World Smile Day: What It Is & How to Get Involved

The smiley face is an incredibly popular emoji used in all kinds of social media platforms. However, did you know that the icon was created by an artist in Worcester? In 1999, October 4^th was established as World Smile Day, and it’s become a time of remembrance for the true meaning of the smiling symbol. Keep reading to learn what it is, its significance, and how you can get involved in your community to celebrate this day!

You’ve probably been reminded your whole life that good posture is important; sitting and standing up straight is better for our backs, not to mention that it helps us to appear more professional, alert, and invested in whatever we’re doing! That said, did you also know that posture plays a key role in bite alignment, or how your teeth fit together? Continue reading to learn more from your orthodontist about this curious connection, along with a few tips that’ll help you maintain great posture and by proxy, a healthy smile!

From staying active to teaching the importance of teamwork, participating in sports can benefit your teen in numerous ways. Of course, there’s always the risk of an injury as well. In fact, roughly five million teeth are knocked-out each year in sports-related accidents – yikes! To help prevent an orthodontic emergency, keep reading to learn the key to protecting your teen’s braces during sports.

It can be alarming to look into the bathroom mirror and notice that your teeth have shifted out of position. But it’s usually not obvious why this happens, and you might be wondering what could’ve possibly caused your pearly whites to move so drastically! Here’s more from your trusted orthodontist about some of the possible causes of shifting teeth, along with how professional intervention can address the issue.

If you’re unhappy with the state of your smile due to crooked teeth, you might be weighing your options for addressing the issue. But if you’re on the fence trying to choose between traditional metal braces or Invisalign, you might be wondering how each respective treatment will fit into your personal budget. Here’s a little more about a few of the notable factors that often contribute to the cost of receiving orthodontic care so that you can go into the treatment with full confidence that you’ve made an informed decision!

If you’ve recently noticed that your teeth are beginning to seem crooked, despite you having already undergone orthodontic treatment in the past, you might be feeling worried and hopeless about the future of your smile. Unfortunately, orthodontic relapse is something that happens; however, teeth can be re-straightened once more with the help of your orthodontist. But you might be wondering if it’s something you could even handle yourself with the help of an old retainer. Keep reading to learn more about why old retainers aren’t usually able to re-straighten teeth as well as your orthodontist can.

Between paparazzi around every turn and red carpet events every month, it’s not surprising that celebrities want a camera-ready smile at all times. Fortunately, addressing crooked or spaced-out teeth doesn’t require metal brackets and wires either – Invisalign is equally as effective and incredibly discreet. In fact, the trays are so clear that you may have not even noticed your favorite stars wearing them! To learn eight celebrities that used Invisalign, keep reading.

Stockings are a great place to pack “little” gifts, like caramel popcorn, flavored gum, or peppermint bark. Since these treats have the potential to cause a bracket or wire to break, it’s important that your child avoids them altogether for now. Naturally, that might leave you wondering, “What are some braces-friendly stocking stuffer gifts?” Keep reading for a few ideas!

Are the discreet, clear trays one of the reasons you opted for Invisalign? You’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the biggest perks of this teeth-straightening solution! Of course, it’s important to know that your aligners can discolor. Since this can cause your teeth to look yellow and stained too, it’s important to do what you can to take care of them properly. To learn how to keep your Invisalign trays clean, keep reading.

Pecan pie, caramel apples, and buttery popcorn are a few holiday treats that are a no-no once you start orthodontic treatment. While this may initially seem like an inconvenience, abiding by your dietary restrictions can end up protecting you from a dental emergency. After all, the last thing you want is to end up at your orthodontist’s office on Halloween or Thanksgiving! To help prevent that from happening, keep reading to learn a few braces-friendly recipes to try this year.