fbpx

10 Tips for Braces Pain

A woman placing both hands on the side of her mouth, with a look of pain on her face.

It is no secret that one of the common cons that can come with braces is discomfort and pain — especially during the initial installation and subsequent wire tightenings. However, if braces prove to be too painful for you, even after following pain management techniques, talk to your orthodontist about …

Read more

Orthodontic Expander Pros and Cons

Over-the-shoulder view of a certified orthodontist placing a palate expander into a patient’s mouth.

In the simplest of terms, a palate expander is a device used in orthodontics to widen a narrow palate (the roof of the mouth). It creates more space by correctly aligning the upper teeth and jaw. By using a palate expander earlier in life, you help prevent malocclusions (bad bites) …

Read more

What Is Lip Incompetence?

Lip incompetence

Lip incompetence, also known as mentalis strain, refers to a condition characterized by an inability to easily hold the lips together while at rest. Other common features of lip incompetence include protruding lips, and strain in the lower facial region when you try to seal your lips. Many people with …

Read more

How to Straighten Your Teeth: Pros, Cons, and Costs

A young woman with braces smiling.

Having a perfect smile is something that many people strive for. In fact, more than one-third of adults are unhappy with their smile. While most people straighten their teeth to enhance their appearance, crooked teeth can also cause oral health issues including: Periodontal disease; Chewing and digestion issues; Excess wear; …

Read more

Slenderizing Teeth: What Is Interproximal Reduction?

A close-up photo of a person with an open mouth smile that shows their teeth.

When a certain amount of space is required for tooth alignment, an orthodontist may choose to remove small amounts of enamel from the tooth’s outer surface. This technique is used to alleviate dental crowding when other options, such as dental arch expansion or tooth removal, are not the best option. …

Read more

What You Should Know About Drinking With Invisalign

Woman smiling on a bright, cloudless day on the beach.

Whether you’re new to Invisalign teeth aligners or you’ve already had experience with a good old-fashioned set of braces, you’ll be happy to know that yes, you can drink any sort of liquid you’d normally drink. That said, there are some considerations you should keep in mind. Take your aligners …

Read more

Are There Comfort Problems Associated with Invisalign Use?

A close-up image of a person’s smile.

The aesthetic of straight white teeth is often associated with symbols of social and professional advantage. Straight teeth also offer health benefits that include better digestion, reduced headaches and pain, and improvements to overall health.  Invisalign aligners offer many benefits to one’s smile and appearance, without weighing the pros and …

Read more

What You Need To Know About the Mewing Technique

A woman standing against a fence, smiling during a sunset.

“Mewing” refers to actively resting the tongue against the roof of the mouth, rather than allowing it to rest against the floor of the mouth. It is a term that you might have heard on social media, as it has experienced a huge surge in popularity as a way to …

Read more

When Do Kids Lose Their Teeth?

Two young boys smiling at the camera.

Teeth are one of the earliest dental concerns for most parents. There is a normal timeline on which parents can expect baby teeth to emerge and then fall out. There are also some best practices that parents can follow when caring for their children’s baby teeth, while they are emerging …

Read more

How to Stop Demineralization of Teeth

A toothbrush loaded with fluoride toothpaste — a useful tool for stopping the demineralization of teeth — lying next to an open tube of toothpaste.

Tooth enamel — the hard outer covering of your teeth that protects them against decay — is composed of a few different minerals. Tooth enamel has a complex structure and primarily includes calcium and phosphate formed together in strong hydroxyapatite crystals, though enamel is also made of a variety of …

Read more