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Everyone loves Thanksgiving because of the mountains of delicious food that is sure to be shared between family and friends for days on end, but for people with braces, it can be a complicated holiday. Knowing which foods are safe to indulge in and which ones could be dangerous to your orthodontic work will make all the difference in helping you get the most out of your holiday season, while keeping you on track with maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile during and after braces.

How do you achieve and maintain your smile at school when you just got your braces? Schools operate on a tight schedule. Consequently, students may not have the luxury of time and tools at their disposal to care for their mouth and braces. It is important to make space and time to care for your braces as food and debris can remain trapped in your braces which can cause plaque buildup and lead to other dental problems down the road. The following tips can help you or your child maintain their oral health with braces and Invisalign at school:

There are various factors that contribute to the treatment time associated with straighter teeth such as the severity of the problem, patient cooperation, and the biological response to the braces. Get informed on the contributing factors to your braces timeline!

For all of you braces-wearers out there, holiday break can really take a toll on the overall well-being of your mouth and braces! With holiday-inspired sweets, treats, and meals around every corner, it’s crucial that you give your brackets some extra tender love and care on a daily basis; ensuring that your orthodontic appliances are in good shape and still working hard to straighten your smile. Here at San Antonio Orthodontics, our doctors and dental team have put together a few tips and tricks you can utilize to keep your braces as healthy as possible while you kick back and relax during your time off!

At San Antonio Orthodontics, we are proud to welcome adult patients in our offices everyday who are looking to perfect their smiles! With modern advancements in orthodontic technology and the revolutionary Invisalign system, we are now able to give adults of all ages the ability to straighten their teeth in a discreet way. Our dental team understands that some people need braces to fix crooked teeth later in life, and wearing highly-noticeable metal braces is not always the best option for their professional lifestyles.

At San Antonio Orthodontics, our team believes that everyone in Texas deserves a healthy smile; which is why we’ve opened up our third orthodontic practice in New Judson! Here at our New Judson office, Dr. James VandeBerg and Dr. Cassandra Campbell are devoted to providing the highest level of orthodontic care with world-class dental services, giving all of our patients the personalized attention they deserve!

At San Antonio Orthodontics, we're proud to offer high-quality treatment with braces and Invisalign to patients throughout Universal City, Schertz, and San Antonio, TX. But beyond providing orthodontic treatment, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for all things related to your smile – including giving you a reason to use it! To help with that, here's a list of 5 fun, family-friendly activities you can find right here in sunny San Antonio!

Summer is just around the corner, and we know people everywhere are getting excited for sunshine, longer days, and plenty of outdoor fun. Summer is also a popular time to plan vacations and trips, and if you're going on one, congratulations! If you're going on vacation and have braces, however, there are some things you'll want to keep in mind. At San Antonio Orthodontics, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for orthodontic treatment in the San Antonio, TX area – so whether you're getting metal braces in San Antonio or Invisalign, here are our top tips for orthodontic health on summer vacation.

We all know we need to take good care of our teeth to avoid dreaded cavities – but why is that, anyways? If you’ve ever wondered the mechanisms that cause cavities, and consequently how oral hygiene and dental care help to prevent them, we can help. As a leading orthodontic practice serving the San Antonio & Pleasanton, TX areas, we regularly help patients of all ages achieve a healthy smile through orthodontic treatment. But we also understand the importance of preventive dental treatment – so listen to what our San Antonio orthodontist, Dr. James VandeBerg, has to say about the science and truth behind dental cavities.

San Antonio Orthodontics is doing a referral contest from now until March 31st, 2018! In order to be entered into the drawing, print, fill out and bring in this card with the persons name who referred you. The person that referred you gets entered into a gift card drawing to win a gift card to iFLY San Antonio!

We’re sure that some of you out there are already counting down the days to Halloween! Halloween may be a time for decorations, costumes, parties, and scares, but most of all, it’s about one thing – eating lots and lots of candy! Having said that, when you’re wearing braces, many of these delicious treats unfortunately need to be avoided. As your providers of braces and Invisalign in San Antonio and Pleasanton, Dr. Patrick Moore and the rest of the team at San Antonio Orthodontics would like to help you get through this holiday without causing damage to your braces while also allowing you to partake in the best part of Halloween!

