Rubber Band Horoscopes: What Your Color Says About You
One exciting part about wearing braces is getting to choose the colors of your rubber bands. Orthodontists place elastic bands, or ligatures, over each bracket to secure the archwire in place. These rubber bands may be individual or connected, depending on your mouth’s needs. You have the option of choosing the color of your elastics, […]
Permanent or Removable Retainers: Which is Right for You?
When the time to remove your braces finally arrives, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers. Should you go with permanent, removable, or a combination of the two? It is always wise to follow your dentist’s recommendations, but knowing more […]
Dont forget your mouth guard for this fall’s sports season!
At our office we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. Fall brings an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Our team also knows sports-related injuries are common among children. It’s been found that 70 percent of parents said their […]
Foods That are Safe for Braces
Orthodontic braces are used to straighten the teeth, which not only creates a more pleasing appearance, but also helps prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems. Braces are only effective when they are properly cared for, however. Certain foods, for example, are better suited for individuals who have braces, as opposed to hard and […]
How To Correct Jaw Growth Problems
Malocclusion, or “bad bite,” is when the upper and lower teeth are not meeting correctly. When young, the jaw growth is a slow and gradual process. Once in a while something may go wrong with this process causing the upper and lower jaws to grow at different rates, resulting in an improper bite. Leaving an […]
When Should I Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation for My Child?
Most parents know that routine dental care should begin during the toddler years. But many are unaware of when orthodontic treatment should begin. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the ideal age for an orthodontic evaluation is age seven or before, when children usually have a mixture of adult and baby teeth. Although treatment […]
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
How long does orthodontic treatment take? Orthodontic treatments are used to correct malocclusion, a condition more commonly known as a bad bite. The length of treatment time varies depending on the severity of the bite problem. What is a “bad bite”? A bad bite occurs when spacing or alignment problems are present. This often includes […]
What questions should I ask during my orthodontic consultation?
Are you thinking about orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment? Consider making your first step an orthodontic consultation. During the consultation we will address your questions, concerns, and talk about a treatment plan that would best suit your situation. We want you to feel prepared and in charge of your orthodontic treatment […]
Preventing Decay While Wearing Braces
Having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a big challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets. Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy while wearing your braces: […]
Elements of Braces
When coming to our office to have braces put on, you may find yourself feeling a bit intimated and nervous about the experience. We hope to help you feel more at ease by explaining exactly what the different parts of braces are, and what they do. Parts of Braces Elastic Tie — This is a […]
