The Final Countdown

I have started my final phase of Clear Correct. I have 4 aligners left and I can definitely see a difference. In fact, when I put my latest aligner in, I asked Dr. Husband if I could just stop here. I told him I am quite happy and I don't think I need the unnecessary 2-days of discomfort to get my teeth closer together. ;) Alas, I keep getting food stuck in that new, awkward space and therefore I am back to looking forward to having them exactly as we have them planned to be!

 DAY 1, without the aligner

Day ???, (today) without the aligner

09/30/14 Update--- I was wrong. I have 6 aligners left. That's the only real new news... I can't keep my aligners straight, no pun intended. 

Summer

Nothing To See Here...

No, really... there really isn't anything to see or talk about regarding my Clear Correct. I started my second stage with my buttons and although it wasn't fun for the first few days, things are back to normal. It seemed to take maybe one extra day before it felt "comfortable" again in comparison to the other stages, but I also think we are officially moving my two front teeth now (my main goal), so it makes sense.

Everything else is pretty much the same. I truly thought these 9 months would be just plain awful. I couldn't believe that I was actually CHOOSING to do this at my age and I thought it would be such a gigantic PAIN to deal with. Honestly (and I really, really, really mean honestly), I hardly know they are there and it has become such a routine and habit that I have wondered why exercising everyday can't be such an easy habit to form.

The only problem so far is that I thought I lost my aligner one night. As I got home sort-of late from a spontaneous dinner with friends, I went to brush my teeth and panicked because I didn't have my aligner in my pocket where I put it. It was pouring rain when we started dinner so I didn't want to go to my car for my case to put the aligner in. Naturally (and against doctor's orders), I wrapped it in tissue and put it in my pocket. I looked everywhere, in all of my garbage cans and eventually fell asleep knowing I would have to have it replaced. Having a lost aligner replaced means a) going back and wearing the aligner from your last stage, which depending on where you are in the stage, could be uncomfortable, b) added time to the original timeframe (which isn't awful, but let's be real... no one wants that). Luckily, and embarrassingly, it was in my car where I took the tissue out of my pocket so it wouldn't fall out and I would lose it. Of course. After I breathed a huge sigh of relief, I washed it off and put it in. Going a full night without it caused a little bit of discomfort but by the time I had my morning coffee, it felt normal again!

So, that is it for now and maybe for a while! Perhaps the next time you hear from me it will be with some pictures showing a little bit of change?? Maybe!

Summer

Clear Correct - 'Buttons'

Yes, I said 'buttons.' I have what Clear Correct calls buttons on 2 of my upper teeth that My Dear Husband/Dr. Webb placed before trying in my next aligner. These buttons are simply a bit of composite placed on the canines and are the color of my teeth. Once we are done with the buttons, Dr. Webb will remove them and polish my teeth and they will look just as good as new and exactly the way they were before the buttons were put on.

The previous step was an aligner that came home with me and I did not require an appointment at the office. I was given the second aligner to bring home with me and I simply put a notice in my calendar to switch. The same will be for my next step with the buttons. Dr. Webb had to adjust the buttons a little bit in order for the aligners to fit properly, I did not need to get numb and the process took about 15 minutes. For about 3 days, the new aligner with the buttons was a little different. It was tighter but still did not cause me much discomfort at all. However, it was more difficult to get in and out. This is where it became good for the dieting process! Taking them in and out was not worth doing for a snack. Alas, that only lasted a few days so I was back to normal after that.

Below are pictures with my buttons. Just remember, these are close up. Only my kids have said anything to me about them and that was after a couple of weeks! When I talk about the Clear Correct process with others, I have to really point out the buttons to them.

