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Maybe you’ve known people with braces and aligners—maybe you’ve worn them yourself!—so if braces or aligners are in your teen’s future, you have some idea what to expect and when to expect it.

But quite often, orthodontic issues require more treatment than braces alone can provide. When misalignment affects not only the teeth but the jaw as well, treatment can be more effective when it begins earlier and makes use of a different kind of appliance—the “functional appliance.”

During the years your child’s bones are still rapidly growing and forming, around the ages of eight to 14, functional appliances can help guide tooth movement and encourage jaw growth and development. One of the most widely used of these devices is the Herbst® appliance.

What does the Herbst appliance do?

There are several types of malocclusions, or “bad bites” treated by John Burke. A common condition called a Class II malocclusion occurs when the upper jaw and teeth project too far forward over the lower jaw and teeth. Signs of a Class II malocclusion might include an overjet (protruding upper teeth), and/or a small or recessive lower jaw.

While correcting this malocclusion often enhances facial symmetry, which can be very important for a child’s confidence, correcting a Class II malocclusion also promotes jaw and dental health. Misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean, which can lead to decay and gum disease. Bite problems can cause persistent jaw pain and damage to the teeth. And, with an overjet, a child’s upper teeth are more at risk for injury.

The Herbst appliance was developed to treat this kind of malocclusion. It moves the lower jaw and teeth forward to create a balanced, healthy smile.

How does the Herbst appliance work?

The Herbst appliance is fixed in place with stainless steel bands or crowns that are secured to four teeth in the rear of the mouth, often the first molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. The band or crown on each lower tooth is equipped with a small bar that extends toward the front of the mouth.

An arm on each side links the bands or crowns on the upper teeth to the front of the bar assemblies on the lower teeth. Each arm consists of a rod that fits smoothly into a tube. The telescoping action of the rod and tube allows the mouth to open and close normally. When the mouth is closed, the arms on both sides telescope shut, forming compact cylinders that hold the jaw forward.

While a child’s bones are still growing, the lower jaw’s new forward position can stimulate further bone growth and remodeling to maintain the jaw in that forward position. The Herbst appliance also has a restraining effect on the forward movement of the upper jaw. The result is a steady, noticeable improvement in the relationship between the upper teeth and jaw and the lower teeth and jaw.

Is the Herbst appliance hard to take care of?

The Herbst appliance is fairly low maintenance, but, like any orthodontic gear, it should be treated with care.

• It’s important to watch your child’s diet, because sticky, crunchy, and chewy foods can damage the appliance. Save the caramels for a post-treatment celebration!
• Carefully cleaning around the appliance is necessary, because a buildup of bacteria and plaque leads to consequences like bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. A water flosser can make reaching and cleaning tight spots easier if a brush alone isn’t effective.
• If the Herbst appliance is damaged, some minor fixes might be doable at home with instructions from your treatment team. But if a band or crown comes loose, or if there’s a problem you’re unfamiliar with, call our Frankfort, IL office right away.
• To help avoid the need for minor (or major) fixes, playing with the appliance with fingers or tongue, nibbling on pens and pencils, chewing on ice, or any other risky habits should be strictly off limits.

When it comes to your child’s health, you always have high expectations. John Burke and our team have all the answers you’ll need about what to expect from this phase of your child’s orthodontic treatment, and just why the Herbst appliance is the very best option to create a future of attractive, healthy smiles.

There are lots of ads out there for toothpastes that claim to repair damaged tooth enamel.

Can you treat cavities and tooth decay at home? Well, mostly, no, you can’t.

Can you strengthen your enamel at home? Very possibly—in some circumstances. Let us explain!

Cavities and tooth decay start forming when the enamel on the tooth’s surface breaks down. To discover what causes this breakdown, we need to see how chemistry works with our biology.

Tooth enamel is mainly made from calcium and phosphate ions. These minerals combine to form hydroxyapatite, crystals which make up around 95% of our enamel. Hydroxyapatite crystals are so strong that tooth enamel is the hardest part of our bodies. What can weaken a substance this strong?

Acids. Acidic foods and drinks, as well as acids created by the bacteria in plaque, strip away calcium and phosphate ions in enamel, weakening the surface of the tooth. This is a process called demineralization, and it’s the first stage of tooth decay. Left alone, weak spots will become bigger and deeper until they form cavities.

And tooth enamel, unlike the rest of your body, isn’t living tissue. It can’t regenerate. Once bacteria and acids have created a deep enough cavity, only Dr. Tavory can repair it by removing decay and filling the tooth.

Wait, this sounds a lot more like “No, you can’t repair your enamel” and much less like “It’s possible to strengthen your enamel.” But we’re not through!

Demineralization doesn’t equal cavities—yet. Careful attention to your habits and your diet can make a difference in whether your enamel continues to weaken or becomes stronger.

