Fairwood and Mercer Island Orthodontics

Chorak Orthodontics We understand that bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about but unfortunately it happens to most people for several different reasons. The most common factor for bad breath in patientswith braces at Chorak Orthodontics is almost certainly caused by poor oral hygiene. After getting braces, patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth correctly. Bacteria feeds on food particles left in your mouth, and this bacterium creates odor. Because braces contain so many small spaces to trap food, the habits that worked great for cleaning your teeth before braces may no longer be enough. Bad-breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontic appliances (like a retainer or clear aligners ), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only eating a small amount. Brush and Floss Often - Follow a strict routine of brushing and flossing regularly. Brush your teeth after breakfast every morning and prior to going to...

Chorak Orthodontics If you want a straighter smile but don’t want to spend years of wearing traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the perfect option for you . At Chorak Orthodontics , we are a provider of Invisalign and have years of experience permanently correcting alignment issues in a shorter time than traditional braces. Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using custom-made aligners created just for you. These aligners are smooth and comfortable. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. Chorak has planned out for you. Not only is Invisalign effective, but the aligners are nearly invisible and can be worn without detection. This eliminates the anxiety or low self-confidence that usually come with traditional metal braces. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed instantly and easily.   You can take them in and out without compromising your treatment. You don...

Chorak Orthodontics More than 80 percent of Americans are living with periodontal or gum disease, which most often than not, goes unnoticed. At Chorak Orthodontics our goal is to continually raise awareness of the prevalence of gum disease while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Gum disease is something that most people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.   Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: Heart disease, Endocarditis, Lung problems, Alzheimer’s disease, Colorectal cancer, and Diabetes. According to the AmericanAssociation of Periodontology (AAP) , you may have gum disease if: Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch.  Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss. ...

Chorak Orthodontics If you just got braces …you may be thinking that this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you.   Your mouth is most likely sore , you’re probably having a hard time eating the foods you love, and you are may be wondering if it is ever going to get any better.   Well…we know exactly what you’re going through, and we are here to tell you that pretty soon you are going to love your braces. Not loving your braces just yet. Try these helpful hints below. Smooth things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces.   Avoid sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your braces or orthodontic appliances harm. Even t...

Chorak Orthodontics Our smiles are uniquely ours. However so is our bite. In orthodontics, “bite” refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together. A bad bite, called a “malocclusion”, happens when teeth meet improperly, or they don’t meet at all. When a person's teeth or jaws do not fit together properly, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the problem. If left untreated, these orthodontic problems can cause speech difficulty, premature wear of the teeth and protective enamel, and even increase the chance of injury to the teeth and jaw joints. 5 Common Orthodontic Problems 1. Crowding - Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gums. This can be a result of big teeth or inadequate space in the jaw or both. This may result in teeth that overlap, are rotated, or take on a crooked/staggered appearance. Crowding is the most common reason for braces. Not only is crowding unattractive, but it has also been linked to periodontal p...

Chorak Orthodontics More than 80 percent of Americans are living with gum disease , which most often goes unnoticed. Gum disease is something that many people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are so subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.   Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: Heart disease, Endocarditis, Lung problems, and Diabetes. At Chorak Orthodontics our goal is to raise awareness while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP) , you may have gum disease if: Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch.   Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss.   You see signs of infection around the gums and teeth.   Your gums look as if they are "pulling a...

Chorak Orthodontics Most orthodontic emergencies are relatively minor, and you may be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many emergencies yourself until you can schedule an appointment with our office. If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency , the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself? Below are three common orthodontic emergencies you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office . Poking Wires: If a poking wire is causing irritation, push the wire back and away using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an adjustment. Loose Brackets: If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber ring ...