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If you have been thinking about starting orthodontic treatment with braces or invisalign, or are currently going through orthodontic treatment, you may be thinking about retainers…

Will you need to wear retainers once you finish treatment? The answer is yes, you will. Let us explain why. Once your teeth are straight, you need to keep them straight, and that is exactly what retainers will do. Changes in tooth position is a naturally occurring phenomenon that will occur throughout one’s lifetime. If you want to keep your teeth in the position they are after you finish your orthodontic treatment, regardless of it is with braces or invisalign, you must wear your retainers. While small changes after treatment finishes is normal, retainers prevent teeth from going back to their original positions.

Why do I need retainers?

Retainers are recommended for two main reasons. The first reason is to allow your bone to heal and rebuild after your teeth have been moved to their new position. The second reason is to maintain the new and healthy positions of your teeth themselves. Just as your body changes throughout your whole life, so do your teeth.

Are there different retainer options?

We have a few different retainer options here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics. Each patient receives 1 set of retainers at the completion of their treatment. We also offer retainer upgrades, which you can learn about here.

How long do I have to wear my retainers?

You will need to wear your retainers for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight. Many patients wear retainers nightly for life.  Basically, it becomes part of your daily oral hygiene routine. You brush and floss your teeth before bed, and then place in your retainers to wear at night.

We offer several treatment options to take care of those front teeth that have rotated since you had treatment. Often, the cost of orthodontic treatment for an adult will be less than for a child if you've already had treatment when you were younger. To learn about your options you can request a complimentary consult here or you can give us a call or text us at 903-212-7737. We are located just a short drive from Gilmer, Marshall, Kilgore, Henderson, Carthage, and Mount Pleasant TX.

Packing a lunch for your children that is braces friendly can sometimes be a challenge. We put this list together to help you pack braces friendly foods for your child. We recommend putting in snacks that your children think are yummy, but at the same time healthy and braces friendly. Here are some of the best options to consider this school year in Longview that are Orthodontist Approved...

Yogurt or Pudding
Yogurt is usually a healthier option than pudding, but both are braces friendly. Yogurt is loaded with probiotics that can help keep gums, mouths, and stomachs healthy. Orthodontist's love this food for patient's!

Whole Grain Pita and Hummus
Instead of packing buttery popcorn, which is a big NO with braces, add whole grain pita or chopped up vegetables with hummus instead. Popcorn can damage your children’s teeth, with or without braces, and can even lead to tooth decay.

String Cheese
Cheese is great for your child’s teeth and definitely a braces friendly food. The calcium boosts their enamel, which makes their mouth stronger.

Fresh Fruit
Fruit cups and dried fruit snacks contain high amounts of sugar that if not brushed off of teeth will lead to decay and cavities. Fresh fruit like apples, pears, and watermelon have lots of water which helps wash away the sugar.

Flavored Water
Fruit Juice is something that you will want to try and avoid due to its high sugar content. Natural flavored, sugar-free water is a great alternative.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how our Orthodontists, Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. Our orthodontic office is conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Are you in the middle of your orthodontic treatment? Getting close to the end? Regardless of the stage of treatment you are in, we put this list of tips together to help you through your journey. Here’s are some of our best tips and tricks!

1. Water picks are GAME-CHANGERS. We recommend anyone who struggles with flossing to get one of these to help with maintaining their oral health during treatment.
2. Have a handy mirror or mirror app. Food can get stuck in your teeth regardless of if you have braces on or not. Having a handy mirror or an app on your phone can make it easy for you to check for anything that might have been left behind after a meal.
3. Using a tweezer can help fix wires. In the beginning of treatment when lighter wires are used sometimes they can slipi out of a back bracket. Using a tweezer to place the wire back into the orthodontic bracket can save you a trip to our Longivew orthodontic office. This can be especially convenient if you are traveling to us from Gilmer, Carthage, Marshall, or Kilgore.
4. Eat and drink things that won’t stain your teeth. Just because a food is healthy, like a strawberry or raspberry, doesn’t mean it can’t stain your teeth or get stuck in your braces. Avoid highly acidic drinks and sugary sodas as well.
5. Warm salt water rinses. If you experience soreness on any of your lips or cheeks after getting braces on, rinsing with warm salt water can help decrease and heal up any open sores in your mouth.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

It’s back to school time around Longview, Kilgore, Gilmer, and all of East Texas! Did one of your children go back to school with braces on? Congratulations! They’re on their way to a healthier smile. It is important for them to continue to take care of their braces even while they are at school…

Tips on Keeping Braces Clean At School:

1. Bring your MHO Brushing kit to school

Help them out by putting a brushing kit in their backpack! Here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics we give each patient one of these the day they start their braces journey with us. These orthodontic care kits help children stay on track with their oral hygiene and keep all their braces care tools handy during the busy school year.

2. Brush Or Rinse After Every Meal

It is important to brush not only at night and in the morning, but at school as well! Remind your children to brush their teeth and around their braces at school too. If they are unable to use their toothbrush, rinsing with water after eating or drinking anything containing sugar can help minimize the chance of developing a cavity on their teeth.

3. Drink Plenty Of Water

We all know drinking water is important. Having a handy water bottle can help children not only keep their teeth clean but also stay optimally hydrated during the school day. Soda and other sugary drinks such as Gatorade can leave sugar behind and damage teeth so drinking water instead is the best way to go!

4. Protect Your Mouth During Sports

We recommend all children, regardless of if they have braces on their teeth or not, to wear something to protect their teeth while they are engaging in sports. Wearing a mouthguard can help prevent any damage to teeth or other serious injuries that can occur while playing sports.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.