Orthodontic treatment awareness month is here! With more than 1.2 million U.S. adults currently wearing braces, celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month with us by learning more about orthodontists and how they do more than give people a better-looking smile. Dr. Hardy  of Belmar Orthodontics has been helping patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles with state-of-the-art orthodontic skills and use of new technologies.

 

Orthodontics is More than A Straight Smile

When most people think of orthodontic treatment, they think of straightening teeth to achieve a more beautiful smile. And this is true. Orthodontic treatment does achieve this, but there is so much more behind the decision to correct your smile.  At the heart of orthodontic treatment is your oral health and the health of your whole body.  Misaligned bites, overcrowded teeth, gappy smiles–all of these issues can impact the health of your mouth which directly impacts the health of your body.

 

Empowering People with Beautiful Smiles

One of the most pleasing parts of the orthodontic treatment process for any care provider is to watch a person transform as his/her smile transforms.  When patients feel more confident about their smiles, they share them more. They feel more confident about themselves.  That confidence has a ripple effect on everyone around them.  Smiles that boost confidence also boost performance. One of the greatest gifts that Dr. Hardy can give his patients, and one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself or a loved one, is confidence in themselves. Orthodontic treatment helps offer that. Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment feel confident in the aesthetic details of their smile, but also in the health of their smile. The combination makes for a powerful duo when facing life and the challenges it can bring.

 

Orthodontists are Specialists in Their Field

Compared to general dentists, orthodontists also spend 2-3 additional years training in a specialized orthodontic residency program. In addition to this extra education, they commit 100% of their practice and continuing education solely to orthodontic care.  This means that when it comes to dental health, you have expert skills and expert knowledge at your disposal. Orthodontic candidates are chosen from the top 5 percent of their dental class.  Those who go on to graduate from the rigors of orthodontic training are those doctors that are passionate about their field, dedicated to what it takes, and gifted at their trade.  Orthodontists are extensively trained in correcting misaligned teeth, adjusting occlusion (the way the teeth fit together), and treating jaw disorders. Dr. Hardy has received numerous honors and accolades during his educational pursuits and beyond into his practice endeavors.

 

Why Should I Choose Belmar Orthodontics?

When you choose to become a part of the Belmar Orthodontics family you are entering into a practice that houses specialists trained in the dental techniques and skills you will need from childhood through adulthood.  Dr. Hardy is dedicated to continuing education and keeping on top of new technologies so he can produce better outcomes and experiences for his patients.  We offer alternative methods to traditional metal braces that are much less conspicuous, more comfortable and require less treatment time than traditional orthodontic methods. The benefits of orthodontics include: 

• Correction of long-term or lifetime dental issues
• Less conspicuous treatment methods
• Faster treatment time than older, more traditional orthodontic techniques
• Increased confidence and self-esteem from having a renewed smile

 

Your Orthodontic Treatment Options in Our Lakewood, CO, Office

At Belmar Orthodontics we are committed to providing orthodontic services in Lakewood, CO, for both children and adults.  Part of our treatment philosophy includes our dedication to offering you the best medical science can offer you now.  We know knows how important your smile is and are dedicated to offering you orthodontic solutions that are effective and aesthetically advanced. We offer many services like:

 

• Invisalign® in Lakewood
• Incognito™
• Braces
• Aesthetic Brackets
• Pediatric Orthodontic Treatments
• Affordable payment plans

 

Schedule an Orthodontic Treatment Consultation

Belmar Orthodontics takes pride in our ability to work well with children and adults of all ages and make them feel comfortable during their visit. Our hope is to provide you with a positive experience, while simultaneously making your smile the best it can be.  If you have questions about how orthodontics can improve your smile, or if you are interested in scheduling an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Hardy please contact us today at 303.225.9016.

 

 

 

Some people are under the misconception that orthodontic treatment is merely a cosmetic treatment and is really not necessary for oral wellness. But, what these individuals don’t understand is that misaligned teeth can cause big health problems that impact chewing, swallowing, nutrition, and speech. Misaligned teeth also expose you to more risk for tooth decay, TMJ jaw-pain and chronic headaches from malocclusion. Find out if you are doing all you can to safeguard your total body wellness with a free orthodontic consultation at Belmar Orthodontics in Lakewood today.

