Good oral health is not only vital to your overall health but can also help boost your confidence when you feel great about your smile. If you are looking to optimize your oral care routine in 2022, there are simple and convenient enhancements that can help, and my suggestions include aligners and whitening treatments for a brighter, more beautiful smile.
First off, visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and basic check-ups. Preventative care like X-rays and cleanings are crucial and can help identify minor issues before they become major problems.
Smile tune-ups are one of the easiest ways to optimize your smile. We offer our patients StarAlignersPro as an effective solution to mild to moderate aligner treatment. It’s a better alternative to Invisalign (which I use for more intensive changes), especially for mild crowding or slight relapse cases where only movement of front teeth is needed. Aligners are comfortable, convenient, and their removable feature also allows you to clean your gums and teeth thoroughly. The biggest benefit of teeth aligners is the convenience of improving your smile right from the comfort of your home. For those worried about their appearance with metal braces, clear aligners allow you to go through your smile journey most discreetly. That said, if you’re not checking in with your orthodontist and/or following the procedures that are required to be successful with at-home aligners, it can become ineffective. It’s imperative to maintain appointments with your orthodontist to avoid any issues with your bite or teeth as they begin to shift. You should always consult with an orthodontist prior to starting your smile journey, so that you can understand what your personal treatment needs are to make the best decision for you.
I also encourage patients to limit their coffee intake. Most of us rely on coffee to get through the day, but we must remember that it stains your teeth. If you already have the habit, you may need to reverse the staining with teeth whitening. StarAlignersPro offers patients a teeth whitening and aligners cleaner foam, so you can brighten your smile within the same time you’re wearing your aligners.
During the pandemic, we’ve seen a tremendous uptick in patients looking to make a change in their smile, as they were eager to show off their smile not only over Zoom but once quarantine was over. If you’re ready for your teeth to shine, check to confirm which type of whitening treatment is best for you, as there are a few options including in-office treatments and at-home products that each have their own pros and cons. Similarly, when deciding whether aligners are right for you, you should consider your treatment needs and lifestyle and if you would prefer the flexibility of clear aligners.
Dr. Todd E. Dickerson is an orthodontist with multiple offices in the metropolitan Phoenix area. In addition to practicing orthodontics for over 25 years, Dickerson is an inventor with multiple patents. He founded D2Appliance, which sells orthodontic products in North America and Europe based on his patents. Dickerson is the author of "Modern Orthodontics Explained: Not Your Parents’ Braces," available on Amazon Books. He is an internationally recognized clinical researcher as well as the world’s leading orthodontic researcher on photobiomodulation. Dickerson is an expert in clinical efficiency and lectures around the world regarding how to safely treat patients faster and in fewer overall appointments using science and technology.
