Vinson Orthodontics

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. 

Decalcification-Common Causes of White Spots After Wearing Braces

Chalky, opaque-looking white spots on the teeth are not uncommon today. Maybe you have them or perhaps you’ve seen them on the teeth of friends or family. Many things can cause white spots on the teeth. They can be a factor of nutrition, genetics, an excess of fluoride intake at a young age, or poor oral hygiene. When undergoing orthodontic treatment, white spots can develop if plaque is allowed to remain “around the brackets and along the gum line” for an extended period of time without proper brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene is critical during treatment. Since the bonding material that glues the bracket to each tooth creates an airtight seal, you seldom see white marks underneath the braces but around the braces and along the gum line after braces are removed.

Read More »

Most Common Question In Orthodontics

Is it what can I eat? How do I brush? No… When do I get my braces off? While most patients are always eager to start treatment, they are even more eager to get them off. Even though each patient is given an estimated treatment time wearing braces when they start, patients always hope we can wave our magic wands and complete the process sooner. It makes sense that a patient may assume they are ahead of schedule when their teeth look straight in a mirror. Unfortunately, orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth. The ultimate goal of good orthodontic treatment result is a beautiful smile as well as a healthy bite that lasts a lifetime.

Read More »

Smiles Change Lives!

A healthy perfect smile is why many children and adults choose to undergo orthodontic treatment. Around friends and family, a less than attractive smile is not as noticeable. However, when meeting new people, making new friends, and in the workplace, your smile is more obvious to those who don’t know you. When speaking one on one with others, a beautiful smile improves your appearance and increases confidence to better influence personal relationships. Undergoing orthodontic treatment is one of the best decisions you will make for yourself and family.

Read More »

Preventing Braces – Fact or Fiction

Most parents today are well informed when it comes to stopping adverse habits that effects tooth and jaw development in infants and toddlers. Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifiers, and use of bottles past the age of three are reported to cause problems with teeth and impact early jaw development. However, did you know that poor bites and abnormal jaw growth is mostly hereditary and not caused by habits? Even if you stop bad habits before the age of three or breastfeed your child, it is likely they still may develop a malocclusion requiring orthodontic treatment.

Read More »

Fashion Statement – Celebrities Wearing Braces

Celebrities wearing braces are being seen everywhere. Vinson Orthodontics wants you to know that braces aren’t just for kids. Even celebrities enjoy the benefits that orthodontic treatment can offer and embrace traditional braces rather than invisible braces to correct their problems. Not every patient is a candidate for Invisalign or braces behind the teeth. Below are a few recognizable names who have chosen show off their treatment, even though they are in the spotlight. Katy Perry – recording artist and pop idol Katy Perry chose metal braces and smiles proudly during photo shoots and performances.

Read More »

TMJ Jaw Pain Can Be A Mouthful

TMJ jaw pain can be a mouthful. Living with aching or clicking jaws can be hard to swallow! Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also commonly known as TMJ or TMD, is a joint disorder that affects the opening and closing of the jaw, and can have many side effects that relate to the teeth, head, and neck. Like other joints, the relationship between the bone and disk will affect how well the joint works. The jaw is used thousands of times a day for talking, eating and laughing. When a disorder is present in the joint, your lifestyle can be dramatically changed.

Read More »

Is Your Mouthguard Making You Sick?

Most adults and kids today understand the importance of wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports, especially while wearing braces. Blows to the mouth are painful enough without brackets and wires cutting into your lips and tongue making it worse. Teeth are actually less prone to injury when wired together as a single unit during orthodontic treatment. A mouth guard protects the braces and serves as added protection, further reducing the possibility of tooth and jaw injury. It is not uncommon for athletes to remove their mouthguard when playing sports and set it down, hold it in their dirty hands, or toss it into the case or Gym bag when the game is over. Do you or your kids clean your mouthguard before popping it back into the mouth the next you play? Who knows what germs are breeding on the mouthguard when stored away that can cause illness and oral health issues?

Read More »

Baby Boomers Smile – The Finishing Touch

The Baby Boomers are a generation like no other. In addition to growing up in the tumultuous sixties and seventies, they were the first to experience the full benefit of modern medicine, changing attitudes about nutrition and exercise, and the advent of plastic surgery. As a result, Baby Boomers have been able to maintain a youthful appearance far longer than any other group (at least most of them have!). However, there is a part of the Fountain of Youth that many baby boomers may be overlooking—their smiles.

Read More »

Easter – Here Is Some History

  Easter is not just about egg hunts, candy, Cadbury eggs and chocolate rabbits. For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ. It is a moveable holiday or feast since it does not occur on the same exact day every year. Most Christian churches in the Western part of the globe celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21st. Thus it usually falls between March 22nd and April 25th each year. The exact origins for the name of this celebration are complex and there are many theories. Some think it is named after a Teutonic goddess of Spring Eostre. Still others believe it comes from a Latin term hebdomada alba or white week to celebrate the white clothing of those that were baptized during that time. Although Easter is a religious event, it has also become a commercial holiday with marshmallow chicks, jelly beans and all kinds of chocolate bunnies. Even the White House has an annual Easter egg hunt for hundreds of children in the area. It is also the time for “Mardi Gras” in New Orleans.

Read More »

Orthodontic Timing is Everything when Treating Children

Orthodontic timing…Vinson Orthodontics specializes in the movement of teeth and correction of adverse jaw growth problems. Evaluating and diagnosing each individual patient’s dental development, presents a slightly different challenge for an orthodontist. There are many factors at work and different approaches that can be used. In severe situations, permanent tooth removals may be required to create the necessary space for others. However, no one enjoys having their teeth extracted and we try to avoid this option whenever possible. Fortunately, there is another way. By using a child’s natural growth spurts, a savvy orthodontist can avoid the need for tooth extractions if he or she evaluates a patient at an early age.

Read More »