Our body’s first defense against demineralization is saliva. Calcium and phosphate ions in saliva bathe the teeth throughout the day, restoring the minerals which have been lost. This is called remineralization. Saliva also helps neutralize acids from the foods we eat. But with a diet heavy in acids, or a lot of plaque buildup, saliva just can’t keep up with the damage.

That’s where “enamel-repair” toothpastes come in. Toothpastes are available that contain hydroxyapatite to restore calcium and phosphates to weakened enamel. But for many of the most common enamel-repair toothpastes, the not-so-secret secret to their effectiveness is fluoride.

Dentists recommend fluoride toothpastes for several very good reasons. Fluoride is attracted to the minerals in tooth enamel and bonds with them. Once bonded, fluoride attracts the calcium and phosphate ions in saliva, helping restore lost minerals to the enamel. Even better, when fluoride bonds with the calcium and phosphate in our enamel, fluorapatite is created. This is a crystal even stronger and more acid-resistant than hydroxyapatite.

If you’re concerned about the strength of your enamel, and especially if you notice any signs of acidic erosion, talk to our Boca Raton dental team right away. Dr. Tavory can:

• Recommend over-the-counter toothpastes or professional fluoride applications to help reverse early demineralization
• Provide dental bonding, a crown, or a veneer to protect a tooth with serious erosion
• Treat a cavity caused by more advanced tooth decay.

Keeping your enamel healthy at home can take many forms. By careful brushing and flossing to remove plaque, by watching the acids in your diet, by making sure you’re properly hydrated, and by using fluoride toothpaste, you can both reduce the risk of demineralization and help restore weak spots in your tooth enamel.

So, can enamel-repair toothpastes effectively repair your teeth? Yes, they can be effective—if demineralization is in its early stages and if you make them a regular part of your daily dental routine.

Valentine’s Day is on the way, and sweet treats are a Cupid-approved Valentine’s tradition. Make your day even sweeter by showing your smile some love while enjoying your favorites.

Choose Healthy and Braces-Friendly Desserts

When it comes to desserts which are good for you and your braces, some are love at first bite:

• The Charms of Chocolate

If you’re head over heels for chocolate, good news! Soft chocolate candies and truffles and moist chocolate cakes and cupcakes are a safe (and tasty) choice.

For a richer chocolate experience, consider dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is often called a “superfood” because it’s packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Dark chocolate also contains less sugar than milk or white chocolate, so it’s the perfect dental choice for chocoholics.

• Dairy Delights

Dairy foods might be your perfect match when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The calcium and phosphorus minerals in milk, yogurt, cream, and other dairy products help strengthen and restore tooth enamel. The vitamin D in dairy foods helps our bodies absorb these minerals and put them to work. Vitamin D also plays a role in preventing gum disease.

Creamy puddings, parfaits, ice creams, and gelatos—without chewy or crunchy additions—are easy on your braces. For even healthier options, try yogurt-based desserts. Yogurt has less sugar than its creamy cousins as well as probiotics for better gum and oral health.

• Fancy Fruits

Perhaps fruits are the apple of your eye. After all, fruits are a wonderful source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Flavorful smoothies, juicy fruit kabobs, and rich sorbets might be less traditional Valentine’s choices, but are no less delicious! When made with pureed fruits, soft fruits, and thin-sliced fruits, they’re braces-friendly as well.

Since a little decadence is expected on Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself to strawberries dipped in chocolate? Besides the vitamins and minerals which strawberries offer, they also contain malic acid, which can act as a natural tooth-whitener.

Avoid Treats on the Naughty List

Okay, Cupid doesn’t have a naughty list. But if he did, these foods would definitely be on it because of the damage they can cause to your teeth and braces.

• Hard and Crunchy Confections

Hard candies, peanut brittle, lollipops, nutty candy bars—if it’s hard to bite into, it’s hard on your braces, and can damage brackets and wires.

• Chewy Candy

Caramels, taffy, licorice and other super-chewy rolls and candies can break brackets and bend wires. And they’re difficult for John Burke to remove from the surface of teeth and braces.

• Sticky Sweets

Soft and sticky candies like gumdrops, jellybeans, and other gummy treats stick to your brackets and wires, making it hard to clean sugary remnants from your teeth and potentially damaging to your braces.

• Sour Candy

Sour candies and sour gummy anythings aren’t good for your teeth. Highly acidic foods erode the mineral strength of your tooth enamel, and this can lead to tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.

Treat Yourself Well—But Not Too Often!

While it’s tempting to enjoy Valentine’s treats all day long, do your enamel a favor and snack moderately. Eating frequently throughout the day, or “grazing,” defeats one of your body’s amazing natural methods of cavity prevention.

It’s not just people who enjoy sugar—oral bacteria love sugar, too. Sugar fuels the bacteria which are responsible for cavities. Bacteria in plaque use sugar to create acids which, like acidic foods, cause enamel erosion and decay.

