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Nobody likes a dry mouth. It is an uncomfortable and sometimes oddly unexplainable sensation that most people like to avoid. It is not a condition that automatically sends you into a panic about your health, however, a dry mouth can be a bother and something you certainly want to change if possible. So, if you find yourself in the unpleasant position of having a dry mouth, here is what you can do.

Chew Sugar-free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum will stimulate saliva in your mouth. The chewing motion of your jaw and teeth should take care of at least some of your dry mouth problem.

Suck on Sugar-free Candy: Similarly to chewing sugar free gum, if you suck on sugar free candy it should create more saliva in your mouth and moisturize it in the process.

Cut out the Caffeine:Caffeine can contribute to a dry mouth so by limiting, or eliminating your intake all together, you may find that your dry mouth is no more.

Stop Using Tobacco Products: Tobacco is another cause of dry mouth. Whether it is smokeless tobacco products or cigarettes, if you stop using them your dry mouth will likely improve. And not to forget, these products are exceedingly bad for your oral health to begin with, so you will be doing your mouth a favor even more so.

Drink Lots of Water: It may seem obvious, but drinking lots of water will likely improve your dry mouth. This is because dry mouth is usually a sign of dehydration, so plenty of fluids will surely help.

Dry mouth can be unpleasant, but it is often easily solved by either drinking more water, or trying one of the previously mentioned techniques. If the problem still persists you can always visit our Murfreesboro, TN office to see Dr. Pack. More often than not, doing one of the above will leave your mouth more moisturized than it was previously, and hopefully it will be long-lasting as well.

Getting your child excited about braces is a lot like: A) convincing a grumpy toddler that it’s time to take a nap? B) convincing a teenager to stop texting during dinner? C) convincing your husband to eat his peas? The answer, obviously, is all of the above.

And that’s why you may need a few thoughtful ways to get your child on board with braces.

1. Throw a pre-braces party. It can’t be just any party, however, but a Willy Wonka celebration of candy, chips, gum, and all the sticky and sweet foods your child won’t be able to indulge in during the time he or she is wearing braces. Promise a post-braces celebration, too, and watch as your child’s eyes widen at the thought of an all-you-can-eat junk food buffet.
2. Encouraging phrases like “braces aren’t eternal, but your straight smile will be” can go a long way.
3. If your daughter is worried about getting picked on because of braces, then name-drop some A-list celebrities who have worn them. The list includes Cameron Diaz, Kelly Clarkson, Dakota Fanning, and Gwen Stefani.
4. Emphasize that braces today aren’t the same as they were in the Stone Age. From clear ceramic braces to different-colored braces, more options are available. Braces can be cool accessories to express a personal style.
5. To get your child to embrace braces, you need to sing the praises of beautiful teeth, even if that means pointing out how crooked your teeth are because you never got braces.

When you start wearing braces, it can become a challenge to clean certain areas of your mouth. If these areas are neglected for long periods of time, though, decay and stains can form on your teeth.

Your mouth will require extra attention while you have your braces on. This can include using a special toothbrush to reach those spots, flossing every day, getting fluoride treatments, avoiding certain foods, and making sure to visit your dentist. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to prevent decay during treatment.

When you get your braces on, Dr. Pack will give you an interdental toothbrush that can be used to get to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. The brush has bristles that can easily remove food residue stuck between the wires in your mouth. We may also suggest using a WaterPik, which pulses a pressurized stream of water to remove excess food particles.

Brushing and flossing every day should always be a part of your oral health regimen, but this becomes especially crucial when you have braces. If food gets stuck between braces and sits on your teeth, decay and staining will start to occur. Dr. Pack and our team recommend flossing at least once a day, and brushing and using mouthwash after every meal as long as you have braces.

If you don’t have the time, make sure at least to swish your mouth really well with water after you eat. It’s especially important to follow these steps after consuming sugary foods or beverages. It’s best to avoid sweets altogether when you have braces.

Making sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a routine cleaning can also help to prevent any decay from damaging your teeth while your teeth are encased in braces. Your dentist will remove any plaque or tartar that’s built up since your last cleaning.

Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy during orthodontic care with braces. Follow these tips and you’ll keep your teeth beautiful and healthy for the day your new smile is finally revealed!

All of us here at Pack Orthodontics are so excited about another great year! 2019 was a great year for our orthodontic family, and, now, we look forward to what 2020 will bring. We asked some of our staff about their resolutions and goals for the new year and we wanted to share them with our patients. 

When we asked our staff what resolutions our they wanted to commit to this year, we had a lot of variety. Hope wants to stay in touch with her family and friends and build new relationships. Megan wants to try new things like white water rafting or taking a dance class. Morgan wants to make sure that she doesn’t lose focus on herself. Ashley wants to learn to not dwell on things out of her control and let things go. Nina wants to stick to a healthier eating routine. Laurie wants to better herself and cut out negativity. 

We also asked everyone what they feel will be the most challenging resolution to stick to--either personally or professionally. Megan said that she is navigating a new life and the challenges that come along with that. Morgan wants to focus on her finances. Ashley said staying on track with her healthy lifestyle. Nina and Laurie agreed that they both want to improve on the practice numbers from last year!

Our staff all had unique ways of bringing in the new year. On the first day of 2020, Hope and Laurie stayed home with their families. Megan spent the day with family and friends. Morgan, Ashley, and Nina all enjoyed their day off of work and relaxed. Denise started off the new year by being at the beach in Florida (jealous!) with her husband and friends. 

Whether we had specific resolutions or not, our staff all has hope as to what their year will look like. We asked everyone to tell us in three words. Hope is wishing for fun, stress-free, and memorable. Megan said faith, happiness, and acceptance. Morgan told us she hopes for a healthy, happy, and stress-free year. Denise said healthy, happy, and loved. Ashley said joyful, thankful, and renewed. Nina wants a year of positivity, happiness, and health. Laurie is wishing for a prosperous, enjoyable, and uplifting 2020. Here’s to seeing all of these come to fruition!

We have a few big changes happening in 2020. Some are exciting and some are bittersweet. We say goodbye to our lovely PR Coordinator, Laura. We wish her nothing but the best in her next adventure! We are also so excited to welcome Ashley in the same position and can’t wait to see the fantastic work she does for our practice!

When asked about what we think everyone should aspire to be better at in 2020, everyone had their own answer, but they all revolved around taking more time for ourselves, to work on becoming a better person, to be kind to others, and-- of course-- to have fun!

What kind of office would we be if we didn’t leave everyone with some oral hygiene tips they can focus on in the new year? Our staff was all in agreement: be sure to brush twice a day including around the gumline, floss, floss, floss, avoid tobacco use, and be sure to wear your retainer!

We are so excited for what this year brings and we are so thankful to everyone who is part of our orthodontic family. Wishing everyone a very happy and productive new year!