The holiday season should be fun for kids, but those with braces need to take special care when celebrating. Many people wear braces at some point during childhood in order to correct alignment issues with their teeth. While braces are a tried-and-true orthodontic method that can treat even complex cases, wearing them requires no small amount of effort on the part of the patient. Care includes special daily cleaning rituals and dietary restrictions to protect the teeth and braces from damage and infections. Here are a few braces-friendly stocking stuffers to help kids with braces enjoy the holidays.

If this is your first year wearing braces during the holidays, you know that there are a few things you can’t eat. Although you know to avoid popcorn, gum, and chips, your dentist will recommend skipping a few others as well. You don’t want an orthodontic emergency to interrupt your plans. You won’t have to worry about skipping your seasonal favorites to protect your braces. Here are 6 tips to help you navigate the holidays without adding delays to your treatment plan.

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After investing your valuable time and money on Invisalign, the last thing you want is to fall off-track with your original treatment plan, adding weeks or months onto the backend. To prevent that from happening, your orthodontist will provide you with detailed instructions when your trays first arrive, including how to clean them properly. Of course, that can be a lot of information to retain at once, which is why we’re sharing a few important do’s and don’ts with Invisalign right here!

The human body is constantly changing, and everyone’s teeth shift their positions as they age. This can happen intentionally due to orthodontic treatments or accidentally due to aging, illness, or injury. While some of this shifting is unavoidable, it can be managed if you take the proper precautions or with dental treatments. Here are some things that can cause your teeth to shift and what you can do about it.

The start of the school year is a time for new beginnings, but if your teen has Invisalign, it’s important to prioritize the proper maintenance and hygiene routine. While Invisalign can straighten out a smile without the metal parts and dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces, it requires daily effort even during the school year. Here are some back-to-school tips to help teens keep up with their treatment and achieve great results.

As a first-time orthodontic patient, maybe you’re eager to start the alignment process. That’s only natural – you want the straight smile of your dreams soon! Before you commit to treatment, though, you should learn its basics. Having the right facts will ensure you get great care for your teeth. Luckily, your Jacksonville orthodontist can help with that task. Read on to discover four vital questions you should ask at your first orthodontic visit.

You have an overbite but haven’t considered braces because they’re unnecessary unless your teeth are crooked, right? This is a common misperception! Overbite refers to the amount of overlap between your top and bottom teeth. A slight overbite is natural and normal, but one that is either too big or too small can have detrimental effects.

Fortunately, braces offer a solution! If you have an unhealthy overbite, continue reading to learn about why you should consider treatment.

Fixing your bite and alignment with braces is a long commitment. The average treatment can take 18 to 24 months, but it’s time well spent to achieve a straight, healthy smile. Nothing is more exciting than the day your brackets and wires come off. However, that’s not the end of your orthodontic journey. There’s another step in your treatment plan. Here’s what you can expect after your braces are removed.

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If you had braces as a teen, you might be surprised to see your smile isn’t as straight as it used to be. It’s not unusual for teeth to move over the years, especially if you haven’t been wearing retainers. You don’t have to live with the changes because you can get braces again. However, this time you won’t have to worry about any brackets or wires because you can benefit from the clear choice in orthodontics with aligners.

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Do you have crooked teeth? Braces may offer a solution. They work by applying constant, gentle pressure on the teeth to gradually move them into the desired position. This pressure stimulates the bone cells in the jaw to change shape and create new bone tissue, allowing the teeth to move into their new, more aligned position. Braces can give you a beautiful smile, but obstacles can arise during the process. Continue reading to learn about five common ones as well as what to do about them.