Braces are commonly used to align teeth offering various benefits beyond aesthetics that are improved oral care and hygiene, chewing, and the greatest of all is that it provides a flawless and a perfectly aligned smile.
If you are thinking of consulting an Orthodontist and are confused between traditional and lingual braces, which of them will work best for you?
Read this blog till the end to know the difference, benefits, lingual braces cost, advantages, and disadvantages of choosing traditional or lingual braces.
Difference Between Traditional And Lingual Braces
The most common difference between lingual and traditional braces is that they are placed on the back of your teeth. On the other hand the traditional braces are placed on the front of your teeths.
Offering the same teeth straightening results, lingual braces are more costly than traditional braces in aligning the structure of your teeth giving a more perfect and confident smile.
What Are Traditional Braces?
Traditional braces are an orthodontic device that consist of metal brackets and wires which helps your teeth to move in a required direction. These are placed on the front side of your teeths to align and straighten your teeth and jaws.
Braces are usually used to correct bites, gaps between the teeths, crooked, and crowded teeths, and it treats various flaws of your teeth and jaws.
An orthodontist will take an impression of your teeth which is used to create a tray with brackets to fit your teeths size and shape.
What Are Lingual Braces?
The word Lingual itself means towards the teeth (braces behind teeth). In this treatment, an orthodontist places braces on back of teeths towards the tongue offering the same results as traditional braces.
Lingual braces are also referred to as invisible or incognito because they cannot be seen from outside.
Ceramic Braces Vs Metal Braces
If you are confused about which braces to go for metallic or ceramic braces, then we have got you sorted.
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Metallic Braces
Metallic braces are usually more cost-effective and highly durable in comparison with ceramic ones.
If you are looking for strength, affordability, and durability in a single frame of braces, then metallic braces will be the best braces for you that suit your priorities.
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Ceramic Braces
Whereas, ceramic braces offering discreet aesthetic appearance are more prone to staining and are non-durable that requires daily maintenance, dental cleaning, checkups, and higher investment.
Traditional And Lingual Braces Based On Treatment Time And Results
Modern technology has improved braces making it more aesthetic looking and comfortable giving a pleasing smile, and has reduced the treatment time.
Traditional and Lingual braces usually take the same treatment duration. Before starting an Orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist may recommend you to contact a dentist for proper dental cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, and to treat cavities.
Orthodontist treatment cannot be done if you have cavities in your teeth. An orthodontist will initially recommend cavity treatment before orthodontic treatment.
It may take a few months if you need slight correction in your teeth, but if the condition is complex it may take a year or more to correct and align your teeth and jaws.
Advantages Of Lingual Braces
However, these braces are excellent at their job, here are some of the advantages that you can benefit from choosing Lingual braces.
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Visibility
Lingual braces are an excellent treatment option for those who are concerned about their looks and appearance.
It can also prevent your teeth from damage that can be caused due to using traditional braces. It is very important to maintain your dental hygiene, which can be challenging if you have braces.
But, if you are not able to clean every surface of the back of your teeth due to using lingual braces, it will not be shown to other people.
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Teeth Alignment
Lingual braces offer highly effective and discreet jaw alignment and straightening while being placed on back of teeth.
It addresses and treats many orthodontic problems like wide bites, problems with chewing, crooked and crowded teeths, and jaw alignment while being virtually invisible.
Disadvantages Of Choosing Lingual Braces
Apart from being a fruitful and modern teeth alignment option for people, lingual braces also come with certain disadvantages.
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Comfort
Lingual braces can be relatively more challenging and difficult to clean than the usual traditional braces due to being behind teeth braces.
It can be uncomfortable in the early stage of treatment causing difficulty in speaking, talking, and even chewing, but with time you may get habitual to live and perform your daily activity with it.
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Lingual Braces Cost
Lingual braces cost relatively more than traditional braces because of their specialized materials, customized fabrications according to your teeth and jaws, and due to other additional training required for orthodontists to successfully perform the treatment.
While the cost of lingual braces varies, they are 40% more costly than that of traditional braces that is usually not affordable for everyone.
Key Takeaways
Lingual braces can be a best option for you, if you need braces, but don’t want to show it to everyone around you because they are attached to the back of teeth, and are not invisible as of traditional braces.
But, if you want a braces that are cost effective that fits your budget, and are durable, then traditional braces will be best for you.
Maintain good dental and oral hygiene for a healthier and more perfectly aligned smile.
Creating Beautiful Smiles Is Our Passion
Reference:-
[NIH] 2021 Aug 1 Practice of lingual orthodontics and practitioners’ opinion and experience with lingual braces in the United States (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8412811/)
You may be surprised to know that female hormones not only plays an important role in their physiological changes but also largely impact their oral health.
Hormonal changes have a huge impact on women’s dental and oral health, with alterations of hormonal imbalance occurring at puberty, during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and post-menopause.
Understanding Hormones And Dental Health
Hormones affect oral health of women’s, when female hormones are at high levels, they are more prone to plaque formation caused by the accumulation of bacteria around the gums.
