
What is the CAO?
The California Association of Orthodontists (CAO) is the California component of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)—the largest and oldest dental specialty organization. The CAO represents nearly 1,500 orthodontic members who practice in California. CAO members are specialists who have completed dental school and then successfully completed 2–3 years of additional training at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Our members are experts in diagnosing and treating all orthodontic problems in patients of all ages—from child to adult. Whether a patient is considering clear aligners or traditional braces, orthodontists have the expertise and the treatment options to make sure they get their best smile.
Become A Member
CAO is a component of the American Association of Orthodontists and Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. Members receive an abundance of resources to assist in building and maintaining their orthodontic practices. Orthodontists practicing in California join at the national (AAO) level and are automatically admitted to the constituent (PCSO) and component (CAO) organizations, gaining access to member benefits for each organization.

CAO on Social Media
The ADA says "Both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque. People who have dexterity problems—like the elderly, people with disabilities, or children—or those who have dental appliances, like braces, may find a powered toothbrush easier to use." If this applies to you, an electric toothbrush may just be the better choice for your oral health! 😊 #ElectricToothbrush #toothbrush #ADA #TeethTip #OralHealth
Our teeth are meant to fit together in a specific way. 😁 That’s how we chew our food effectively and pronounce our words clearly. When someone’s upper and lower teeth don’t fit together well, that’s a malocclusion or “bad bite.” Malocclusions can cause jaw problems, contribute to speech impediments, make teeth more likely to break, and even make digestion less efficient.
Malocclusions can happen due to genetics, but they are often the result of bad oral habits in childhood, like thumbsucking, lip sucking, tongue thrusting, nail biting, teeth clenching, and mouth breathing. 😬 Orthodontic treatment can correct malocclusions, such as:
1. Excessive overbite: the upper teeth overlap or overjet the lower teeth by too much for a healthy bite.
2. Deep bite: such a severe overbite that the upper front teeth completely overlap the lower front teeth, which may even drive into the gums behind the upper teeth, risking injury to the gum tissue.
3. Open bite: sometimes the result of a tongue thrust habit or aggressive thumbsucking in the preschool years and beyond. The upper front teeth flare out, leaving a gap between them and their lower counterparts when biting down.
4. Crossbite: when the jaw is closed, some upper teeth are on the outside and some lower teeth are on the outside.
5. Underbite: when the jaw is closed, the lower teeth jut out in front of the upper teeth.
Use this link to find and Orthodontist near you! https://caortho.org/locations/?zip=92374&d=5
#BadBite #malocclusion #OrthodonticTreatment
Sometimes an accident or a run-in with something from the banned foods list can lead to a problem with braces in between orthodontist appointments. 😬 If serious orthodontic emergencies aren’t addressed in-office soon, they can delay the end of treatment, but there’s a lot patients can do at home for minor issues.
Poking wires can sometimes be pushed into place with a pencil eraser or covered with wax, but we might need to clip the ends. Toothaches and soreness are usually temporary after an adjustment. Eating soft foods and swishing warm saltwater can help, as can over-the-counter painkillers.
Broken brackets can’t be fixed at home and will delay treatment if not fixed at the office soon. Click this link to find an orthodontist near you to schedule a repair appointment if a bracket pops off! https://caortho.org/locations?zip=92374&d=5
Major orthodontic emergencies include severe oral/facial pain, major swelling around the face, swollen/infected gums, or a traumatic injury to the mouth, face, or teeth. Schedule an appointment immediately for any of these, but prioritize overall health by going to the emergency room first if the injury affects more than the orthodontic appliance. 🏥 #braces #BrokenBracket #PokingWire #OrthodonticEmergency
THE WEATHER HAS gotten colder so that means you might have some sensitive teeth! It could also be because of your teeth changing positions and adjusting. Sensitivity caused by braces usually only lasts a day or two but to call if it's persistent and we can help! #SensitiveTeeth #ToothSensitivity #teeth