Good Breath Gone Bad at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

Bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!

And come see us at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics for all your orthodontic needs.

Smoke Screen with Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral-health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

The Tooth Fairy with Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

Losing your first tooth, or any baby tooth for that matter, can be exciting! Your baby tooth may be gone, but in no time you will have a bigger, “grown-up” tooth in its place. So what do you do with the lost tooth? That’s simple…place it under your pillow at night and when you are fast asleep the tooth fairy will come and whisk your tooth away leaving behind a special gift just for you! Here’s a simple craft project from Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics that we found a little while back that will help make the tooth fairy’s job a little easier and give your tooth a special place to stay until it is taken away. Please click on the link for instructions and pictures!

Tooth Fairy “Tooth” Box
(remember to ask your parents for help when using hot glue and scissors)

What you will need
--I large empty match box
--Enough felt to wrap the box and inside sliding tray
--Ribbon
--Glue (tacky glue or a hot glue gun)
--Markers
--White, pink and blue (or your favorite color) felt for decorating the matchbox
--Scissors

Step 1: Pull the inner tray out of the box and line the inside with glue and felt as shown. Wrap the outside of the box with felt and glue it in place.

Step 2: Glue ribbon to the outside of the box in a hanging loop shape. Fold another piece of ribbon in half and glue it to the bottom of the inner tray to create a handle for sliding it in and out.

Step 3: Draw a tooth shape on paper, cut it out, and trace it onto the white felt twice. Cut out the teeth and face details.

Step 4: Decorate the teeth with the eyes and cheeks and draw on a mouth. Glue one tooth to the outside of the box.

Step 5: Create a tooth pocket by applying glue to the sides and bottom of the remaining tooth as shown, leaving an opening at the top. Glue the pocket to the inside tray. Once the glue dries, the box is Tooth Fairy-ready. Have your child put the tooth inside the inner pocket and hang it outside their door before your child goes to bed!

Mooooooooove Over Gum Disease! -- Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics

Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A recent study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, call us at Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics.

Kirkpatrick & Lai--Help Explain Braces to Your Children

What child isn’t apprehensive when they find out they need braces? One way to head off misgivings before they arise is to familiarize your child with the basics of orthodontic treatment well before they’re at an age when braces may be necessary.

In Braces for Cori by Christine Florie, we meet a young girl whose doctor breaks the news that she needs braces. Cori, of course, is not pleased with this announcement, and her anxious imagination plays out in whimsical illustrations by Christine Tripp – depicting her fears of braces resembling train tracks or a group of spiky television antennas. (No wonder she’s worried!)

A “Rookie Reader Level C” book, Braces for Cori uses everyday words to explain somewhat complex concepts. Suitable for readers ages 4-8, the book can be introduced to youngsters who may have seen other children with braces but aren’t there yet themselves.

During the course of the story, Cori gains some ownership over her new braces when she gets to pick a color for them – blue – which later draws compliments from the lady at the bank. And when her softball teammates agree that her braces are cool, Cori realizes everything will be ok.

At Kirkpatrick & Lai, we understand that braces can be a trying time. That is why we do everything to make our patients comfortable and make their orthodontic treatment exciting and fun. Give us a call today to come in for a consultation.

Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontist Patient Reviews

Dr. Lai and his staff provide the latest in orthodontic treatment in a personalized setting. Just see what his patients have to say!Everyone has just been great! Danielle is thinking about becoming an orthodontist.
-Nichelle M.

Dr. Lai and his staff answer your questions and they aren't in a hurry to push you out the door.
-Danny W.

I like that the office is always bright and clean. Every person in the office has a smile at all times. Also the doctors are all friendly and knowledgeable about the field.
-Sheila S.

At first Aubrey was really opposed to getting braces. Dr. Lai and Dr. Kirkpatrick have really turned it around into a pleasant experience for her and she has adjusted quite well, which makes it easier on me as a parent. Thanks! The orthodontists are always friendly and the staff take time to talk to the patient one on one.
-Suzi P.

They are friendly and worked out financial arrangements that I was able to afford, otherwise my daughter would not have been able to get braces.
-Kelly J.

I just met my son's orthodontist, and he was very friendly and made me feel confident and at ease with what we are talking about having to do. I saw on the web site that he was an outdoorsman; this will thrill Destry, because he loves to hunt and fish as well!
-Leslie B.

What's So Special About An Orthodontist? Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Drs. Lai and Kirkpatrick started out in dental school and earned their DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Drs. Lai and Kirkpatrick decided they wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So they stayed in school for a few more years and became experts in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?