Educational

We know that having metal in your mouth doesn’t always feel like the most natural thing. Fortunately, after you get your braces on and have your initial adjustment, most people don’t even notice their braces are there. However, sometimes a pesky wire will escape and remind you that your braces are there. Have no fear though, most of the time you can fix rogue wires on your own without having to make an extra trip to the orthodontist. Loose or pokey wires are the most common problem people experience while in braces, so if that happens to you, here are some steps to follow from Dr. Tony Cucalon and Dr. Rosie Matin at Cucalon and Matin Orthodontics.

 

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Every patient has their own reasons for deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment. For adolescents and teens, image has always been a key factor in social integration, and in today’s beauty-conscious society, a beautiful smile is high on their list of priorities.

The ever-popular selfie gives teens a confidence boost and social media is the ideal platform to broadcast themselves to the world. So much so, that:

• 65% of teenage girls reported that seeing their selfies on social media actually boosts their confidence.
• 40% of all teens say social media helps them present their best face to the world.
• At least 81 percent of teens, ages 12-17, use social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, according to recent findings from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, with Instagram especially popular among selfie-loving teenage girls.

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Part of maintaining good oral hygiene is making sure to brush your teeth multiple times throughout the day. While most of us know to brush after eating, how soon is too soon? In order to answer that question, Dr. Tony Cucalon and Dr. Rosie Matin at Cucalon and Matin Orthodontics will first explain the science behind tooth structure. Understanding this will help better explain why brushing right after eating is bad for your teeth.

 

The Science Behind Tooth Structure

The outermost area of the tooth is called enamel. It is the protective layer of each tooth and also the strongest structure in the body. Even stronger than any bone. Enamel is made of crystal rods that project outward and towards the mouth. These crystal rods have minerals like calcium and phosphates in them to help make teeth strong.

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Everyone knows that garlic and onions are the usual culprits for bad breath. But do you know what other foods may be causing your stinky breath? For some people, bad breath can be genetic. However, whether you’re wearing braces or not, certain foods in your daily routine could be to blame. Read on to find out what Dr. Tony Cucalon and Dr. Rosie Matin at Cucalon and Matin Orthodontics have to say about some bad breath-causing foods!

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San Francisco, CA – Our bodies shift and change as we age. Think of all the wear and tear you place on your body each day. Your mouth is no different – as we age our smiles shift and change as well. Below are the most common ways our smile changes over time, what causes these changes, and how Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics can bring back your best smile!

1. Crowding of bottom teeth. As we age, our jawbones begin to lose density, which can cause shrinking, and ultimately mean less room in the mouth leading to crowding of the bottom teeth. This can also be caused by bite changes, adjustments, crowns, and any dental work, as well as overall changes within the mouth.  This can be corrected, and not only improve your smile, but prevent any possible pain in the future.
2. Front teeth gap, or a diastema. This can be caused by several different reasons – the pressure of swallowing pushes your tongue against your front teeth, which can lead to a gap over time. This can also occur because of bone or gum recession, enamel wear and tear, as well as grinding. Additionally, as we age, we are more likely to develop some form of gum disease, which can lead to bone loss that can also cause teeth to shift.
3. Shifting of teeth due to orthodontia work as a teenager. If you received orthodontic treatment as a teen or young adult, and didn’t wear your retainer as required, you may notice your smile shifts as you get older. The purpose of the retainer is to ensure your teeth remain in their new locations. As we age, it is helpful to wear a retainer to ensure your teeth don’t begin to shift into unwanted positions.
4. Headaches, popping, clicking, and other jaw issues. If you’ve had an improper bite your entire life, you may notice more issues popping up as you age which can also damage your smile.  Think about the pressure you exert every time you bite down – compound that over the course of your lifetime, especially if you already had a misaligned bite to begin with, and chances are you’ve got additional issues that have arisen over time.

The good news is, there is no time like the present to correct any issues that may have popped up as you’ve gotten older. Today, more adults than ever are turning to orthodontic treatment to correct their smiles. Nearly one in four orthodontic patients today are adults!

Whether you are 7 or 67, the biological process to move the teeth to a more ideal location is the same. While adults may have some extra things to consider when seeking treatment, age should never hold you back from achieving the smile of your dreams. There are more treatment options available for adults than ever before, and many more discrete options to allow you to perfect your smile. From Invisalign to braces and everything in between, Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics is here to help.

Begin your orthodontic journey by calling Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics today. After a complimentary consultation, Dr. Cucalon or Dr. Matin can diagnose your issue and create a custom treatment plan to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Call us at 415-563-2348 to start your smile journey.

Dear Patient,
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics’ commitment to your health and safety.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff, our office will follow recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure our infection control procedures are current, and adhere to each agency’s recommendations.

When we re-open, the following changes have been made to protect you, your family, and our staff:

• Our office will communicate with you before your appointment to ask screening questions. (You will be asked those same questions again when you arrive at the office.)
• Each person’s temperature will be taken upon arrival.
• We ask that you use our hand sanitizer when you enter the office.
• To ensure your safety, we will no longer offer magazines, video games and beverages in the waiting room.
• Restroom service will be unavailable.
• We will no longer have a brushing station. Please make sure to brush and floss before your appointment.
• We will offer fewer appointments throughout the day in order to allow greater time between patients, and to reduce the number of patients in the reception area.
• Only patients will be allowed in the office at this time to facilitate social distancing.

We look forward to seeing you again, and are happy to answer any questions about the steps we are taking to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. Feel free to email us at info@cucalonortho.com.  For further updates visit our website www.cucalonorthodontics.com, and follow us on Facebook at Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics and Instagram @cucalonorthodonitcs. We thank you in advance for your patience and look forward to welcoming you back into our offices.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cucalon, Dr. Matin, and Team