Water Flossing With Orthodontics

A little floss goes a long way when it comes to oral health. Flossing is an important step to remove food particles that have been left behind after brushing. Flossing can significantly reduce periodontal disease and cavity-causing causing bacteria that leads to tooth decay but sometimes the act of flossing is difficult for a patient with orthodontics. Dr. Gregory Ross may suggest using a water flosser for those hard to reach places!

A safe, easy, and effective way to remove plaque around dental braces is to use a water flosser. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. Not only is this beneficial to patients with traditional braces, water flossers are also an option for people who have trouble flossing by hand. You should never get by on flossing alone. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to reap the maximum benefits of a healthy mouth.

To learn more about orthodontics, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Orthodontic Canine Exposure

Canine exposure has nothing to do with leaving your dog outside, exposed to elements. In humans, canine teeth are primarily used for biting and tearing up food. Any tooth may become impacted, but generally, the wisdom teeth and canine teeth are the predominant candidates. At the dental practice of Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS, if it is necessary to remove a tooth by any means, plans will be made and the patient will be provided with personalized, gentle care.

Impacted teeth are sometimes obvious to the naked eye, but in some cases, an x-ray is necessary to identify the extent of the impaction. The older the patient, the more likely an impacted canine will not emerge by nature’s forces alone. It is important to determine whether all the adult teeth are present or are some adult teeth missing. Many times, there is an impacted canine tooth where the baby tooth remains in the mouth. Canine teeth are critical for function and early recognition of an impacted canine tooth is the key to a successful treatment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Sleep Apnea and Smoking

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should come see Dr. Gregory Ross and his staff for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea like a snore guard or CPAP machine, but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we provide, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Adult Orthodontics

Dr. Gregory Ross provides orthodontic care for adolescents and adults.  It is often recommended to start treatment on an adolescent patient once all the permanent teeth have come in, but adults can still get great results from orthodontic care.  There are several options for adults beginning orthodontic treatment, and the best one for you will depend on what needs to be corrected

To correct bite issues and straighten teeth, the traditional braces method includes brackets on the teeth and connecting wires that are tightened over the course of treatment. Clear braces use the same method but the materials are tooth-colored to avoid a metallic look.  Accelerated orthodontics are applied to correct cosmetic issues in about six months. Severe misalignments and bite issues can’t be corrected in such a short time, but if your concerns are purely cosmetic, it’s a great option for a short treatment time that can completely transform your smile.  Invisalign treatment is popular because of its almost invisible appearance.  A treatment plan consists of a series of clear aligners that straighten teeth over time.  Come see us and find out what will be best to correct your smile!

To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Thank You for Your Continuous Reviews!

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Gregory Ross, our staff appreciates feedback because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Alyssa S. for this 5-star review but would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"I just had my braces put on my upper teeth today and Nancy did a great job! I was a little nervous going in but right away everyone there made me feel welcome and comfortable. It didn't take very long at all and it didn't hurt. Nancy explained everything she was doing and was super nice. Everyone at Ross Orthodontics is VERY nice and friendly. I am very happy that we chose to go there." – Alyssa S.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Removing Braces

Removing braces is an exciting step for anybody undergoing orthodontic treatment. At Ross Orthodontics, we can say that this is usually a smooth process without much potential for complications. However, since patients are more comfortable when they feel well-informed, we wanted to provide a more detailed explanation of how braces are removed.

Orthodontic brackets are held in place by dental cement. Since dentists are so worried about brackets coming loose if the patient eats something sticky or doesn’t wear a mouthguard, you can probably tell the cement is only as strong as it needs to be. After removing the wire and bands for the last time, we use another pair of reverse-action pliers to compress the brackets, causing the dental cement to snap away from them. This allows us to lift the brackets out without needing to exert force against the patient’s enamel, although the patient may feel mild pressure.

We’ll leave the cement on to ensure the teeth remain protected until all the brackets are removed. The metal bands surrounding the molars are leveraged out using pliers with flat tips. Once the cement is scraped away, we can examine the patient for signs of decay such as white spots and make an impression to use as the basis for a retainer. Patients may want to avoid eating anything sticky immediately after the brackets are removed, since their teeth may still be sensitive. But they should soon be able to resume normal eating habits when they aren’t wearing their retainer.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Sleep Apnea and Orthodontics

Do you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD)? If so, you may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This condition is believed to be severely underdiagnosed, leaving many people untreated and at serious risk of sleep deprivation. However, Dr. Gregory Ross is an expert in orthodontics and dental sleep medicine, and since some people are unaware of the connection between those specialties, we want patients to know what we can do to help.

Bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding, is often the result of the body’s air passages being blocked by the position of the tongue. As the body attempts to open a passage by moving the mandible, the teeth grind together, putting them at risk for tilting or cracking and causing pain to the temporomandibular joint. Sleep apnea also causes the patient to be taken out of deep sleep throughout the night, causing them to be fatigued the next day and increasing their long-term risk for heart disease and depression.

At Ross Orthodontics, we can provide patients with custom-fitted night guards. These oral appliances protect the teeth from being eroded or broken by night time jaw movement. Dr. Ross is also a long-time researcher of sleep apnea and can provide more complex oral appliances to better position the mandible to avoid airway obstruction. We also use orthodontic treatment to correct tilted teeth.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.