Cleaning Dental Retainers & Invisalign clear retainers

These instruction are designed for clear Essix retainers, but can also be used for Invisalign clear retainers.

You want to rinse the retainer in luke-warm water.  Using a soft bristle tooth brush and a non-abrasive tooth paste brush the guard softly. While brushing the guard you want to be careful not to crack the retainer. It works well to cup the retainer in your other hand while cleaning. This type of cleaning should be done regularly with your retainer.

Fresh Guard Retainer cleaner

For a deep clean we recommend using Fresh Guard soak. It's made by Efferdent and can be found at most drug stores and large department stores.  Its normally less than 10$ for 24 packets and always seems to be printable coupons online.  After you brush your retainers. You want to pour one of the fresh guard packets in a cup of warm water. Then place your retainers in the solution for about 5 minutes. You will know the cleaning process is over by the Fresh Guard will change from a blue color to clear. When the solution turns clear you want to remove the retainers right away. Don't leave the retainers in the solution longer than ten minutes. After removing rinse thoroughly and you retainer should be clear and clean.





How not to clean your retainers.

1. Don't soak in mouthwash. Mouthwash contains alcohol. The alcohol will dry out the retainer and damage it.


2. Don't use diluted bleach water. We have heard people using this method and it's also not good for the retainers and can permanently give them a bleach taste.

If you have questions about cleaning your retainer or getting replacement retainers please contact SportingSmiles

Why Aren't My Teeth Whitening?

Here are some factors on why your whitening gel isn't working.

1. Quality of the Gel: Not all gel is equal. You want to make sure you have quality gel that is purchased from the USA and has a MSDS sheet (material safety data sheet). This shows the ingredients and that it is coming for a reputable manufacture.

2. Storage conditions: Whitening gel is susceptible to heat and direct sunlight. Before you received your whitening gel it might have been exposed to extreme heat while being shipped on a cargo ship, train, or truck. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller who knows how the gel got to them from the manufacturer.

3. Teeth Shade: All teeth will whiten, but teeth have a natural color that they will max out at. When you see some celebrities with extremely white teeth they most likely have veneers on top of their natural teeth.

4. Life Span: Some whitening gels only have a shelf life of 6 months. The whitening gel might have been in a warehouse or in storage months before you received the gel. SportingSmiles whitening gel has a 2 year shelf life and is purchased every month directly from the manufacturer.

5. Usage: To maximize effectiveness of whitening gel you want to use a custom made whitening gel with reservoirs.



Sporting Smiles Home Teeth Whitening

The reservoirs add a small pocket for more whitening gel to come in contact with the teeth.

If you have any questions on how to whiten your teeth contact SportingSmiles.

What Is The Difference Between Boil-and-Bite And Custom Mouth Guards?

Mouth guards are thin but sturdy coverings that protect your teeth. If you are athletic and participate in contact sports like basketball and hockey, you are probably already familiar with the athletic type of this dental protector. Other mouth guards protect your teeth and dental work against the damage caused by nighttime grinding.

US Army custom Mouthguard

Of course, not all mouth guards are created equal. Stock mouth guards are the types of devices that are pre-formed for the “average” wearer. They frequently mention a gender and age to help the buyer find a guard that most closely fits the makeup of the oral cavity for which it is designed. Unfortunately, these types of guards are habitually very uncomfortable since there really is no average wearer. Every mouth is unique and the location of the teeth varies greatly even between people of the same age, gender and size.

This brings plenty of buyers to the difference between boil-and-bite and custom mouth guards. You have probably seen boil-and-bite mouth protectors at the local sporting good stores. The thermoplastic material gets softened when immersed in hot water. The wearer then quickly removes the mouth guard and inserts it into the mouth. Biting down, the guard now adapts to the surrounding teeth. You need to keep some pressure on this device until the process is complete. Do not exert too much pressure, or you may just bite through the plastic. As the material cools down, it largely maintains the shape of the mouth although some nuances are lost.

By far, the best solution for the mouth guard wearer is the custom fitted product. While you could go to a dentist for a casting and pay a large sum of money in the process, why would you? Sporting Smiles has eliminated the middleman and allows you the same access to a professionally made custom mouth guard at a fraction of the price. We will send you an impression kit that you use to make a cast of your teeth. Instructions are included and the process is really very easy. Send the casting back to us and we will make your customized mouth guard.

We are confident that this guard is going to be the most comfortable you have ever worn. Find out more about this easy and inexpensive process by contacting us.

Sporting Smiles invites you to like us on Facebook, and add us to your circles on Google+!

