Did you know that orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) states, “The goal of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile and a good bite—meaning straight teeth that mesh well with the teeth in the opposite jaw and look great.” A straighter smile isn’t only good for aesthetics, it can also make it easier for you to bite, chew and even speak. Cost vs. Value Compared to the drastic increase in the price

When you think of braces, who do you picture wearing them? If you’re like most Americans, children and teens come to mind. If you’re unhappy with your smile, you probably think you missed your chance for straight teeth, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to advances in technology, orthodontic treatment for adults has become more common while producing excellent results. So much so, The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) found that one in five orthodontic patients is

Did you know that orthodontic treatment is not just for teens and adults? In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that by the age of 7, children should have an initial orthodontic consultation. These comprehensive consultations determine whether or not a child’s teeth are developing properly or if early orthodontic treatment is or will be needed in the future. Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Orthodontics The typical process for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment involves a patient being fitted

Orthodontic consultations are often times a complimentary introduction for orthodontists, like Dr. Vahid Babaeian, to get to know you and your oral health concerns. The best thing you can do to make the most of your consultation is to prepare a list of questions beforehand. To help you get started, we’ve come up with a list of common questions answered during our complimentary smile exams. How Long Will My Treatment Take? It is important to first note that orthodontic treatment

It’s the start of a new day and you’re going through the motions of your morning routine. As you begin flossing, you notice your gums start to bleed in some areas. Is this normal? While bleeding gums from flossing does not mean your mouth isn’t clean, it can be a sign that you aren’t flossing enough. According to Colgate, “It’s fairly common for gums to bleed when you first begin flossing between teeth, and as long as the bleeding stops

All of us here at Brace Connection have heard the expression “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Taking this to heart can make our teeth stronger and brighter if we eat the right foods to support that healthy smile. Even though Veneers, crowns, and fillings, along with professional whitening can make your teeth stronger and brighter, it’s best to avoid cavities and stains altogether with regular brushing, flossing, and just as important…eating the right foods. Here

In a previous post, we discussed some of the drinks that have a negative effect on the teeth. This included soda, fruit juices, and coffee. While it may seem like water is your only beverage option, fear not. There are a few drinks still available to quench your thirst without affecting your orthodontic treatment. Milk Not only can it help build strong bones, but milk is a great source of calcium. Calcium helps to repair and maintain tooth enamel to

At the start of every new year, most of us begin to reevaluate our waistlines and opt for a healthier lifestyle. With the growing popularity of juicing in recent years, more of our patients have been turning to this diet as a means of increasing their fruit and vegetable intake. While blending veggies, fruits, and other nutrients together can be very beneficial for overall health, do you really know the effects on your oral health? The Effects of Juicing on

Although diabetes has become a fairly common disease in recent years, it is still very serious and should be managed properly to avoid damaging effects to the body. These damaging effects include threats to your oral health that can greatly influence your orthodontic treatment. Diabetes and Gum Disease The connection between diabetes and periodontal disease is closer than most people think. Did you know that those with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease? For this reason,

You’ve been patiently waiting for your orthodontic treatment to come to an end and your braces to come off. You followed all the oral hygiene instructions during and after treatment, but now your wisdom teeth are starting to come in. Will they ruin your new smile?  At Brace Connection, we get this question a lot and rightfully so. With the typical timeline for orthodontic treatment being between about 18 and 36 months, we understand that it would be very disappointing