Tips For Traveling With Orthodontics

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

We don’t know how you feel, but we are thrilled that the warm weather is finally upon us. With the summer season starting soon, we have loved hearing about all of the plans our patients have for the summer. We know that many of you are going on day trips, relaxing with friends and family, and going on vacation. Not that we want to be negative during all the fun, but it is important to be mindful of your orthodontic treatment this summer. Not preparing correctly for a trip or forgetting your restrictions while out and about can lead to complications with your treatment plan. Read on to learn more.

Be Prepared This Summer!

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

We don’t know about you, but we are dreaming of the beautiful summer days ahead. Summer is the time when we can forget about ugly winter weather. Travel is a very popular and common activity during the summer months. Do you have an upcoming vacation or trip? Traveling while receiving orthodontic treatment requires a little bit of extra planning. We want to share some helpful items to pack and tips to ensure you have a vacation free from worrying about your orthodontic care. Read on to learn more.

How Do Braces Work?

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

Braces and orthodontic hardware may seem like a more recent invention, although the first modern braces can be traced back to the 1800s. Traditional metal braces became even more popular over the past few decades. The braces that we use today are not the same as the ones your parents and grandparents had. Dental treatment and technology are constantly changing to bring patients the best care.

Braces & Sport: Do They Mix?

Dental Emergency, Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

One of the most common questions we get from patients and their parents is about restrictions when wearing traditional metal braces. Two of the most common concerns are about food restrictions and if there are any restrictions or limitations in playing sports or any physical activity. We have often spoken about the various food restrictions and would be happy to answer any questions you may have if you contact the office. Today, we are going to discuss physical activity while wearing braces or receiving orthodontic treatment. Read on to learn more.

Why Do We Recommend An Evaluation For Young Children?

Bite, Patient Education, Pediatric Orthodontics, The Best Braces

Has it been recommended that you take your child to be evaluated at an orthodontist, and you are surprised because of their age? Long gone are the days when only teenagers and adults received orthodontic care. With the advancements in orthodontic treatment and technology, we have learned that children benefit most from being evaluated and starting treatment at the age of 7. We also think it’s important to note that not every child who visits our office for an evaluation will need to start treatment immediately. Some may need treatment now, while we might monitor others to determine whether they will need treatment at a later time.

Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Your Retainer

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

The day a patient has their traditional metal braces removed is exciting. We often hear that our patients have a celebration meal planned with all of the foods that were restricted during treatment. Patients who wear clear aligners are thrilled when they’re reached the last set of trays. However, a patient’s joy is sometimes fleeting once they learn they must now wear a retainer. Read on to learn about why it is essential to wear your retainer.

The Most Common Bite Issues

Bite, Patient Education, The Best Braces

At the Best Braces, we are happy to treat patients of all ages. We treat children, teens, and adults and help them restore the placement of their teeth and repair any issues with jaw development. One common issue we see with many of our patients is a concern with a bad bite, which is also referred to as malocclusion. This refers to the way the teeth meet each other when your upper and lower jaws are touching. Issues with bite are best treated as soon as possible, so it’s important to know what you are looking for because there are a variety of bite issues that one can have.

Can Braces Help With Sleep Apnea?

Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may be desperately looking for a solution to your problem. You may be wondering if orthodontic treatment can help with sleep apnea, and the answer is yes. Before we explain further, we want to make it clear that we cannot diagnose or treat sleep apnea. When we are performing our initial consultation with future patients, there are a number of examinations we perform. The examination ranges from visual examinations to in-depth X-rays and scans of the teeth, bone structure, skull, and more. During these examinations, there are certain red flags that may indicate you have certain conditions or issues, and we would recommend you see a medical professional who specializes in the condition we may suspect. Sleep apnea in children and adults is one of the conditions that may be a red flag for us during our examination.

Teeth Whitening With Braces — Does It Work?

Invisible Aligners, Patient Education, The Best Braces

If you are in the process of straightening your teeth, we know that you cannot wait for the day you are done with your orthodontic treatment and can see your beautiful, new smile. We know that, for many of you, the journey seems long, but the results will be more than worth the wait. Some of our adult and teen patients are eager to see improvements in their smiles and often ask if it is possible to whiten teeth while they are receiving orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn our answer.

Caring For Your Braces Over The Holidays

Invisible Aligners, Life with Braces, Patient Education, The Best Braces

We cannot believe that December has arrived. Many of our patients are busy preparing for the holiday season. While this is a time to visit and celebrate with loved ones, remember to be mindful of your orthodontic hardware. We’ve talked before about which foods to avoid while wearing braces and other hardware. However, there is so much food during this time of year that it can be tempting to indulge, even when you know better. This can be especially difficult for our younger patients, who may not have much restraint.