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
Our goal is for all of our orthodontic patients to make it to Braces Off Day without any worries of their results being marred by tooth decay and stains. 🙌 However, a lot of that depends on the daily habits of our patients when they`re away from our practice. Follow theses tips to ensure the best possible result at the end of treatment:
1. Brush after every meal. Twice a day doesn`t cut it quite so well when it means waiting from lunch until bedtime with food stuck between brackets. It`s a good idea to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste along to lunch to deal with stuck food. Just make sure to find a place to store the toothbrush where it can dry out between uses!
2. Don`t skip flossing. ❌ We know it`s trickier with braces, but persevere! Use floss threaders, floss picks, or water flossers if regular floss is too frustrating to work with. Daily flossing is actually more important than brushing, and it`s essential for preventing post-braces stains.
3. Whitening products and braces don`t mix. Wait until the braces come off so that the entire surface of each tooth can get the same amount of whitening treatment. Trying to do it with braces on can leave uneven patches where the brackets were! 🫤 #BracesOffDay #braces #OrthodonticTreatment #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
One of the least fun aspects of orthodontic treatment is the banned foods list. 🚫 No more movie popcorn, no more chewing gum, etc. But we don’t just ban these foods to be mean; they pose a serious threat to the complex orthodontic appliance that is there to gradually straighten a patient’s smile.
All it takes is one poorly angled bite on something hard or pulling back off of something sticky to pop a bracket off a tooth. 😬 Every time that happens, it pushes back the eagerly-awaited Braces Off Day. This is why we urge our patients to avoid popcorn, nuts, ice, chewing gum, hard candy, gummy candy, pizza crust, bagels and other hard rolls, whole fruits like apples, hard crackers, pretzels, and chips.
Those are the ones that are actively risky to braces, but others contribute to problems too, like anything with a lot of sugar in it. It’s harder to keep plaque at bay with braces on, and eating or drinking large amounts of sugar can lead to bleached patches around the brackets and stains after the braces come off. It’s easiest to cut out most of the sugar.
Patients can swap puffcorn for popcorn, pudding for caramel, tortilla chips for pita bread, and slice up their apples. If a bracket does come loose, come see us! We’re rooting for our patients! 🎉 #BracesFoodsToAvoid #OrthodonticTreatment #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists
Wearing braces is only for a small amount of time compared to a healthy, straight smile which will last forever (as long as you wear your retainer and brush your teeth)! 😃 #braces #StraightSmile #HealthySmile #retainer #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Unlock a world of possibilities by transforming your smile and filling it with confidence and endless possibilities. 🤩 #SmileTransformation #ConfidentSmile #TransformYourLife #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
With love and gratitude for you all, Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🧡 #love #gratitude #Thanksgiving #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Your path to a flawless smile starts here with our expert orthodontic treatment and care! 😁 #OrthodonticTreatment #FlawlessSmile #perfection #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Join our team and start your career as an Orthodontic Assistant today! 😄 We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to learn and grow with us. To find available positions, check out our website at CAOrtho.org/careers. We look forward to meeting you! 👍 #orthodontics #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #orthodonticassistant #careers #findajob #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile
Transforming smiles, one set of braces at a time. Discover the journey to a better, brighter smile! ✨ #braces #BetterSmile #BrighterSmile #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Some of us get our adult teeth on schedule, some early, some late, and some are left to wonder if a tooth or two might have gotten lost somewhere under their gums. When that happens, we call it an impacted tooth. 🦷 It happens most often to wisdom teeth, but not always.
The next most likely teeth to become impacted are the upper canines or eyeteeth (or, more often, just one of them), because the lateral incisors and the first premolars usually come in before they do. If there’s a crowding problem, there might not be enough space left for the canines to erupt.
Adult canine teeth are important because they form the “corners” of our smiles. 😄 If one or both of them fails to erupt, it makes a big difference to a person’s appearance.
Impacted teeth can cause infections, gum disease, nerve damage, and cavities. Symptoms include a persistent bad taste or bad breath, tenderness and pain around the jaw, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes or gums. They also leave a visible gap where they should be erupting, and the baby tooth might never become loose on its own if it’s an impacted canine.
There isn’t much that can prevent tooth impaction, but it is very treatable. 👍 An impacted tooth can be discovered with dental X-rays. Impacted canines can be moved into their proper positions through a combination of oral surgery and orthodontic treatment. #ImpactedTooth #ImpactedTeeth #ImpactedCanine #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Small but mighty! Elastics are a powerful tool in orthodontic treatment, helping to correct issues like overbites and underbites for a straighter, healthier smile. 😁 #elastice #braces #underbite #overbite #OrthodonticTreatment #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Orthodontic problems rarely fix themselves so that’s why it is recommended kids see the orthodontist at age 7! 😊 While some issues are obvious, others can remain undetectable by the untrained eye. #orthodontist #orthodontics #OrthodonticProblems #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
It’s always a good idea to carry a little orthodontic wax with you just in case you need it! Better to be safe than sorry. 😁 #BackToSchool #BackToSchoolTip #OralHealth #BracesTip #tip #braces #OrthodonticWax #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Wishing you a spooktacular and `fang`-tastic Halloween! 👻🧛🎃 #HappyHalloween #halloween #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Join our team and start your career as an Orthodontic Assistant today! 😄 We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to learn and grow with us. To find available positions, check out our website at CAOrtho.org/careers. We look forward to meeting you! 👍 #orthodontics #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #orthodonticassistant #careers #findajob #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile
Straighten your smile, elevate your confidence! 📶 Discover the life-changing power of orthodontics and unlock the best version of yourself. #confidence #StraightSmile #orthodontics #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Let us help get your smile aligned so it can shine! ✨ Together, we’ll create a healthier, more confident you. #AlignedSmile #HealthySmile #confidence #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that as a general rule of thumb your child should be evaluated by an orthodontist between the ages of 7-8 years old and here are some reasons why! ☺️ #orthodontist #AAO #orthodontics #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
We love that we get to be the ones to give you the smile of your dreams! 🤩 #orthodontist #orthodontics #smile #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Unlock the power of a captivating smile with our orthodontic expertise. We`re here to enhance your natural beauty and help build your confidence with a stunning smile. #CaptivatingSmile #NaturalBeauty #confidence #StunningSmile #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals
Let`s brighten the world one smile at a time. Share your grins and spread the joy! 😊🌍 #WorldSmileDay #SpreadHappiness #SmileBright #braces #BenefitsOfBraces #StraightTeeth #orthodontics #healthysmile #aligningteeth #CAO #findorthodontist #orthodontist #CaliforniaAssociationofOrthodontists #braces #aligners #invisalign #straightteeth #smile #ClearAligners #smilegoals