The holiday season is here, meaning the next several weeks will be filled with family gatherings, festive dinners, and an endless supply of sweets and treats! If you’re wearing braces, though, these delicious items can come with a few risks. The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on the fun! With a little planning, you can enjoy the season and keep your treatment on track; here’s what to keep in mind.

Have you always wanted straighter teeth but worried about how metal braces might look at work or school? You’re not alone, and the good news is, you don’t have to choose between a straighter smile and your professional image! Invisalign offers adults and older teens a discreet, comfortable way to straighten their teeth. And if you have dental insurance, scheduling your consultation before the new year could help you make the most of your remaining benefits before they reset. Here’s what you need to know.

Certain beverages can be harmful to your teeth due to their high acidity and sugar content. However, when drinking through a straw, you may be able to enjoy various drinks in moderation and reduce the negative impact on your tooth enamel, even while wearing braces. Find out why your dentist recommends using a straw to protect your smile when enjoying one of your favorite beverages.

If you’ve just had your braces removed, you’re probably feeling pretty ecstatic about your newly straightened smile! However, your orthodontic journey isn’t quite over yet. One of the most important steps after completing treatment is wearing and properly caring for your retainer. A retainer keeps your teeth in their new positions, protecting all the hard work that went into straightening your smile. Luckily, this is easier than it sounds, and keeping your retainer clean and in great shape is simple. Here are some tips to keep in mind.    

Have you been wearing your Invisalign aligners faithfully, attending your check-in appointments, and watching your smile gradually transform? If so, then it might surprise you if, near the end of your planned treatment, your provider tells you that you’ll need refinement trays before you’re finished. Rest assured, Invisalign refinements are a routine and expected part of treatment for a significant number of patients! Here’s everything you need to know.

If you’ve just started wearing Invisalign, you’re probably feeling pretty excited to be on your way to a straighter and more confident smile! However, as convenient as these clear aligners may be, some patients still find themselves struggling to get used to their treatment, particularly when it comes to removing the aligners for meals and hygiene. Luckily, things tend to get easier the longer you wear Invisalign, but in the meantime, here are some tips that’ll help you master the art of removing them quickly and safely.  

As a parent, you want to give your child the best start possible—including a healthy, confident smile. While some orthodontic issues are obvious and stick out like sore thumbs, others can be far more subtle, and you or your child might be entirely unaware that there’s something amiss. That said, knowing the early signs that your child may need braces can help you seek treatment at the right time and prevent complex problems down the road. Continue reading to learn about some of the telltale signs that your child might need braces and why it’s worth scheduling them for an orthodontic appointment.  

If you’re considering braces but want something a little more discreet than traditional metal ones, clear braces are an excellent option. Thanks to their tooth-colored brackets and subtle appearance, they’re a popular choice among teens and adults alike who’d like to straighten their smiles without drawing extra attention to their teeth. But while they look great, many patients wonder if these clear braces are still capable of being stained or turning yellow over time. Here’s more about why practicing good oral hygiene habits is a sure way to keep your clear braces bright and fresh throughout your treatment.

Braces are considered a rite of passage for many young children and teens—but it’s very much possible for adults to benefit from orthodontic treatment as well. That said, what about those who’ve already worn braces in the past? Is it possible to undergo a second round of treatment in order to address issues that have reappeared or new orthodontic problems that have developed? The answer is usually yes, and for many good reasons! Here’s what you need to know.  

If you ask any orthodontist about teeth, they’ll tell you that at the end of the day, your pearly whites are quite stubborn—and getting them to move into healthier positions isn’t always straightforward. Funnily enough, when it comes to unintended movement, teeth seem more than happy to shift and move all around the inside of the mouth! Here’s a closer look at a few of the reasons why teeth can sometimes shift around, along with how orthodontic treatment can help keep your teeth where they need to be.