What is the BEST Age for My Child to See An Orthodontist???

This is a very common question for parents because there is a lot to consider when deciding when your child should undergo orthodontic treatment.  When is the best time to start is a question at the top of every parent’s list.  Fortunately, this question has an easy answer.

The American Association of Orthodontists states that the ideal time for a child to have his or her first visit is at age seven.  This may seem like a very young age since the child still has many baby teeth.  However, it is an ideal age to identify future orthodontic problems and put a plan of treatment in place.

Why Seven?

A child loses teeth in a specific order.  Between the ages of six and eight, a child will have lost his or her first eight baby teeth, and the first permanent incisors will have emerged, or will be in the process of emerging.  Also, the child will now have his or her first set of permanent molars, the six-year molars. Ideally, the child will now have four permanent incisors and four permanent molars.

Taking x-rays at this time will give your orthodontist a good idea as to what problems could occur later on and can take action to prevent or reduce these problems.  A baby tooth might need to be removed early to prevent crowding, or space between teeth might need to be maintained if a baby tooth was lost before the permanent tooth was ready to move in.

What Can the Orthodontist Do at Age Seven?

You may be wondering what can be done at such an early age while your child is still growing.  Many problems can not be permanently corrected at this time.  However, many things can be done to help your child both dentally and socially.  Taking preventative action now can reduce undue trauma on the teeth and underlying gum tissue. Issues that an orthodontist can address at this age include:

• Arch, palate or jaw expansion – This can be done to alleviate problems due to crowding of teeth by making more room for them even before they come in.  It’s better for the health of the teeth and gums to do this early.

• Buck teeth – Many a child has been given the nickname “beaver teeth” due to front teeth that are extra large or that stick out.  Although nothing can be done permanently at this age, your orthodontist can make life easier for your child both dentally and socially by reducing the severity of the problem.

• Bite problems – Many bite problems can be identified at age seven, however not all of them can be corrected.  Underbites can not be permanently corrected until the late teens, but it is important to try to normalize anterior bites as early as possible to prevent bite shifting and tooth damage.  Bite problems can also be caused by a child’s own habits such as thumb sucking, which should be eliminated early.

Consult with an Dr. Robert Sanborn for your child’s first orthodontist appointment.  Let us help you identify and reduce problems as soon as possible to make your child’s orthodontic experience easier in the long run.  Visit our website at www.SanbornOrthodontics.com to make an appointment today!

Sanborn Orthodontics 4251-F Arendell St,
Morehead City, NC  28557

252-727-0020

Have a Fun and Braces Safe Halloween with these Candy Tips From Your "Favorite Hometown Orthodontist"

Did you know nearly 600 million pounds of candy is purchased each year for Halloween? Between sticky caramels, sugary candy corn and gooey taffy, Halloween can be a frightful time for people with braces! To help you avoid severely damaging wires and brackets this candy-filled season, we at Sanborn Orthodontics have put together the below tips: 

§  Choose softer, melt in your mouth candies—as opposed to hard, sticky, sugary ones. While caramel apples and peanut brittle can be enticing, it’s important to avoid such treats, as they can loosen brackets and wires. Opt for smoother choices like small chocolates or low-sugar peanut butter cups.

§  As an alternative to candy, consider making homemade milkshakes and smoothies with fresh fruits. These blended delights are easy on your braces and still delicious!

§  Remember that excess sugar can get trapped in-between brackets and teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly after eating Halloween sweets will help prevent sugar and plaque build-up.

§  Consider Halloween candy an indulgence! Monitor and limit sugar intake by treating yourself just once a day, rather than consuming sweets throughout the day.

§  Talk with an expert! Get more information on Halloween candy dos and don’ts by speaking with your favorite hometown orthodontist, Dr. Robert Sanborn.

October is also National Orthodontic Health Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  To bring awareness to this, Sanborn Orthodontics is teaming up with local cancer awareness centers to donate up to $500 for every LIKE and SHARE of our Facebook page during the month of October.  So make sure to check us out on Facebook and our website for more information and Happy Halloween!!!

