Why Do I Need To Wear Elastics?
WE KNOW THAT RUBBER ELASTICS are sometimes the most difficult part of having braces. They are, however, extremely important for improving your smile! Elastics work together with the brackets and wire in your braces to straighten your teeth and correct your bite....
Malocclusions: What Makes a Bite Bad?
HUMAN TEETH ARE supposed to fit together in a particular way. That’s how we can speak clearly and chew effectively. If someone’s upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly, we call it a malocclusion or bad bite. Besides impeding the important functions of...
Healthy You in 2022
Know the facts when considering orthodontic treatment as an adult It’s a new year, you have made your resolutions, and on the top of your list is looking (and feeling) healthy! As a part of looking healthy and with the understanding that on-camera meetings are here...
Let’s Answer Some Orthodontic FAQs!
MANY PEOPLE DON’T know much about orthodontic treatment, and we tend to hear a lot of the same questions from patients. Let’s answer a few of those now in a quick FAQ session! 1. What does “malocclusion” mean? The word “malocclusion” means “bad bite” in Latin. It’s...
Debunking the Top Braces Excuses
A LOT OF ADULTS believe (incorrectly) that they missed their chance at having straight teeth because they didn’t get braces in their teens. In the last few decades, the number of adults benefiting from orthodontic treatment has risen dramatically, and we’re here to...
What to Do With a Knocked-Out Tooth?
LOSING BABY TEETH is a totally normal part of a child’s development, but what happens if an adult tooth gets knocked out? This counts as a serious dental and orthodontic emergency. If a whole tooth gets knocked out in one piece, there is a limited window (not much...
Smoking and Vaping Versus Dental Health
A SMOKING HABIT damages every organ and system in the body, including teeth and gums. We usually think of lung cancer first when it comes to the harm smoking can do, but it can cause a wide variety of problems for oral health. Tobacco and Oral Cancer Four out of every...
What’s in Toothpaste?
MOST OF THE TIME, the only toothpaste ingredient that really gets talked about is fluoride, the active ingredient that helps remineralize tooth enamel and protects teeth from decay. The American Dental Association calls fluoride “nature’s cavity fighter,” and...
Preparing for Orthodontic Emergencies
DO YOU HAVE an orthodontic emergency plan? It’s a good idea for anyone who has braces or whose teenager has braces to be prepared in case something goes wrong with their orthodontic appliance between adjustments. Not addressing a problem quickly could lead to delaying...
How to Take Care of Your Retainer
THE SAME KIND of bacteria, plaque, and tartar that accumulates on our teeth can also build up on our retainers. That’s why our retainers need to be cleaned as often as our teeth to keep them in good condition (and not full of funky smells). Daily Retainer Cleaning...