dishes:

Mashed Potatoes Soft, filling, easy to clean out of your braces, and buttery? Perfect! Mashed potatoes are the ideal Thanksgiving food for anyone wearing braces!

• Turkey and Ham – Who could steer clear of the Thanksgiving classic? Your family’s centerpiece turkey is safe to eat so long as you avoid bones and cut your slices into smaller pieces.
• Bread – So long as your bread or muffins don’t have a tough crust to crunch through, feel free to butter and bite away! Also be sure, however, that there are no added nuts or other hard and potentially damaging foods in the mix.
• Green Bean Casserole – A cooked classic side dish, green bean casserole and other vegetables will be safe so long as they’re cooked and soft. After all, we all need something a little green thrown into our meal!

Plan Around These Plates:

• Corn on the Cob – Sorry, but corn on the cob is likely to do damage to your wires and brackets when you bite straight into it. Unless you’re eating corn pieces that have been cut off and cooked, you’ll need to lay of the cob.
• Certain Salad Toppings – While salad in and of itself should be fine to eat, be sure that you don’t top it with any croutons, nuts, or hard vegetables. They are all likely to be too hard for your braces, so stick with softer toppings and salad dressings.
• Caramel apples – A common Thanksgiving dessert, caramel apples are a nightmare if you wear braces. The caramel is tough and will be nearly impossible to clean off, and apples that aren’t cut up are simply too hard to bite into. We recommend sticking to pie or ice cream.
• Chips and Popcorn – Bits and kernels will get stick behind your brackets—if not do damage—and they can even cut painfully into your gums if they get stuck between your teeth. Try to avoid these salty snacks on Thanksgiving and opt instead for cheese and meat slices or creamy dips.

If you still have some Thanksgiving-related questions on what you can (or can’t) eat, or if you just need some maintenance following your holiday feast, be sure to call us here at Southshore Orthodontics! Not only do we strive to provide excellent results and exceptional service in a welcoming environment, but we are also committed to offering a personalized approach to your experience, so schedule an appointment with us today!

Sometimes, braces require strategy. And Halloween, in particular, is a landmine holiday full of candy and other edible goodies that have the dangerous potential to negatively impact your braces. At best, some candy may only make cleaning a more arduous task while, at worst, you’re actually putting yourself at risk for damaging or breaking your braces.

So, speaking of strategy, what types of candy do you want to try to avoid during Halloween?

Chewy Candy

When you consciously set food restrictions for yourself, it can be extremely tempting to bend and break the rules. Speaking of bending and breaking, that’s exactly what chewy, sticky candy can do to your braces. From tootsie rolls to Starbursts to taffy, you’ll want to stay away from the bad luck these candies can bring.

Apples and Nuts

As great as healthy alternatives are to Halloween candy, they aren’t necessarily safer to eat. Apples will likely be okay if sliced into small bits, but you want to be sure to never bite directly into a whole apple itself. Nuts are also too tough on wires and brackets, regardless as to whether they are whole or incorporated inside of your favorite candy bar.

Hard Candy

Jawbreakers won’t only break your jaw. Hard candies are okay if you’re only going to suck on them ‘til they dissolve, but never bite down on hard candy while wearing braces. The tough, sugary shards are likely to do more damage than they’re worth, so if you don’t trust yourself to exhibit self-control, maintaining a hands-off approach to Jolly Ranchers, Life Savers, and the like is going to be wise on Halloween.

Popcorn

Not only can the fluffy, white bits of popcorn get stuck under your braces, but the hard bits of kernel underneath are also likely to cause you some potential pain, both literal and metaphorical. Cleaning will be made more difficult than usual thanks to popcorn, so we recommend looking for something both softer and safer.

Toffee/Brittle

Sweets that start off “hard” and gradually melt into “sticky” present the worst of both worlds for braces, as they can involve any of the aforementioned issues. After all, braces may be primarily made of metal, but against some candies, they’re simply too… brittle.

While this list may leave you wondering what you can eat on Halloween, we’re here to reassure you that there are still plenty of sweet options for you! Some candies to gravitate towards as you indulge your sweet tooth include pure chocolate, soft cookies, Pixie Sticks, and more. It’s all about thinking ahead and ensuring that you clean properly after eating!

If you’re not sure what you can eat or if you need some post-Halloween maintenance, just call Southshore Orthodontics! We strive to provide excellent results and exceptional service in a welcoming environment, so schedule an appointment with us today!