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You may take vitamins daily for energy or a better immune system. But, vitamins are good for more than keeping your energy up or gut health, they are integral to good oral health as well. Vitamins are a great and super easy preventative measure for common oral health issues. Improving your mouth’s health every day with vitamins is a proactive way to ensure a pain-free healthy dental experience. Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics recommends these vitamins for tooth health to strengthen your enamel and promote jaw health. 

 

5 Daily Vitamins for Your Teeth: 

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K

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Diet is an important aspect of good oral health. Beyond brushing and flossing every night, it’s also good to understand which foods are doing the most damage to your teeth, and how to lessen or avoid that damage altogether. As you shop, it always pays off to check labels for high sugar content, high levels of acid, or ingredients you’ve never heard of, but here are some tips from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics about foods to watch out for. It is always best to be mindful of what goes into your body! 

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Traveling is already stressful, so we don’t want caring for your Invisalign to make it even worse. The good news is that there are a few small changes to your packing routine that can alleviate Invisalign- related stress taking away from your vacation. When you’re in a new place, far from your orthodontist’s office, it’s easy to remove your aligners and leave them behind. Here are some tips from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics for traveling with your Invisalign, to make sure you don’t have to take time out of your vacation for an orthodontic emergency!

 

What if I Lose my Invisalign while Traveling?

When traveling for longer periods of time, always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you. Whether you will go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set if your aligners get lost will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule of thumb is if the current aligners are tight, go back.  If you can remove them easily and are in your second week, move forward to the next set. 

If you are going to be out of town for more than two weeks, we can order replacement aligners and ship them to you. Continue wearing your previous set until they arrive and start again with the new set.

When you’re traveling by plane, be careful to keep aligners with you I your carry-on. Leaving them in checked bags is a good way for them to be lost or delayed. If you’re concerned about losing your aligners, bringing an extra case is always a good idea. If you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, you’ll have a spare.

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Every year, you visit your doctor for a check-up. These well visits are to ensure you are healthy for the year to come! You also should have visits like these with your dentist, you need to have a dental check at least once every six months to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. Dental checkups are quick and easy, but they make sure to do a comprehensive check on your teeth and gums and then perform a professional dental cleaning.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• What Happens at a Dental Check-up?
• What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
• Why are Dental Cleanings so Important?
• Why are Regular Check-ups so Important?

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Invisalign is as common today as traditional braces. Usually, when you go to the orthodontist, you’ll be shown multiple treatment options, from Invisalign clear aligners to traditional bracket and wire braces. How does Invisalign work exactly? A completely invisible treatment that allows you to eat whatever you want is too good to be true, isn’t it? Not at all! Gain valuable knowledge on Invisalign from orthodontic specialist Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• What is an Invisalign Aligner?
• Invisalign Treatment Breakdown
• What Can Invisalign Fix?
• Can Kids get Invisalign?

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The week after your new braces go on is often tough. There’s a lot you have to adjust to from metal in your mouth to changes in diet, nightly routine, and oral hygiene. Transitions and changes are never easy, and to help make your journey to a beautiful smile smooth and painless, Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics explains what to expect from your first week in braces.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• How Long Do Braces Hurt?
• Eating with Braces
• What to Expect When Getting Braces

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