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 →

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 →