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 →

You can probably tell just by looking at your child if their teeth are perfectly straight or not, yet making the decision to get braces for your child can be especially difficult for a lot of parents. You may have … Continue reading →

Gone are the days where getting a straighter smile means months (or even years) of metal brackets and wires. Today’s teens have many choices when it comes to choosing which type of orthodontic treatment is the right one for them. … Continue reading →

Most of our patients think that once the braces are off, they never have to come back to the orthodontist again, but that’s actually not the case. Post-braces is a crucial time period after your braces are removed because teeth … Continue reading →

The days leading up to finally getting braces can be full of excitement, anticipation, and maybe a little anxiety too. The first day in braces means you, or your child is on their way to a straighter, healthier grin. Before … Continue reading →

In your teen years, you watch as classmates get their braces to fix their crooked grins, and stare in awe when the day comes their straight, braces-free smile is revealed. Now as an adult, perhaps you are just as envious … Continue reading →

Preparing for when your child (or you) first get their braces on is a great way to know exactly what you all can expect after the brackets and wires are placed. Those first few days of braces can be tender … Continue reading →

Gap teeth, technically referred to as a diastema, is a space or gap between two teeth that appears most often between the upper front teeth. The extent of the diastema can be either minor and something that you only notice … Continue reading →

As another school year comes to an end, your child is probably pretty eager for that final bell to ring and for summer to begin. If your student has spent the school year in braces, they’re also probably pretty eager … Continue reading →

While you may view childhood as the ideal time to make changes to the position of your teeth, it’s never too late for self improvement in any form, and your smile is no exception! More adults are opting for orthodontic … Continue reading →

Anyone who has ever worn braces knows there’s no better feeling than running your tongue over bracket-free teeth for the very first time after you get your braces off. On average, most people wear braces for at least eighteen months … Continue reading →

Can you really get straighter teeth via mail order braces? Clear aligner trays like Invisalign are one of the most popular ways for teens and adults to straighten their teeth without having to deal with metal brackets and wires, and … Continue reading →

It’s Children’s Dental Health Month – and if you have a child undergoing orthodontic treatment, now is an ideal time to make sure they have everything they need to stay healthy. Children with braces require extra attention to make sure … Continue reading →

The day your child finally gets their braces removed after years of time invested is a day neither of you will never forget. Braces have been a part of your child’s smile for a significant amount of time to correct … Continue reading →

There are a lot of rumors and myths about braces and you should have all of the correct facts before beginning any orthodontic treatments. While some might be true, here are 10 myths that simply are not. Any professional offering … Continue reading →

We do our best to provide new patients with as much information as possible before they begin orthodontic treatment. But there’s so much to discuss that some potentially helpful advice is inevitably overlooked. Every patient is unique, and your orthodontic … Continue reading →

If this is your child’s first holiday season with their new braces, their visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads may need to be slightly altered. We’re here to help you navigate which traditional treats your child can still enjoy … Continue reading →

Sure, braces transform your smile – but their effects extend beyond your pearly whites. Depending on the patient’s age, braces can also change their facial structure. How Braces May Change Your Facial Structure The cosmetic benefits of having braces may … Continue reading →

The day is getting closer on the family calendar – the day your child is getting their braces put on. Understandably, you both might be a little nervous for what to expect. Learn exactly what that key appointment will be … Continue reading →

Braces are more historic than you might think. Humans have been obsessed with perfect smiles since way back in Ancient Egypt. Of course, the braces we use today are a far cry from prehistoric orthodontics – but taking a look … Continue reading →

If your daughter or son is feeling self-conscious about their teeth, accidentally biting their tongue or cheeks, or their dentist has brought up the dread B-word, you’ve got braces on the brain. But when is the best time to actually … Continue reading →

If you’ve just gotten your braces off, you’re probably eager to have wire-free teeth. But if you blow off your retainers, you’re going to lose the straight smile that you worked so hard for – and that’s the last thing … Continue reading →

We know that the monthly appointments are no orthodontic patient’s favorite part of braces. Experiencing soreness all over again can make you feel frustrated – but understanding why you’re a bit uncomfortable after getting new wires will help you appreciate … Continue reading →

How often do you think about your teeth and gums? Sure, they come into your mind when you brush and floss each day, but are you valuing your oral health throughout the day? Probably not – you have more important … Continue reading →

You’re standing in front of the bathroom sink, staring at your new braces. You have your toothbrush in one hand and your floss in the other. But the standard way you clean your teeth just doesn’t feel so simple anymore. … Continue reading →

You know that thumb-sucking isn’t exactly the best thing for your child’s health, or their socializing. But do you know just how harmful that stubborn thumb in the mouth can really be? We don’t often consider just how much control … Continue reading →

No matter how much you prepare, it’s probably going to be a little stressful when your child first gets their braces on. …But that doesn’t mean we can’t do everything possible to help! Below, we’ve collected links to all the … Continue reading →

Don’t let the prospect of your child starting braces overwhelm you. Learning more about all the steps ahead will make the process stress-free (or at the very least free of unwelcome surprises). It all begins with your consultation. There’s a … Continue reading →

Straightening teeth has a variety of health benefits, depending on the patient. Those with crowded teeth find that it’s easier to clean their teeth, and that plaque is less likely to build up after orthodontics. And those with more severe … Continue reading →

The reasons why straight teeth are important vary wildly. Of course, as your orthodontists, our primary concern is accomplishing healthy changes for your teeth. But human beings have a centuries-long preoccupation with the appearance of their smiles – and tooth … Continue reading →

After getting your braces on, your diet needs to go through an adjustment period. There are two primary things you’re hoping to avoid throughout orthodontic treatment: broken brackets or wires, and cavities. With all the focus on avoiding sticky or … Continue reading →

After you’ve finished orthodontic treatment, you’re ready to acclimate to your new life with a straight smile. And while we can give you plenty of tips for life after braces, these are primarily aimed at making you comfortable. Ensuring that … Continue reading →

What does the future hold? You’ve spent so much time in brackets and wires that it probably feels a little tough to imagine. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to post-braces existence to give you some helpful tips and … Continue reading →