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Happy June from Family Orthodontics of Jupiter! Our office has officially reopened for business as of Monday, May 11th, 2020. Our team is ready to see you. Call our office today to schedule your next appointment.

There are a few things we ask you to be aware of before your next appointment with us. All patients are required to wear a mask, or any sort of face covering, before entering the office. Patients will also be asked to fill out paperwork, ensuring that they have not been in contact or been put at risk to contract COVID-19. Any patients under the age of 18 are asked to come to the office with a parent, or guardian, that will be responsible for filling out the paperwork. This ensures that the health and safety of our patients and staff will not be put at risk during these unprecedented times.

Please note we allow only two patients (including themselves) and/or guardians when entering the office. Before coming to the back, one of our staff will measure the temperature of the patient, and any accompanying guardian, for health and safety purposes. When they are seated in the operatory, they will notice chairs are now separated using Plexiglass in order to minimize any contact. Also, anything that is touched by a patient will be immediately disinfected to further ensure sanitation and safety.

Since Family Orthodontics has reopened, our procedures and visits have run very smoothly and quickly. The health of our patients and staff is our top priority, and we are very grateful for the cooperation we have received from all of our patients.

Did you know it is National Smile Month? We hope patients are still striving to take care of their smiles every day! To begin, we recommend every patient brushes for two minutes and floss at least twice a day, as well as after every meal. It is important to maintain clean brackets and appliances in order to ensure healthy teeth and gums.
The foods that you eat also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy smile before, during, and after treatment! We recommend foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and will prevent the increase of acidity in the mouth, due to the increased saliva concentration. We also recommend any protein and phosphorus-rich foods, which acts as protection for the enamel on our teeth!

When in the office, patients will be reminded regularly to brush and floss their teeth. If any patient is in need of any appliances that are used for brushing or flossing, we will be happy to supply them with the appropriate tools. We also have signs around the office that remind patients to visit their dentist on a regular basis.

We would like to thank all of our patients and staff for being so cooperative and supportive while we are making these necessary changes and improvements to our office and visits. We understand how difficult and nerve-racking it may be to visit any medical or dental offices during this time, but we are doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff at all times. We are willing to cooperate with any patient needs and wants, as we would like to ensure your comfort, safety, and health are our top priority. We hope to see you soon!

Many teens want straighter teeth but dread a mouth full of metal. Because of that, Invisalign Teen treatment has become a popular choice among teens. It produces great results without the hassle of traditional braces.

If you’re like most teens at our Jupiter, FL office, you love hanging out with your friends, and you don’t want to look different or have to watch what you eat. If you’re unsure about the benefits of Invisalign Teen clear aligners, we’re here to explain some of the perks.

You can eat what your friends eat

Invisalign Teen aligners can be removed easily for meals and snacks, so you can eat just like you normally would. You don’t need to worry about food getting stuck in your braces or a bracket popping off. Unlike with braces, you can enjoy the following foods with your friends during Invisalign Teen straightening treatment:

• Popcorn at the movies
• Trail mix with dried fruit ribs and chicken wings
• A peanut butter sandwich, apples, and carrot sticks

You can take care of your teeth more easily

Since Invisalign Teen aligners are removable, you won’t have to worry about finding tooth decay once your braces are removed. You can brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, just by taking the trays out of your mouth.

People won’t know you’re wearing them

We’ve saved the best for last: Invisalign Teen aligners are nearly invisible. Chances are, the only people who will know you’re getting your teeth straightened are the people you tell yourself!

Getting straighter teeth can be a massive confidence-booster in the long run. With Invisalign Teen clear aligners, the treatment isn’t that bad! Learn more at our Jupiter, FL office.

The community health awareness group Oral Health America has reported that 82 percent of adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria can play in tooth decay or cavities, and almost three out of five children aged 12 to 19 have tooth decay. Since June is National Smile Month, Dr. Christopher West and our team at Family Orthodontics in Jupiter, FL thought we’d remind our patients about the importance of good oral hygiene visits between office visits.

To keep your family’s smiles healthy and beautiful for years to come, be sure to:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day to clean between your teeth
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit Dr. Christopher West for scheduled appointments

If you want to know more about healthy home care habits, feel free to ask our team at your next appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

TMJ is the quick way of referring to your Temporomandibular Joint. Pardon the pun, but that’s quite a mouthful! What is this joint, what does it do, and, if your Dr. Christopher West and our team have told you that you have a TMJ disorder, what can we do to help?

The Temporomandibular Joint

Your two temporomandibular joints are amazing works of anatomical design. These are the joints where the temporal bone in the skull meets the mandible bone of the jaw, and allow our mouths to open and close, move back and forth, and slide from side to side. Muscle, bone, and cartilage work together to provide easy movement and to cushion the joint. But sometimes, the joint doesn’t work as smoothly as it should, and this can lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.

When Should You Suspect You Have TMD?

You might have TMD if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Painful chewing
• Pain around your TMJ, or in your face or neck
• Earaches
• Changes in your bite
• Jaws that are limited in movement or lock open or shut
• Clicking, popping or grating noises when you open and shut your jaw

There are many conditions linked to TMD. If you grind your teeth at night, have arthritis in the jaw, have suffered an injury or infection in the area, or have problems with your bite, for example, you might be more likely to have TMJ problems. If you suspect you have TMD, or suffer from any of the symptoms listed above for an extended period, give us a call.

Treating TMD

During your visit to our Jupiter, FL office, we will check your medical history, and examine your head and neck. We can take an X-ray or scan if needed for further examination of the joint. Because there is no real scientific agreement yet about the best way to treat TMJ disorders, a conservative treatment plan is often best. If you do show signs of TMD, we might first suggest relaxation techniques, over-the-counter pain relievers, or the use of ice packs or moist heat compresses. A change to a softer diet can help, and you should stop chewing gum and making any exaggerated jaw movements.

If these self-care practices aren’t effective, we might suggest a nightguard. This appliance is a comfortable and flexible mouthguard custom fitted for you, and will bring relief from teeth grinding when worn at night. If this treatment is not effective, talk to us about other options.

Luckily, most cases of TMD are temporary and don’t become worse over time. But any persistent discomfort is a good reason to visit us. Whether you have TMD, or any other problem causing you pain in the head or jaw, we want to help.