Why 2 Phases of treatment are sometimes necessary

Why 2 Phases of treatment are sometimes necessary

Problems that will eventually need orthodontic attention are oftentimes evident and obvious long before a child has all of their permanent teeth. Depending on the type of problem a child has, an AAO orthodontist may recommend a two-phase treatment plan. This means that treatment is done at two different times, often to take advantage of the stages of dental development and physical growth. 6 facts about 2-Phase treatments all parents should understand Here are six things parents should understand about two-phase orthodontic treatment plans. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is for children, but not for every child. Most orthodontic problems can be...

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Your Aging Smile

Your Aging Smile

It’s no secret, you can see the changes over time.  As you age, so does your smile. Your teeth wear down as you chew through a lifetime of meals.  But did you know that your teeth continue to shift and move well into adulthood? 4 common changes orthodontists see in patients as they age:  Bottom teeth Crowding: Your jaw bone loses density and shrink as you age. The mismatched sizing of jaw bone to teeth leads to crowding of the bottom teeth. But crowding can occur from other issues as well such as facial trauma, reverse swallowing, tongue thrusting, and...

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Tips for loving your braces this Valentine’s Day

Tips for loving your braces this Valentine’s Day

No matter your age, undergoing orthodontic treatment can be a big adjustment. The new hardware in your mouth may not be your favorite Valentine’s Day look, but you are taking proactive steps towards improving your smile and oral health. The perfect smile not only boosts confidence and projects friendliness, it is also healthy! Straight teeth help to improve the overall function of your bite, make it easier for maintaining solid oral hygiene, and helps to prevent tooth decay and jaw pain. Here are some tips to help you LOVE your braces this Valentine’s Day, and every other day of the...

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Going on vacation? Here are some simple tips to remember.

Going on vacation? Here are some simple tips to remember.

Going on vacation can be tough while wearing braces. There are so many temptations on a daily basis, but vacation seems to make it harder to stay away from items on the no-no list. W have put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are our of town. Items to pack: Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners Travel toothbrush A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth...

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All about that toothpaste

All about that toothpaste

Toothpaste: it’s something most people use every day, but rarely give much thought to—except, perhaps, when choosing from the brands that line the drugstore shelf. When facing that daunting shelf and presented with the dozens of products boasting different benefits, don’t get overwhelmed. Here’s some things to think about when choosing your next tube of toothpaste. Active Ingredients For centuries, dental experts have been pursuing ways to keep teeth healthy and bright.  As early as the era of the ancient Egyptians, tooth-cleaning substances have been recorded. Though unlike today’s specially formulated branded toothpastes, early mixtures contained ingredients like crushed bones,...

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Benefits of Summer Orthodontics

Benefits of Summer Orthodontics

For many families, summer time is the best season of the year!  Spending time outdoors and on family vacations are some of the most popular activities for this time of year. With school out for a couple months, summer is the perfect time to get started with orthodontic treatment, whether it’s for you or your child. Read more about the benefits of summer orthodontics: Why Summer? Simply put, summer provides a perfect adjustment period for children, teens and adults. With school out for the summer, and more flexible schedules, patients will have more time to get used to their appliances...

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Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting

Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting

Did you know that babies are born with the need to suck?  Thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking are perfectly natural ways for babies and toddlers to soothe themselves. However, as the child grows, there comes a point when this comforting activity becomes and habit, causing more harm than good. While it is completely natural for children to engage in thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking during the first few years of life, prolonging the habit could damage the jaw’s growth pattern. Because of the rich blood supply and the quick growth patterns of a child’s jaw, the constant pressure of sucking...

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7 Facts About Orthodontics

7 Facts About Orthodontics

No matter what you call the process, “braces”, “orthodontics” “getting your teeth straightened”, some of these facts about orthodontics might surprise you The word “orthodontics” is of Greek origin. Ortho means straight, or correct. Dont (don’t confuse with don’t) means tooth. Put it all together and you get straight teeth. People have had crooked teeth from the beginning of time. Okay, so maybe this one doesn’t surprise you. But did you know that humans have been concerned about their teeth for just as long! Archeologists have actually found Egyptian mummies with crude metal bands wrapped around their teeth. Hippocrates even...

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A dog ate my retainer….

A dog ate my retainer….

“So, uh, my dog ate my retainers.” This happens with surprising frequency, but why is the question!  The working theory is that dogs think retainers are food.  Think about it. Your retainer goes in your mouth, and no matter how well the retainer gets brushed after wearing, while  mouths are closed and the retainer is in use, the retainers start taking on the scent of whatever was eaten last.  This is totally normal. And while brushing retainers every time you brush your teeth helps to keep them clean, we all know dog noses are way more sensitive than human noses....

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It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month!

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February is one of our favorite months here at Hough Orthodontics – and not just because of Valentine’s Day! February is Pediatric Dentistry Month, and this is a noble cause that’s near and dear to our hearts. Creating a beautiful, healthy smile means starting early, and that makes childhood dental care crucial for a lifelong smile. Baby teeth play an important role in dental development. While they do eventually fall out, baby teeth play several critical roles in dental development. For one, they help a child learn to chew, swallow, speak, and breathe, so problems with baby teeth can lead...

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