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At the start of every new year, most of us begin to reevaluate our waistlines and opt for a healthier lifestyle. With the growing popularity of juicing in recent years, more of our patients have been turning to this diet as a means of increasing their fruit and vegetable intake. While blending veggies, fruits, and other nutrients together can be very beneficial for overall health, do you really know the effects on your oral health?

The Effects of Juicing on the Teeth

When you consume a fruit and vegetable drink, you’re exposing your teeth to the acids that come from these foods as well. Over time, these acids can cause staining and erosion damage to your teeth. Many people notice that their teeth feel sticky or rough after juicing for more than a couple of days. Thankfully, orthodontist Dr. Amir Davoody has a few easy tips to help maintain great oral health while drinking yourself to a better you. Read More

Busting Invisalign Myths…It can be a scary experience when you are given a referral to see an orthodontist or considering improving your smile. Braces are grounds for embarrassment for the self-conscious teen and the up-and-coming professional. Having a mouth full of metal to clean around, eat around, and live around can be daunting.

The option that many may overlook when searching for orthodontic treatment is Invisalign, the nearly invisible alternative to braces. Some people may write this treatment option off due to price or success rate – but we’re here to bust those Invisalign myths! Read More

At the start of each new year, we often hear people say, “New year, new me.” But what exactly does that mean? At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we say “New year, new smile, better hygiene.”

To help you start the new year with a great smile and better oral health, we’ve come up with a list of essentials you will need to achieve this new year’s resolution.

Floss

Simply brushing your teeth does not always get to the hard-to-reach areas. Flossing is one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities, fight bad breath, tartar buildup, gum disease and improve your appearance. Make sure floss is part of your at-home dental care routine in the new year to maintain your bright smile.

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When it comes to smoking, we’ve all been reminded constantly of the effects it can have on our overall health. In most cases, lung cancer is often the disease of choice that is a result of smoking. However, the damaging effects of smoking don’t stop there. Do you know the negative effects smoking can have on your oral health as well? Stained teeth and bad breath are just the beginning. At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we’ll help you understand the true cost of smoking as it relates to your teeth, gums and oral health.

Gum Disease

It starts with inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, the inflammation can lead to serious damage of the gum tissue, tooth loss and even bone loss in the jaw. Serious infections can also happen if the bacteria from any of the above mentioned get into the bloodstream.

It is important to note that gum disease in those who smoke can be harder to treat. Smoking doubles the risk of developing gum disease due to the overwhelming number of toxins it introduces into the mouth. Read More

Have you ever had that awkward experience when you drink a cold beverage and immediately feel a sharp pain in your teeth? You’re not alone. In fact, one in eight people has this same problem with tooth sensitivity. So what’s the cause? Believe it or not, tooth sensitivity such as this doesn’t have anything to do with cavities or even braces, the most common cause is brushing with too much force.

The Effects of Brushing Too Hard

Before, during and after undergoing orthodontic treatment, the concept of brushing your teeth regularly was drilled into your brain as the best way to maintain good oral health and hygiene. While some take this advice and brush as recommended (every morning, every night and shortly after each meal), some people translate this to mean that they should be brushing more aggressively. This is NOT the case. Read More

Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr and the friendly, professional team at Greater Houston Orthodontics want to dispel an urban legend about chewing gum: if you swallow a wad of gum, it does not sit in your stomach for seven years. In most cases, actually, not even seven days. Chewing gum, although not meant to be swallowed, passes harmlessly through the digestive system and is excreted in the same manner as everything else we eat.

There is some truth to the myth, however: chewing gum is not digested. It contains resins, sometimes natural and sometimes synthetic, which our bodies cannot break down. Gum is simply passed along our digestive tract.

In rare cases, excessive amounts of swallowed gum can lead to constipation and intestinal blockage in young children. But parents need not be alarmed. Young children are not more susceptible to complications involving swallowed gum; young children are simply the only people who might swallow enough gum to cause digestive problems. Kids often forget or may not understand that gum is for chewing and not swallowing.

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It’s that time of year again! Halloween is just

around the corner and we at Greater Houston Orthodontics are here to get you ready. For those currently in braces, you may be wondering how you can stand out with your costume without letting your orthodontic treatment get in the way. Fear not! Here are five fun costume ideas you can try that make the most of your braces.

Darla from Finding Nemo

This character from the classic kid’s movie, Finding Nemo, is often what comes to mind when people think of costumes featuring braces. Darla’s enthusiasm for animals (often times too intense) and full face of metal made her one of the most memorable characters in the movie.

To achieve this look, find a purple sweater, white button down shirt, plaid skirt, plastic bag filled with water and fish and, most importantly, add freckles and something that resembles headgear to your face.Read More