As your premier choice for a San Antonio and Pleasanton adult and children’s orthodontist, we at San Antonio Orthodontics are here to give you the efficient and convenient orthodontic treatment you deserve. One of the many orthodontic treatment options we offer is the traditional method of braces. While the purpose of braces is apparent, you may have – at one time or another – found yourself wondering about how they actually work to make teeth straighter. That’s a great question – and one which we’ll be glad to teach you more about!

We’re closing in on summer and we at San Antonio Orthodontics are just as happy as anyone. However, as your source for braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontics in San Antonio, we want to bring attention to some potential dental troubles that you may run into during this sunny season. We’d like to give you a few summer tips for keeping your teeth safe so that you can spend less time at the office of your San Antonio children’s orthodontist and more time outside having fun!

It is recommended that all children visit an orthodontist around the age of seven. Years ago, parents waited until the child was a little older when adult teeth had erupted and problems were becoming readily evident. This way of orthodontics is changing due to earlier treatment known as Phase One or interceptive orthodontics.

Parents understand the value of a beautiful, properly aligned smile, so they may wonder how early they can begin orthodontic treatment if a problem with the positioning of the teeth becomes evident. This may become apparent when the child still has some of his or her baby teeth. It is appropriate to consult with an orthodontist by the time your child is 6 or 7 years old to determine if some sort of active orthodontic intervention may be needed.

Invisalign Teen is an alternative to conventional metal braces for teenagers. Like conventional braces, Invisalign Teen can move teeth to healthy, straight positions and improve the way that teeth make contact when the mouth is closed (the occlusion). A malocclusion is a bite where the teeth make improper or inadequate contact during oral function. Invisalign and Invisalign Teen can help with improving some issues with one’s occlusion such as overbites and underbites. After an examination with our orthodontist, our team can determine whether Invisalign is the appropriate treatment protocol for an improper bite.

Children should have their first dental visit around the age of twelve months. If you have taken your child for prior exams, your dentist will be able to give you a heads up that dental braces may be in your child’s future. A visit with the orthodontist can be anticipated around the age of six or seven even though treatment may not be started at that early age. If orthodontic treatment is introduced at a very young age, this is called interceptive orthodontics and is useful in the prevention of future problems.

As your provider of orthodontics in San Antonio, we at San Antonio Orthodontics are glad to help our patients with any of their questions and concerns. One such question that we frequently get from patients (and parents of patients) who are new to braces is about whether they can still participate in sports. While an immediate thought may be to stop playing sports during orthodontic treatment, we strongly discourage this option. Engaging in physical activity is vital for a person’s health – especially when they’re at a young age. Not only will it provide a person with valuable exercise, but it can fulfill the need for mental stimulation and social camaraderie as well. So instead of quitting sports, we’ve got a much better idea – wear an orthodontic mouthguard when you’re going to play sports.

Some patients may be reluctant to consult with an orthodontist about improving their smiles because they don’t want to spend years with their teeth obscured by unattractive brackets and wires. Now, there’s a better option for patients who prefer not to hide their smiles during treatment.

The Invisalign orthodontic system, which straightens your smile with a series of progressive trays made of clear plastic instead of brackets and wires, offers convenience to patients in many ways. One of the benefits of Invisalign is that patients can remove the trays before eating or drinking. That allows patients to continue to enjoy their favorite foods and beverages throughout orthodontic treatment.

Very often as children braces are worn and teeth are straightened. However, as we age changes can occur that alter the dental occlusion requiring additional treatment to restore the straight teeth once enjoyed. At this stage, whether you are a young adult or many years separate you from when you once wore braces, Invisalign clear aligners are an option for you to consider.

Many types of malocclusions can be resolved with Invisalign. Teenagers are especially self-conscious so Invisalign Teen is particularly important offering many advantages for teeth straightening.

Of course orthodontic treatments will benefit your oral health, but did you know that they can improve your overall well-being, too? Properly positioned teeth help you to get adequate nutrition and protect your body against the effects on inflammation that can start in the mouth but pop up elsewhere in the body, as well.

