Speaks Orthodontics

When To Clean Your Retainer If you’ve recently had your braces removed, chances are you have a shiny new retainer to keep clean. Here are a few cleaning tips to help keep your retainers clean and your teeth healthy: When To Clean Your Retainer Most people couldn’t imagine going days without brushing and cleaning their

If this is your first Thanksgiving with braces, you may find yourself wondering what foods you can and can’t have this holiday season. While most traditional Thanksgiving foods are orthodontist-approved, there are still some foods you should avoid. Foods to Avoid: Unfortunately, with braces, there are a few food restrictions when it comes to holiday

Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health Most people are aware that smoking and chewing tobacco can have adverse effects on their overall health—it should be no surprise that tobacco use can also negatively impact oral health. Here are some ways smoking and smokeless-tobacco can cause damage to your mouth, gums, and teeth: Stained Teeth Teeth

Sucking on a thumb or finger is a common and completely normal habit amongst babies and young children, developing even before they’re born. While holding the thumb or finger in the mouth doesn’t usually cause damage, prolonged vigorous sucking may cause some dental disturbances. Long-Term Effects on Oral Health When a child continues to vigorously

What They Don’t Tell You Before getting braces, you’ve probably heard stories of the pain after tightenings, busted brackets, and rubber bands—but, what about the rest of the experience? Here are 5 things no one tells you about getting and having braces. 1 – Your Teeth Will Feel Loose In the first few days of

When thinking of braces, a teenager with a mouth full of metal comes to mind. But what about adult orthodontia? Many adults feel that they have missed their opportunity to get the straight smile they so desire, but we are here to tell you it’s never too late. In fact, here are some of the

With Halloween creeping around the corner, you may find yourself in the sticky situation of figuring out what treats you can have while wearing braces. Treats to Avoid: Unfortunately, with braces, there are many food restrictions when it comes to candy. Be sure to avoid sticky and chewy candies that can get stuck in your

Although braces have become sturdier in recent years, they’re not invincible. It’s important to prevent damage to your braces in order to keep your orthodontic journey on track. A big part of preventing dental damage comes down to the foods we eat. Foods to Avoid With Braces Certain types of food can damage the wires

Let’s face it, everyone experiences bad breath every now and again—but what exactly causes it? The culprit in most cases of bad breath is bacteria. The bacteria that live in your mouth break down food, proteins, sugars, and even skin cells. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) also begin to form, which causes the foul smell. Here