Smiles of the Rich and Famous

I saw this article online at www.zeel.com and thought it really hit home for adults considering orthodontics, 

 Posted on: June 21, 2011

By: StacyAtZeel

http://www.zeel.com/g/smiles-of-the-rich-famous-celebrity-braces/2011/06/21

Longing for a Hollywood smile? Eva Longoria did too. In the July issue of InStyle magazine, the Cristiada leading lady reveals that she is currently sporting, yes, braces to realign her bottom teeth.

Let’s get one thing straight. The 36-year-old actress isn’t the only celebrity to seek an improved smile through orthodontics. For many adults, the only thing more embarrassing than a dreaded tin grin is a mouthful of crooked teeth, so it’s no wonder that one in every five orthodontic patients has long since graduated from wearing a training bra.

The beauty of present day orthodontics is that there are many ways to straighten your smile. Crowded, gapped and overlapping teeth can be perfected with traditional metal braces or with less noticeable clear brackets. For adults who prefer a more concealed style, lingual braces can be fastened to the backs of the teeth. And for those who want to avoid tooth attachments altogether, Invisalign—removable bite trays that shift the teeth into place—can be a practical solution.

Which treatment is right for you? Take a cue from these beaming celebrities who turned to adult orthodontia to enhance their headshots.

Tom Cruise, Age 39

While taking his kids to the orthodontist, silver screen icon Tom Cruise decided to fix his already dashing smile after discovering that his front teeth were not perfectly centered. Cruise opted for invisible braces, though he removed the orthodontia while filming.

Zeel Expert and New York City orthodontist Elisa Mello appeared on Inside Edition to discuss the actor’s dental treatment (you can watch the video here). Mello estimated that Cruise would need to wear the studs for 12 to 18 months.

Katherine Heigl, Age 28

Katherine Heigl never really wanted to fix her “wonky” teeth, that is, until she got engaged. “I want my teeth straight for my wedding photos,” the blonde beauty said in an interview with E! Online. Heigl chose to wear an Invisalign retainer, which she dubbed “Netflix for your teeth.”

Gwen Stefani, Age 30

Fashion icon and former rock-star Gwen Stefani donned full-blown metal braces on both her top and bottom rows of teeth. No doubt, they were as quirky an accessory as her magenta locks and too-short bangs. Still, she managed to nab herself a husband at the time.

Holly Willoughby, Age 30

A growing baby bump isn’t the only physical change this British anchorwoman and model is publicizing these days. “Brace yourselves, I’ve got braces…eek!” Willoughby tweeted earlier this month. The This Morningtelevision presenter chose barely-there clear brackets connected with a thin white wire.

Cher, Age 30s

Ok, so it was a long time ago. But music legend Cher did in fact wear braces as an adult. Cher observed her teeth shifting while at the dentist for a routine cleaning, and had the braces applied soon after. (Too bad Invisalign wasn’t invented yet.)

What do rubber bands do?

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Salinshas prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. We will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

Are you wearing a mouthguard?

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s amost springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Salins for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Salins. And don’t forget to ask us—  Dr. Salins will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with  Dr. Salins.

Which questions should I ask during my orthodontic consultation?

When you visit Salins Orthodontics for your orthodontic consultation, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. We want you to be prepared for your appointment and feel in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions, so keep these questions in mind to ask when you come in for your appointment:

• How long will I have to wear braces?
• Will getting braces hurt?
• Will I have to wear additional appliances to correct jaw problems while I have braces?
• What can I eat when I have braces?
• Are there certain things, like playing sports or playing an instrument, which I won’t be able to do?
• How can I make sure my teeth stay clean and healthy while I have braces?
• How often will I need to come in for appointments?
• How much will my orthodontic treatment cost?

The team at Salins Orthodontics is here to answer all your questions and concerns, and we’re happy to explain all aspects of your treatment plan and expected outcome. Your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you smiling!

“Are Braces Right For Me?”

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore! Regardless of your age, if you’ve always wanted to smile with confidence, but knowing that your teeth were less than perfect held you back, getting braces might be the solution you’ve been looking for. A straight smile can do so much for your self-esteem, and at Salins Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of orthodontic treatment, there are many health benefits as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean and function more optimally when it comes to eating and speaking.

If you recognize any of these signs in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consultation at our South San Francisco or Union City office

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed
• Speech difficulty
• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding teeth, teeth that meet in an abnormal way, or teeth that don’t meet at all
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Inability to comfortably close lips

Dr. Salins will be able to assess your orthodontic needs during your appointment and explain all the wonderful benefits you can expect to receive during your time in braces. We look forward to seeing you or your child for a FREE consultation!

Adjusting to life with braces, from Dr. Salins

When you get braces at Salins Orthodontics there are a few things you’ll have to adjust to get optimal results in the shortest amount of time. If you have any questions about the “do’s and don’ts” of living with braces, feel free to ask Dr. Sheldon Salins or any member of our staff during your next adjustment!

Eating
When you have braces, there are a few types of food that can damage your brackets and bend your wires, leading to more appointments and longer treatment times. By simply avoiding sticky, chewy, crunchy, and hard foods, as well as foods that require biting into like corn on the cob, your orthodontic experience will be much easier.

Cleaning
You’ll never believe the amount of food that can get stuck between your braces when you eat. In addition to causing bad breath and tooth decay, it looks pretty gross, too. It’s so important to brush your teeth after every meal and floss every day, and even though it’s kind of a hassle, it’ll all be worth it in the end.

Sports
Protecting your smile if you play sports is essential when you have braces. Mouth guards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. Dr. Salins can provide a mouth guard for you if you plan on participating in any kind of contact sport!