Invisalign clear aligners are an orthodontic application that allows the patient freedom to enjoy all their favorite foods while undergoing teeth straightening.

Invisalign Teen is an attractive treatment option for adolescents who want to straighten their smiles but don’t want to suffer through traditional orthodontic appliances in the process. The first step in this treatment is to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for your child.

Teeth straightening is used to resolve an over bite, under bite, or cross bite. In addition to correcting a malocclusion, many people seek to straighten their teeth to enhance their appearance. No matter your reason for wanting straighter teeth, many options are available. Invisalign is a very popular choice especially with teens and young adults.

From correcting a misaligned bite to straightening a few crooked front teeth, it is easy to see the benefits of orthodontics. While orthodontic care is important for the overall health of your mouth, teeth, and gums, you may not be placing enough emphasis on this specialized form of dentistry. Answering these common questions may give you a better understanding of why you should visit an orthodontist.

As a parent, you most likely understand the importance of periodic visits to the dentist, but correcting underlying issues with pediatric braces may also be necessary. While surprising to hear, your child’s dentist may recommend a consultation with an orthodontist to repairs issues affecting their bite. Using this guide, you will understand how early orthodontic care can benefit your child.

For about a half century, this question would never need to be asked. If you had crooked teeth, you underwent traditional teeth straightening with regular metal dental braces. However, the options have increased depending on the severity of your malocclusion and your age at the time of treatment.

For active teenagers who want a straighter smile with minimal disruption to their busy routines, Invisalign Teen can be a good alternative to traditional braces.

Wearing braces is a great investment in your oral health and your appearance. Our caring and experienced orthodontists can help you achieve the straight smile you deserve. Straight teeth are easier to clean, thus reducing a patient’s risk for developing cavities or gum disease if proper oral hygiene is practiced.

Has your dentist ever asked you if you could go back and change one thing about your smile, what would it be? Many responses would include having straightened teeth. But there is more to a smile makeover than aesthetics; straight teeth can prevent many oral problems from developing. And with all the improvements with teeth straightening products, wearing braces does not necessarily mean metal bands and brackets, wires, and years of food restrictions.

Is your child undergoing tooth transition? Has your dentist recommended that you make an appointment with an orthodontist? Receiving orthodontic treatment is a great investment in your child’s oral health. Not only is a straight smile a very desirable trait, straight teeth tend to be healthier than crooked and misaligned teeth. This is because cleaning properly spaced teeth is much easier. The timing of orthodontic treatment is important – especially since braces might affect the process of adult teeth replacing baby teeth. When timing treatment, our orthodontist will develop a custom treatment plan for each patient.

Braces can be beneficial for teens who want straighter smiles, but the noticeable metal appliances can also detract from the patient’s smile throughout treatment, usually for at least a year and sometimes longer. With Invisalign Teen, the patient’s smile continues to shine through, and patients are able to begin to enjoy their treatment results much sooner.

Toddlers should be seen by their family dentist around the age of twelve months. Any issues or concerns at that time can be addressed and questions answered. At around the age of seven, children should see an orthodontist for a thorough exam and evaluation that will be beneficial to assess their teeth straightening needs.

Patients often wonder how soon they can return to their normal, daily routines after getting braces. Bands are cemented on teeth as well as brackets that allow your orthodontist to thread the wires that will be used to straighten your teeth over time. Once your braces are placed there can be some discomfort. An over-the-counter pain reliever may be recommended; if you feel up to it, you can return to work or school. If not mandated by your school or employer, the remainder of the day may be better spent adjusting to your new braces.

Do you have gaps between your teeth? Spacing between teeth is a common orthodontic issue that affects many teenagers and adolescents. Fortunately, there is a comfortable and inconspicuous option for closing in the gaps of a smile with Invisalign Teen. Our orthodontists are proud to offer this service to our younger patients in need of a straighter smile.

It is not uncommon for adults to receive orthodontic treatment. Some patients may not have received braces during adolescence while others may need their teeth straightened after wisdom teeth come in. Whatever a patient’s needs may be, there are methods to discreetly straighten teeth in adulthood. One comfortable and discreet option for our adult-aged patients is Invisalign. Our orthodontists are proud to offer this treatment method to help our patients achieve straight, healthy smiles.