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
It’s always fun to pick a new color scheme for braces. Orange and black bands are perfect for Halloween, and around the holiday season, you may be inclined towards traditional red and green or blue and white. Spring may seem … Continue reading
A child or teen with a crossbite should be addressed as soon as possible due to the way it can impact their developing facial features, jaws, and airway development. Treating this common condition will require orthodontic treatment using braces and … Continue reading
Early childhood dental care is essential to help your child keep their mouth healthy throughout their entire lives. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics both agree that every child should visit a dentist by age one. … Continue reading
It’s common knowledge that smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products can be extremely harmful to your health in a variety of ways. Even so, every 1 in 5 adult Americans consume tobacco, 65 million adults suffer from gum disease, and … Continue reading
Orthodontic treatment is extremely common, and as a parent, you may not realize that many children have fears of the unknown when it comes to their first orthodontic appointment. Fear of pain, the application process, food restrictions, and fear of … Continue reading
Braces are an incredible tool that can correct crooked teeth and give you a straight smile like you’ve always wanted. After first getting braces on, some significant adjustments need to be made to your daily hygiene routine to avoid embarrassment. … Continue reading
We hear the question of “Can whitening products be used while wearing braces?” a lot. The short answer is, yes, but there are certain things to keep in mind before any attempt is made. Always follow your orthodontist’s instructions on … Continue reading
Now that you have braces, your teeth are more difficult to clean, so you have to be very careful to keep those new braces clean. You should brush your teeth properly after every meal and snack. Always keep your toothbrush … Continue reading
Dental insurance can help to save money on many different treatments, and your insurance may even help you cover some of the costs associated with braces. Orthodontics can correct several issues that may come up later on in life. If … Continue reading
After having braces removed, you will be faced with the choice between wearing removable retainers regularly at night or having a permanent retainer bonded to the back of your teeth. Teeth tend to drift over time once the influence of … Continue reading
Your teeth are not permanently fixed in place. They can and do move and shift, which is why orthodontics is even possible. If your teeth couldn’t move, your orthodontist would never be able to have a hand in helping you … Continue reading
As we age, our teeth move and change too. Gradual bone loss in the jaw can push teeth inwards, crowding them, and sometimes affecting the way we look and the way we speak. Crooked teeth and poorly aligned bites aren’t … Continue reading
For the parents of children with special needs who need braces, finding an orthodontist who understands their child’s disability can be challenging. These children often have hypersensitivity to sensation and pain and have difficulty sitting still. As a result, many … Continue reading
Wisdom teeth may not be on your radar quite yet, but many patients are very concerned about how their wisdom teeth can affect orthodontic treatment. Many parents have concerns that once wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they will shift a … Continue reading
Your child’s ability to self-soothe by use of a pacifier is both a blessing and a curse. If you’re concerned that your bill for future braces increases with each time your little one pops in their pacifier, there’s no need … Continue reading
Summer break means warm weather, vacations, and your favorite summer sweets! However, if this is your child’s first summer with braces, you may be in search of more braces-friendly alternatives. These healthier substitutes will keep everyone in your family … Continue reading
Orthodontic treatment provides people of all ages the opportunity to improve their smile. Whether you’re a parent at a consultation with your pre-teen, or an adult hoping to achieve a long-desired straighter smile, the cost of treatment could be a … Continue reading
Sleep apnea is an extremely common medical condition that can result in a cessation of breathing while you sleep. The condition is often identified by loud snoring, chronic fatigue, and hypertension. This serious condition can have far-reaching effects on your … Continue reading
Are you thinking of your child’s toothless grin with gaps and misalignment? If so, it’s likely that you are also thinking about if orthodontic treatment might be needed at some point. Orthodontic treatment allows for the ability to create a … Continue reading
Certain orthodontic conditions are more effectively treated if they are detected early. Interceptive orthodontic treatment can help to prevent more severe issues later on and gives your orthodontist the ability to control where your child’s permanent teeth are going to … Continue reading
Phase One orthodontic treatment typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 9 years old while a child is still losing their baby teeth and permanent teeth are beginning to take their place. The best time to detect whether there … Continue reading
Orthodontists and dentists have been seeing an increase in potential patients with advanced dental work including crowns, implants, and even veneers. Fortunately, teeth can still be straightened for both adults and children if you have one of these additional treatments … Continue reading
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of seven. Having an assessment at a young age can indicate whether a child will likely need braces later on as their permanent … Continue reading
You made it through the major year-end holidays including Halloween and Christmas. However, once again, your child with braces may feel a bit left out as they’re asked to avoid many of their favorite Easter candies that are hard, sticky, … Continue reading
The countdown until vacation is something all family members do with a smile. But does one of those smiling faces include a child with braces? If this is your trip traveling with brackets and wires, you may be wondering how … Continue reading
This may come as a surprise, but brushing your teeth immediately after a meal can be one of the worst things you can do for maintaining a healthy smile. When it comes to eating certain foods, your toothbrush quickly becomes … Continue reading
Orthodontists are experts in correcting jaw and bite issues, not to mention transforming crooked teeth into a beautiful, straight smile. If you wore braces as a kid, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about orthodontics today. Here are 10 … Continue reading
We see two types of teenagers every day when it comes to orthodontic treatment. The first teen wants braces and gets excited to begin treatment knowing straighter teeth at waiting at the finish line for them. The second teen does … Continue reading
Deciding to pursue orthodontic treatment for your child or yourself is one of the best decisions you could ever make. Initial consultations can be overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with the orthodontic terminology used during your appointment. Below is a … Continue reading
Not sure what to gift the child or teen who seems to have it all? What about the gift of perfectly aligned teeth for life! If your child is in need of alignment, now is the ideal time to see … Continue reading
Finding the perfect Christmas gift for a hard-to-please teen can be tough. If there is a child or teen in your life who recently began their journey towards a straighter smile with braces, the perfect gift can be even more … Continue reading
During orthodontic treatment, you may find yourself in the midst of an orthodontic emergency. Whether it be an uncomfortable wire poking the inside of your cheek, a broken-off bracket, or a cracked aligner, it’s important to stay calm and remember … Continue reading
Orthodontic treatment is something many of us go through as a teenager, and many expect our smile to stay that way after treatment. However, in some cases, we may need to consider orthodontic treatment again later in life. Here are … Continue reading
Establishing a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the best ways to help create a healthy lifestyle for your child, whether they have braces or not. As a parent, you’re always trying to do the best you can for … Continue reading
Halloween is the perfect opportunity for both children and adults to indulge guilt-free in our favorite treats without thinking twice about the sugar content or calories. However, if you are the parent of a child with braces, you will need … Continue reading
Undergoing orthodontic treatment makes you and your teeth more susceptible to specific dental issues. This is because the transition to taking great care of your teeth through metal brackets and wires can be challenging. The good news is that many … Continue reading
Thumb sucking is one of the ways a child can soothe and comfort themselves. However, persistent thumb or finger sucking beyond a certain age can cause a significant tooth misalignment or lead to a jaw deformation. The habit of thumb … Continue reading
You invest a significant amount of time and money in straightening your smile with orthodontic treatments. The very last thing you want to see on your teeth after braces finally come off are pesky stains and white spots. The good … Continue reading
If you’re thinking about getting braces either for yourself or your child, there are a few common questions that you should be prepared to ask at your consultation appointment with an orthodontist. At Thomas Orthodontics, we believe that the more … Continue reading
