Month: August 2022

Back to School with Braces in 2022! Top 5 Tips

teens after their back to school orthodontic exam

*School bells ring in the distance* It’s that time again! School is back in session and if you’re starting off the school year with a fresh metal grill, you may have mixed feelings. It’s only natural.

Your experience doesn’t have to be awkward. Braces treatment is a lot less challenging than you may think. 

Your friends here at Jupiter Orthodontics have the pro tips you need to go back to school with confidence. (We have a feeling this is going to be your best school year yet.)

1. Be selfie-ready at all times with a braces care kit.

Don’t let your breakfast linger into lunch with you! Carrying a braces care kit is ideal for keeping your smile clean and avoiding the embarrassing realization that you had a piece of lettuce in your teeth the whole time. 

Consider any of these items for your handy kit:

  • Mini toothbrush
  • Mini toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Interproximal brush
  • Pocket mirror
  • Orthodontic wax

You don’t have to carry too many items or spend more than $5! As long as you have a travel-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, you’re good to go. Keeping your teeth clean will help you maintain excellent oral hygiene.

After breakfast, lunch and snacks, bring your braces care kit to the bathroom for a quick cleanse. Clean teeth = great breath + exceptional treatment results.

2. Keep it cool with a refillable water bottle.

Bring your coolest water bottle to school and refill it a few times each day. You’ll see the benefits pretty quickly! Water plays an important role in your orthodontic treatment journey, from your dental health to your mental health.

Plus, drinking more water means more bathroom breaks – and more bathroom breaks means more chances to use your braces care kit.

3. Don’t take risks with your precious smile!

Life is all about taking risks – safe risks, that is. Ask that girl or guy out. Learn how to play the drums. Try out for the main role in the next play! Why not? Live a little!

However, one risk you don’t want to take this school year (or ever) is stepping onto the field or court without your mouthguard. Leaving your teeth exposed to a ball spiraling toward your face or another player’s elbow is a dangerous, painful, and expensive risk.

According to studies published by the American Dental Association, “individuals who do not use mouthguards have more than twice the increased risk of orofacial injury.” Wearing a mouthguard reduces the chances of dentofacial injuries in collision sports by 27.6%!

Your mouthguard protects you from a potential braces emergency, or worse – a cut lip or a missing tooth. If you don’t have a mouthguard yet, please let our team know at your next appointment and we can help you choose the best one. 

4. Pack some braces-friendly snacks – just in case.

Who doesn’t appreciate back-up snacks? Whether you prefer eating school lunches or packing lunches from home, it’s a good idea to keep some braces-friendly snacks in your locker.

During the first week with braces, your teeth and gums may be a bit sore, and you may feel discouraged from eating some of your usual foods. (Don’t worry, this is temporary!) While your mouth is still adjusting to braces treatment, you may want to pack some soft snacks, like:

  • Pasta salad
  • Oatmeal
  • Apple sauce
  • Yogurt
  • Soft chocolate
  • Chicken soup

After the first week or so with braces, you may be able to reintroduce the full braces-approved menu. Try any of these snacks:

  • String cheese
  • Muffins
  • Shredded chicken
  • Spaghetti and meatballs
  • Fruit salad
  • Grilled cheese

With braces-friendly snacks by your side, you won’t have to face lunch on your own or feel that your options are limited. (And you won’t be hangry by the end of the day.)

5. Smile as much as possible!

Take every chance to smile with friends – and in the mirror! Watch your smile transform over the months and start tapping into the confidence you’re gaining.

We provide different types of braces so you can choose the one that makes you feel the most confident. Choose from traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces and advanced self-ligating braces. (We’re also expert Invisalign® providers.) 

Remember, all of your hard work will pay off soon. Enjoy this school year – and prepare for a life-changing smile! 

Need more back-to-school tips?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’ll give you all of the tips and advice you need for a comfortable transition back to school – with braces, but without the awkwardness. 

Has your child received his or her first orthodontic exam yet? We are a leading orthodontist in Jupiter, FL, and we offer free first visits. Your first visit includes a one-on-one consultation with Dr. King or Dr. Welch and a thorough orthodontic exam with x-rays and photos!

Request your complimentary back-to-school orthodontic exam today. 

What happens during phase 1 orthodontic treatment?

girl in phase 1 orthodontic treatment smiles at friend in the park

If you’re a parent, you may have heard of phase 1 orthodontic treatment for children. Orthodontic treatment, braces, and Invisalign® have become household words in the past decade.

After all, an estimated 50 to 70% of children in the United States wear braces before adulthood.

For parents who haven’t heard of phase 1 orthodontics yet, you’re in the right place! We’re here to give you the skinny on early orthodontic treatment and phase 1 braces.

What is phase 1 orthodontic treatment?

Phase 1 orthodontics, or one phase orthodontics, is a treatment approach that enables our experienced orthodontists, Dr. King and Dr. Welch, to treat our youngest patients in one complete phase of treatment.

In the 1980s, two-phase orthodontics was a popular treatment method. This approach splits orthodontic treatment into two phases, one phase aimed to prepare the mouth for braces or Invisalign treatment, and the other phase aimed to straighten the smile.

At Jupiter Orthodontics, we warn parents against two-phase orthodontic treatment, as some orthodontists recommend this method in order to generate more profit. Our orthodontists only treat patients in two phases when it is absolutely necessary and in the best interest of the patient.

Due to our orthodontists’ expertise, level of skill, and the advanced orthodontic technologies we use, we can treat most patients in one phase with comprehensive treatment. As long as we are able to create the same quality of results that would be made through two phases of treatment, our orthodontists will recommend one phase treatment.

What does phase 1 orthodontic treatment mean for you? Less expense, fewer appointments, and high quality results.

The Phase 1 Braces Process

Phase 1 orthodontics begins with a complimentary consultation at our Jupiter office! We encourage you to fill out your patient forms online to make your first visit as efficient as possible.

When you visit us for your consultation, you and your child will meet your Jupiter orthodontist (Dr. King or Dr. Welch) who will perform a comprehensive orthodontic exam at no charge!

Plus, if your child doesn’t require orthodontic treatment on their first visit, Dr. King will monitor them every six months at no charge with no deposit necessary.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Once we have all of the information we need about your child’s teeth, bite alignment, and growth/development progress, your orthodontist will create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include an orthodontic appliance to maximize the efficiency of treatment, followed by a full treatment of braces (depending on the patient’s specific case).

Our orthodontists are known for an advanced treatment method called the King Method. The King Method is a comprehensive orthodontic approach that fuses various techniques and appliances into one unique method. With this approach, we create superior results in a shorter amount of time.

Your child’s treatment plan will focus on establishing a strong foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to emerge!

Visit us for regular check-ups!

Once we begin treatment, you and your child will be advised to visit us for regular check-ups every 8 to 10 weeks or so. Some cases require less frequent visits! Your orthodontist will determine the frequency of visits after their orthodontic exam.

During these visits, your orthodontist will assess your child’s progress to determine whether any changes need to be made to their treatment plan.

The next step is a beautiful, healthy new smile that will last your child a lifetime with proper care! We’ll guide you through every step of the treatment process – from your first visit to your last.

Please know that there is no pressure from our office to begin a child’s treatment. We always have our patients’ best interest in mind when determining if treatment should begin!

Reach out to us with any questions or request your complimentary consultation today!