Female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) causes increase in blood flow in their body and gums that makes their teeth sensitive to hot and cold.
During pregnancy, women tend to experience a drastic change in their oral health. During the second to eighth weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes even after the pregnancy, women experience gestational gum disease.
Menopause is the fixed stop in the hormonal roller coaster in a woman’s life. It marks the end of the woman’s fertile years and declines estrogen and progesterone. This sudden imbalance of hormones affect oral health and causes very serious dental or oral conditions.
How Parathyroid Hormones Affect Oral Health
A key regulation of blood calcium levels influences bone, kidney, and intestinal calcium absorption. When too many parathyroid hormones are released, it releases minerals and calcium from the blood that can break down the strong bones.
However, oral symptoms of hyperthyroidism are rare, but sometimes, it can cause ulcers that can be red or brown in color and can only be recognized by a dentist.
Parathyroid gland disorder can cause hypersecretion or hyposecretion of parathyroid hormones.
The most common dental issues caused by parathyroid hormonal changes are bone loss in teeth, ribs, clavicles, pelvic girdles, and mandibles.
Pregnancy And Oral Health
The most common oral health conditions related to pregnancy occur in 60 – 75% of pregnant women. Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can make the gums respond to bacterial plaque, causing swelling and bleeding of the gums between the teeth.
Women usually avoid dental checkups during pregnancy due to fear of dental treatment, thinking that it might harm the baby. However, research has shown that getting dental checkups and treatment is safe and important for the baby’s health.
Bad oral health conditions like tooth decay and gum infection put mothers at higher risk of causing premature birth and affecting growth hormones, causing low birth weight of the baby.
Oral Problems In Pregnant Womens
Hormonal changes in women’s body during pregnancy causes various dental and oral issues that are –
- Dry mouth
- Tooth erosion
- Gingivitis
- Pyogenic granuloma (pregnancy tumor)
- Pregnancy Gingivitis, and
- Tooth decay
Effect On Oral Health During Puberty
At puberty, girls start to experience the production of estrogen and later progesterone from the ovarian egg development that continues throughout their reproductive life.
One of the biggest changes caused by puberty is the sudden rise in hormones, which increases blood flow throughout the body. It also causes extra blood flow in the gums, leading to extensive swelling and bleeding of the gums, which is referred to as puberty gingivitis.
One of the main concerns linked with puberty gingivitis is that the symptoms may get worse and transform into Periodontitis, a serious gum disease that requires immediate dental treatment.
Impact Of Menstrual Cycle On Women’s Oral Health
Luteinizing Hormone levels rise and fall throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle, which is not good or bad. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), these hormonal changes can affect your mood, weight, and dental health.
If you have ever seen your gums bleeding and swelling around your teeth, you have experienced menstruation gingivitis.
Higher hormone levels increase blood flow that can make your teeth and gums sensitive and more susceptible to irritation, bacteria, and plaque around the gumline that trigger symptoms of Gingivitis.
These symptoms usually begin a day or two before your period starts and resolve right as menstruation starts.
Menopause And Oral Health
During menopause which is a fix stop of menstrual cycle, certain hormonal imbalances, like low estrogen levels, can lead to dry mouth.
It also increases the risk of sensitivity, which is the most common issue linked to hormones and bad oral health.
Tips To Maintain Your Oral Health
Here are certain dental care tips that you can include in your oral routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy and risk-free of oral diseases, and to elevate oral health.
- Brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and at night, with soft-bristled toothpaste, and floss regularly at least once a day.
- If you can’t brush your teeth because of vomiting problems in the initial months, use mouthwash or rinse your mouth with a mixture of baking soda and water. Rinsing with water and soda can help reduce the amount of acid in your mouth.
- Visit your dentist regularly for dental checkups every 6 months (twice a year) and even during pregnancy. During your dental checkup, tell your dentist that you’re pregnant.
- Include healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole-grain breads, pasta, and low-fat dairy products when you feel like snacking.
- Limit sweets and sugary foods and drink plenty of water instead of sugary and acidic drinks.
- Including healthy foods in your diet helps provide you and your growing baby with important nutrients. Nutrient-rich foods like calcium, protein, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and D will help your baby’s teeth grow healthy.
- If you’re craving things like large amounts of ice, paste, dirt, or smoking, let your prenatal provider know.
- Limit sugary food and beverages, and drink enough water to wash off your mouth each time you eat.
Conclusion
Now when you know how hormones affect oral health, it helps you maintain a healthy oral hygiene for stronger and healthier teeth and gums during hormonal changes during puberty, the menstrual cycle, menopause, and especially pregnancy.
You must focus on your oral health and take extra care to elevate it, have healthy teeth and gums, and increase your lifespan. Maintain your oral hygiene and cut unhealthy and sugary foods from your meals.
Prioritize Oral Health, Prioritize Yourself
Teeth can appear yellowish for various reasons, but certain strategies can slow the process and may reverse it. Tips for getting white teeth include avoiding certain foods and occasional brushing with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Nowadays, many tooth whitening products are available in every pharmaceutical store, and you can try many approaches at home. You can also get your teeth whitening done by a dentist.
