Blog

You’re in between meals and craving something sweet, but you just started orthodontic treatment and know that many of your favorite foods should now be avoided. Is there anything sweet you can eat? The short answer is yes! Dr. Amir Davoody and the staff at Greater Houston Orthodontics are here to explain the truth about sugar and how to satisfy your sweet tooth without damaging your braces.

The Truth About Sugar

Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay and is off-limits during orthodontic treatment to keep the teeth healthy and strong. Whether you’re in braces or not, it is important to note that candy made of lots of sugar should always be avoided, especially during orthodontic treatment. Failure to do so could mean more dental work after your braces come off.

There is a common misconception that the type of sugar that you consume makes a difference in the overall effect on the teeth. This idea is false – texture and concentration matter immensely. The stickier the candy the more minutes it sits on your teeth the more likely the teeth are to decay or decal off, causing permanent stains. If eating a high sugar content food, the faster they are cleaned off the teeth by saliva, water or a toothbrush, the less risk there is. Once braces are on, sugar has many places to hide and the longer it’s left to sit on the teeth and braces, the more damage it causes.Read More

Back to School with A Healthy Smile

 

Summer is quickly coming to an end, which for many means prepping the kids for back to school. There’s books, clothes and new backpacks… but is your child’s smile also ready? Soon the focus will shift to first-day photos in new school outfits to post on social media before the bus whisks them away for another year of friends, learning and fun. 

 

As the new school year kicks off, it’s also a great time for your child’s orthodontic journey at Greater Houston Orthodontics to begin. Imagine how fantastic school pictures will be once treatment is complete!

 

All children should be evaluated for an orthodontic consultation by age seven, according to the American Association of Orthodontists so if your child is a rising second grader or above, it’s the right time to come and see us for a complimentary consultation. 

 

Some additional clues that let you know an orthodontic visit could help include:

• Your child smiles without showing teeth
• He or she has difficulty flossing because of overcrowding
• You notice chewing or speech challenges (it might be the result of a misaligned bite)

 

Our practice is focused on building confidence not only as a result of orthodontic treatment but also throughout the process. We offer many discreet options including Invisalign clear aligners, clear traditional braces, and lingual braces, which are affixed to the inside of your teeth and are hidden from view.

 

This school year, while your kids are growing and learning we can work alongside them, helping to build their confidence through a healthier, straighter smile. Once treatment is complete, you’ll be amazed at the difference.

 

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Dr. Amir Davoody and Dr. Rana Mehr lead a friendly, dedicated team that works together to create a positive experience for young patients and their families that’s fun, light hearted, warm and inviting. The doctors and team use the most advanced treatments available today, including Invisalign™, Invisalign™ Teen and lingual braces.

With two convenient locations in the West University/Bellaire area and in Memorial, we are ready to help you start smiling. Please contact our West University or our Memorial office to schedule a complimentary consultation or click below:

 

Whether you’ve had orthodontic treatment or not, you’ve seen people wearing elastics or rubber bands as part of the process. But do you know what they’re used for? To help give you a better idea of why rubber bands are used with metal or clear braces, we’ll explain what they are, why they’re used, and how to take care of them during treatment.

What are Rubber Bands?

In short, rubber bands are used to help move your teeth along the archwire to aid in tooth movement for your particular treatment plan. There are many different ways to wear rubber bands and how long you wear them is determined by your orthodontist. Orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody at Greater Houston Orthodontics will instruct you on exactly how to wear your rubber bands and when and how often to change them based on your personalized treatment plan. Since your rubber bands lose their elasticity with use, patients are normally instructed to replace them at least once a day, especially after eating and brushing.Read More

Summer is here! That means outdoor barbecues with family and friends will be abundant. Whether celebrating a national holiday, graduation or attending a simple gathering, summer barbecues are a common summertime activity meant for everyone to enjoy. So how do you survive a summer BBQ while wearing braces? Fear not, we’ll break down the foods you should avoid and the foods you can enjoy while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Foods to Avoid During a BBQ

Orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody at Greater Houston Orthodontics recommends avoiding the following common barbecue foods:Read More

You’ve gotten your clear aligners and it’s time to begin your journey to a healthier, straight smile with Invisalign. Just as your oral hygiene routine would change with braces, you will need to adopt a new routine with Invisalign. This includes stocking up on a few more hygiene products and supplies to maintain your new lifestyle. To make things easier, we’ve listed all the things you’ll need to keep your Invisalign clear aligners clean. 

Get Another Toothbrush

Dr. Amir Davoody at Greater Houston Orthodontics recommends that you have two toothbrushes: one for your teeth and one for your Invisalign clear aligners. This is due to the fact that your Invisalign aligners do not need the same tough bristles used to scrub teeth clean. A softer bristled toothbrush is all you will need to clean the aligners as to not damage them. Having two different toothbrushes also reduces the risk of staining the aligners with leftover food particles from brushing your teeth. Read More

You’ve been patiently waiting for your orthodontic treatment to come to an end and your braces to come off. You followed all the oral hygiene instructions during and after treatment, but now your wisdom teeth are starting to come in. Will they ruin your new smile?

At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we get this question a lot and rightfully so. With the typical timeline for orthodontic treatment being between about 18 and 36 months, we understand that it would be very disappointing for all that hard work to go to waste. In some very rare cases, the eruption of wisdom teeth can shift the teeth and ruin past orthodontic treatment, but again, this is rare. This is why it is important to maintain a relationship with an orthodontist, like Dr. Amir Davoody, even after treatment has ended. Once your wisdom teeth do come in, it can be determined if they need to be removed or not. Read More

You’re getting your braces put on for the first time and you’re not sure what to expect. One thing is for sure; your oral hygiene practices will definitely change. To help prepare you for what’s in store and make the most of your orthodontic treatment, we at Greater Houston Orthodontics explain what you can expect from your first week in braces:

Placement Day

On the day your braces are put on, the process should be relatively painless. In the hours following placement, you may notice that it will take you longer than usual to finish meals as you get used to wearing and chewing with braces. Stick to softer foods (like soups, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, shakes, etc.) for the first few days while your teeth and mouth adjust. You may also experience slight discomfort or soreness as the teeth begin to move.Read More