Essix Retainer Frequently Asked Questions

Retainer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What's the difference between Hawley wire retainers and Essix retainers?
A. The Hawley retainers are made from acrylic and use orthodontic wire to maintain the position of the teeth. Essix style retainers are clear and clip on to the teeth to prevent them from shifting. Essix retainers material is similar to the material used with Invisalign.

Q. How do I clean my retainer?
A. After removing the retainers you want to rinse them under water. They can be cleaned using a soft bristle tooth brush with non abrasive tooth paste. For a deep clean we recommend using Fresh Guard.

Q. If my retainer cracks can it be repaired?
A. Yes and no. If you have an acrylic Hawley retainer it can be repaired. If you have a clear Essix retainer it will have to be replaced.

Q. Will retainers straighten my teeth?
A. Retainers will not straighten your teeth. They will prevent them from shifting any further.

Q. I have a permanent fixed retainer can I still get an Essix retainer?
A. Yes, an Essix retainer can still be made if you have a permanent retainer bonded on your teeth. The Impression process is exactly the same. During creation dental lab technicians will block out the area where the wire is bonded.

Q. How do I remove my retainers?
A. You want to use two hands when removing the retainers and don't want to twist them. Retainers are most likely to be broken while being removed.

Q. My Essix retainers are getting yellow. What can be done?
A. Some of our customers report having good luck removing the yellowing by user Retainer Brite.

Q. What is the cost of a  Essix Retainer?
A. The price of retainers vary depending on dentist and area of the country. We have seen prices from $300 - $650 for upper and lower retainers. We current sell upper and lower for $95 with shipping included.

Q. If my retainer cracks or is lost can I get a replacement?
A. Most dentist do not keep the impressions on file. They will make you go through the whole impression process again and charge standard pricing. With SportingSmiles retainers, we keep your impressions on file for 1 year after the reorder date.

How To Use Whitening Trays

These are the instructions for custom made whitening trays.

SportingSmiles Home Teeth Whitening Trays

This type of tray is made from an exact impression of your teeth and made in a dental lab.

1. First you want to brush your teeth.


2. Place a small bead of gel in the front lower tooth compartment of the whitening trays. You want to use about .5ml per tray.


3. Make sure that the teeth are dry. This is a trick that helps the whitening gel to be more effective.


4. Place tray on the teeth. If there is any excess whitening gel coming in contact with the gums you want to remove this with your finger or a cloth. At this time the whitening gel will start to bubble. This is normal and some of the bubbling may require spitting to remove.


5. You should only whiten for about 20 minutes once a day. After about 20 minutes the whitening gel loses its strength and continuing use will do very little.

When whitening your teeth for the first time you can increase by shades extremely quickly. After your teeth get moderately white it takes longer to increase shade levels. Make sure that you have good quality gel that is fresh and hasn't been exposed to heat or direct sunlight.  Whitening gel can be exposed to heat or sunlight while being shipped from the manufacture to the distributor, and while it's being stored before being sold. You want to research where you are buying from to make sure you are getting quality gel. To extend the life span of your whitening gel storing in a refrigerator is recommended. This can be purchased at SportingSmiles.com

Retainers After Orthodontic Bands

Orthodontic bands like Orthofill, Orthoband, and Ora-band are dental bands that are placed on the teeth to close the spaces between your teeth. These bands are worn at night and will slowly put pressure on the teeth to close the gap. There are different size bands depending on the gap you are trying to close.

After the desired gap is closed, a dental retainer is required to maintain the current position of your teeth.

At SportingSmiles we make custom retainers using our self impression kit.

SportingSmiles Impression Kit

From this impression we fabricate Essix retainers. Our retainers are available as either single retainers, or as upper and lower retainers. Just like orthodontic bands, the clear retainers are worn at night as you sleep.

Upper & Lower Dental Retainers

The retainers will not move your teeth. They are just designed to prevent the teeth from moving back to there original location.

Gagging On Teeth Night Guards

Many people find themselves not wearing their night guard because they are bulky or cause them to gag. There are a few things that can be done to make the guard more comfortable.

1. Have a custom thermo-formed night guard that isn't thicker than 3mm. From our testing at SportingSmiles we found that most people do not find the 3mm bulky, but some do find the 4mm to be bukly. If you find the 3mm to be to bulky there is also a thin 1mm hard night guard available.


2. The way the guard is trimmed will also affect the gag factor. You want to make sure the guard is thermo-formed, because this provides the tightest fit. Having a tight fit lets lab techs make the night guards with a lower profile and still have a tight fitting guard.