Teeth whitening methods can lead to certain side effects, the most common of which are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
What Is Tooth Whitening Procedures
Teeth whitening is a process that aims to make someone’s natural teeth appear whiter and shinier. It includes whitening methods like sanding down the stains, ultraviolet (UV) therapy, and more.
If you are wondering what is tooth whitening procedure, it involves a range of teeth whitening options like toothpaste with whitening ingredients, and professional teeth whitening sessions done by doctor’s.
Some tooth whitening procedures are actually meant to remove extrinsic stains, while others simply bleach intrinsic and extrinsic stains so that they appear light in color.
Many Over-the-counter teeth whitening products and in-office treatments include hydrogen peroxide to break down and remove stains on your teeth. Carbamide peroxide is another oxidizing ingredient that is often used to minimize stains.
These products can be irritating to your body, which is why it is important to use tooth whitening procedures as recommended by your dentist.
Teeth Whitening Products
If you are looking to brighten your smile, use the right teeth whitening products that are more affordable and convenient than going to a dentist’s office.
There are a variety of products in the market that are meant for home use like teeth whitening strips, LED mouthpieces to choose from that meet your oral care routine and preferences.
When choosing the right teeth whitening treatment, look for active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, which are prescribed by dentists to remove stains effectively to whiten teeth.
Teeth Whitening Procedure At Home
According to a survey, nearly 80% of Americans have spent over $1.4 billion on at-home whitening products to achieve whiter teeth.
You may be able to whiten your teeth at home using some products that are easily available at any grocery store. Teeth whitening procedure at home includes various ingredients to choose from, such as –
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Coconut oil pulling
Coconut oil is considered to have antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce plaque and whiten teeth. Oil pulling is an ancient method that helps to remove bacteria and promotes oral health by swishing oil in the mouth.
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Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is effective in removing stains due to its acidic nature, but it should be used with caution to avoid damage to your tooth enamel. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and swirl it in the mouth for one minute, then spit it out and rinse with water. Use this remedy once or twice a week.
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Lemon juice and baking soda
Lemon is highly acidic in nature, which is why it is not recommended to use this remedy more than once a week. Mix a little amount of lemon in baking soda, make a paste, apply to your teeth for one minute, and rinse thoroughly with water.
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Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is highly absorbent and can easily remove stains from your teeth. Dip a wet toothbrush in the charcoal powder, brush for about 2 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.
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Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent which, when combined with baking soda, helps to effectively remove stains from the surface of the teeth. Mix a small amount of baking soda with Hydrogen peroxide, make a paste, brush for 1 – 2 minutes, and rinse with water.
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Banana peel rub
Banana peel contains certain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese, which help to remove stains from your teeth. Rub the peel of the banana on your tenths for 2 minutes, and after that, brush as usual.
Teeth Whitening Process At Dentist
Teeth whitening done by your dentists can help you get whiter and brighter teeth faster. The bleaching solutions prescribed by dentists are usually much stronger than in at-home kits.
The teeth whitening process at the dentist may include heat light or a combination of these two to speed up the brightening process. The teeth whitening process at the dentist is considered one of the most effective treatments for getting brighter teeth faster.
You can get the most dramatic results by achieving three to eight shades brighter teeth, which usually takes 30 to 60 minutes at the dentist’s office.
Several effective teeth whitening products prescribed by dentists are –
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Strips and gels
Teeth whitening strips are directly applied on the teeths, and thin layers of gels are applied through a brush, these peroxide-based bleaching products are usually applied for 10 to 14 days. They can lighten your teeth up to one shade or two.
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Tray-based teeth bleaching
A mouth guard-like tray filled with peroxide-based bleaching gel or paste is placed over the teeth for one to several hours a day for 4 weeks. You can buy tray-based tooth whitening systems that are available over the counter, or you can have one custom-fitted by your dentist.
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Toothpaste
Every toothpaste helps to remove stains, but whitening toothpastes contain chemicals or polishing agents that scrub stains without a bleaching agent. Tooth-whitening toothpastes are relatively inexpensive and help to brighten teeth for up to one shade.
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Whitening rinses
Rinse your teeth for at least 60 seconds two times a day with products that contain hydrogen peroxide to help your teeth look visibly whiter and brighter.
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Chewing gums
Whitening chewing gums helps prevent stains after you consume certain beverages or use substances that can stain your teeth, like tobacco, tea, and coffee.
Final Thoughts
Some people have naturally white teeth that tend to become yellow with age. However, maintaining excellent oral care and hygiene can prevent the yellowing of teeth, and it keeps your teeth white and brighter for longer.
If you are wondering how long does teeth whitening last, then if you use at-home ingredients to whiten your teeth naturally, then it may not last for more time.
But, if you get tooth whitening procedure done by doctors or at-home kits prescribed by doctors, such as stripes, gels, or whitening toothpaste, then your tooth whitening will last for four or more months.
Keep Your Teeth Cleaner, Brighter, And Shinier