8 Fun and Interesting Facts About Your Braces

IMPROVING YOUR SMILE through orthodontic treatment is serious business… But there’s a fun side too! So, for today’s post, here’s a list of fun, interesting facts about orthodontics. Enjoy!!!

Did You Know…?

#1 – NASA Wiring?

The nickel titanium in some braces wire was developed by NASA with shape memory properties (meaning it keeps its shape) that are activated by body heat and/or pressure.

#2 – 1728? You’re Kidding!

The first braces were designed in 1728, consisting of a flat piece of metal connected to the teeth by thread. Orthodontic brackets were invented in 1915.

#3 – How Does It Do That?

Some cements used to attach brackets to your teeth include a fluoride-releasing substance.

#4 – Only A Select Few

100% of all orthodontists are dentists. About 6% of all dentists are orthodontists.

#5 – You Won’t Be One Of Them, Right?!

Nearly 25% of orthodontic patients have to get braces again because they didn't wear their retainers!

#6 – Never Too Old

Adults want straight teeth too! In fact, MILLIONS of people over age 18 are currently in orthodontic treatment.

#7 – Myth Breaking

Braces are not magnetic. Braces don’t set off metal detectors. Braces don’t pick up radio transmissions. Braces don’t increase your odds of being hit by lightning.

#8 – Famous Orthodontic Patients

> Check them ALL out! Emma Watson, Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Prince Harry, Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani, Drew Barrymore, Dakota Fanning, and more.

Do YOU Know Any Others?

Do you know any interesting orthodontic facts we've missed? Please share them with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!!!

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1: "Not Using the Right Toothbrush"

Using the right toothbrush to maintain  is important, it allows you to clean hard to reach areas of your mouth therefore minimizing the risks of plague and cavity build up. On the other hand, not using the right toothbrush can have detrimental effects on your oral health since tooth decay is likely to occur with poorly maintained teeth. So the question is; how to choose the right toothbrush?

It’s not an exact science but you should choose appropriately sized brush in relation to the size of your mouth. If you are having a hard time opening your mouth when brushing due to the size of the brush, then it is probably too big, so choose an alternative smaller sized toothbrush.

Small headed toothbrushes can reach the back of the end teeth easily for a thorough cleaning. When choosing a toothbrush, also check if it has soft bristles or hard bristles. Soft bristles are more appropriate for removing debris from the mouth as well as plaque. Hard bristles can damage your gums and cause them to bleed.

The type of toothbrush handle also matters. Choose the one with which you are comfortable just like “when you’re holding a fork whilst eating” says Richard H. Price, DMD (the consumer advisor for the American Dental Association). He also added that the more comfortable your brush is with your mouth, the more likely you are going to use it and use it properly. Lastly, no matter how good a fit your toothbrush is within your mouth, the key to well-maintained teeth is brushing them properly.

If you have any toothbrush or orthodontic concerns, please visit our website, Or call our office below:

Sanborn Orthodontics  4251-F Arendell St.  Morehead City, NC  28557  252-727-0020

ALL about Orthodontics!

While everyone understands that a dentist takes care of teeth, not everyone is aware of what an orthodontist does. This confusion sometimes leads to misunderstandings about what Sanborn Orthodontics does for our patients and how exactly Dr. Sanborn can help them. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the myths and misconceptions about orthodontics.

Perhaps the biggest misconception about the orthodontist is that we’re just like your family dentist. The truth is, we’re actually very different. While it’s true that both orthodontists and dentists care about helping you enjoy a lifetime of good dental and oral health, we go about achieving this goal in different ways. For instance, if you need to have a cavity filled, you probably won’t make an appointment to see me. Dentists are the health professionals to see if you’re concerned about a cavity or need a filling. A dentist can also treat gum disease, tooth decay, toothaches, and other common oral health problems.

