Ask Dr. Meehan: "I got my braces. Now what?"

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before prior to your orthodontic treatment.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Michael Meehan and our team at Meehan Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; just ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Dr. Meehan and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Palos Heights, IL office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Meehan Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below or on our Facebook page. You may also give us a call!

What are you up to this November?

Believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Dr. Michael Meehan and our team at Meehan Orthodontics want to know: What are your plans for November? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning a winter vacation? If so, we’d love to hear all about it!

You may share your stories with us below, or by posting on our Facebook page!

–The team at Meehan Orthodontics

5 tips to avoid plaque, from Meehan Orthodontics

At Meehan Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Michael Meehan. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Halloween Video Contest!

Don't forget about the Halloween Video Contest going on NOW at Meehan Orthodontics! We would love to hear about:

• Your favorite “braces-friendly” Halloween recipe (Pumpkin Patch Brownies anyone?)
• What color bands are you choosing this month?
• How you’re planning to get your pearly whites clean and sparkling after you indulge in holiday sweets.
• Are you or is anyone in your family (pets included) dressing up for Halloween this year? Tell us about the costume!
• What do you love most about this time of the year at our office?

You can film your video at Meehan Orthodontics using our Flip video camera, or email any video testimonials that are made at home to info@meehanorthodontics.com (with your first and last name in the mail subject line). Please try to limit your video entries to no longer than 2 minutes, since we will be sharing your video on our YouTube channel and other social networks.

Our Halloween Video Contest winner will be selected November 1, so don’t delay in entering your video. If your video is selected as the winner, you will receive a $100 gift certificate to Best Buy! Check out Dr. Meehan's video below. Happy Haunting!

What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Meehan calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Meehan will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Meehan Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Cold season is here, from Meehan Orthodontics

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Michael Meehan and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Palos Heights, IL office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Meehan Orthodontics, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Halloween Video Contest at Meehan Orthodontics

Are you on YouTube? So is Meehan Orthodontics! That’s why we’re hosting a Halloween Video Contest during National Orthodontic Health Month.

We would love to hear about:

• Your favorite “braces-friendly” Halloween recipe (Pumpkin Patch Brownies anyone?)
• What color bands are you choosing this month?
• How you’re planning to get your pearly whites clean and sparkling after you indulge in holiday sweets.
• Are you or is anyone in your family (pets included) dressing up for Halloween this year? Tell us about the costume!
• What do you love most about this time of the year at our office?

You can film your video at Meehan Orthodontics using our Flip video camera, or email any video testimonials that are made at home to info@meehanorthodontics.com (with your first and last name in the mail subject line). Please try to limit your video entries to no longer than 2 minutes, since we will be sharing your video on our YouTube channel and other social networks.

Our Halloween Video Contest winner will be selected November 1, so don’t delay in submitting your video entry!

Trick-or-Treat!

-Dr. Meehan and team