3. The length of the guard is also an important factor when dealing with comfort and gagging. If the guard is too long on the rear molars it can provoke gagging. Removing one or two molars can increase the comfort of the night guard.


4.  Find a dentist and dental lab that is experienced in making night guards. There are many dentist/dental labs that aren't familiar with the different type of materials and techniques that are now available for night guards. You want to do your research and make sure you are not spending hundreds of dollars on a guard that will end up sitting in a drawer because it is uncomfortable. At SportingSmiles we make thousands of teeth grinding guards every year and know the tricks to make the guards as comfortable as possible.

Contact SportingSmiles if you have more questions about getting the right night guard for your needs.

20 Percent Of Americans Grind Their Teeth At Night; Do You?

Different grinding guards

While there are various reports suggesting that between 8 percent and 31 percent of Americans grind their teeth at night, the accepted percentage usually sits right at 20. There is a good chance that you, too, are a member of this group. Involuntary grinding of the teeth – also known as Bruxism – is frequently accompanied with moderate to excessive clenching of the jaw in between episodes.

Tell-tale signs that you are a sufferer include headaches in the morning, jaw muscles that hurt for no reason and heavily worn dental surfaces. If you have crowns or fillings installed in your back teeth, you may have noticed that they frequently break or wear out. While there is some evidence that suggests Bruxism is a hereditary condition, there are also some studies that suggest a connection between nightly teeth grinding and stress.

To counteract the damaging wear on your teeth, SportingSmiles offers you a choice of four different types of grinding guards:

1. Soft night guard. Made of 3mm of flexible material, this type of night guard is comfortable and soft. If you clench your teeth more than you grind them, this guard is for you.


2. Single layer hard night guard. We have incorporated 1mm of a denser protective material to minimize the size of this grinding guard. If you clench your jaw but only grind your teeth moderately – and if you want a grinding guard that feels the most comfortable – try this model for nightly use.


3. Dual laminate night guard. This guard combines 1mm of soft core material and a 2mm strip of a shell-like exterior. If your clenching is moderate but you severely grind your teeth, this guard prevents the motion from destroying the material.


4. Hard flexible night guard. Made of 3mm of highly-dense materials, the guard is somewhat flexible and extremely durable. When you suffer from strong clenching as well as severe night grinding, this is the most effective guard to protect your teeth while being comfortable enough for nightly wear.

Contact us today to order your set of impression materials. We will build your night guard to order and ship it to you immediately upon completion of the manufacturing process. Is it not time that you protect your teeth from the damage caused by night grinding?

SportingSmiles invites you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your circles on Google+!

How To Take A Dental Impression.

[caption id="attachment_11" align="alignright" width="300"] SportingSmiles Impression Kit[/caption]

Brush your teeth and make sure your hands are clean.

Adjust the dental tray to the size of your mouth. They are adjustable in width by pulling the two halves of the tray apart. The tray can also be made smaller by snapping off a section(s) of the plastic in the rear of the impression tray. Your teeth should be centered in the tray.

Vigorously mix both parts (A & B) of impression material together until a uniform color is reached. This step is time sensitive and should be done as quickly as possible (about 20 sec).

The impression material should then be rolled into a 4 to 5 inch tube.

Place impression material uniformly into the tray and firmly push onto your teeth. Confirm that the teeth are evenly settled in the impression material.

It will take about 4 minutes for the material to fully harden. During this time you want to move as little as possible. After 4 minutes the material should feel firm to the touch and the impression can be removed.

Remove tray in a single motion, by pulling either up or down.

Rinse tray and seal in enclosed bag.

If you have any questions about your impression you can email a photo to Info@SportingSmiles.com

www.SportingSmiles.com

Do I Grind My Teeth When Sleeping?

Most people are unaware that they grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding is also know by the medical term of Bruxism and  studies have shown that up to 25% of all people grind or clench their teeth in one way or another.

The 3 main symptoms of teeth grinding are.

1. Worn Teeth: You or your dentist might notice that you have flat spots or have cracked teeth.


2. Audible Detection: Your sleep partner may hear your teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping


3. Jaw Pain: Pain/soreness might be felt in the jaw muscles especially after waking up.

Hard Flexible Grinding Guard

There can be other symptoms to help diagnose if you grind your teeth. If you are concerned we recommend visiting your dentist to get a professional recommendation. Typically the first treatment for teeth grinding will be a night guard that is worn while sleeping.  There are a few different types of night guards available. Some of the materials work better than others depending on whether you are grinding or clenching. The harder materials tend to work better for teeth grinding, while the softer materials work better for teeth clenching.  SportingSmiles makes a hard flexible that is designed for both.

