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With sports in full swing, Dr. Chapman of Chapman Orthodontics recommends that his patients in Plainfield, IN wear mouth guards especially if they have braces. As an essential part of many athletes’ sport equipment, mouth guards work to protect player’s teeth and prevent dental injury. Which mouth guard is right for you?

Stock mouth guards come ready to wear. They are inexpensive. And can be bought at most sporting goods stores in Plainfield, IN. Unfortunately, little can be done to adjust their fit: they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and they provide little or no protection. Dr. Chapman does not recommend this type of mouth guard to his patients and warns that it would cause discomfort for brace wearers.

Boil and bite mouth guards can also be bought at many sporting goods stores in Orlando, FL, and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. Boil and bite mouth guards are made from a thermoplastic material so that consumers can do just as the name says; “boil and bite” to ensure a perfect fit. Hot water softens this product and allows consumers to shape the mouth guard around their teeth using finger and tongue pressure.

Custom-fit mouth guards, although more expensive than the other types, will provide the most comfort and protection. For more information on custom-fitted mouth guards or if you have any questions or concerns about your braces contact Chapman Orthodontics at 317.839.6533.

Dr. Chapman of Chapman Orthodontics encourages his Brownsburg, IN patients to continue regular cleanings every six months with their dentist during their Invisalign® treatment for it promotes good oral hygiene, but did you know that it can also prevent a multitude of diseases?

Here are 10 really great reasons to stick with your regular cleaning schedule!

1. It Prevents Oral Cancer. You may or may not realize that you’re screened for oral cancer during your regular dental cleanings. Oral cancer is highly curable with early diagnosis.

2. It Helps Fight Gum Disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. It can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early, but regular cleanings and check ups, and daily brushing and flossing, are key weapons in winning the battle against gum disease.

3. It’s About More Than Your Mouth. Studies have linked gum disease to heart attacks and strokes? Getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months could reduce your risk of serious health problems!

4. You Want to Preserve Your Smile. As mentioned, gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. To keep your pearly whites intact, stick with your cleaning schedule.

5. It Helps to Detect Dental Problems Early. We’ve already touched upon early detection of gum disease and oral cancer, but don’t overlook more basic dental problems such as cavities and broken fillings. Without routine cleanings these problems could lead to root canals, gum surgery and/or tooth extraction.

6. It Gives You Guidance to Maintaining Excellent Oral Health. Check ups are a great way to keep your oral health on the right path, and to ask questions like: what’s the best electric toothbrush to buy, or what is current research saying about how to better care for your teeth.

7. You Have Dental Insurance. Consider how much money you put into your insurance plan. Take advantage of it and save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly procedures that result from poor dental habits.

8. You Want to Upgrade Your Smile. If you’re already suffering from tooth decay or gum problems, regular appointments will give you the best smile possible.

9. You’re a Smoker. Regular cleanings remove most tobacco stains, polishing your teeth to a beautiful shine!

10. You Need Some Time Alone. Okay, this isn’t a spa, but think of the waiting room as a relaxing place to forget about work or the stresses of family life. Stress effects your dental health and your health and well-being should never take a back seat to your daily planner.

If you have any questions or concerns about your Invisalign® treatment or your oral health please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Chapman, he can be reached at 317.852.5566, or to visit Chapman Orthodontics when and if you are in the Brownsburg, IN area.

Having many advantages over braces, Invisalign® is a popular treatment option at Chapman Orthodontics in Brownsburg, IN. Below Dr. Chapman lists 6 benefits of Invisalign® for possible patients to consider:

1. Removability. This modern way of teeth straightening can be removed, and Dr. Chapman encourages patients to remove their clear aligners before eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
2. Invisibility. Remarkably unnoticeable, Invisalign® allows patients to straighten their teeth discreetly. This builds confidence during treatment.
3. Diet. What diet? Going back to removability, unlike braces, you can eat all the foods you love. Just remember to brush, floss and/or rinse your mouth after each meal.
4. Comfort. Invisalign® puts an end to irritating brackets and archwires, and instead provides an easier teeth straightening experience with the use of plastic aligners.
5. Convenience. Invisalign® requires less visits to Dr. Chapman’s office.
6. The big wow. All these terrific benefits for generally the same price as traditional metal braces!

There is no reason not to love Invisalign®! Start your Invisalign® experience now with Dr. Chapman by dialing 317.484.6388 TODAY!

Caring for your smile does not stop when your braces are removed. Retention is a KEY component of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Vaughn and his team at Indy Orthodontist in Plainfield, IN, understand that many people do not realize the great importance of wearing retainers. Here are a few things we want our patients to keep in mind:

Always follow instructions from Dr. Vaughn. Retainers are typically worn fulltime for a fixed amount of time as prescribed by Dr. Vaughn, followed by INDEFINITE nightwear for the rest of your life. It is very important to follow exactly what your team at Indy Orthodontist recommends, as these instructions are specifically designed to keep your teeth looking their best for a lifetime.

If you notice your teeth beginning to move contact us immediately. Maintaining your beautiful new smile requires wearing your retainers as directed. It is extremely disappointing when teeth move back to their original position as a result of no or poor retainer wear. If movements are minor, retainers may be able to regain correction. If the relapse or shifting is too severe, retreatment may be necessary. Dr. Vaughn is here to help with any problems – call the team at Indy Orthodontist immediately when the problem first begins at Retainer Care for an evaluation appointment.

Retainers are something new and different and a period of adjustment to them is to be expected. The retainers are the tightest in the first few days after delivery. Should you experience any discomfort, please call the office immediately rather than stop wearing them. We are happy to help you with adjustments or questions as needed, just call Indy Orthodontist to schedule an appointment.

Make sure that you wear your retainers as directed and care for them properly. Because of its removable nature, it may be easy to misplace your appliances. When removing your retainers, always put them it in your plastic retainer case. Clean them as instructed and call immediately for replacements from loss or breakage to maintain your gorgeous smile for a lifetime!

Please visit Indy Orthodontist to learn more about retention, or give us a call at 317.852.5566

When the day finally comes for you to get your braces removed at Chapman Orthodontics in Brownsburg, IN the next step is a retainer! Retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new positions, and are either removable or permanent.

Removable retainers are fairly easy to use and care for, and they make brushing and flossing easier and more comfortable. The retainer is placed in at night, worn while you sleep and taken out in the morning. Retainer schedules may vary from individual to individual, but there are generally times during the day where Dr. Chapman may or may not mandate wearing it. Dr. Chapman stresses however that this can lead to forgetfulness, and if you don’t remember to wear the retainer you won’t be benefiting from it completely.

Permanent retainers are more effective than removable retainers, and are a great option for patients who don’t want the extra responsibility of retainer schedules. The only thing you should be mindful of with a permanent retainer is that it may be more difficult to floss, but Dr. Chapman> can help show you how to quickly and effectively do so.

Both may be recommended in some cases with a permanent retainer on the bottom and removable one on top. Whatever the case may be, be sure to follow Dr. Chapman’s advice when using and caring for a retainer.

When Dr. Chapman removes your braces he will use pliers to remove all the brackets, thoroughly scrape and clean all the glue off your teeth, and take a mold for your new retainer. You will feel a little pressure when the braces are being removed, but no pain. Noteworthy, the newly exposed enamel and your gums will be sensitive at first so Dr. Chapman encourages you to stick to your braces-friendly diet for a little while longer. Just like your braces in the beginning, it will take some time to get used to your retainer, and it will be difficult to speak normally at first. Dr. Chapman recommends practicing speaking, reading aloud or singing as much as you can.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Chapman at 317.852.5566.