If your child has had an initial consultation with Dr. Jolley and has been recommended for an observation visit, you might be wondering—what exactly does that mean? An orthodontic observation appointment is a crucial step in planning for future orthodontic treatment. It allows us to monitor your child's dental development and determine the perfect time to start treatment for the best possible results.

Why Are Observation Visits Important?

Some kids need orthodontic treatment, but not right away. An observation visit is scheduled when we know a child will need braces or other early orthodontic care but need to wait for the optimal time to begin. This could be due to baby teeth that still ...

October is here, and we all know what that means—candy everywhere! But before you dive into that trick-or-treat stash, let’s take a moment to think about your braces. At Jolley Orthodontics, Dr. Cameron Jolley wants to help you keep your teeth healthy and your treatment on track. While a little indulgence is fine, eating the wrong kinds of candy can be a real nightmare for your braces—and your teeth!

Why Candy and Braces Don’t Mix

Candy may be delicious, but it can spell disaster for your orthodontic treatment. Sticky, hard, or chewy candies (think caramels, taffy, and jawbreakers) can easily break brackets, bend wires, or even pull an appliance out of place. And you kn...

We often get asked, "Why age 7?" when it comes to a child's first orthodontic visit. It's a great question and one that we're excited to address. As a leading orthodontist, Dr. Jolley agrees with the experts at the American Association of Orthodontics, and believes in the importance of early orthodontic intervention to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child. Learn why age 7 is the ideal time to schedule that first orthodontic appointment – and maybe for braces.

Early Detection Leads to Early Intervention

By the age of 7, your child's mouth has typically developed enough permanent teeth for our orthodontic team to evaluate their dental health comprehensively. This early assess...

Many people think only of teenagers or even younger children when they think of braces. We get it. It is a pretty accurate assumption that a lot of our patients are kids, but there is a good chance you underestimate the number of adults in treatment. You may think that a person can be “too old” for braces, but that is not the case!

Reasons for Adult Braces

There are lots of good reasons that an adult may choose to seek out orthodontic treatment. The first is that they want a more aesthetically pleasing look for their smile. We see patients who never had braces, but have always been self-conscious about their smiles. We also see patients who had braces as kids, but their teeth have ...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? No one can say for sure, but one thing we do know is that when it comes to brushing and flossing, there’s definitely one that should be done before the other. You may be surprised to know that according to studies, flossing should be your first step!

Floss First!

It has been proven that flossing before you brush is the best way to get your teeth thoroughly clean and remove the most plaque. Flossing before brushing also allows for better fluoride concentration from toothpaste, which helps make the enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.

Why is it Beneficial?

By flossing before brushing, you knock out food particles loose that are stuck in betwe...

What is a Crossbite?

Anytime you go to a healthcare specialist, you are going to hear lots of technical-sounding words. Some of which you might be familiar with, and some that you have no idea what they mean. Orthodontics is a field with an especially large amount of jargon that may be new to you, but we are here to help! Today, let’s take a look at crossbites.

What Does “Bite” Mean in Orthodontics?

While the word “bite” is one that you have obviously heard before, when it is used in orthodontics and dentistry it means something a little different. When Dr. Jolley talks about your bite, he is referring to the way that your teeth fit together. Just as your upper and...

Do you know how you take your children to well-check visits to their pediatrician and regular checkups with their general dentist? It’s just as important to start factoring in orthodontist visits by the time your child is 7-years old.

Why 7-Years Old?

By taking your child to the orthodontist at an early age, you will help to keep your child’s oral health in check. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children see an orthodontist by the time they are 7-years old. At this age, the orthodontist is able to look at the way your child’s mouth is developing, including their jaw growth and the way that their permanent teeth are coming in, amongst other things. By ...