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Braces don’t hold you back from doing the sports or physical activities you love! Fortunately, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, braces are an investment in getting your best smile, so you have to take a little extra special care of your teeth while in treatment. To be sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your mouth during athletic activities, be sure to read on for some advice from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics.

Play Safe, Play All Season

In general, it is not uncommon for an athlete to experience injuries to the mouth and jaw area. Anyone ever taken a soccer ball to the face? A fixed orthodontic appliance, such as braces, does increase your risk of oral injuries. Common oral injuries include: lacerations to the cheeks, lips, and tongue, chipped or broken teeth, TMJ, and root fractures. Have no fear, you can easily protect your teeth, mouth, and braces while playing sports by investing in a mouthguard. While it is suggested that braces patients invest in an orthodontic model, a basic mouthguard will provide more protection than nothing at all.

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Certain foods like onion and garlic are commonly known as bad breath causing culprits. However, there are many other popular foods that can cause bad breath as well. While it is important to note that bad breath can be genetic, most of the time it is our food choices to blame. Is one of these surprising bad breath foods a part of your daily diet? Read on to find out about some bad breath causing foods from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics!

1. Pasta Sauce

The acidity from tomatoes in pasta sauce can cause a buildup of acids in the mouth and foster the growth of bacteria. These pesky bacteria can result in bad breath.

2. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a protein packed favorite among many of us, however, its paste-like consistency makes it difficult for saliva to break down the proteins once they’re in your mouth. The stickiness makes it so peanut butter can stay around your mouth for hours. Bad breath bacteria thrive on protein, making peanut butter a potential culprit for your stinky breath.

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Give your teeth the spa day they deserve! Your teeth work hard every day to help you to eat and do many other things. All that hard work definitely deserves some TLC. Your skin isn’t the only thing that deserves a spa day! Next time you go to the store, take a stroll down the dental aisle and treat your teeth to some fun tooth products. Read on to see which products from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics can have your teeth living the life of luxury!

You can have a trip to the oral day spa with these products…

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It is so important to take great care of your body during pregnancy to help you and your baby stay healthy. A lot about your body and health changes during pregnancy, and there are often a lot of things to keep in mind. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth. However, pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, potentially resulting in gum disease and increased risk of tooth decay. Your increased hormones during pregnancy can affect your body’s response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth). Thankfully, with proper hygiene at home and professional care from your dentist, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy. Keep reading from some advice about pregnancy and oral health from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics.

Dental Disease & Baby Health

Dental disease can affect a developing baby. Research has found a link between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. However, appropriate dental treatment for the expectant mother may reduce the risk of premature birth.

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Did you know that an estimated nearly seventy five percent of adults in the United States experience some amount of fear with regards to visiting a dentist? Thus, if you fear going to the dentist, know you’re not alone. About five to ten percent of those people have a strong enough fear to be considered sufferers of dentophobia. Luckily, you can ease your dental experience by finding ways to cope with your fear. Keep reading for some advice about coping with dentophobia from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up – There is Nothing to Fear Here!

First, it is important to note that your dentist is not trying to be scary. They have no intentions to cause you any pain or discomfort. Their goal is to keep you and your teeth happy and healthy! Dentists also have to go through many years of schooling before they are allowed to practice dentistry. Thus, they are extremely qualified experts in their field. Additionally, your dentist doesn’t want your visit to be a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience. If you simply communicate your feelings to them, they will do whatever they can to help make your visit better.

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While canker sores are not a serious issue, they can be rather irritating! They are small ulcers that can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. Fortunately, they can be easily prevented. You just have to figure out what triggers them for you! Below is some advice from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics about what causes canker sores and how to prevent them.

Well, the unfortunate news is that braces can contribute to them. This mainly happens in patients that are already prone to canker sores. They may experience an increase in sores because your mouth is adjusting to a big change when beginning orthodontic treatment. Braces can irritate oral tissue, which leaves it vulnerable to little lesions such as these sores.

Luckily, avoiding possible triggers and practicing good oral hygiene can help you to avoid or lessen the instances of them.

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