Dennis Morehart, DDS

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Caring for Invisalign

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of traditional braces. Another perk of clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and don’t prevent you from eating any particular foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes to your diet, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 


Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and the straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.


To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Pain from Braces

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS loves to see smiles transformed with braces.  But we all know braces are a long process, and there is typically some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!   


With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.


To learn more about orthodontic treatment and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.