Author: Dr. James Donaghey

Every year, you visit your doctor for a check-up. These well visits are to ensure you are healthy for the year to come! You also should have visits like these with your dentist, you need to have a dental check at least once every six months to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. Read More

Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so they are much less noticeable when you wear them. Invisalign treatment is custom-designed for each patient, so the aligners are precisely engineered to move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign Read More

The week after your new braces go on is often tough. There’s a lot you have to adjust to from metal in your mouth to changes in diet, nightly routine, and oral hygiene. Transitions and changes are never easy, and to help make your journey to a beautiful smile smooth and painless, Dr. James Donaghey Read More

So, you’ve finally gotten your braces off, finished your Invisalign, and you’re done with the orthodontist. Not so fast – after treatment, you’ll be fitted with a retainer to keep that smile perfect for years to come. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment Read More

We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. After getting braces, you may be wondering ‘Can I play sports with braces?’ The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard before taking to the court. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth but Read More

For many children losing teeth is an exciting rite of passage. Another exciting rite of passage is starting orthodontic treatment. And, a question we get from parents bringing in children for s first evaluation is whether or not they can even get started with all of their missing teeth. It’s common to wonder if your Read More

It’s a big choice to set a treatment plan for bettering your smile! The decision involves research, planning, and an expert evaluation. The field of orthodontics is constantly innovating and growing, so there are numerous treatment styles that may be the best path for you. One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is Read More

The most common question patients ask us is “When will my braces come off?”. More often than “What can I eat with braces?” or “Can I still play my favorite sports?” Patients want to know how long they’ll have to deal with braces at all. It’s an understandable question. Braces are hard to brush and Read More

As we know, it’s common for young children to put anything and everything into their mouths. This curiosity about the world around them is normal, and unless it carries into later childhood, is beneficial to development. Habits like nail-biting, thumb sucking, using a pacifier excessively, and tongue thrusting as you swallow all have negative long-term Read More

Flossing isn’t the most exciting part of your nightly routine, but it’s essential to your oral health. Maintaining that excellent oral health is an integral part of your orthodontic journey! Before we get into how to become an expert braces flosser, here’s some more information about why flossing is so critical in the first place. Read More

A common first step of orthodontic treatment is an expander. Expanders, or palatal expanders, are orthodontic appliances that increase the space between the halves of the upper jaw. While that sounds scary and painful, expanders are very common and relatively painless! Many young, growing orthodontic patients have expanders, and they can help make sure you Read More

One of our most common questions from patients is “What can I eat with my braces?” or “What foods do I have to give up?” and we have a few simple guidelines to share. Getting braces is a big change, and on top of the wires, brackets, or Invisalign trays, there’s a whole new set Read More

Parents are usually well-versed in getting their child to the dentist early on. Establishing oral health routines for your toddlers is standard – but many parents have questions about getting their child set up with orthodontic treatment. What about their first visit to the orthodontist? When should they go? Is my child too young for Read More

Gum Disease Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. The culprit for this disease is usually poor brushing and flossing habits. These poor habits allow plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build up on the teeth and harden.Our mouths are Read More

Braces can be sharp and restrictive. This makes the dating scene seem daunting and heightens nerves all around. Never fear! There’s no reason your orthodontic treatment should hamper your romantic life. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, dating with braces is possible and still just as fun. Here are a few of our tips Read More

So, why do you keep getting canker sores? Canker sores are flat white sores that appear in your mouth and can last for a week or more. What causes these small mouth ulcers is unknown. Though the exact causes of canker sores in children are unknown, many things can trigger their recurrence. Stress, tissue damage Read More

When a dentist or orthodontist recommends getting braces or moving forward with orthodontic treatment, many people are scared or apprehensive. Braces are grounds for embarrassment for the self-conscious teen and the up-and-coming professional. Having a mouth full of metal to clean, eat, and live around can be daunting. But, many patients may overlook Invisalign when Read More

With all the effort put towards eating right, staying fit, and otherwise taking care of themselves, there is no reason why adults should not investigate having beautiful teeth! According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four patients is an adult.  There are many benefits to getting braces at any age. Everyone wants a Read More

Getting outside in the sun is important for our health and wellbeing for many reasons! However, did you know it can actually help the health of your teeth as well? A little sunshine has been found to improve mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies. Keep reading for some advice Read More

Exercise has numerous benefits for both our physical and mental health, and is a crucial part of living a healthy lifestyle. Running has become a popular form of exercise for improving cardiovascular endurance and being a form of exercise that doesn’t require a gym. However, did you know that running can actually affect your oral Read More