Summer

Summer's Clear Correct Journey, Step 1 - Step 2

Step 1 (my first 3 weeks) is over and I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The first few days, as I mentioned, were a little iffy but looking back, I think it was mostly because of how new it all was. I am supposed to wear the aligner for 22 hours a day and I do worry about that on a regular basis. Sometimes while I'm drinking my coffee, I may accidentally let an hour slip by without even thinking about it being out (I'm a sipper, not a gulper). Then, I also feel like I have to brush and floss my teeth after I snack or eat a meal, so that adds more time away from my aligner. I even accidentally left it at work one day when I left for the afternoon! Oops! Because of that I added an extra day to my 3 week time period.

So all and all, it went well. It is different having to think about where and when you take them out (think middle school retainer, wrapping it in a napkin and having to tell your parents you accidentally threw it away with your lunch tray!). Luckily they come with 2 cases and I keep one at work and one in my car. I keep one in my car for lunch dates, meetings etc where I may be eating and don't want to put my aligner in a napkin in my pocket! 

I started Step 2 about a week ago and I will say, I was scared again. Like, really worried. It was so much tighter! A few hours later, I was much better and I quickly remembered that Step 1 felt exactly the same. I remember thinking I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat anything that wasn't pureed. Alas, all is well. It was tighter for about 24 hours then started to feel "normal" again. 9 months seems like a really long time, but I keep reminding myself that I only have 8 months left and this is way better than middle school when I wore braces for YEARS! 

Summer

Summer's Clear Correct Journey, Days 1-4

When I was 12, I had braces for 2 years. Like every other tween and teen with braces, I hated every minute of it. As the years passed, the original gap between my front teeth began to show again and eventually got what I would call, fairly large. People that know me, of course, claim to never notice. When my husband was in dental school, he worked for an orthodontist and made me a retainer. I think I maybe wore it for a week and the first time I tried to bite into a hamburger, I cried real tears, right there in the restaurant and never wore that stupid thing again. Here we are, many years later. I was thrilled to learn that Chip would be offering Clear Correct tooth aligners at the office. I was excited that I could "finally" get that gap in my teeth closed and do it without the 'typical' braces look. We took impressions and a series of "before" photographs. I think I even encouraged my husband to speed the initial process along. Then they finally came and I got cold feet. 

Several weeks after my initial Clear Correct aligners arrived, here I am. They are a thin clear plastic shell that fit over the arch of teeth and each aligner gradually moves the teeth toward the final tooth position.  On day 5. I can't say I'm madly in love with my Clear Correct, but it's way better than hours 1-4. Last Thursday morning, it was clear I couldn't avoid my husband anymore.I had already finished my 2nd cup of coffee and had run out of excuses... and he cornered me in Op 3. I will admit, I wasn't pleased the first day. Like anything new, it was really different and just felt strange. It was a little uncomfortable getting them in and out for lunch (and for my Facebook photos, below) and later that night I tried to eat a granola bar that was not as easy as it was the day before. I meant to take an Aleve before bed,but I forgot. I woke up a little early with my teeth bothering me a little on Friday, but I honestly can't tell you if it was from actual pain or just the unfamiliar feeling of having the Clear Correct in. 

So here's the deal, as it's told to me: I have to wear these 22 hours a day and should only take them out to eat. For me, this process should take around 9 months. I can drink with them in but anything like coffee or tea is not recommended because it could cause staining (which is true all of the time, as you probably know). I will wear this one for about 3 weeks and move on to the next stage in my Clear Correct treatment plan. They will most likely be a little snug the first couple of days with each stage and then get better.

I am still speaking to my husband, I have not shed any tears yet, and I think I may actually lose a few pounds from having to rearrange my meals/snack routine. I spoke to a handful of people over the weekend who claim they never noticed I had them in. I think I'm talking a little funny but so far, no one has mentioned it. 

DAY 1 WITHOUT

DAY 1 WITH

 We had a little fun making our new No Cavity Club photo booth props. And then of course we took a with/without Clear Correct Photo (WITH is on the right). 

Till next time in the Clear Correct Diaries... 

