Age seven, the magic number for your child's first visit to Scott Orthodontic Associates

Many parents in Lakeland and surrounding communities just assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Scott Orthodontic Associates, only to discover that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. But did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That's right: seven.

OK, you're thinking: what’s so great about age seven, Dr. Scott? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Scott to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Scott calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, however, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, please give us a call at Scott Orthodontic Associates to schedule an appointment.

Happy Monday!

Ask Dr. Gregory Scott: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

A couple of weeks back, we posted a blog on the benefits of braces. This week, we thought we'd get a little more specific and delve into adult braces. Recently, our staff at Scott Orthodontic Associates read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago!

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. While orthodontic treatment is often associated with teens, adult orthodontics and braces at Lakeland office can achieve amazing results for adult patients. With treatments such as Invisalign® and others, you can have your teeth straightened less noticeably. Treatment at Scott Orthodontic Associates can be successful at any age, and Dr. Scott knows adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Scott and our entire team would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!

Staying connected with Scott Orthodontic Associates

Dr. Scott and our team at Scott Orthodontic Associates love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind.

Although social media is hugely popular these days, Dr. Scott knows it is unpredictable and ever-changing. We thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

Ask Dr. Gregory Scott: Who benefits from Invisalign®?

Part of what makes Invisalign "work" is that the treatment is customizable for pretty much anybody. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment at Scott Orthodontic Associates, the first Dr. Gregory Scott does, is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Scott is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

Talking sports and mouth guards with Dr. Gregory Scott

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports.

That’s why our staff at Scott Orthodontic Associates is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Gregory Scott will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries, says Dr. Scott. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Scott is trying to achieve.

If you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Scott Orthodontic Associates, please give us a call.

Ask Dr. Gregory Scott: Why are straight teeth important?

People wonder why Dr. Scott and our dedicated team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth, you see, are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Scott can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at Scott Orthodontic Associates. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Imagining your life with Invisalign® at Scott Orthodontic Associates

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Scott Orthodontic Associates.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Scott will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.