Part of the body’s natural cavity-fighting mechanism is saliva. Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria, provides minerals to reinforce enamel strength, and helps neutralize acids.

But it takes about 30 minutes for saliva’s neutralizing process to begin. Constant snacking delays acid neutralization and reduces its period of effectiveness. Limit your snacks and avoid grazing to help your body’s natural defenses work their best for you.

Give Your Smile Some Extra TLC

We all enjoy a special dessert on a special occasion–and Valentine’s Day certainly qualifies! Just remember to take special care with your dental hygiene after enjoying sugary treats.

• Brush and Floss

Be sure to brush and floss as often as the team at Burke Orthodontics recommends. It’s a good idea to give your teeth an extra brushing after an especially sugary confection to remove food particles from brackets and wires.

• Drink Water

Water not only hydrates, it encourages saliva production. And, if you can’t brush right away, rinsing with water helps remove food particles from your teeth and braces.

Valentine’s Day is a day celebrated with all kinds of sweet things, and one of the sweetest is your healthy smile. Make this Valentine’s Day in Frankfort, IL special by showing your smile the love it deserves!

Valentine’s Day is on the way, and sweet treats are a Cupid-approved Valentine’s tradition. Make your day even sweeter by showing your smile some love while enjoying your favorites!

Be Choosy with Your Desserts

When it comes to healthy desserts, some are love at first bite:

• The Charms of Dark Chocolate

If you’re head over heels for chocolate, good news! Dark chocolate is often called a “superfood” because it’s rich in nutrients and antioxidants. And there’s more! Because dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk or white chocolate, it’s the best dental choice for chocoholics.

• Dairy Delights

Dairy foods might be your perfect match when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The calcium and phosphorus minerals in milk, yogurt, cream, and other dairy products help strengthen and restore tooth enamel. The vitamin D in dairy foods helps our bodies absorb these minerals and put them to work. Vitamin D also plays a role in preventing gum disease.

You can make your Valentine dairy treats extra-healthy with yogurt. Yogurt desserts often have less sugar than their creamy cousins, and yogurt contains probiotics which combat harmful bacteria and support gum health.

• Fancy Fruits

Perhaps fruits are the apple of your eye. After all, fruits are a wonderful source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Flavorful smoothies, juicy fruit kabobs and parfaits, and rich sorbets might be less traditional Valentine’s choices, but are no less delicious!

Since a little decadence is expected on Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself to strawberries dipped in dark chocolate or yogurt? Besides the vitamins and minerals which strawberries offer, they also contain malic acid, which can act as a natural tooth-whitener.

Avoid Sweet Treats on the Naughty List

Okay, Cupid doesn’t have a naughty list. But if he did, these foods would definitely be on it because of the damage they can cause to teeth and dental work.

• Sour candies and sour gummy anythings aren’t good for your teeth. Highly acidic foods erode the mineral strength of your tooth enamel, and this can lead to tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.
• If you wear braces, chewy, nutty, hard, and sticky foods can damage your wires and brackets. Instead, choose braces-friendly treats like soft chocolates and truffles.
• Similarly, for people with crowns, bridges, or dentures, hard, sticky, and chewy candies and other foods can potentially dislodge or damage dental work. Dr. Tavory can help you choose the healthiest options on the Valentine menu.

Treat Yourself Well—But Not Too Often!

While it’s tempting to enjoy Valentine’s treats all day long, do your enamel a favor and snack moderately. Eating frequently throughout the day, or “grazing,” defeats one of your body’s amazing natural methods of cavity prevention.

It’s not just people who enjoy sugar—oral bacteria love sugar, too. Sugar fuels the bacteria which are responsible for cavities. Bacteria in plaque use sugar to create acids which, like acidic foods, cause enamel erosion and decay.

Part of the body’s natural cavity-fighting mechanism is saliva. Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria, provides minerals to reinforce enamel strength, and helps neutralize acids.

But it takes about 30 minutes for saliva’s neutralizing process to begin. Constant snacking delays acid neutralization and reduces its period of effectiveness. Limit your snacks and avoid grazing to help your body’s natural defenses work their best for you.

Give Your Smile Some Extra TLC

We all enjoy a special dessert on a special occasion–and Valentine’s Day certainly qualifies! Just remember to take special care with your dental hygiene after enjoying sugary treats.

• Brush and Floss

Be sure to brush and floss for the amount of time recommended by the team at Tavory Family Dentistry—brush at least two minutes in the morning and evening, and floss at least once each day. It’s a good idea to give your teeth an extra brushing after an especially sugary confection.

• Drink Water

Water not only hydrates, it encourages saliva production. And, if you can’t brush right away, rinsing with water helps remove food particles from your teeth.

Valentine’s Day is a day celebrated with all kinds of sweet things, and one of the sweetest is your healthy smile. Make this Valentine’s Day in Boca Raton special by showing your smile the love it deserves!