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The first week with new braces can be tough. You may experience some pain and discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the new hardware. It’s important to take it easy and give yourself time to adjust. We want to make your journey to a beautiful smile easy and painless, so here are a few tips from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics, to get you through the first week with braces:

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• How Long do Braces Hurt?
• Eating with Braces
• What to Expect When Getting Braces
• Different Types of Braces

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Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so they are much less noticeable when you wear them. Invisalign treatment is custom-designed for each patient, so the aligners are precisely engineered to move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign is an excellent choice for both adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth without wearing conspicuous braces. Learn more about Invisalign from Dr. Jaclyn Scrogginsat Junction Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• What is an Invisalign Aligner?
• Invisalign Treatment 
• What is SmartForce?
• What Can Invisalign Fix?

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We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, or even worse, suffered one ourselves. After getting braces, you may be even more worried about a blow to the face during practice or a big game. The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth but the soft tissue of your mouth and your jaw from injury as you play. Luckily for all of our athletic patients, getting braces doesn’t mean giving up the sports you love! Braces will not keep you from any physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment.  Keep reading to uncover the significant role that mouthguards play in protecting your oral health and overall well-being from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics.

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• Why should you wear a mouthguard?
• Do Braces put you at a risk for a sports injury?
• What types of mouthguards can I buy?

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So, you’ve finally gotten your braces off, finished your Invisalign, and you’re done with the orthodontist. Not so fast – after treatment, you’ll be fitted with a retainer to keep that smile perfect for years to come. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment from Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• What are Retainers?
• Are there Different Types of Retainers?
• How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?
• What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?

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It’s a big choice to set a treatment plan for bettering your smile! The decision involves research, planning, and an expert evaluation. The field of orthodontics is constantly innovating and growing, so there are numerous treatment styles that may be the best path for you. One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is which type of braces you’ll use. You could be the ideal candidate for traditional braces, or Invisalign may be the best option. Whether you choose traditional braces or Invisalign, our team of orthodontic specialists is here to help you!

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• Choosing Invisalign
• Invisalign Candidacy
• What issues can Invisalign help with
• Invisalign Pain

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For many children losing teeth is an exciting rite of passage. Another xciting rite of passage is starting orthodontic treatment. And, a question we get from parents bringing in children for s first evaluation is whether or not they can even get started with all of their missing teeth. It’s common to wonder if your child is losing teeth at the right time, or too slowly, or even too quickly. These concerns are normal, and a reason why it’s good to get your child into the orthodontist starting at age seven. Orthodontist Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins at Junction Orthodontics can answer all these questions and more and can start any treatment needed early enough to prevent major issues. 

 

When Should Your Child Start to Lose Teeth?

Children typically begin to lose their baby teeth, or primary teeth, around the age of six. This process, known as exfoliation, starts with the teeth at the front of the mouth and then progresses to the back teeth. The process of exfoliation can take several years to complete, and some children may retain their primary teeth until they are twelve or thirteen years old. While the timing of exfoliation varies from child to child, it is typically considered to be a normal and healthy process.

Of course, every child is different, and these ages and average numbers may not prove exactly true in real life. Though your child may not follow this exact timing when they lose their teeth, a first visit to your orthodontist is ideal at age seven to make sure that the progression they are following is healthy and timely for their development. 

Most children begin to get their molars around the age of six. However, there can be some variation, and some children may get their molars a little earlier or later. In general, the first molars to come in are the lower ones, followed by the upper ones. The second molars usually come in around the age of twelve. Again, there can be some variation, but this is generally the age range when molars begin to come in.

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