Blog

We all know that sugary carbonated drinks do more harm than good to the teeth, but what about sparkling water? In most carbonated beverages, the acidity levels are very high – which can weaken tooth enamel. 

If you’re not familiar with tooth enamel, it is the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form. When left on the teeth for too long, the acid and sugar from carbonated beverages can cause significant tooth decay, stained teeth or, in some cases, gum disease. This is often discussed in association with sodas, but what about sparkling water? Read More

Every patient has their own reasons for deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment. For adolescents and teens, image has always been a key factor in social integration, and in today’s beauty-conscious society, a beautiful smile is high on their list of priorities.

The ever-popular selfie gives teens a confidence boost and social media is the ideal platform to broadcast themselves to the world. So much so, that:

• 65% of teenage girls reported that seeing their selfies on social media actually boosts their confidence.
• 40% of all teens say social media helps them present their best face to the world.
• At least 81 percent of teens, ages 12-17, use social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, according to recent findings from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, with Instagram especially popular among selfie-loving teenage girls.

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It’s no secret that the spread of COVID-19 has drastically changed how we all live today. Now that many businesses are finally allowed to re-open, it’s time to attend your first orthodontic appointment. To help you prepare for the “new normal,” Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics will explain a few changes you can expect at your next visit.

No More Waiting Room

Instead of waiting for your appointment in the waiting area, you may be asked to simply wait in your car and call the office once you arrive. You will be notified once it is time to enter the office. Friends and family will no longer be allowed to attend appointments with patients and must also wait in the car during the duration of the appointment unless absolutely necessary. Read More

Part of maintaining good oral hygiene is making sure to brush your teeth multiple times throughout the day. While most of us know to brush after eating, how soon is too soon? In order to answer that question, Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics will first explain the science behind tooth structure. Understanding this will help better explain why brushing right after eating is bad for your teeth. Read More

At Junction Orthodontics, we do our best to remain available for orthodontic emergencies. Please call our office if you think you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency. We don’t want you to feel like you’re on your own when it comes to your orthodontic treatment.

That being said, sometimes our patients run into problems or experience discomfort at a time when we can’t see them right away. We wanted to equip our orthodontic patients with some tricks and hacks that you can do at home, so you can ease discomfort and keep treatment on track until you are able to visit our office.Read More

You’ve already been told a hundred times, but we’re telling you again: be very mindful of what you eat while wearing braces. Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins in Kirkwood, MO is a firm believer that taking care of your braces is crucial to getting a great orthodontic result!

During the coronavirus quarantine, it is harder than normal for an orthodontist to fix broken brackets or handle an orthodontic emergency. You know what they say: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This holds true when taking care of your braces and avoiding orthodontic emergencies.Read More