Bons Orthodontics

A new month to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. Comment something you're looking forward to this month!

Staying on top of your brushing routine is key to keeping your dental treatment on track! By brushing twice a day, you help prevent plaque build-up, cavities, and gum issues that could slow down or affect your treatment progress. Keep your smile in great shape and ensure your treatment stays on course with consistent care!

What type of costume are you leaning more towards this year — scary or sweet?

The reason sugar is so dangerous for our oral health is that harmful oral bacteria love eating it as much as we do, and then they excrete acid onto our teeth. Tooth enamel might be the strongest substance in the human body, but even weak acids can erode it, which is why dentists and orthodontists encourage us to avoid sour, sticky, and hard Halloween candy.

These candies are especially dangerous for braces-wearers. All it takes is one crunch against a hard candy to pop off a bracket, and sticky candy can pull brackets loose (or, at best, the remnants can be very annoying to clean out).

Are there any candies the orthodontist approves of? How about chocolate? It contains compounds that slow tooth decay, limit oral bacteria, and fight bad breath. However, these polyphenols and flavonoids don't outweigh the effects of sugar, which is why dentists are bigger fans of dark chocolate than milk chocolate. With braces, though, it's a good idea to avoid chocolate that contains chunks of nuts, because those could still pop a bracket off.

Any candy sweetened by xylitol instead of sugar is definitely better for teeth. Xylitol actually hurts oral bacteria. These candies aren't super common in 2024, but hopefully that will change!

Did you know that brushing alone doesn't clean all your teeth? In fact, if you're not flossing, you could be missing up to 35% of your tooth surfaces! That's where plaque and bacteria love to hide. Don't let not flossing cause problems like cavities or gum disease!

We’re experts in bringing teeth together, whether it’s through traditional braces or clear aligners. A beautiful, healthy smile is just a treatment away. Ready to start your journey to straighter teeth? Contact us today and let’s make it happen!

The spooky season is here, and we want to know — what seasonal adventure would you rather go on?

Orthodontics is a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating misaligned teeth and jaws. To become an orthodontist, a dentist must complete additional years of training beyond dental school, gaining expertise in braces, aligners, and other techniques to create those perfect smiles.

Is your toothbrush starting to look a little worse for wear? If the bristles are frayed, bent, or splayed out, it's a sign that it's time to part ways. It's recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if it shows signs of wear. A fresh brush means a cleaner, healthier smile!

Elderly people are not the only people at risk of gum recession, even though that idea is where the expression "long in the tooth" originated. Some people are unlucky enough to be genetically prone to gum recession, but there are several avoidable factors that contribute to gum recession (in kids as well as adults!):

#1: Overbrushing. Anyone brushing hard enough to leave their toothbrush bristles bent outward is probably overdoing it. When we're brushing our teeth, we're cleaning living tissue, not floor tiles! We need to be gentle. Use soft-bristled brushes and don't use excessive pressure. Likewise, don't snap the floss directly onto the gums! Gently work it down the side of one tooth instead.

#2: Gum disease. As it progresses, gum disease can wreak havoc on the supporting structures around the teeth, making it a major cause of gum recession. The best defenses are limiting sugar intake and keeping up with oral hygiene habits, along with regular dental appointments.

#3: Bruxism. A grinding habit puts a lot of pressure on the teeth and gums and can cause damage over time. Lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and meditation can help break the habit.

Improving your bite this Orthodontic Health Month! Whether you’re considering braces, clear aligners, or simply maintaining your current orthodontic treatment, this month is all about celebrating the journey to a healthier, more confident smile.

Due to extreme weather conditions our office will be closed Thursday October 10
Stay Safe 🌀

The excitement is in the air, and it's time to show your team spirit! Who are you rooting for? Drop your team’s name in the comments and get ready for an action-packed season of thrills, cheers, and unforgettable moments.

Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication, passion, and heart that teachers pour into shaping the minds of future generations. Teaching is truly a work of heart!

Happy World Smile Day! Let's celebrate the simple yet powerful act of smiling which can brighten someone's day, lift spirits, and create connections across the world. Make the world a happier place, one smile at a time!

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let's stand together in support of those battling breast cancer, survivors, and their loved ones. Together, we can raise awareness, spread hope, and continue the fight against breast cancer.

As the season changes, it's the perfect time to embrace new routines and focus on keeping those smiles bright and healthy. Remember to brush twice a day and floss daily to keep your teeth and gums in top shape!

The earliest efforts to change the position of teeth go back as far as 400 BC. Aulus Cornelius Celsus of Rome theorized that teeth could be straightened with manual pressure. Not exactly right, but he got the ball rolling!

The most significant leap in orthodontics for nearly 2000 years was with Pierre Fauchard. In the 1700s, Fauchard invented the bandeau, a horseshoe-shaped metal appliance with holes in it to go over the teeth. It was held in place with silk threads. (Other ideas from that era included using wooden wedges between the teeth to move them. We're not huge fans of that one.)

The first headgear was developed in 1822, and just 58 years later, Edward Hartley Angle identified the different types of bad bites (overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc.) and developed ways to address them.

All of those early orthodontists were limited by the technology of their time periods. They didn't have bonding agents that could attach brackets to teeth (that came in 1949) or affordable stainless steel (not available until the 1970s). And they certainly couldn't make invisible aligners (an innovation of the 1990s)!

As modern orthodontists, we're proud to stand on the shoulders of so many giants in our field, and we're delighted to be able to offer our patients such comfortable and effective treatments.

Autumn is here, and it's the perfect time to enjoy all the cozy and fun activities this season has to offer! Tell us, which fall activity out of these options is your absolute favorite?

Are you ready to transform your smile and boost your confidence? We are here to make your dream smile a reality!

Did you know that incorporating spinach, kale, and other leafy greens into your diet can do wonders for your oral health? These nutrient-packed veggies are rich in calcium and folic acid, which play a crucial role in strengthening your teeth and gums!

Imagine having one of these superpowers for a day! Which would you choose and why?

Choose your challenge for a healthier smile this month! Which one will you pick?

On Patriot Day, we honor the heroes who showed extraordinary courage and remember the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In the pharmacy section of every grocery store, one side of an entire aisle is often dedicated to dozens of toothpaste options. We want to help our patients find the right things to look for to help narrow that selection down.

Whitening toothpastes are great, but remember that they can't eliminate deeper stains or change a tooth's natural color. The abrasive ingredients in whitening toothpaste can polish the teeth and the peroxide in them can break down some surface-level stains. Using it twice daily can lead to visible results after several weeks, but always look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when choosing one!

Any braces-wearers should make sure to avoid whitening products, toothpaste included, to keep from ending up with discolored patches in the spots where the brackets were.

For tooth sensitivity, over-the-counter sensitivity toothpaste can help. It helps to rebuild and strengthen the enamel and reduce discomfort. The dentist can prescribe a stronger toothpaste if the over-the-counter options aren't strong enough.

There's been a lot of buzz around ingredients like activated charcoal and aloe vera despite there being little evidence to support the benefits they supposedly provide. Charcoal is very abrasive and might actually do more harm than good to the enamel. Toothpaste with these ingredients also tends to skip fluoride, which is essential for rebuilding tooth enamel.