In order to avoid damaging your braces, it’s important to avoid eating certain hard and chewy items. Fortunately, many traditional Thanksgiving dishes are actually safe to eat! The Main Dish Whether you and your loved ones celebrate Thanksgiving with a roasted turkey or ham as the main course, they are both safe for your braces! We recommend cutting the meat into smaller, more manageable pieces in order to avoid any damage. If you like adding dressings or cranberry sauce, make sure to avoid eating anything with nuts or crunchy ingredients. Traditional Side Dishes Macaroni and cheese, green bea ..read more

AND HAPPY NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH FROM YOUR TEAM AT ADVANCE ORTHODONTICS! October celebrates both Halloween and National Dental Hygiene Month, isn’t that ironic?! To honor both celebrations, Advance Orthodontics offers you some quick candy tips. Keep your family’s smile looking great while you enjoy trick-or-treating. What’s Good and Bad Candy? GOOD – Chocolate because it’s easy to brush off! BAD – Hard candy because it can crack or break your tooth! WORSE – Sour candy because it’s so acidic, it can damage your enamel! If you must indulge in some candy, just make sure to brush your teet ..read more

Dental care is more than visiting your dentist or orthodontist every couple of months. It’s also about holding yourself accountable for at-home best practices. Brush your teeth well and… FLOSS! Why’s it necessary? Bacteria can solidify into plaque, which is a soft and sticky film that builds up on your teeth. Plaque contains millions of bacteria and causes tooth decay or even gum disease. Plaque begins to harden within a few hours of eating and can stick to your teeth for days. Forgetting to floss may result the need for a professional deep cleaning. Flossing reduces gum bleeding. Regular flo ..read more

The History of the Toothbrush, Toothpaste and the Habit of Brushing Where did toothpaste and the toothbrush come from, and why do we brush our teeth twice a day? We explore all these questions and more beginning with the toothbrush and the habit of brushing. The Toothbrush and Brushing Twice a Day Did you know the modern toothbrush as we know it wasn’t invented until the late 1930’s? Up until 1938, toothbrush bristles were made from horsehairs, boar hair or feathers. This practice of using natural bristles can be traced back to the Chinese, who would attach bristles from pigs’ necks that were ..read more

It’s common for patients to feel anxious about their dental appointments. At Advance Orthodontics, we work with you to the best of your comfort. Your smile and care are important to us. Some tips to help reduce dental anxiety: Speak Up – Ask questions, tell us about your concerns or fears. We’ll help you find the best options for you and your comfort zone. Go Slow – When your appointment begins, take the time to go over the procedures and what to expect; ask questions before anything begins. Use Signs – Communication is important, especially if at any point you feel uncomfortable. Establish ..read more

Summer 2017 is just around the corner and once again, Advance Orthodontics is here to tell you about fun summer foods. Don’t let braces stop you from enjoying refreshing, delicious summer snacks. The hot weather during summer makes us naturally reach for lighter foods. Plenty of these foods can keep you hydrated as well so you don’t have to stop the summer fun. But be careful about the foods that can get stuck in your teeth, or are too hard. Read on to see what fun foods are best for your braces. We Recommend You Stick To… Fruits like watermelon, grapes and berries are sweet and composed most ..read more

Fake braces are trending and we couldn’t be more horrified! “Omg awesome,” is the description on a recently uploaded YouTube video titled “How to make fake braces.” Far from the truth! Trends like home-made aligners and braces are not only a terrible idea but can be dangerous too. Foil, rubberbands, paper clips – don’t all those seem like they’d be uncomfortable in your mouth? Yes, because they aren’t suppose to be there in the first place. As experts in oral healthcare, we remind you that you only get one set of permanent teeth, so please make sure they are taken care of by a professional! I ..read more

From All Around the World Magic is the currency of childhood. To believe in elves, goblins, trolls and fairies is one of the pleasures of being little. Some spirits are dark and scary and help kids face their subconscious fears while others are light and sily and bringers of good fortune. The Tooth Fairy is one good sprite. She (74% of people think the tooth fairy is female) is small, angelic, with wings of gossamer. She is so light on her feet and nimble of finger, that she can slip into your room as you sleep, find your precious tooth under your pillow and take it, without you knowing a thin ..read more

Spring has just begun and with that, initiatives like cleaning out your closet or your garage are on your to-do list. While you take care of your home and your things, take a moment to also take care of your teeth! It is a great time to visit us at Advance Orthodontics and get started on that perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Don’t know what to ask for or what kind of treatment you need? Schedule your consultation today and explore treatments that best apply to you. Consider: Braces – for kids, teens, and adults. You’re never too old to wear braces, never too old to have the smile you want ..read more

Holiday stockings always include cute little knick-knacks, snacks or toys. At Advance Orthodontics we asked ourselves, why not include a dental twist? We’ve got some great stocking stuffer ideas, check it out! Breakfast Floss Start your day with the most important floss of the day! Flavors include: coffee, waffle, and bacon. Buy it on Amazon. Cupcake Flavored Toothpaste Indulge your sweet tooth taste buds without another root canal. Make someone’s day with this cute, cupcake toothpaste. Buy it on Amazon. Pure Peppermint Sticks Minty candy sticks made from 100% pure peppermint oil. Perfect fo ..read more