People see an orthodontist for very particular services. Most of the patients we see on a daily basis are here because they have braces, or they need to be fitted with braces or another form of tooth-straightening device. In other words, they consult an orthodontist when they are concerned about the alignment of their teeth. As a child grows up, his or her teeth may come in crooked. This can happen for a number of reasons, so it’s important for an orthodontist to take a look at a child’s teeth at about seven years of age. At that age, it’s possible to detect any problems that have not become too advanced to treat easily. Your family dentist may also refer your child to an orthodontist once the adult teeth have fully grown in.

Another common misconception about orthodontists is that we only treat children. It’s true that when you visit an orthodontic clinic you’re apt to see a lot of young kids, but you’ll also see teenagers, college students, and adults. Because crooked teeth can be caused by a number of different factors, it’s entirely possible for someone to require orthodontic treatment at any age.

If you want to know more about the practice of orthodontics or what your orthodontist can do for you, then simply ask Dr. Sanborn. It’s best to get answers to your specific questions directly from the person who will be treating you. So check out our Facebookpage or website or call 252-727-0020 for your complimentary consultation appointment in Morehead City, NC.

When Should My Child See An Orthodontist???

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS recommends that children first visit the orthodontist at age seven—and we wholeheartedly agree! Even though treatment may not start that young, an early examination allows Dr. Sanborn to evaluate dental development and determine when and if orthodontic treatment is necessary.

One way to determine if a child needs our help is to look for bite and alignment problems.

Some Of The Problems We Look For at Sanborn Orthodontics:

1. Buck Teeth:  Do the upper front teeth stick too far out?

2. Deep Bite:   Do the upper teeth cover the lower teeth?

3. Underbite:  Do the upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth?

4. Open Bite:  Do only the back teeth touch when biting down?

5. Crowded or overlapped teeth:  Do the teeth have too much or too little space?

6. Misaligned front teeth:  Do the spaces between the upper two front teeth and lower two front teeth not line up?

7. Crossbite:  Do the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth?

Some Issues May Require Immediate Attention

If a child has any of the following problems, treatment may be necessary before the age of seven.

Speech problems

Difficulty chewing

Abnormal bite development

Clicking or popping in the jaw

Permanent teeth that are coming in crowded or overlapped

A thumb sucking problem

A teeth grinding problem

Issues biting cheeks or biting into the roof of the mouth

There Are Benefits To Early Treatment or Enrollment in our Guppy Grinz Club!!!

Please Share This Important Information

Now, will you help US get the word out? Please share this post with the people you care about—especially those with children. Together, WE can help others start early on the path to beautiful, healthy smiles!

Thank you for helping Sanborn Orthodontics make a difference!!!

How To Protect Your Braces During Sports

Proper mouth protection is recommended by Sanborn Orthodontics when you participate in any sports activities. If you wear braces, this protection becomes essential. Injuries to your mouth can not only damage your teeth, but your braces could break and cut open your lip.

Full Facial Guards

Full facial guards are often used in football and offer protection to your mouth from most injuries. Even with full facial protection, you may benefit from additional mouth protection. While your face is protected from outside impact, you could still suffer from cuts or damage to your braces from internal impact.

Mouth Guards

Mouthguards referred to as boil-and-bites can be purchased at many retail stores. As the name implies, these guards are boiled in water to heat and soften the material. While the guard is still warm, you place it in your mouth and bite down gently. This causes the guard to form to the shape of your mouth for the best protection or fit.

No matter what type of sport you participate in, a mouthguard can protect your braces. Even an activity as seemingly harmless as table tennis can result in a contact injury. The Academy for Sports Dentistry states that a properly fitted mouthguard should not interfere with any athletic activity.

Sanborn Orthodontics will provide you with properly fitting mouth protection to ensure the safety of your braces and your teeth. We will be glad to answer any questions you have so you can continue the activities you enjoy with little concern. If you do suffer any injuries to your mouth or braces during sporting activities, please contact us immediately. The sooner we can care for your mouth, the better the results will be.