Is my child too young for orthodontics? When should I make an appointment for their first check-up?  These are important questions to consider because teeth and jaw problems can become more serious over time if left untreated. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should first see the orthodontist no later than age 7. Although your child may still have some baby teeth at that age, they will have enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and determine whether early treatment is necessary. Early treatment means treatment th ..read more

You may be surprised to learn that a healthy smile is about more than just straight teeth. The truth is, even if your teeth are straight, you may still have problems with how your teeth fit together – also known as your bite – that can be bad for your oral health. The ultimate goal of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy bite so you can bite and chew food properly. Having a healthy bite also helps prevent pain, discomfort, and other oral health problems. It turns out straight teeth and a beautiful smile are just positive side effects of orthodontic treatment. Your upper and lower teeth ..read more

We’ve all been there. On a date, at a job interview, or just talking with friends…suddenly you realize you have awful dragon breath. How did this happen and what can you do about it? Welcome to your bad breath survival guide. Poor dental habits are one of the main causes of bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth and cause bacteria to grow. These bacteria leave a foul-smelling waste product behind. Gross! Obviously the best way to get rid of all that bacteria is to brush and floss daily. You can also use a toothbrush or tongue scraper ..read more

You may have heard of online orthodontic companies that promise to straighten your teeth by mail like SmileDirectClub, SnapCorrect, and SmileLove, just to name a few. These companies claim that you can have straight teeth just by taking a selfie and/or an impression of your teeth, then wearing aligners that arrive in the mail for a few months! As the old saying goes – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before you decide to use a do-it-yourself orthodontic company, there are a few things you should know. First, many of these companies do not require any kind of in-person evaluat ..read more

April is National Facial Protection Month, so we are answering all of your burning questions about mouthguards and how to protect you teeth from unnecessary damage. What is a mouthguard? A mouthguard is an inexpensive piece of protective gear worn over the teeth. Athletes frequently use them to prevent sports-related injuries. Why are mouthguards important? Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, athletes are 60 percent more likely to suffer harm t ..read more

Some people think straight teeth are only important to help you look and feel great. But the truth is, having straight teeth is really important for your health too! When teeth are crooked and crowded, it can be more difficult to brush and floss. Brushing is important to help remove plaque from the large surfaces of your teeth and eradicate bacteria in the mouth. Regular flossing removes plaque from between your teeth and helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Over time, poor oral hygiene can cause all kinds of problems including tooth decay, periodontal disease (infections of the structures ..read more

A clean mouth is a happy mouth. And when Dr. Pulsipher and his staff see you have a clean mouth, we are happy too! When you have braces, you are playing a game of hide-and-go-seek with everything you eat. Here are 5 simple tips to keep your mouth happy. 1. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down. Brush the bottom of your teeth with the brush angled up. Pointy brushes, aka interproximal brushes, are good for reaching the tiny spots around braces. 2. Brush after every meal! If those sneaky food bits hide in your mouth for very long, they wi ..read more

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Fresh Breath Tips for Braces Wearers – Eat a healthy diet. Unhealthy foods that are laden with sugar can contribute to bad breath. Stick with healthy produce, proteins, grains, and dairy found on the list of foods your orthodontist says are safe to eat with braces. – Drink Non-Sugary Beverages. Likewise, steer clear of sugary sodas and juices for the same reason. They contribute to bad breath. – Stay Hydrated. A mouth that’s continually dry can lead to bad breath by inhibiting your production of saliva. Regular production of saliva removes bacteria and excess food from your mouth, both of whi ..read more

  Congratulations Alyssa D. for winning our Back to School Contest! Alyssa guessed 272 crayons and she is exactly right! Thank you to everyone that participated. Do you know your brain is like a muscle? When you exercise it, it gets stronger!! Learn something new everyday! Don’t miss our in office contest to win a $50 gift card in the month of September.   ..read more