 

What Can Orthodontic Treatment Do for You?

Orthodontic treatment, first and foremost, is to ensure that your mouth and body are healthy.  When most think of orthodontic treatment, they think of straightening teeth for a more perfect smile. They think only of the aesthetic results and not the real functional results a properly aligned smile offers. Jaws and teeth that are aligned properly allow you to not only prevent dental injuries and decay, but to provide your body with the ability to chew and process your food in a way that is both safe and effective.  Consider the following benefits that orthodontic treatment offers you:

 

Improves Your Nutritional Returns

The first, crucial step of the digestion process is chewing your food. The majority of people neglect this essential step, barely chewing their food before they swallow.  The process of chewing converts large pieces of food into smaller particles that are more easily digested. This also makes it easier for your intestines to absorb nutrients from the food particles as they pass through your system.  Food that can’t be chewed up properly doesn’t digest as well in your stomach and your body has to use more energy to absorb the nutrients in that half-chewed food.  Beyond this, food that you can’t chew properly because of misaligned teeth or jaws creates a choking hazard when you eat.  

 

Helps You Avoid Injuring Your Jaw, Teeth or Soft Tissues

Do you find yourself biting your cheek when you are chewing, speaking or swallowing? Do your teeth ever collide when you chew or close your mouth sending jarring sensations throughout your jaw and face? Teeth can be chipped or injured when they collide. Jaws that are repeatedly sustaining irregular forces suffer and can cause you long-term problems.  Orthodontic treatment addresses these issues and provides you with the results you need to safeguard your smile and long-term health. These issues will not resolve on their own; you need help from a specialist to get things working right. Dr. Hardy are here to help show you how accessible the orthodontic treatment can be and help you on your way to better oral health.

 

Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Teeth that are overcrowded are much harder to clean. Plaque is able to accumulate because food gets trapped in between your teeth and starts to eat away at the enamel causing cavities to form. Cavities in between your teeth are harder to see and treat, often only detected after they have become big problems. A weakened, decaying tooth can also affect the adjacent teeth causing a ripple effect of problems throughout your mouth. Plaque build-up also affects the health of your gums and can lead to gum disease. By addressing the overcrowding issues, you make it harder for plaque and cavities to form in between your teeth and preserve the health of your gums and mouth.

 

Orthodontic Treatment Boosts Self-Esteem

Your smile is the first thing people see when they meet you. So much is communicated through your smile–your energy, your confidence, even your dedication to taking care of yourself. Taking the time to address orthodontic issues will eliminate any fears or insecurities you have been living with, freeing you to share your smile with everyone you come in contact with.

 

Call for an Orthodontic Treatment Consultation

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, but aren’t sure if you need it, call for a consultation today.  We can evaluate your need for orthodontics as well as discuss your options for orthodontics today.  Life with braces brings exciting changes, and sometimes some challenging adjustments too, but the end result is a healthier you!  Belmar Orthodontics can help you obtain a healthy, functional, attractive smile.  If you think you need braces, our online patient education can help answer any questions you may have, and our friendly staff is always available to help.  Call 303.225.9016 today to learn more about braces or to schedule an appointment. Dr. Hardy is committed to your care and will help you reach your smile goals as quickly and efficiently as possible if you need braces.

Our patients are excited to get braces on, but also excited to get them off and see those brilliant, beautiful smiles that come from orthodontic treatment! Your commitment to treatment protocols and caring for your braces can affect how long your treatment takes. While there is no way to predict exactly how quickly your teeth and bite will move into their correct position, there are ways that you can help the process move forward rather than backward. Here are five ways you can be a proactive patient and avoid causing progress delays during your orthodontic treatment. As always, your Belmar Orthodontics team is here to help answer any questions you have along the way.

 

What is the Average Time for Orthodontic Treatment?

