Are you suffering with tooth sensitivity? Sweet or sour foods and drinks, hot or cold foods and drinks, deep cavities or fillings and even hot or cold temperatures can often trigger this issue. Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, with an estimated 45 million Americans dealing with it on a regular basis. And, if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, tooth sensitivity is not uncommon. At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we want you to have the facts you need to help you avoid tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity usually occurs when the enamel on the outside of the tooth is eroded, or wears away, exposing the dentin layer of the tooth. The dentin layer is very porous, with tubes leading to the nerve center of the tooth. When those tubes are open or exposed, they react to changes in temperature and different types of foods.

During orthodontic treatment, a patient experiences discomfort due to the pressure that is being placed on your teeth by the braces. The level of discomfort varies from patient to patient. This type of tooth sensitivity is not permanent, and will usually last a few days. But, if you’re not wearing braces, we’ve listed some of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity.

Most Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
• The MOST common cause is due to over-brushing. If you brush your teeth vigorously, using a brush with stiff bristles, you will soon brush away your gum line. As your gum line recedes, it exposes porous root surfaces, which can cause some of your teeth to become extremely sensitive. Unfortunately, as we get older, gum recession is a part of the natural aging process. Brushing with a soft bristled toothbrush (in an up and down motion) can help reduce your risk of developing sensitive teeth.

• Acidic foods such as coffee, sodas, fruit drinks, wine, and citrus fruits. Steer clear of sour patch kids and jolly ranchers candies. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water right after consuming acidic foods or drinks to dilute the acid.

• Abrasive toothpastes, or brushing more than three times a day can also wear away the tooth enamel. Wait at least one hour to brush your teeth after you’ve had acidic foods or drinks. The acid softens tooth enamel, making it more prone to erosion during brushing.

• Teeth whitening products used at home and professionally applied by your dentist. Properties of peroxide, which is one of the main ingredients in most tooth-whitening products, have been shown to irritate the tooth nerve. This irritation or inflammation causes symptoms such as cold sensitivity and a tingling sensation. However, this will improve over time.

• Bruxism, (tooth grinding) can also be a contributing factor to tooth sensitivity. If you grind your teeth, wearing a mouth-guard while you sleep may also help prevent wearing down the enamel that can lead to sensitive teeth.

Ways to Eliminate Discomfort from Tooth Sensitivity
Regardless of what is causing the sensitivity, a good dental routine is the best way to ensure a pain-free day, everyday. Over-the-counter toothpastes for sensitive teeth can sometimes help alleviate the issue.

If you are experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity while wearing braces, be sure to mention it to Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow during your next orthodontic appointment in our Sioux Falls, SD office. We can recommend alternative solutions during your treatment, no matter what the cause.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

While considering braces for your child or yourself, you may have wondered how exactly do orthodontic appliances cause teeth to permanently move into the optimal position. In this article, Dr. Kevin Horner of Horner Barrow Orthodontics in Sioux Falls, SD, answers that question without getting too technical.

The process of permanently moving teeth relies on the constant pressure of the tooth surface against the membrane that surrounds the tooth. Not a lot of force is needed to accomplish this; just enough to feel some minor pressure.

Orthodontic appliances cause permanent tooth movement through the process of bone remodeling.

Two types of cells are responsible for bone remodeling. Those cells are called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The osteoclasts break down the bone, and the osteoblasts build up the bone. When the positioning appliance pulls the tooth, it exerts pressure against the wall of the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL encases part of the tooth in the jawbone and holds it in place, and in turn, the jawbone.

After just a few days of pressure from the orthodontic appliance, the osteoclasts start breaking down bone to create space for the tooth to move into it’s new position. At the same time, the gap created on the other side of the tooth needs new cells to fill up that space and stabilize the new tooth position. That’s what the osteoblasts do.  However, this process takes many months to complete. For this reason, it’s vitally important to wear your retainers after your braces are removed, as directed by your orthodontist!

That brings us to the function of the elastic bands used along with the orthodontic appliance. The big issue with elastics is that they will only work with complete patient cooperation, meaning an orthodontic patient needs to remember to keep changing them; unlike the wires, which are permanently in place doing their job.

While the pressure is being applied by the elastics, the permanent positioning process is occurring.  It may be a bit uncomfortable, and while you might be tempted to not use the elastics, this will set your overall treatment plan back and prolong the discomfort.

Cooperation and persistence is the key to a great end result; your healthy, beautiful, straight smile!  Persevere through those uncomfortable movement issues. In time you will most likely forget the elastics are there, and they will just continuously do their job.

It is very important to remember to change the elastics at least 3 or 4 times a day as they lose their elasticity over time and become less efficient; again, prolonging the overall treatment time.

Remember to change your elastics regularly, and you will soon be elastic- (and braces!) free!

Dr. Kevin Horner, Dr. Keri Barrow and the entire Horner Barrow Orthodontics team are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Over the years, we’ve heard many, if not all, of the reasons why people put off scheduling an orthodontic consultation for themselves or their children. They’re just not ready to begin treatment, they’re going on vacation, their hectic, busy lives, and financial concerns.

While they are all valid points, here are the best reasons why you shouldn’t wait another day to schedule an appointment for yourself or your child at Horner Barrow Orthodontics.

