Do germs really live on your toothbrush? Dr. Beth explains

Fall is here, and with it the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Beth and our team at Faber Orthodontics will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us in Tappahannock or Kilmarnock if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

September is Self-Improvement Month, from Faber Orthodontics

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Faber Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as Invisalign and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Beth Faber would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

See you soon!

Love your new smile? Tell the world about it!

At Faber Orthodontics, we believe receiving orthodontic care is a personal choice. We like to keep your treatment personal by providing you with customized treatment plans, individual time spent with Dr. Beth Faber, and a smile that reflects who you truly are! We have been helping to create healthy, beautiful smiles in Kilmarnock and Tappahannock for more than 23 years, and we couldn't do it all without your wonderful and positive references.

Whether you’ve just come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Beth or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to know: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment? You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google Places page!

Why are retainers so important?

Have you recently completed treatment at Faber Orthodontics? If so, our entire staff would like to congratulate you again! Job well done! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Beth Faber will provide retainers for you, which you'll wear every day, right? After braces are removed, Dr. Beth will you teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Beth is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

Remember to:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
* Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
* If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
* Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
* Retainer replacement is expensive… with proper care they will last for years!
* Remove retainers when swimming.
* Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

To learn more more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment, please ask Dr. Beth or our team during your next adjustment visit!