If you suspect that you might have Bruxism you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Once the teeth are worn away, there is no way for them to repair themselves.

How To Prevent Clear Essix Retainer From Breaking

Clear Essix style retainers are fragile and can crack when not cared for properly.  With proper care retainers can last many years. Here is a list of steps that can help prolong the life span of your dental retainers.

1. Removing: When removing your retainers, use both hands and pull the retainers off the teeth. When the retainers twist they can break.

2. Cleaning: When cleaning your retainers you want to cup them in one hand and clean with with a soft bristle tooth brush with the other hand.  You do not want to brush them too hard. Soaking the retainers in Fresh Guard will make cleaning the retainers easier.

3. Make: Creation of the retainers is also important to the strength of the retainers. If you are missing a tooth or have a gap, it is a weak point on the retainers. You want to make sure that your retainers are made from a dental lab that is very familiar with the creation of Essix retainers.

Essix Plus Dental Retainers

4. Material: Until recently there was only one type of material when making retainers. This was the standard Essix ACE 1mm material. Essix now introduced their Essix Plus material. Essix Plus retainers are the same thickness as standard retainers but are crystal clear and more durable than standard Essix  retainers. You still have to be careful, but they are less prone to breakage.

Please visit SportingSmiles.com for more information on replacement dental retainers.

The Teeth Grinding Guard Cost

There are many different types of teeth grinding guards with extremely different price ranges.

Doctor night Guard

Over the counter:  OTC guards are found in drug stores and range in price from $10-$30. These guards are typically made by placing a universal sized guard in hot water then forming over your teeth. They  typically don't last long and the fitting is poor.

Custom Night Guard

Custom Fit (From Dentist): Dentist fitted guards range from $220-$600 depending on location and dentist. These are made by having a dentist take an impression of your teeth and sending the mold to a dental lab to be created.  Many dentists only make a few night guards wach year and aren't aware of the different types of material available for night guards. Many times the Dual Laminate night guard is recommended.



SportingSmiles self impression kit

Custom Fit (From SportingSmiles): The price range is from $65-$110. These guard are made using a self impression kit and mailing the impression directly to the dental lab. This product is dramatically lower in price since there is no dentist markup.  SportingSmiles has many different teeth guards, so the correct one to match your specific teeth grinding\clenching style can be produced.

How To Take An Impression With SportingSmiles Self Impression Kit

Video Instructions can be seen here: http://www.sportingsmiles.com/impression-taking

Written Instructions:

Brush your teeth and make sure your hands are clean.

Adjust the dental tray to the size of your mouth. They are adjustable in width by pulling the two halves of the tray apart. The tray can also be made smaller by snapping off a section(s) of the plastic in the rear of the impression tray. Your teeth should be centered in the tray.

Vigorously mix both parts (A & B) of the impression material together until a uniform color is reached. This step is time sensitive and should be done as quickly as possible (about 20 sec).

The impression material should then be rolled into a 4 to 5 inch tube.

Place impression material uniformly into the tray and firmly push onto your teeth. Confirm that the teeth are evenly settled in the impression material.

It will take about 4 minutes for the material to fully harden. During this time you want to move as little as possible. After 4 minutes the material should feel firm to the touch and the impression can be removed.

Remove tray in a single motion, by pulling either up or down.

Rinse tray and seal in the enclosed bag.

If you are concerned that the impressions isn't OK, you can send a picture to Info@SportingSmiles.com

Prevent Chewing On Your Sports Mouth Guard

Chewing on your mouth guard can be a costly habit, especially if you have a custom designed guard. Here are a few options that will help your mouth guard last longer.

Keep It on your Teeth: You want to get a custom designed mouth guard. These are made using an exact impression of your teeth and are available online from SportingSmiles or through your dentist. These guards are custom made just for you. This allows for them to be tighter to the teeth. The tightness helps prevent chewing by you can't pop the guard of using your tongue. When the mouth guards aren't on your teeth and are being chewed on, the guard is destroyed very quickly. You will see some professional athletes doing this,  but it's not cost effective for your non-professional athlete to be chewing on their $120 custom mouth guard.



Chew resistant mouthguard

Chew Proof Guard: SportingSmiles offers a guard designed for athletes that have issues with chewing\grinding there sports guard. We offer both a 3mm chew resistant mouth guard, and a 6mm chew resistant mouth guard. The 3mm is designed for low contact sports and the 6mm is designed for heavy contact sports. The 6mm has 3mm of our chew resistant inner material (hardness 95), the exterior is covered with 3mm of standard clear mouth guard material. This guard is more chew resistant than any other on the market.

