Blog

01/22/2025

Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the alignment of teeth and jaws...

12/30/2024

A canker sore, a shallow ulcer that can develop on the inside of the cheeks or lips, can mean days of discomfort...

THE BEST WAY to get the best possible outcome in any kind of emergency is to have an action plan ready beforehand, so here are some tips to keep in mind for different types of dental emergencies that can occur.....

THE REASON SUGAR is so dangerous for our oral health is that harmful oral bacteria love eating it as much as we do, and then they excrete acid onto our teeth...

ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE not the only people at risk of gum recession, even though that idea is where the expression “long in the tooth” originated. ..

THERE ARE MANY things parents can do to put their kids’ smiles on the right track for a lifetime of good oral health. Here are a few of them ..

IF A CHILD CONTINUES their finger or thumb-sucking habit past their toddler years, it can negatively affect the growth of their jaws and the position of their teeth..

OF COURSE WE SMILE when we feel happy, but there is evidence to show that the link between smiling and happiness might go both ways..

AS PARENTS, EVERY milestone a new baby reaches is incredibly exciting, and sometimes we can get impatient and even start worrying long before we should...

Anyone who has had braces knows that feeling of pressure that gradually pushes teeth toward their correct positions, but what's really going on? Orthodontic treatment is fascinating all the way down to the cellular level, and we want to bring our patients in for a closer look...

Anyone who swims or scuba dives frequently could encounter some unique dental issues if they are not careful. Let's take a closer look at the big ones.....

Stains are bad enough on our clothes... we especially do not want them on our teeth! Nothing can tarnish the joy and accomplishment of Braces-Off day like discolored patches where the brackets used to be...

Having wisdom teeth removed can be like a rite of passage for young adults. However, some people are congenitally missing wisdom teeth and others have enough room to fit the full set. But how do wisdom teeth affect orthodontic treatment?..

TEETHING CAN BE upsetting for babies and their parents alike! We’re here to help with a few simple teething tips:..

There is a good reason dental health professionals warn their patients not to chew ice. This habit can cause serious and permanent damage to teeth and gums, so what makes it so addicting in spite of the dangers? ..

Minimizing the risk of childhood tooth injuries starts with knowing the most common causes of those injuries. Did you know that babies and toddlers are most likely to injure themselves by slipping in the bathtub? Non-slip mats are a great precaution! Projectiles like balls and frisbees can easily cause injuries, so make sure to discuss safety and not aiming at anyone’s head when throwing. ..

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY estimates that there will be over 54,000 new oral cancer cases just this year, in 2024. In recent decades, the survival rate of these cancers has risen considerably, and early detection plays a critical role in these statistics. That's why we are using Oral Cancer Awareness month to educate our patients about the symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer. ..

The default image that pops into our heads when we think of braces is usually of a teenage orthodontic patient, but more and more adults are getting their teeth straightened. It's generally more ideal to get braces as a teen, but no one is too old to get a straighter smile...

As dental health professionals, we tend to be big fans of the Tooth Fairy. Most of us can remember leaving a baby tooth under the pillow and looking forward to finding a nice reward or prize the next morning. Other parts of the world have their own unique traditions with baby teeth too... ..

March is Women's History Month! Throughout time women faced an uphill battle establishing themselves in many career fields, including dentistry. That's why this month we are.....

Did you know that being tongue tied is not just an expression? For many people, this is an actual medical condition, and a similar one is being lip-tied.....

Orthodontic problems rarely fix themselves. Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends the first orthodontic consultation at age 7.....

Having a perfectly straight smile is not just better looking, it's healthier! Let's take a look at some of the other straight teeth benefits.....

Our Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics team would like to increase awareness about eating disorders and their pronounced health related ramifications...

The initial consultation is when the orthodontist assesses the position of the patient's teeth and begins planning the treatment to move them into proper alignment...

