Toward the end of your orthodontic treatment, you might be a ball of emotions. Excited to see your new smile, happy you can eat whatever you’d like again, and probably a bit apprehensive if you don’t know what the final appointment will entail. With this in mind, keep reading to learn what to expect while getting your braces removed, as well as what life after braces entails!

From loose brackets to protruding wires, orthodontic emergencies can be both painful and stressful to handle. While you should schedule an appointment if your braces sustain any damage, there are some cases that are more urgent than others. To learn what constitutes an orthodontic emergency, keep reading!

Are you experiencing swollen gums with braces? Don’t worry – this is common for patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Plus, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the puffiness at home. To learn some helpful tips, as well as some common causes, keep reading.

Whether you’re struggling with mild misalignment or severe overcrowding, braces can be relied on to create your dream smile. With the brackets and wires, your orthodontist can gradually guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, benefiting the health, look, and function of your smile in the process. Unfortunately, mouth sores with braces are common, especially if you aren’t aware of what to do to prevent them. Don’t worry – you can read on to learn all about how to manage and avoid them!

As a parent, you might think seven or eight is too early for braces. After all, isn’t orthodontic treatment for teens and young adults? Actually, there is a specific type of braces for children with a mix of baby and adult teeth called Phase 1 Orthodontics. The best way to find out if your child is a candidate is by scheduling an appointment with their orthodontist. Until then, you can read more about what this treatment entails, what to look out for, and more.

Back in the day, the go-to teeth-straightening solution was traditional braces. While this orthodontic treatment continues to be reliable and effective, many patients are drawn to more discreet solutions, like Invisalign. Unfortunately, however, the same patients are the ones who mail-order clear aligner brands target. With a low upfront price and a big marketing budget, these companies have managed to sell people on their products while hiding the serious dangers of their treatment. To learn a few serious risks of opting for mail-order clear aligners, read on!

It may be hard to believe, but summer is already here! Over the next few months, you may have plans to relax poolside with friends, go on a vacation with your family, or simply catch up on some much-needed R&R. Since summer foods, like buttery popcorn and soft pretzels, tend to accompany festivities like these, you may be wondering what you should do if you have braces. Fortunately, you can keep reading to learn which foods to avoid (and braces-friendly alternatives!) right here.

Did you recently get engaged? Congratulations! Since all eyes are going to be on you throughout your wedding day (and your engagement party, wedding shower, and other important events), you may be thinking of straightening your teeth. But what is the perfect timing for Invisalign? It’s a common question brides and grooms ask themselves. To learn the answer, read on!

Are you guilty of slouching at your desk? Or maybe you hunch over your phone as you scroll through social media? Initially, you might not think it’s such a big deal. However, extensive research shows otherwise. To learn all about how your posture affects your bite (and how braces can help!), read on.

The start of braces means the start of new habits. Brushing after each meal and visiting your orthodontist every six weeks or so are a few obvious ones that come to mind. But there is one best practice that patients often forget: prioritizing a vitamin-rich diet. Not only will this keep your immune system strong, but it will also keep your teeth healthy and capable of undergoing orthodontic treatment. With this in mind, read on to learn about six essential vitamins for patients with braces.