Could My Diabetes Effect My Orthodontic Treatment?

Although diabetes has become a fairly common disease in most recent years, it is still very serious and should be managed properly to avoid damaging effects to the body. These damaging effects include threats to your oral that can greatly influence your orthodontic treatment. Diabetes and Gum Disease The connection between diabetes and periodontal disease Read More

New Year, New Me

At the start of each new year, we often hear people say, “New year, new me.” But what exactly does that mean? At Affiliated Orthodontics, we say “New year, new smile, better hygiene.” To help you start the new year with a great smile and better oral health, we’ve come up with a list of Read More

The Impact of Smoking on Your Oral Health

When it comes to smoking, we’ve all been reminded constantly of the effects it can have on our overall health. In most cases, lung cancer is often the disease of choice that is a result of smoking. However, the damaging effects of smoking don’t stop there. Do you know the negative effects smoking can have Read More

Are You Over Brushing Your Braces?

Have you ever had that awkward experience when you drink a cold beverage and immediately feel a sharp pain in your teeth? You’re not alone. In fact, one in eight people has this same problem with tooth sensitivity. So what’s the cause? Believe it or not, tooth sensitivity such as this doesn’t have anything to Read More

What Happens When We Swallow Gum

Orthodontists Dr. Larry Davis, Dr. Randy Womack, Dr. Chris Teeters and the orthodontic team at Affiliated Orthodontics want to dispel an urban legend about chewing gum: if you swallow a wad of gum, it does not sit in your stomach for seven years. In most cases, actually, not even seven days. Chewing gum, although not Read More

Fun Halloween Costume Ideas for Braces

It’s that time of year again! Halloween is just around the corner and we at Affiliated Orthodontics are here to get you ready. For those of you currently in braces, you may be wondering how you can stand out with your costume while disguising your orthodontic treatment. Fear not! Here are six fun costume ideas you Read More

6 Fun Apps To Improve Your Oral Hygiene

We use our smartphones for almost everything in our lives. From setting alarms to wake up, to tracking our workouts, calories and calendars, we keep our phones close to us at all times. That being said, it comes as no surprise that our phones can be used to help improve our oral hygiene as well. Read More

5 Tips for Going Back to School with Braces

Bummed out that summer is almost over? At Affiliated Orthodontics in Peoria, AZ, we feel this is a great time of year to revisit the basics of caring for your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Starting a healthy routine at the beginning of the school year will go a long way towards achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Read More

Are You Cleaning Your Braces with the Right Toothbrush?

You’re just starting orthodontic treatment and it’s time to brush your teeth. Do you brush with a manual or electric toothbrush? The truth is that either type of toothbrush does an effective job of cleaning the teeth. For those of you not convinced, we’ve listed some features and benefits of each so you can decide Read More

Thinking About Mail-In Orthodontics? Read This First!

Wouldn’t you love to simply take a selfie, and/or impression of your teeth or get your teeth scanned, and receive aligners that straighten your teeth in a few months without even leaving your home? Sounds too good to be true, huh? This is exactly the type of convenience offered and advertised with direct-to-consumer orthodontics. Companies like Read More

Vegan Diet – Good For Your Teeth While Wearing Braces?

While we’ve all heard that milk is great for building strong bones and teeth, not everyone drinks milk. Although more Americans are becoming proactive about taking care of their overall health, many of us have dietary preferences that exclude dairy products. Both calcium and vitamin D are essential to your oral health, but are you Read More

Mail Order Orthodontics – Are You Willing To Take The Risk?

Would you consider undergoing orthodontic treatment to improve your smile without ever having to step foot inside an orthodontic or dental office? In the last couple years, there has been a significant increase in the purchase of mail order orthodontics and at-home teeth straightening kits, especially with teens. What’s the hook? It is advertised as Read More

Can Alcohol Affect Orthodontic Treatment?

You already know the effects alcohol can have on your body, but do you know how it can affect your oral health? At Affiliated Orthodontics, our job is to educate adult patients on how to keep their teeth healthy during orthodontic treatment. Before you pick up that glass of your favorite alcoholic beverage, consider what’s Read More

Orthodontic Treatment For Children

Most parents understand the importance of starting children young with an at-home oral care routine. While children start their dental care routine in their toddler years, do you know the best age to start them with orthodontic treatment? Some parents choose to wait until all of their child’s permanent teeth have come in, but what Read More

Are Your Braces Making Your Morning Breath Worse?

We all know what it’s like to have morning breath. But those of us with braces may have morning breath that is a little stronger than most. Dry Mouth and Morning Breath The most common cause of morning breath is dry mouth. When you sleep, your body is not able to produce as much saliva. Read More

Could Your Breakfast Affect Your Smile?

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But how important is it to our oral health? The Breakfast Effect Think about your typical first meal of the day. Is it hot or cold? Does it have a lot of sugar in it? Is it balanced? In the United States, Read More

4 Reasons Why Dental Checkups Are Important

To maintain your car, it is recommended to change your oil at least every 3,000 miles. Failing to do so could result in damage to your car’s engine. Oral health follows a similar concept. Failure to visit your dentist for a dental checkup at least once every six months could lead to gum disease and Read More

Is Biting Your Nails Bad For Your Teeth?

Whether you’re stressed, excited or bored, biting nails is a very common habit among kids and adults of all ages. Although it is more common among children ages 10 to 18, studies have shown that 30% of children and 15% of adults are nail biters. The good news is that most people drop the habit Read More