Author: Greater Houston Orthodontics

The most common question patients ask us is “When will my braces come off?”. More often than “What can I eat with braces?” or “Can I still play my favorite sports?” Patients want to know how long they’ll have to deal with braces at all. It’s an understandable question. Braces are hard to brush and Read More

It’s common for young children to put anything and everything into their mouths. This curiosity is normal, and unless it develops into bad habits that carry into later childhood, is beneficial to development. Habits like nail-biting, thumb sucking, using a pacifier excessively, and tongue thrusting as you swallow all have negative long-term effects on your Read More

Flossing isn’t the most exciting part of your nightly routine, but it’s essential to your oral health. Maintaining that excellent oral health is an integral part of your orthodontic journey! Before we get into how to become an expert braces flosser, here’s some more information about why flossing is so critical in the first place. Read More

Often the first step of orthodontic treatment is an expander. Expanders, or palatal expanders, are orthodontic appliances that increase the space between the halves of the upper jaw. While that sounds scary and painful, expanders are very common! Many young and growing orthodontic patients have expanders, and they can help make sure you don’t have Read More

One of our most common questions from patients is “What can I eat with my braces?” or “What foods do I have to give up?” and we have a few simple guidelines to share. Getting braces is a big change, and on top of the wires, brackets, or Invisalign trays, there’s a whole new set Read More

Parents are usually well-versed in getting their child to the dentist early on. Establishing oral health routines for your toddlers is standard – but what about their first visit to the orthodontist? When should they go? Is my child too young for the orthodontist? Is my child too young for braces? Luckily, all these questions Read More

Gum Disease Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. The culprit for this disease is usually poor brushing and flossing habits. These poor habits allow plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build up on the teeth and harden.Our mouths are Read More

Braces are a source of low self-confidence in many teens. This makes the dating scene seem daunting and heightens nerves all around. Never fear! There’s no reason your orthodontic treatment should hamper your romantic life. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, dating with braces is possible and still just as fun. Here are a Read More

So, why do you keep getting canker sores? Canker sores are flat white sores that appear in your mouth and can last for a week or more. What causes these small mouth ulcers is unknown. Though the exact causes of canker sores in children are unknown, many things can trigger their recurrence. Stress, tissue damage Read More

With all the effort put towards eating right, staying fit, and otherwise taking care of themselves, there is no reason why adults should not investigate having beautiful teeth! According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four patients is an adult.  There are many benefits to getting braces at any age. Everyone wants a Read More

Who doesn’t love to catch some rays? Well here’s some good news for you sunshine lovers – a little sunshine actually HELPS your teeth during orthodontic treatment. A little sunshine has been found to improve mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies. Keep reading for some advice on how sunshine Read More

Exercise has numerous benefits for both our physical and mental health, and is a crucial part of living a healthy lifestyle. Running has become a popular form of exercise for improving cardiovascular endurance and being a form of exercise that doesn’t require a gym. However, did you know that running can actually affect your oral Read More

Getting braces doesn’t mean giving up the sports you love! Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment. To be sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your mouth Read More

Certain foods like onion and garlic are commonly known as bad breath causing culprits. However, there are many other popular foods that can cause bad breath as well. While it is important to note that bad breath can be genetic, most of the time it is our food choices to blame. Is one of these Read More

Your skin isn’t the only thing that deserves a spa day. Your teeth work incredibly hard day in and day out (think of how much gum, food, etc. you chew on a daily basis!). Luckily, there are tons of affordable products that are available to give your teeth a spa day as well. So go Read More

It is so important to take great care of your body during pregnancy to help you and your baby stay healthy. A lot about your body and health changes during pregnancy, and there are often a lot of things to keep in mind. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth. However, pregnancy can lead to Read More

If you fear going to the dentist, don’t worry, you’re not alone! It is estimated that nearly seventy five percent of adults in the United States experience some amount of fear with regards to visiting a dentist. About five to ten percent of those people have a strong enough fear to be considered sufferers of Read More

While canker sores are not a serious issue, they can be rather irritating! They are small ulcers that can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. Fortunately, they can be easily prevented. You just have to figure out what triggers them for you! Below is Read More

Elastics, also known as rubber bands, are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment. However, we know that people sometimes find them to be a nuisance or difficult to adjust to wearing. It is important to know that your orthodontist has you wearing elastics because they are essential to the completion of the patient’s orthodontic Read More

Taking care of your body and living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just trendy, it’s important. However, many people forget that your mouth and teeth are important parts of your body to take good care of as well. Your mouth and teeth need to be well nourished and taken care of in order to keep your Read More