Before and after SureSmile You know that you’re ready to straighten your teeth. You’ve decided against metal braces because of the convenience, appearance, and treatment process involved with clear aligners. Now, you have yet another decision to make: which clear … Continue reading
Sleep apnea is a common concern – about 22 million Americans experience it. The more sobering statistic is that experts estimate around 80% of moderate to severe cases go undiagnosed. If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you’re not getting the … Continue reading
National Children’s Dental Health Month was created by the American Dental Association (ADA) to help promote the benefits of great oral health for children. This month-long national health observance encourages parents, teachers, and caregivers to help children maintain a healthy … Continue reading
Regardless of whether you or your child is just starting the journey to straighter, healthier teeth, you’re likely wondering just how long the treatment will take. In this post, we’ll break down the different factors that determine orthodontic treatment timelines … Continue reading
Dental cavities are still the most common chronic disease among children ages six to 19. Helping families understand the importance of maintaining excellent oral hygiene from a baby’s first tooth well into the teen years and beyond. Keeping your children’s … Continue reading
We expect a child’s teeth to be constantly moving and shifting due to losing baby teeth and adult teeth taking their place. However, children aren’t the only ones susceptible to a shifting smile. Teeth can continue to move well into … Continue reading
Cavities and tooth decay are among the world’s most common health issues, especially in children and teens. The risks of your child developing a cavity from inadequate brushing becomes even more likely if they are undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten … Continue reading
As a parent, you want nothing more than to teach your children excellent oral hygiene so that they can have fewer cavities the healthiest teeth possible throughout their lifetime. This statement can be especially true for parents who invest a … Continue reading
Undergoing orthodontic treatment is about more than just straightening the teeth for vanity reasons. Crooked and overcrowded teeth can negatively affect a child’s oral health, and misalignment issues can make it difficult for a child to maintain an effective hygiene … Continue reading
Kids are naturally drawn to foods high in sugars and starches because they taste delicious to their tiny taste buds, and this can be especially true when surrounded by holiday sweets. As a parent, it’s vital to ensure your children … Continue reading
Your teeth are the hardest substance in the body – even harder than your bones! However, strong doesn’t mean indestructible teeth are susceptible to decay, chips, and cracks, especially while going through orthodontic treatment. Dental fillings are the most efficient … Continue reading
Braces can help you achieve a beautiful smile, but having them on your teeth for months, or even years, can pose certain challenges. From difficulties flossing to getting food trapped between brackets and wires, your oral hygiene routine during orthodontic … Continue reading
You rarely feed your family sweets and sugary desserts, and your children prefer to drink water or a can of soda. If this sounds like you, you’re probably feeling pretty good about your family’s sugar consumption levels. But what about … Continue reading
While most people can all agree that visible white spots on the surface of your teeth are less than desirable in appearance, the excellent news is medically, they aren’t considered a severe cause for concern. When it comes to what’s … Continue reading
With what seems like an unlimited amount of games and toys at their fingertips, it’s no wonder that mundane tasks like brushing their teeth aren’t exactly on your child’s list of fun things to do. For parents, this can make … Continue reading
Getting your wisdom teeth removed has become somewhat of a right of passage for most teenagers, and it’s one of the most common dental surgeries performed. Most children’s wisdom teeth come through between the ages of 17 and 25, while … Continue reading
One of the most common questions we hear from patients who have just gotten their braces off is, “What’s the best way to whiten my teeth?” After months (or sometimes years!) of shifting and aligning, it’s obvious why you want … Continue reading
Teeth grinding is an involuntary habit that causes destructive consequences to the teeth and also affects other facial structures. Teeth grinding can affect individuals of any age, and it’s not uncommon to start noticing signs of teeth grinding in teenagers. … Continue reading
The day your child finally gets their braces put on is a milestone moment in their life and yours. Orthodontic appliances take time to get used to, and being prepared is one way to make the process as smooth and … Continue reading
Braces and other orthodontic appliances are great for correcting overcrowding, alignment and bite issues, and closing unwanted gaps. While there are many advantages to wearing them, braces require specific care to work properly. The best way to prevent damaging your … Continue reading
Everyone should be aware of their sugar intake, but this is especially true for anyone going through orthodontic treatment. Sugar makes foods and drinks taste better, which is why it’s such a common additive in many packaged products. Because the … Continue reading
Sticking to regularly scheduled teeth cleanings and exams are a critical piece of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Routine dental cleanings and exams should be performed by your dentist every six months, and they’re more important than ever while undergoing … Continue reading
If a dentist has recently told you or your child that a root canal is needed, you may be wondering if it’s a safe treatment to have performed while wearing braces. It’s common for people to associate having a root … Continue reading
Braces are an incredibly effective method for straightening crooked teeth and correcting misalignment issues. During orthodontic treatment, significant changes happen to your mouth, and if your hygiene habits aren’t altered to keep up with these changes, things like bad breath … Continue reading
