Blog

Whether you’re starting your orthodontic journey or have been on the path for a while, it is entirely normal to have questions. At Vinson Orthodontics, we’re on a mission to help people revitalize their smiles. Check out our blog for information about orthodontic treatment and learn why so many people improve their smiles with Vinson Orthodontics. 

Close up of a child's teeth.

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment

An aligned smile can do wonders for your child’s health and confidence. However, we see many parents who are curious about when to start orthodontic treatment for their kids. They wonder, when should you first see an orthodontist?  While there’s no ideal age to get orthodontic care, there are some signals for when to start orthodontic treatment. Learn more about early treatment, the best age for braces, and more from the experts at Vinson Orthodontics. Learn More About Early Treatment Schedule a Free Exam When Should a Child First See an Orthodontist Did you know that according to the American Association of Orthodontists, you should take your child to see an orthodontist by age seven? By this point in their development, we can catch emerging bite issues early and fix them before they become larger problems. Phase 1 treatment can guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and make future orthodontic treatment easier. While there is no hard and fast rule about the best age for braces, early adolescence is a good time to get them. Around ages 10-13, the teeth and jaw are a bit more malleable, making it easier to bring teeth

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Do I Really Need to Wear My Elastics?

One part of orthodontic treatment that doesn’t attract a lot of fans are elastics, also known as rubber bands. These are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment, but are known to cause some discomfort or be a nuisance for some people. However, elastics are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment, and it is imperative that you wear them so that your treatment can be completed timely and correctly. The elastics are supposed to be worn approximately 20-22 hours a day and should only be removed to eat and then to brush and floss their teeth. Additionally, elastics should be changed out for new ones about three times a day. Keep reading for some advice from Dr. Britt Vinson at Vinson Orthodontics about why elastics are important. Elastics allow for the jaw and bite alignment to occur. But they are also the patient’s responsibility, and if the patient does not choose to wear them as directed, it may prolong treatment or affect the final result. Before leaving the office, the patient needs to make sure they understand where and when to wear their rubber bands.

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A Healthy Diet, Flossing, and More! 4 Tips to Keep Your Smile Healthy

Just like the rest of your body, your mouth and teeth need to be well nourished and taken care of in order to keep your smile radiant. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to help prioritize the health of your mouth and teeth with minimal effort. Here are some tips for keeping the beautiful and healthy smile you deserve from Dr. Britt Vinson at Vinson Orthodontics! Brush and floss  The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush and flossing daily in between teeth to keep plaque at bay. Flossing, while boring and annoying, is pertinent to teeth health. Did you know not flossing is linked to heart disease? YIKES!

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Feeling a Little Sore After Braces Tightening? These Tips Can Help!

While braces are not painful, your mouth is a very sensitive area. Thus, it is not uncommon to experience a little soreness after your braces have been tightened. What each person feels is a little different, however, with most only feeling a mild, achy pressure that will subside within a day or two. Additionally, the longer you’re in braces, the quicker your discomfort will go away after each tightening. In the meantime, have no fear! Here is some advice from Dr. Britt Vinson at Vinson Orthodontics that can help ease your discomfort: Stick to Soft Foods Soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce are great options when you are experiencing any mouth discomfort. When you initially get your braces, soft foods are a great option for the first couple of days. Then, on each day that you go in for a tightening, it is smart to stick to a soft food diet.

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Supporting National Fitness and Sports Month

Did You Know May is National Fitness and Sports Month Physical exercise is good for everyone’s health no matter what your age or body type. There is no better time to spread the word about the advantages of being active than National Fitness and Sports Month.

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Father’s Day – A Day Just for Dads

  Father’s Day is certainly not the oldest holiday in the World or even in America. Usually, Dads are celebrated by getting a day to do whatever they want…which most Dads believe to be a great idea. You will see Dads playing golf, fishing, bowling, working on their Model-T-Bucket hot rod or just plain napping in front of the TV. Now Dads may not be quite as busy as many Moms regarding the chauffeuring aspect, but we must admit most do their part in driving the kids to camp, to soccer, to baseball and yes…even to the orthodontic office of Vinson Orthodontics.

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Five Tips For Cleaning Braces

At Vinson Orthodontics, we don’t have to tell you that keeping your teeth clean during treatment is very important. Braces have a habit of collecting additional food while eating that can cause a multitude of problems if not cared for correctly. So you don’t offend others with unsightly food caught on your braces, or to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, decalcification or discoloring of teeth and cavities, here are are five tooth brushing tips from Dr. Britt Vinson and our team for orthodontic patients to keep in mind while wearing braces:

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July 4th – What You May or May Not Know About Independence Day

As Independence Day, July 4th rapidly approaches, it’s clear we are already more than halfway into the year and more importantly … summer has arrived. Our team recently researched some fun facts about our nation’s favorite holiday to showcase why we love celebrating the day which hallmarks our nation’s independence. Did you know July 4th, or as it is commonly referred to, Independence Day, has only been a federal holiday since 1941? The tradition still has roots though going all the way back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775 – 1783). July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence since then and is often celebrated with fireworks, parades, concerts and of course, barbecues.

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Missing Teeth-Is This Space Taken?

Everyone wants a full, toothy smile, but some people are missing teeth through no fault of their own. Whenever you see a person missing teeth, you probably assume that they have lost them somewhere along the line, either through an accident or neglect. However, that is not always true. At Vinson Orthodontics we sometimes see patients that are missing teeth because they failed to develop due to a family hereditary condition. Other times, the “missing” tooth isn’t really missing at all; it’s hidden underneath bone and gum tissue because it’s blocked or impacted by other teeth. In either situation, space must be created or closed, depending upon circumstances, to improve the bite and aesthetics. If not, then other teeth will gradually drift into the spaces, creating a bite problem and misalign teeth. Luckily, both problems can be treated with orthodontics.

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Nail Biting – Do Braces Break the Habit?

Some parents at Vinson Orthodontics ask if stopping a child’s nail biting habit is another positive effect of orthodontic treatment. Since nail biting can be harmful to braces by breaking brackets and bending wires that delay treatment, Dr. Britt Vinson feels that finding ways to curtail the habit is in our patient’s best interest.

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