Teeth Whitening With Braces — Does It Work?

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

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.

Orthodontic Treatment Can Save You Money With Your Oral Health

The benefit of orthodontic care is much greater than just improving the aesthetics of your teeth. Orthodontic care can also significantly reduce the need for dental intervention and treatment as you age. The placement of the jaw and position of the teeth in certain patients can lead to serious and expensive dental health issues in the future. It might seem like orthodontic care is an expensive and time-consuming investment. However, you would be surprised at the cost of dental care should you need numerous treatments during your lifetime. Orthodontic care can help improve a number of concerns:

What Happens After Braces?

We know that there is no better feeling than when your braces come off. Some of our patients have been wearing braces for quite a while, and they are full of excitement and big smiles on the day their orthodontic hardware is finally gone. Not that we want to burst anyone’s bubble, but your orthodontic journey doesn’t end the day your braces are removed. Following our after-treatment instructions is just as important as wearing the braces. Continue reading to learn more.

What Is Causing Bad Breath?

Are you or a loved one receiving orthodontic treatment and finding that you are continuously dealing with bad breath? Unfortunately, one of the common side effects of wearing traditional metal braces and clear aligners is the chance of experiencing less than ideal breath. While everyone experiences bad breath from time to time, it can cause you to feel self-conscious if you experience it often. Read on to learn what may be causing your breath issues and how you can remedy the problem.

Health Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

At The Best Braces, there is nothing like witnessing our patients see their new smile without braces or clear aligners for the first time following the completion of treatment. While one of the biggest benefits of orthodontic treatment is the improvement to the appearance of your smile, that is not the only reason we may recommend treatment. Orthodontic treatment can greatly improve your oral and overall health as well. Here are some of the ways orthodontic treatment can improve your health:

Eating With New Braces

At The Best Braces, we know that it can be a transition for patients who are wearing braces for the first time. The first few days are going to be an adjustment. Not only do you have to get used to having something on all of your teeth, but there is also the discomfort of the braces starting to do their job. We recommend planning ahead and having foods available that will be a comfort during this time of adjustment. These foods can also be handy after an adjustment to your braces when you may be feeling some discomfort for a few days. Here are some food suggestions for meals:

Summer Safety Tips For Braces

We don’t know about you, but after another long winter in Michigan, we are thrilled that summer has finally arrived. We know that many of our patients are enjoying the long days and the slower pace of summer. Whether you are on summer vacation from school or perhaps taking some much needed time off from work, we hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing time. We want to share some things to avoid to ensure that your braces don’t keep you from experiencing everything this summer has to offer. Read on to learn more about what to avoid while wearing braces.

Can I Wear My Retainer If It Is Tight?

There are various stages that patients who go through orthodontic care experience. There are some patients who may need their palate expanded so they need to wear specific hardware to accomplish the desired goal before wearing some form of braces. Other patients may strictly need to straighten their teeth and move straight into braces. No matter how your treatment may begin, every patient who wears braces will need a retainer when their braces are removed.

Do You Always Follow The Rules?

When patients are ready to start their orthodontic care journey, we are very specific with instructions on how to properly clean your teeth, what foods you should and should not eat, as well as how to properly wear any hardware you might have to add and remove from your mouth. Following our directions not only keeps your mouth safe from harm, but it also allows your teeth to move properly so you can finish your orthodontic journey on schedule. Continue reading to learn about the consequences of not following your orthodontic care instructions.