Did you know that 1 in every 8 Americans (including kids) has sensitive teeth?! Every tooth has nerves at its center. When the tooth is healthy, the nerve is protected by the outer layers. If the tooth enamel is damaged or erodes enough.....

Happy New Year! We hear a lot of the same questions from patients and people interested in orthodontic treatment, so wanted to start off the new year by answering three of them...

Smoking poses many dangers to oral health. Recently, vaping and e-cigarettes have emerged as an alternative to smoking, but are they any better?...

Fluoride is the one ingredient toothpaste must contain to earn the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance. But what else is in toothpaste?...

November is TMJ Awareness month and Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics is committed to increasing awareness about (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) TMD...

Did you know that orthodontic treatment extends far beyond a beautiful smile and straight teeth?! There are SO many dental health and function related benefits of orthodontic treatment .....

In honor of National Orthodontic Health Month we wanted to share some best practice tips that will make your orthodontic smile blossoming journey a smooth and healthy one...

Unless a dentist is an active TikTok user, it's not a good idea to get dental health advice from social media...

It’s OCTOBER! For most or all of us, this month begins with the weather changing, beautiful new seasonal colors, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, and of course, Halloween! ..

For as long as there have been people, there has been tooth decay. However, people in past civilizations did not have as many answers about what caused their tooth problems as we do today. That led to some very strange beliefs about dental health...

Anyone who has or had braces has noticed the different parts and probably wondered what role they perform in orthodontic treatment. Some patients just have the basics: brackets, archwires, and O-rings, while others have extra components to correct a more complex issue. Our team at Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics would like to demystify the orthodontic appliances!..

We know that one of the least fun aspects of orthodontic treatment is the banned foods list. No more movie popcorn, no more chewing gum, tootsie rolls, crust, nuts, etc. But we don’t just ban these foods to be challenging. These hard and chewy foods pose a serious threat to the complex orthodontic appliances that are in place working to straighten a patient’s smile...

Did you know that orthodontic treatment can overlap with speech pathology? Overbites are common causes of lisps and whistling while talking, as are gaps between teeth...

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 - a tooth that is stuck and not able to erupt...

Many strange things lie buried in the history of dental care and hygiene, but we think these five traditions really stand out. (Although we don’t recommend any of them!)..

There is a lot of false information out there about braces and what it’s like to have them. Our Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics team is here to bust our way through a few of the most popular braces myths getting in between people and the properly aligned smiles that they could have!..

The dental career everyone is most familiar with is the private practice dentist, meaning an individual dentist or a partnership working with local patients in their own practice...

Did you know that our teeth are meant to fit together in a specific way? That’s how we chew our food effectively and pronounce our words clearly...

In March we are celebrating women with International Women's Day! We wanted to take this opportunity to increase awareness about some oral health concerns facing women...

Many adults assume that they missed their shot at straight teeth by not getting orthodontic treatment in their teens, but that is just a myth! We’re about to debunk all the excuses standing in between adults and the beautiful smiles they have always wanted...

At Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics we like to educate our patients and prospective patients about oral health. We would like to increase awareness about one harmful habit: smoking. Smoking is an incredibly unhealthy habit for the entire body, and that includes teeth and gums...

With the holidays upon us, please make sure to add regular nightly retainer wear to your New Year's resolutions list. Your smile and bite will thank you...

What is an underbite? Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics would like to bring attention to this common malocclusion. An underbite is when the lower jaw and teeth sit ahead of the upper jaw and teeth. Prolonged underbite can lead to numerous undesired consequences...

August is National Wellness Month and Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics is celebrating! We would like to promote awareness about a common malocclusion: deep bite. A deep bite is a variation from a desired bite in which the upper front teeth excessively overlap the bottom front teeth when back teeth are together. While a deep bite may or may not be an aesthetic concern, it is usually accompanied by other functional considerations...

Did you know that bananas are good for your teeth?! Bananas are rich in fiber, vitamin C and B6. Bananas are also full of minerals (such as potassium, magnesium and manganese) - which help strengthen dental enamel. In addition, the pH of bananas is about 5..