• Scheduling. Summer is a great time to begin orthodontic treatment with Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow. Why is that? Because your child won’t have to miss school, especially for the typically longer appointments needed at the start of treatment.

• Early Diagnosis. In many cases, early interceptive treatment can dramatically improve the alignment of a child’s teeth and jaws. Timing is everything, if primary (or baby) teeth need to be extracted in order to allow the permanent teeth to erupt. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children receive an orthodontic examination by age seven. That way, we can assess and diagnose what might be going on as mentioned in our next reason.

• Jawbone Growth and Development. There is a window of opportunity during growth when an orthodontic appliance can change the direction of jawbone growth and dramatically improve a child’s treatment course. Once this window of time has passed, orthodontic correction becomes more difficult and may require extraction of teeth, or possibly a surgical procedure to properly align the jaws, all of which can add to the overall cost of the treatment plan. Which brings us to our next reason.

• Financial Concerns. At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we understand that the cost for orthodontic treatment can be an issue for many households. We offer several flexible payment plans which can be extended over the course of your or your child’s time in braces. We will be happy to discuss any financial concerns you may have during your consultation.

• A Lifetime of Beautiful Smiles. Why wait any longer to enjoy the many benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile? The sooner you get started with your orthodontic treatment the sooner you will be sharing your gorgeous new smile with everyone!

Call our Sioux Falls, SD office to schedule your initial orthodontic consultation with us today.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

It’s summertime here in Sioux Falls, SD. Time for sun and heat. Time for outdoor fun and sports. That adds up to thirst. To quench that thirst, many people turn to sports and energy drinks. These types of drinks have become extremely popular lately, especially with our young athletes. Unfortunately, they have been found to cause irreversible damage to the teeth of teens and young adults. General Dentistry published a recent study stating that energy and sports drinks contain so much acid that they can begin destroying teeth after only five days of consistent use. Wow!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, it’s estimated that 30 to 50 percent of our nation’s teenagers consume energy drinks, and as many as 62 percent consume at least one sports drink per day. The high acidity levels in those drinks erode tooth enamel, causing irreversible damage. Once the tooth enamel is gone, it’s gone. There is no way to restore it. To learn more about tooth enamel, read our previous blog article, “Everything You Need To Know About Tooth Enamel.”

Orthodontists Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow encourage patients to limit their intake of sports drinks. That enamel erosion ultimately makes teeth more susceptible to bacteria, and can lead to hypersensitivity, permanent tooth staining, and tooth decay. If you do consume an energy or sports drink, always wait at least 45 minutes before you brush your teeth. That’s because consumption of acidic drinks causes the tooth enamel to soften, which makes teeth even more vulnerable to wear from the abrasives found in toothpaste. So make sure you always wait those 45 minutes (or more) before you brush after having that sports or energy drink.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. It’s also preventable with the proper oral care. Dr. Horner and Dr. Barrow and the team at Horner Barrow Orthodontics can help identify early signs of enamel erosion, and also give you solutions on how to prevent further damage and more serious problems from occurring.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about tooth enamel. What is it? How important is it? How can you protect the enamel on your teeth? At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we want you to have all of the knowledge you need to properly care for your teeth, before, during and after orthodontic treatment in our Sioux Falls, SD office. So here are the answers to all of your enamel questions.

The enamel on your teeth is the hardest and the most highly-mineralized substance in your body. Enamel covers the outer layer of each tooth, and it is the most visible part of the tooth. The color of the enamel can vary from light yellow to grayish white. Because tooth enamel is semi-translucent, it is only partially responsible for the color of your teeth. Enamel is made up mostly of minerals, primarily hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite, also called hydroxyapatite (HA), is a naturally-occurring mineral form of calcium apatite. It is a major component, and an essential ingredient of normal bone and teeth. Hydroxyapatite makes up bone mineral and the matrix of teeth. It is what gives bones and teeth their rigidity.

Enamel plays a very important role in protecting your teeth from decay, so it’s important to do everything you can to prevent your enamel from eroding. It forms a strong barrier that protects the inner layers of your teeth from the effects of acids and plaque. It also protects the sensitive inner layers of your teeth from very hot or very cold foods and beverages.

If your enamel is destroyed, your body will not make more to repair or replenish it. Unlike other parts of your body (your bones, for example), enamel does not contain any living cells, so it cannot regenerate.

You can protect your tooth enamel while wearing braces, and after your braces are removed, by avoiding foods that are known to cause the most damage. Sugary foods and acidic fruits and beverages (especially those popular energy and sports drinks) are among the most damaging to your tooth enamel. When those substances stick to your teeth and interact with the bacteria present in your mouth, lactic acid is produced, which can damage your enamel. Avoid these foods when you can, and if you do consume them, remember to brush thoroughly afterward. If you are not able to brush afterward, be sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

Extremely hard or crunchy foods, such as hard candy or ice cubes, can also damage your enamel by causing it to crack or chip, so these foods should also be avoided. If you do have a piece of hard candy, suck on it but don’t bite down on it.

You can also protect your enamel by practicing good oral hygiene habits, like regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and visiting your dental professional for regular professional cleanings.

Enamel is an important substance that deserves to be taken care of and protected as part of good oral hygiene, whether or not you are wearing braces.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.