Summer Webb

Office Manager

Chip E. Webb, DDS

Maryville, TN 

www.ChipWebbDDS.com 

Kalli Gets Married!

We are going to start introducing you to our staff over the next couple of months and starting with Kalli seemed pretty logical. Recently, Kalli married her high school sweetheart, Jordan, in Knoxville. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather... all sunshine and big, fluffy white clouds. Kalli and Jordan had been dating for 9 years, which probably helped Kalli be extremely laid back about her big day! It was a beautiful day all around for Kalli and she deserved to bask in every bit of it!

Kalli is from East Tennessee and started working with us in 2012. She is a registered dental assistant, but can be found doing a little bit of everything around the office. She wears many hats! If you get a chance to talk to Kalli, you'll most likely be talking about going to the movies, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, and cooking! Oh, and owls. And Tervis Tumblers. Her Tervis collection is impressive!

Here's a glimpse at Kalli and Jordan's BIG DAY!

Flossing TOO Frequently?

We received an email from a concerned patient today. He was confused because he had heard somewhere that you should only be flossing one time per day, not after every meal which was his usual routine. Here was Dr. Webb's response...

Greetings,

I recommend you floss at least once per day.  As long as you are flossing correctly you will not do any damage by flossing more than once per day.  You should avoid a sawing, back and forth, motion which can cause enamel wear.  An up and down motion is preferred and will not cause damage.  If you have areas where food gets trapped easily, you may need to floss more than once per day.  If your teeth contact very tightly then once per day is probably fine.  Here are some instructions on correct flossing from the American Dental Association's website:

 How do I floss my teeth?

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. 
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.  
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.  

Hope this helps! 

Sincerely,

Tooth Fairy on Life Support

The following post was emailed to us by a patient... It started as an email from the father to the mother on the morning after there was supposed to be a visit from the Tooth Fairy, then was passed on to us. We simply could not pass up the opportunity to share this with you. However, our disclaimer is this: it is NOT for the "true" believers, so allow those that truly believe, to read at a later date... Enjoy...

I forgot to replace Annie's tooth with a dollar last night. She was disappointed, but didn't rip the sackcloth and pour ashes on her head like Greta; yes, that is a sad reminder we have done this to both girls. There is a good reason we don't have a third child.

I told Annie that the fairy couldn't make it last night because of the weather and that they were awake through the night. As Annie digested this lie, covering for the chief lie of the tooth fairy, Greta had that look that only Greta can have. I could tell she wanted to hang on to this childlike belief, but the evidence now demanded a verdict. I'm putting words in her head, but I think it went something like, "The tooth fairy is now dead to me."

Rather than sulk in this cold, hard fact of life, Greta dug deep and realized the tooth fairy was not yet dead to Sissy. Annie and I went on a search for her clothes and when we came back into the room, Greta said, "Annie, are you sure the tooth fairy didn't leave you something? You may want to look again." She had put one of her own dollars under Annie's pillow when we left the room. That was a rare and tender moment forever etched in my soul. Our sweet Greta is growing up to be a liar just like her mom and dad.

I ended up distracting Annie and gestured to Greta to take the dollar away without Annie noticing. I winked at Greta and she picked up on that we would take care of it tonight. It was a wordless bond between two liars.

The tooth fairy is dead to one, and on life support for the younger.

Spring Time is Sports Time!

With the first sign of spring also comes the first sign of spring sports! Spring is such a welcome change from the dreariness of wintertime. Everyone is tired of being inside and ready to shed their winter skin and their serious case of Cabin Fever and trade it all in for sunshine and some good exercise! Did you know, though, that this time of year often finds many children in the ER or dental office with broken teeth, jaw injuries and other sports related trauma? Collisions and trauma to the mouth and face are common occurances in many sports.  Knowing the risks of these types of injuries, you can greatly decrease the potential for injuries and the severity of these traumas with the use of a good mouthguard during sports activities.