Did you know that 'tongue thrust' is a dysfunctional muscle pattern and constitutes a myofunctional disorder? Tongue thrust is defined as tongue protruding anteriorly or laterally when swallowing, during speech and when tongue is resting. The tongue should normally move upward against the roof of the mouth to form a seal so swallowing can occur. With a tongue thrust, the tongue moved between upper and lower front teeth. Over time this muscle pattern can lead to a narrow and V-shaped upper arch, cause the front teeth to tilt forward too much, and can contribute to the development of an open bite...

At Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics, our team frequently gets asked the questions regarding financial options for orthodontic treatment. Outside of insurance benefits, we recommend exploring HSA and FSA alternatives. Health Saving Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are frequently offered by your employer, and allow you to set funds aside for qualifying health care expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependents...

It’s October and the beautiful fall season is in full swing. Autumn breeze is in the air, picturesque fall color leaves are falling, pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes seem to be everywhere and of course it's Halloween time! For Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics and other orthodontists, October is also a month to recognize their patients' beautiful, healthy smiles in honor of National Orthodontic Health Month. This is a perfect time to review a few helpful orthodontic tips from our office and the AAO to embrace the Halloween season fully...

It's hard to believe that another amazing summer vacation is slipping away. With the school year approaching, our team at Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics wanted to give some pointers for returning back to school with braces or other orthodontic appliances to mitigate the transition. Here are some pointers to keep your orthodontic appliances in great shape and your teeth healthy throughout the academic year..

At Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics our team frequently gets asked questions about remedies for bad breath. Human mouth is home to hundreds of strains of bacteria. It is believed that half of the bacteria in your mouth can lead to bad breath! ..

If you are contemplating orthodontic treatment, we recommend scheduling a complimentary orthodontic consultation with Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics for a comprehensive discussion about your unique diagnostic findings, orthodontic treatment goals and treatment alternatives...

At Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics we love nothing more than helping our patients improve their smiles in every way! Orthodontic treatment involves much more than just a beautiful smile and straight teeth...

Thumb sucking habit is common in babies and young children. It can have a soothing and comforting effect and kids generally break the habit naturally. However, if the children are still continuing to suck their thumbs by the age 5-6 when permanent teeth are beginning to erupt, there may be reason to be concerned. Prolonged thumb sucking can have lasting negative effects on teeth and overall health...

Since Invisalign is one of the most popular treatment options among our patients, Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics team created a list of helpful tips to facilitate a smooth and effective treatment progression along your 'smile blossoming' journey. We hope this guide will enhance your orthodontic treatment experience!..

February is National Children's Dental Health Month! We wanted to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of mouthguards in safeguarding children's dental health. Wearing a mouthguard is a preventative, protective measure recommended for all contact sports participants by our Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics team...

At Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics, we frequently receive a lot questions pertaining to timing of orthodontic treatment. As a matter of fact, here is one of the most common question that is routinely asked by patients: "Is this the right time or age for orthodontic treatment?"..

When it comes to preventing the spread of disease, rest assured that at Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics we have always been strict on universal precautions. Precautions have always included the use of masks, glasses, gloves, sterile instruments and devices as well as clean and disinfected environmental surfaces. Additionally, we frequently clean and disinfect the commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, chairs, desks and bathrooms...

October is upon us and amidst the beautiful weather we are excited to celebrate the Orthodontic Health Month at Orchard of Smiles Orthodontics. To honor Orthodontic Health Month, we wanted to pass on some of our practice tips that would support and facilitate good oral hygiene with braces during your orthodontic treatment...

Deciding on the right orthodontist for you or your child is an important decision. Some factors to consider are commitment to clinical excellence, attention to your personalized needs, office environment and culture, comfort and scheduling flexibility. Amidst the factors you may be wondering about the meaning of American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification and its relevance...