One of the first questions we are asked by adults and kids alike, is how long will I have to wear my braces for? The answer to this question varies greatly depending on the severity of dental issues of each patient, but a large part of this answer relies on the patient and his commitment to following treatment protocol. Adults usually wear braces between 12-20 months and kids are usually closer to 2 years. Why the shorter orthodontic treatment time for most adults? Adults are usually more apt to wear their bands and follow all the prescribed instructions and rules for the braces.

 

Choose a Reputable Orthodontist for Your Treatment

You are already on the road to quicker more efficient orthodontic treatment because of your decision to become a patient of Belmar Orthodontics.  Dr. Hardy uses the newest and best technology available which helps them offer you a better product, more precise treatment and better results.

 

Keep Your Appointments

Part of the mechanism of braces involves regular adjustments and tightenings of the appliance. Sometimes brackets have to be moved into other locations.  Sometimes wires need to be adjusted. It varies from appointment to appointment based on how your mouth responds to treatment.  Striving to meet all your appointments is an essential part of your treatment progress. When you stretch out your adjustments it gets you off track and impedes your progress. Commit to making your orthodontic appointments a priority and you will help to avoid delays in your progress towards a straighter smile.

 

Wear Your Bands

Part of your treatment with braces that require a bracket system (that is all orthodontic treatment options except for Invisalign) is the use of orthodontic rubber bands (elastics) to aid in the teeth-straightening process. These rubber bands may be small, but they do not play a small role in the process.  They are used to help your bite achieve the proper alignment necessary for you to bite down normally.  Choosing to opt out of wearing your bands will increase the overall time you will need to wear your braces.  On the other side of the coin, the more diligently you wear your bands, the sooner you can achieve a healthy smile and have your braces removed.

 

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Sometimes patients are surprised to learn that their orthodontic treatment can be delayed if they don’t practice good oral hygiene. They don’t see this as being related to treatment delays–but it is. Braces that aren’t cleaned after every meal, or that never see a floss threader or proxy brush, suffer. Eating foods high in sugar also increases the risk of cavities, especially while wearing braces. Food particles that aren’t removed from your braces don’t just build-up on your teeth in the form of plaque and bacteria, they also build-up on your brackets. Plaque is a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that forms in your mouth from saliva and food particles. Plaque starts to form in your mouth just 4-12 hours after you eat! When plaque combines with sugars it forms an acid that eats away at the soft tissues/structures in your mouth. This same plaque that eats away at the enamel of your teeth can eat away at the brackets and the glue that keeps your brackets in place. Brackets and wires that become damaged or that break require extra visits to our office and extend your treatment time–and the cost of your treatment. On top of this, if you develop cavities, gingivitis, or demineralization during your orthodontic treatment due to not practicing good oral hygiene, your orthodontic treatment time can be delayed while your dentist works to correct these dangerous issues.

 

Take Care of your Braces

When it comes to taking care of your braces, each treatment method has slightly different instructions and things to consider. If you are a patient of traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, or lingual braces your care instructions are going to be quite similar because all of these orthodontic treatment options use a bracket system that is affixed to your teeth. Brackets and wires can all entrap food particles.  They are also not invincible materials so they come with some food restrictions.  In order to avoid damage to your braces and your teeth during orthodontic treatment, hard foods, sticky foods, and foods high in sugar should be avoided. Taking care of your braces means you are cleaning them after each meal, flossing–with a floss threader when needed and/or using a proxy brush, and brushing them thoroughly.  Avoid the most common orthodontic emergencies by following the tips for caring for your braces.

 

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More

By choosing to join the Belmar Orthodontic family, you not only benefit from expert skills and state-of-the-art technology, but you also enjoy the orthodontic treatment process as you work with our friendly staff and doctors. Dr. Hardy is committed to your care and will help you reach your smile goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.  As you do your part to follow their suggestions and treatment instructions you will find success with your treatment and be flashing your beautiful smile every step of the way.  Contact our office today at 303.225.9016.  We are excited to meet you and help you reach your smile goals!