Contact SportingSmiles if you have any question.

www.SportingSmiles.com

Ways To Whiten Your Teeth At Home

There are many ways to whiten your teeth. You can visit a dentist and they can whiten your teeth in the office or you can save money and whiten them at home.

When you whiten your teeth in the dentist office they will apply a block out dam on to your gums and apply 44% or higher whitening gel to your teeth. Then they will use a UV light that accelerates the whitening process. It normally takes about an hour and you will see immediate change in your tooth shade. The issue is that this normally only last a few months and your teeth will start to darken again.

I prefer the whiten at home method. The best way to whiten your teeth is to have custom whitening trays made. These are made just for you and your mouth, preventing the whitening gel from going everywhere. The advantage is that the trays will last forever; you just need to get extra whitening gel when you need a touch up. You can also purchase 35% gel for a low price. This is a lot easier that having to make another appointment with your dentist and spending a lot more money. I recommend the custom whitening tray made in a dental lab, but there are also thermo-form trays that you can make at home using boiling water. These work but are less comfortable and you end up using a lot more whitening gel because the gel goes all over.

[caption id="attachment_39" align="alignright" width="300"] Sporting Smiles Home Teeth Whitening[/caption]

If you are looking to whiten, I recommend spending a little money and get custom made whitening trays that will last for years. www.SportingSmiles.com

How Do I Pick Which Night Grinding Guard Will Work Best For Me?

There are two types of night guards available. Over the counter night guards are available from the drug store and custom night guards are made in a dental lab. The over the counter guards are cheaper than a custom night guard, and are bulkier and less comfortable and typically don't last as long. Custom night guards are made in a dental lab, using an impression of your teeth allowing for  the tightest, most comfortable fit and are very durable.

The most important part of picking a night grinding guard is understanding your type of Bruxism. Some guards are designed to prevent teeth from grinding, others from clenching or a combination of both.

Soft Night Guard: This guard is constructed with 3mm of a flexible, soft comfortable material. This night guard works well for teeth clenching and light grinding. Single Layer Hard Night Guard: This guard contains 1mm of a dense protective material. This night guard is designed for people with light grinding that prefer a thinner less bulky solution.

Dual Laminate Night Guard: This guard is 3mm thick and combines 1mm of a soft inner material and a 2mm harder exterior. This guard is designed for heavy grinding and moderate clenching.

Hard Flexible Night Guard: This guard offers maximum protection with 3mm of an extremely dense material, but is still flexible. This night guard is designed for severe night grinding and strong clenching.

 

 

There are also specialty guards. They are referred to as BackCut or DayGuards. These guards will have the front incisors of the guard removed. BackCut night guards also work well when being worn during the day because they are less noticeable then standard trimmed night guards.

The Difference between Essix and Hawley Retainers

Dental professionals prescribe the use of  orthodontic retainers to protect the alignment of your teeth. Currently there are two main types on the market. Known as the Hawley and the Essix retainers, they are designed to prevent  shifting of the teeth. You would typically wear a retainer after undergoing dental orthodontic treatment or to prevent the teeth from shifting further. The Hawley Model The Hawley retainer was invented by Dr. Charles Hawley in 1908. It is an older model that relies on wires attached to the anterior teeth for proper placement. If you have one of these appliances, you will notice that the wires are anchored into an acrylic base. For proper wear, you need to push the base against the palate. Unfortunately, doing so can make it difficult for some wearers to talk when wearing the retainer. On the upside, an orthodontist can adjust the wires of a Hawley retainer as needed. The Essix Model

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250"] Single Essix Clear Retainer[/caption]

An Essix retainer is the newer style of retainers. It is made from a clear 1-mm EVA (vinyl) sheet material that is formed over a dental stone positive impression of your teeth. These retainers are not as costly as the Hawley retainer and are much more comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Not surprisingly, their popularity has eclipsed the older Hawley style retainers. The majority of today’s modern labs vacuum-form the retainers they produce.  At SportingSmiles, we thermo-form them to provide you with superior tautness and the most accurate retainer based on your dental needs. The retainers are made from the same material as Invisalign even though they are not designed to actually move your teeth. We custom-tailor them to keep your teeth in their current position as indicated by your orthodontist. Among the advantages of the Essix retainer are they are clear, less expensive, less noticeable, more comfortable and make it a lot easier to speak when you are wearing them. Contact us today to order your retainer. SportingSmiles invites you to like us on Facebook, add us to your circles on Google+ and follow us on Twitter!