An ideal mouthguard should provide maximum protection for the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures.  It should be resilient and easily cleaned.  It should not restrict speech or breathing and needs to be comfortable with a good fit.  A good sports mouthguard can prevent or lessen tooth fracture and tooth, jaw, lip, tongue and facial injuries.  An athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to their teeth when not wearing a mouthguard.  Mouthguards may also reduce the rate and severity of concussions.  Think of a mouthguard as an insurance policy against these sports related injuries.


There are three basic types of sports mouthguards availible and they come at different price levels. The first type is available at your local drugstore or sporting goods store and is a ready-made guard. These guards are not recommended because they provide very limited options in fit and offer very little injury protection.  These guards are usually uncomfortable and end up not being worn.  The second type are "boil-and bite" guards sold over-the-counter. These are made to make a more form-fitting mouthguard and should provide a better, more snug fit. However, the boil and bite guard also can have fit problems and although it offers better protection than the first type of guard and is certainly better than no guard, it is still lacking in the protection of the teeth and jaws.  The third type of guard is a custom fitted guard fabricated by your dentist.  This guard requires an impression of your upper teeth and is custom made for ideal fit and maximum protection.  As seen below, these guards have extensions that protect the teeth and supporting bone.  These type guards are the most expensive, but offer far superior fit, comfort, and durability when compared to the other types. 

Custom Sports Mouthguard

 With spring sports activities starting, I suggest you talk to your dentist about mouthguards for a safe, injury free season of fun!

What No One Wants To Hear About Soft Drinks

I know you probably cringed when you read the title. I bet you even considered not reading this at all. We've become a society that places importance on convenience more so than on our overall health. That is why fast food chains are so popular and tasty beverages from a can are just another way we can make things faster and simpler.

Did you know that sipping soft drinks all day can cause serious plaque and decay? Plaque is basically a sticky form of bacteria that lines your mouth. This bacteria feeds on the sugar that passes through your mouth when you eat and drink. It's not just the sugar in the soft drinks that is harmful, but the acid as well. Acid causes weakening and damage in your tooth enamel.  Even diet soft drinks are very acidic, so they can still be damaging to your teeth.  The acid attack from soft drinks lasts for around twenty minutes after you are done drinking and the process restarts with every sip!

You can decrease your chances of decay caused by soft drinks by taking the following steps:

* Do not sip the drink for long periods of time. Consider only drinking soda at meals when you tend to drink a little faster and there are other ingredients helping to keep the acid and sugar from settling on your teeth.

* Use a straw if you are a "sipper." This will keep much of the liquid from touching your teeth.

* Never drink juice or soft drinks before bed. Always brush your teeth, floss and even consider mouthwash before bed to thoroughly clean your mouth and teeth. This will keep sugar or acid from settling on your teeth for the extended hours you are sleeping.

* Drink plenty of water. Also try to swish water around and rinse after drinking a soft drink to help dilute the sugar and acid.

* Consider taking a break from soft drinks altogether, but never let your child drink more than one a day. Children simply do not brush as well as adults do and the consequences for their habits can often be much worse than with adults.

Have your kids check out this website that explains the damages soft drinks can cause.  http://www.mndental.org/flash_sip/home.html

* Continue to get regular check-ups. If you fall into the category of a heavy soda drinker, it is vitally important that you get your regular cleanings every 6 months to have the plaque that settles on your teeth professionally removed.

Did you know? Some of the most popular soft drinks today have anywhere from 9-12 teaspoons of sugar in every 12 ounce can!  Follow the tips above to prevent problems caused by soft drinks and you can expect to have a healthy smile for a long time!



(source: Minnesota Dental Association 2002, American Dental Association)

Tooth Decay in Babies... It Really Happens!

