Do hot or cold drinks, or sweet and sour foods, make you wince? Tooth sensitivity is very common (tens of millions of Americans deal with it), and a little sensitivity during orthodontic treatment is normal too. Understanding why it happens is the first step to relief. Sensitivity usually starts when the hard enamel on the outside of a
Chalky, opaque white spots on teeth are more common than you might think. Maybe you have noticed them on your own teeth or on a friend’s. White spots can come from several sources, including nutrition, genetics, too much fluoride at a young age, and (the one most relevant during orthodontic treatment) poor oral hygiene. During treatment with braces,
Take a selfie or a home impression, mail it off, and get aligners that straighten your teeth from your couch. It sounds wonderfully convenient, and that convenience is exactly what direct-to-consumer (mail-in) orthodontic companies advertise. Before you sign up, though, it is worth taking a step back to look at the whole picture, as the American Association of
The start of a new school year is a perfect time to reset your braces-care routine. Good habits now go a long way toward a healthy, beautiful smile by year’s end. Here are five simple reminders from Berkeley Family Orthodontics to kick off the school year with a happy, healthy mouth. 1. Follow the 2×2 Rule Brush twice
We use our phones for almost everything, from alarms to workouts to calendars, so it is no surprise that they can help with our oral hygiene too. If you are building a better brushing routine (especially during orthodontic treatment), these apps can make it easier and more fun. App availability changes over time, so if one is no
Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Your Front Teeth to Crowd? You have probably heard that wisdom teeth push your front teeth together. It is one of the most common beliefs in dentistry, and it has a surprising origin. In 1961, orthodontist Dr. Leroy Vego published a study, “A Longitudinal Study of Mandibular Arch Perimeter,” looking at the role of
The team at Berkeley Family Orthodontics wants to put a familiar playground myth to rest: if you swallow a piece of gum, it does not sit in your stomach for seven years. In most cases, it does not even last seven days. Although gum is not meant to be swallowed, it passes harmlessly through the digestive system and
Being told you need orthodontic treatment, or simply deciding you want a straighter smile, can feel like a big step. For self-conscious teens and busy professionals alike, a mouth full of metal is not always appealing. That is why so many people overlook a nearly invisible alternative: Invisalign clear aligners. Some write it off over worries about cost
