If you wear braces, you are probably looking forward to the day you can see your newly straightened teeth. Admiring your beautiful smile is an amazing reward for diligently taking care of your teeth and oral health. You likely envision a mouthful of straight pearly whites staring back at you. However, there are times when teeth may be
The idea of adding metal wires and brackets to your teeth to straighten them definitely sounds like it could come with some risks. However, orthodontic treatment with braces has been refined over the years to be incredibly safe and effective for patients. It still isn’t without some potential hiccups, though. Since your orthodontist will be available to monitor
You’ve gotten your braces on…congratulations! You’re now on your way to achieving the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, which means it’s time to make sure you’re getting the most out of your braces. A big factor that needs to be addressed is what you can eat while you have braces. There are foods that work with braces and
Parents, kids, and orthodontists LOVE WildSmiles Braces! Why? WildSmiles offers patients a unique way to be in control of their orthodontic experience. When patients are excited about their treatment, they are more willing to put in the effort braces require, such as brushing, flossing, and avoiding certain foods. With so many fun shapes to mix or match, WildSmiles gives
Orthodontic problems can affect anyone – in fact, our teeth are almost never naturally perfect. Malocclusion, or a “bad bite”, can cause problems with chewing, oral hygiene, speaking and aesthetics. A bad bite can be genetic, or can be caused by thumb sucking, dental disease, poor dental hygiene, accidents, birth defects or other medical conditions. Being educated about
Brushing and Flossing It’s more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy during orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children have an orthodontic screening by age seven. This allows our orthodontists to determine if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated. Many of the dentists in our community have been trained to identify orthodontic problems early, and may refer you to
We’re commonly asked what a first-time visit to our office looks like. When you walk into Smith Orthodontics for the first time, our treatment coordinator will greet and welcome you. Your appointment will typically last about an hour. We will take photographs, x-rays, and a 3D scan. Then Dr. Smith will conduct a thorough orthodontic examination and give
If you have strolled down the oral care aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store, you may have been overwhelmed by the choices. There are dozens of brands with a variety of flavors, ingredients, and benefits. When reading the brightly colored boxes, you have likely seen a variety of claims, from promises to whiten your teeth and
Traditional braces offer one of the best ways to correct misaligned teeth and achieve a perfect smile, but wearing them doesn’t have to be a drab affair. Choosing rubber band colors for your braces allows you to customize your smile and show off your sense of personal style. With hundreds of shades to choose from, the combinations are