Every parent has been there: It's 11PM and for the 3rd night in a row your baby just won't settled down, won't stop crying. You ask yourself over and over what you could do to help him go to sleep. You may consider putting a bottle of formula or the sippy cup of milk in the bed just to get him to stop crying, just once. Then twice. And before you know it, you've gotten yourself into a serious routine. Those routines are difficult to break, as every parent knows well. However, did you know that putting your baby or toddler to bed while sipping milk or juice can greatly affect his/her teeth?

Tooth decay in infants is often called baby bottle decay.  Juices and even milk have sugars that can collect around the teeth, allowing bacteria to feed on the sugar while the baby is sleeping. When a baby is put to bed with a bottle or allowed to have a bottle or cup of juice throughout the day or night, it can allow this bacteria to go to work in the mouth, eventually forming decay. Decay can form even on the youngest children with the newest teeth. Spots may start to appear on the front teeth, either yellow or darker in color and usually do not cause any pain to your child initially.

Tooth decay in infants and adults is caused by bacteria in the mouth.  This bacteria uses the sugar in foods we eat to produce acid which in turn breaks down the hard tooth surface.  The bacteria is normally passed from the primary care giver to the infant, so it is important to take steps to prevent this transmission.  A common practice of many parents is to clean a dropped pacifier in their own mouth before giving it back to the child.  This is a common way the bacteria is passed to the infant and can also pass other germs.  In addition, it is not a good idea to dip the pacifier in honey or any other sugary food or drink.

Your baby's teeth are important for many reasons.  Besides chewing and smiling, it is important to maintain the baby teeth until it is time for their permanent replacements.  If lost early, spaces can close and lead to crowding and eruption problems in the permanent teeth.  The baby teeth are also important for development of speaking skills.  If you are concerned about your child’s teeth, at any age, I recommend contacting your dentist for a consultation. You may want to talk to your pediatrician about other options to soothe your baby when he/she is fussy, but I personally recommend water instead of juice for between meal drinks. In the futre, I will discuss more topics concerning infants, toddlers, and children, including the first dental visit, pacifiers, and thumb sucking habits.

The Big Deal About Dental Health

You may sometimes wonder why it is you "have" to get your teeth cleaned every 6 months. Have you ever wondered why you can't go every year, or better, every 4 years (like when you missed that whole block of time while you were in college)? A dental exam checks for signs of tooth decay or damage, gum disease, and oral cancer.  A professional cleaning is needed to remove plaque and tarter from your teeth that normal brushing and flossing cannot remove, including areas below the gumline.  Here are some other good reasons to visit regularly...


1. As mentioned above, everytime I do an exam, I check for oral cancer. Yes, every single time. Lack of care for your teeth and gums has been known to contribute to oral cancer and your dentist can be the first to detect any abnormalities in your mouth.  It is not uncommon for spots to show up under your tongue or the inside of your cheek, places you cannot see yourself.

2. The health of your mouth can mirror the condition of the rest of your body. In other words, if you have an unhealthy mouth, chances are there are aspects of the rest of you that are unhealthy as well.  Research has shown an association between gum disease and other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. 

3. Gingivitis can cause big problems for pregant women. Many studies have proven that what we call "pregnancy gingivitis" is associated with low birth weight and pre-term birth. Many women experience sensitive teeth and gums while pregnant, which is why it is important to stick to your regular check-ups during pregnancy (even if you don't feel like it).

Moral of the story is this, taking care of your mouth by brushing and flossing everyday, watching out for any abnormalities and keeping up with your regular visits can keep you and the rest of your body healthy for a long, long time! Early detection and prevention will help you maintian a healthy smile for your lifetime!  It's quick, it's easy and it's worth it!



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We're taking over the internet! We have a brand new website, pages on Facebook and Twitter and now our new, informative blog. We'll write often about every dental topic you could think of from pacifiers to dentures and everything inbetween! Trust us, it's okay if we're not your dental office and you read our blog or become our friend on Facebook! We promise to give you lots of educational, interesting and FUN information about dental topics, our office, and maybe a few things completely unrelated to dentistry, too! 

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