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What Can Happen to Your Teeth Without Proper Oral Care

At Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics, we encourage our South Florida patients to practice good oral hygiene. Not only does regular brushing and flossing keep teeth looking good, but it also keeps them healthy and strong too. Without proper oral care, you may face tooth and gum issues and lack confidence in your smile. Let’s take a look at a few common issues that can occur without dental care, and how you can prevent them.

Dental problem #1: Dental caries, also known as cavities

Caused by: Cavities can be caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which contains bacteria that break down tooth enamel. Residue from sugary and starchy foods often gives bacteria something to feed on and can contribute to tooth decay.

Can be prevented by: Regular brushing and flossing with fluoride toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, and that brushing for two minutes is the optimal amount of brush time to reduce plaque buildup on your teeth. The ADA recommends cleaning between your teeth – by flossing, with interdental brushes, or with a water irrigator – once a day.

Dental problem #2: Gingivitis, or gum inflammation

Caused by: Gingivitis can be caused by the bacteria in plaque buildup on your teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, notes the ADA, and it can advance to a more serious condition called periodontitis.

Can be prevented by: Like cavities, gum inflammation due to plaque and bacteria can be prevented by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. The ADA also recommends visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups, where your dentist can identify and treat gum issues if you do have them.

Dental problem #3: Malocclusion, or an improper bite, and crooked teeth

Caused by: There are several things that can lead to a misaligned bite, crowded teeth, or both. Genetics and modifiable factors can both play a part in the development of your bite and the positioning of your teeth.

Can be treated with: Proper orthodontic intervention, such as traditional braces, Invisalign aligners, or Insignia Advanced Smile Design braces from Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics. Braces or aligners gradually reposition your teeth so you will have a straight smile.

Customized Insignia Advanced Smile Design braces, from the offices of Dr. Maria Yazji, are tailor-made for the needs and unique dental anatomy of each patient. Insignia braces from Dr. Yazji allow patients in Miami and throughout South Florida to correct their crooked teeth in a shorter amount of time, and with fewer required office visits, than traditional braces.

Insignia Advanced Smile Design

At Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics, we help patients in South Florida get great smiles. If you have crooked teeth and want a straight smile, make an appointment for an Insignia consultation at our Miami, Brickell, or Weston office. Keep your teeth healthy with good dental care, and get a smile you can show off with Insignia Advanced Smile Design from Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics.

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month with these tips for keeping your smile healthy and bright

National Dental Hygiene Month: October may be recognized as National Dental Hygiene Month, but dental hygiene should be recognized and practiced daily to maintain healthy gums and teeth, fresh breath, and a beautiful smile.

Many serious teeth problems can be prevented by following simple but consistent oral hygiene.  Here are a few tips for keeping your smile healthy and bright:

• Brush your teeth twice daily using a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Use dental floss every day to clean between your teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and avoid sugar-laden foods and beverages.
• Quit smoking and stay away from tobacco products like chewing tobacco which can wreak havoc on your gums.
• Visit a dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning.

It is important to practice home oral care daily if you want to avoid the need for extensive dental intervention in the future. For more information from the American Dental Association on the best practices for home oral care, visit their website at ADA.org/homecare.

Establishing healthy oral care habits starts early. Parents should begin gently cleaning their children’s teeth as soon as they emerge. Check with your dental professional for advice on how and when to begin using a toothbrush on your child. Even young children should be encouraged to practice daily care of their teeth, and parents and older siblings can be their best role models. Let young children see you brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and make it part of your daily routine.

As children get older, they can take on more of the responsibility but should be supervised by a parent.  Part of helping your child to achieve great oral health that lasts a lifetime is monitoring the development of their teeth and the possible need for orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests scheduling a dental evaluation by the age of 7, or sooner if there are any signs of orthodontic problems.

At Maria Yazji Orthodontics, your family will find a warm and caring atmosphere and experience and excellence when it comes to orthodontic care.  With state-of-the-art offices located in Miami and Broward County Florida, patients young and old can find the orthodontic services they need. Dr. Maria Yazji, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, graduating in the top 5% of her class. She went on to complete an additional two years of orthodontics specialty training, obtaining a Master of Science in Orthodontics degree (MS) from Northwestern University.  At Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics, you’ll find a friendly and highly-skilled team that will work together to improve your oral health and smile.

If you are considering braces for you or your child, Dr. Yazji has also been named an Invisalign Super Elite Premier Provider, placing her in the top 1% of Invisalign doctors in North America. Dr. Yazji is recognized in her community for her experience and caring nature and for her experience and ability to make every patient comfortable and at ease throughout their orthodontic treatment.

If you are interested in seeing whether Invisalign braces are the right choice for you, schedule your appointment today and let Dr. Yazji and her team detail for you an orthodontic plan that you will surely embrace.  Invisalign braces are clear and removable which makes them one of the most popular methods for straightening teeth. If you’ve been bothered by crooked teeth and unsightly gaps in your smile but don’t like the idea of traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners will have you smiling from ear to ear!

If you are searching for the highest quality dental care and the most advanced orthodontic treatment plan in Miami and Broward County, Florida, contact the offices of Maria Yazji Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment.

Are You Brushing Long Enough? How Long Should You Brush Your Teeth and Other Oral Care Concerns

A group of dental hygiene students in Miami was puzzled over something on their first day of class: How many minutes it takes to brush your teeth correctly. “I think it’s one minute, that seems like enough time,” the first student said. The second student shook her head: “I remember that it has something to do with that ‘Happy Birthday song. I think you sing it, like, two times? No, wait, three times maybe?” The third student chimed in: “I remember my orthodontist telling me about this – you should brush your teeth for two minutes.”

The third student had it right – if you want to make sure that you’re cleaning your teeth completely, you should brush your teeth for a full two minutes each time you brush. To be sure you’re brushing for two minutes, you can set a kitchen timer or stopwatch, use your phone to time yourself, brush for the length of a short song, or do whatever else works for you. But if you don’t brush your teeth regularly, or for a long enough time, bits of food and plaque may remain on your teeth — creating a breeding ground for the bacteria that can cause tooth decay. The American Dental Association (ADA) also recommends cleaning between your teeth every day, using dental floss, irrigators, or interdental brushes to help prevent cavities and gum disease.

It is important for everyone to keep their teeth clean, but if you have braces you may have to take extra care of your teeth. At Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics, we know the importance of a healthy smile. Some South Florida patients may have a hard time cleaning around their braces or flossing between wires. As a patient at the Miami, Brickell, or Weston office of Dr. Yazji, your orthodontist can discuss oral care with you, and work with you to develop a teeth-cleaning regimen that works for you while you’re wearing braces.

Straight Teeth

Patients often have questions about braces, such as “How long will I wear braces?” and “Are braces comfortable?” Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics provides a variety of services to South Florida patients looking for straight teeth – including Insignia Advanced Smile Design braces. Insignia Advanced Smile Design uses the latest advancements in orthodontic technology to create customized braces that are smaller and more comfortable than traditional braces. Insignia braces are tailored to your needs and allow for a faster treatment time than you’d have with traditional braces. And clear Insignia braces are even available, so your braces will be barely noticeable as you get a straight smile.

The orthodontic team at the office of Dr. Maria Yazji is here to help patients in Miami and the South Florida area get great smiles. See what our patients have to say about their treatment and their new smiles, and let us help you get a straight, healthier smile too. Contact us to set up an appointment for an Insignia Advanced Smile Design consultation with Dr. Yazji, or for another orthodontic service you need. Let Dr. Maria Yazji Orthodontics help you keep your teeth healthy as you get your best smile with Insignia braces.