Orthodontists are well-known for correcting crooked teeth through the use of braces and other orthodontic appliances. However, your local orthodontist may also be the solution for correcting troublesome dental issues, like Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ. Several factors can cause … Continue reading
Braces can give your teen a beautiful, straight smile for life, but getting there can sometimes come with challenges. Brushing and flossing with braces can be more challenging to clean the teeth thoroughly. If plaque isn’t removed daily, it can … Continue reading
Acid reflux is when acid produced by the stomach moves up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Not only is this condition very uncomfortable, but it can also silently damage the teeth. The stomach acids wear away the enamel on the … Continue reading
A common oral health misconception is that plaque and tartar are the same. However, there are undoubtedly significant differences between the two. Excellent daily oral hygiene is so critical while wearing braces and a key piece in achieving the goal … Continue reading
Taking great care of your teeth with braces can be a big challenge. At Thomas Orthodontics, we believe that an excellent oral hygiene routine is a significant part of finishing an orthodontic treatment with a beautiful and healthy smile. Plaque … Continue reading
Incorporating a mouth rinse for children can provide an extra level of cavity prevention while strengthening their developing teeth. Mouthwash can also provide an additional benefit for kids with braces since the swishing and rinsing of the liquid can help … Continue reading
These past few months have been filled with uncertainty for everyone. At Thomas Orthodontics, it’s our top priority to help our patients and their families stay healthy during COVID-19. After all, if there’s one thing to focus on during the … Continue reading
It’s a holiday tradition to fill Christmas stockings with candy and treats, but parents of children or teens with braces may want to think twice. Many sugary holiday treats can be detrimental to braces, not to mention unhealthy for your … Continue reading
Space maintainers are an innovative yet straightforward way to keep a space open until a permanent tooth can come in. Space maintainers, in addition to another phase one orthodontic treatment, can prevent more expensive and extensive treatments in the future. … Continue reading
There is a lot to consider when it comes to replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant. This type of tooth restoration is, by far, the most superior option when you’re ready. For many reasons, most dentists encourage getting … Continue reading
Traditionally, orthodontic treatment begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby (primary) teeth, and a majority of the adult (permanent) teeth have grown in. This usually occurs between the ages of 8 and 14 for most … Continue reading
Orthodontics can do more for a child’s mouth than just straighten their teeth. Braces can be effectively used to correct problems such as overbite, underbite, and narrow arches. By improving the jaw structure, a child’s total mouth health can be … Continue reading
A common question during braces consultation appointments is if braces can solve problems related to one or more missing teeth. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will often drift into the empty space, which leads to dental health issues down … Continue reading
Baby teeth are essential to the overall health and development of your child. The shape and structure of your child’s primary teeth will also determine how comfortable they will be able to eat, speak, and smile. Many parents have growing … Continue reading
Starting to lose baby teeth is an exciting time in a child’s upbringing. Baby teeth often fall out on their own; however, it can be a fun learning experience for your child to help the tooth loosen until it’s ready … Continue reading
The development of the mouth, airway, and jaw begins at an incredibly young age. After years of extensive monitoring and research, it is now evident that babies who use pacifiers and bottles into childhood frequently require more dental work and … Continue reading
The early days of new orthodontic appliances and braces can lead to minor discomfort for most young patients. The soft tissues of your mouth can become irritated by the new appliances. Once your cheeks and gums get used to your … Continue reading
As your children begin to transition into their teenage years, their oral health becomes at risk in more ways than one. From sports and social events to poor eating habits, the teenage years can have a significant impact on an … Continue reading
The optimal time to begin orthodontic treatment for most children is between the ages of nine and 14. Unfortunately for many kids, this is also the ideal time for learning to play a musical instrument. While having braces can be … Continue reading
It is not uncommon to experience a loose bracket during orthodontic treatment. Brackets are attached to your child’s teeth using a small amount of tooth-colored resin, and over time, this resin can weaken and can lead to brackets becoming loose. … Continue reading
Orthodontic braces can correct many issues within the alignment of the upper and lower jaws, in addition to remedying spacing between the teeth. They may also be the best thing that has ever happened to your child! Time, money, and … Continue reading
If it has been years since you had your braces removed, you may find yourself trying to remember when the last time was that you wore your retainer. It isn’t uncommon for patients to begin to see new gaps in … Continue reading
Maintaining excellent oral health is an essential piece of your overall health and well-being. However, it can be confusing to determine which type of dental treatment is right for you or for your child. To explain the difference between dentists … Continue reading
Palatal expanders are designed to take full advantage of a child’s natural growth process by treating or preventing malocclusions or poor alignment. Palate expanders help an orthodontist to create more space in a child’s mouth by gradually widening the upper … Continue reading
Preparing to get braces put on is an exciting and unnerving time for most. Those first few days or weeks of adjustment can be a learning curve, and we want to help everyone in your family feel prepared for this … Continue reading
During this difficult time, we at Thomas Orthodontics want to do everything we can to keep our patients and team members safe. We have decided to close our office from 3/18-3/31. The closure will be in accordance with recommendations by … Continue reading
