What is "orthodontics," and why do people get braces?
Orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws.
Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders of the jaw joints are corrected.
When is the right time for braces?
Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly any age. An ideal time for placement of braces is between 10 and 14 years of age. Braces aren't just for kids! Many adults are also wearing braces to correct minor problems and to improve their smiles.
What kind of braces will I have to wear?
The most popular type is brackets, metal or plastic, which are bonded to teeth and are less noticeable. The traditional type, bands, covers most of your teeth with metal bands that wrap around the teeth. The "lingual" type of braces is brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hidden from view. Recently, some patients have been treated with computer-generated “invisible” plastic overlays which pressure the teeth into movement .
How long will I have to wear braces?
The more complicated your spacing or bite problem is, and the older you are, the longer the period of treatment. Most patients can count on wearing full braces between 18 and 30 months, followed by wearing a retainer for at least a few months to up to two years to set and align tissues surrounding straightened teeth. Some patients may have to wear a permanent retainer.
Will treatment be uncomfortable?
The interconnecting wires are tightened at each visit, bearing mild pressure on the brackets or bands to shift teeth or jaws gradually into a desired position. Your teeth and jaws may briefly feel slightly sore after each visit. Some teeth may need to be extracted to make room for teeth being shifted with braces and for proper jaw alignment.
Do I have to avoid any foods or personal habits?
What about home care of my teeth with braces?
Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry
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Food Irradiation
and Safety
On August 22, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule that allows the use of irradiation to make fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach safer and last longer without spoiling.
Irradiating fresh iceberg lettuce and spinach will help protect consumers from disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli). Illnesses from these bacteria range from uncomfortable symptoms to life-threatening health problems.
The foods affected by the final rule are
Irradiation (also sometimes termed "ionizing radiation") is a process of treating products with a measured dose of radiation. Food irradiation is not new. FDA has conducted irradiation safety evaluations for more than 40 years and has determined the process to be safe for use on a variety of foods.
After studying the safety of irradiating fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach, FDA has determined that these greens, when irradiated under the conditions specified in the final rule, retain their nutrient value and are safe to eat.
FDA considers irradiation a complement to, not a replacement for, proper food-handling by producers, processors, and consumers. Irradiation is just another tool to reduce the levels of disease-causing microorganisms on fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh pinach.
Irradiation does not take the place of washing. FDA continues to recommend that consumers wash fresh and bagged produce before eating unless the packaging specifically states that the product has been pre-washed.
For more information, go to: http://www.fda.gov)
