New York, NY (PRWEB) September 06, 2017
Millions of children and adults receive orthodontic treatment every year. While some of these patients are seeking to correct problems or aesthetic issues that are caused by genetics, others need treatment to correct damage caused by injury or bad habits. Regular dental checkups can help people stay informed about tooth alignment and alert them to a need for an orthodontic consultation. As a standard rule of thumb, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist at the first sign of an orthodontic problem, but no later than age seven to catch any developing problems and create a treatment plan.
Between dental and orthodontic checkups, Propel Orthodontics says people should avoid the following bad habits to help prevent teeth from shifting.
Thumb Sucking – Many children suck their thumb to soothe themselves, however, allowing children to engage in this habit can lead to problems down the road. Thumb sucking can alter the growth and development of the jaw and teeth and has actually been attributed with needing to wear braces to straighten and align teeth.
Poor Dental Hygiene – Skipping regular flossing and brushing can cause more than bad breath and stained teeth. A history of poor dental health can cause gums to weaken or deteriorate and teeth to shift.
Using Teeth as Tools – When people cannot pull on something or lack the strength to tear it with their hands they often use their teeth as backup. While it might be inconvenient to locate a pair of scissors or a utility knife, teeth are no substitute. Regularly using them to pull on pieces or cardboard or plastic can cause them to crack or move.
Night Grinding – Regular pressure on the jaw also creates an environment where teeth can be forced into a new position over time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or your partner tells you that you grind your teeth at night, schedule a dental checkup to discuss solutions.
Chewing on More Than Food – Chewing on pens, pencils and other objects can become a mindless habit people fall into to relieve stress during the day. But doing so could create even more stress in the future when you are faced with costly dental bills.
For more information about Propel technologies, please visit: propelorthodontics.com.
About Propel Orthodontics
Propel is a leading innovator, manufacturer and worldwide seller of orthodontic devices with offices in Ossining, New York, and Milpitas, California in the heart of Silicon Valley. The Company provides in-office and at-home orthodontic accessory devices to orthodontists and their patients, including the Excellerator™ line of products for performing Manual Osteoperforations and the VPro5™, a vibratory orthodontic device used to properly seat clear aligners in 5 minutes a day using 120 Hertz of vibration. Propel’s mission is to continue to create breakthrough technologies that will exceed the expectations and needs of the orthodontic com