Ask Drs. Claro & Ghafouri: "I just got braces. Now what?"

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before before orthodontic treatment began.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Drs. Claro & Ghafouri and our team at Irvine Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Irvine, CA orthodontic office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Irvine Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Irvine Orthodontics on California Adventure TV

Check us out on California Adventure TV to learn a little about Irvine Orthodontics! Drs. Claro and Ghafouri help explain why we do what we do: create beautiful smiles! With years of experience and training, and backgrounds in growth and development, our doctors are able treat patients of all ages.

Serving Irvine and the Surrounding Orange County, CA, Drs. Wanda Claro and Bahar Ghafouri know the importance of having a great smile! At Irvine Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve the healthy, straight, confident smile that you’ve always wanted. Choosing to receive orthodontic treatment can change your life; are you ready to begin the journey? Please contact Irvine Orthodontics for your complimentary orthodontic consultation.

Nancy, our unsung hero!

At Irvine Orthodontics, there are a lot of unsung heroes - the folks who work behind the scenes every day to ensure you get a great smile.

Our office has chosen Nancy Casillas Ruiz, our office manager, as our "unsung hero."

The testimonials from fellow staff are the following:

"She always has a calm and sensible attitude for any problem that may arise. She not only keeps our office running smoothly, whether it be financial, or helping in the clinic, but she keeps our patients happy with understanding and knowledge of their visits and accounts. Nancy always goes the distance with her attention t detail, kindness, time dedicated and overall award winning title as office manager."

"She is very considerate."

"She's very organized and helps the office run smoothly. She's very genuine and polite to patients."

"Without saying - Nancy is Mrs. Patience! Calm and always under control."


We also had 2 nominations (out of 7) for Kristine:

"Kristine is very organized and knows the flow of the clinic. She is very efficient and knows how to multitask well. She takes pride in her work and patient care is her priority! It shows as patients have requested to have her work on them exclusively. She is a great example and model to other assistants."

"She is very good at taking in everything and keeping all of us on track."

Are dental checkups important during your orthodontic treatment? You bet.

Dr. Wanda Claro and Dr. Bahar Ghafouri want to know: Are you remembering to brush your teeth twice a day in-between your visits to our office? If the answer is yes, we think that's great. But, it’s also important to visit your general dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting us. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth during orthodontic treatment

During an oral exam your dentist will also check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited a dentist in the last six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment! Don't have a dentist in Irvine or greater Orange County? Ask us, and we'll be happy to provide a few great references :)

We hope you're having a great summer!

We proudly offer complimentary consultations!

At Irvine Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve the healthy, straight, confident smile that you’ve always wanted. Drs. Wanda Claro and Bahar Ghafouri and our outgoing, dedicated team work extra hard every day to correct the structure of your mouth, ensuring a beautiful, healthy, esthetic smile.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Drs. Claro and Ghafouri, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call at one of our Irvine, CA office.

See you soon! Have a wonderful weekend!

At Irvine Orthodontics, access to your account any day, any time

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple, great and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Irvine Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Happy Monday!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2010 is almost over—and what a year it was! Drs. Claro & Ghafouri, as well as our team at Irvine Orthodontics thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Irvine and surrounding Orange County.

See you in 2011!

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Great question! With fall season upon us, so is the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Wanda Claro and our experienced staff at Irvine Orthodontics will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook.

Ask Dr. Claro: What makes braces sooooo cool?

Where do we even begin?

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and Incognito (iBraces), advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning and Serena Williams, to name a few—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Wanda Claro and Dr. Bahar Ghafouri, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Irvine Orthodontics for a complimentary consultation? If not, please give us a call at (949) 786-7800 and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Fun facts! From Drs. Claro and Ghafouri

Our patients at Irvine Orthodontics love fun facts - LOVE THEM, in fact. Who doesn't, really? But what about orthodontic fun facts? The American Association of Orthodontists has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Claro and Dr. Ghafouri and our team thought you would enjoy. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend & an enjoyable rest of the summer!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Patient question: What's the deal with retainers?

If you've recently completed treatment at Irvine Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Drs. Claro or Ghafouri will provide—or have provided you by now—with retainers. After your braces have been removed, your teeth may still shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, provide the stabilization your teeth need.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment, please check out this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth. Or, you may give us a call! Enjoy your week everyone!

Drs. Claro and Ghafouri want to know: Are you suffering from a sleep disorder?

Drs. Claro and Ghafouri know sleep disorders are fairly common, with some 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms of sleep apnea, and as the condition worsens it can lead to airway blockage, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

Our staff at Irvine Orthodontics will tell you sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that, if left untreated, can lead to high blood pressure, which is known to increase your risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, we definitely encourage you to give us a call at (949) 954-5765.

* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

Enjoy the rest of Father's Day weekend and we'll see you soon!

Share your summer plans with Dr. Claro and Irvine Orthodontics!

As the school year wraps up for a lot of our patients at Irvine Orthodontics, the days get longer and the sun begins to heat up in Irvine and surrounding Orange County, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a beverage (non-sugary, of course). For most of our patients, summer brings with it a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and studying.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a reunion planned? Our staff would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, let us know! If you're going camping, we'd like to hear about it! Even if you're staying at home here in Irvine, let us know!

Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with Drs. Claro and Ghafouri on our Facebook page as summer 2010 rolls right along!

Drs. Claro and Ghafouri, dispelling the myths about orthodontics

Trust us when we say Drs. Claro and Ghafouri both know there are a lot of myths and half-truths floating around these days when it comes to orthodontics (and orthodontists in general). But, before you buy into those myths, our doctors and experienced staff at Irvine Orthodontics think you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment at Irvine Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at (949) 954-5765!

We hope you have a great rest of your Memorial Day weekend, and we'll see you soon!

Share your experience at Irvine Orthodontics with the world!

With years of experience and training, and backgrounds in growth and development, our doctors are able treat patients of all ages, and we know the importance of having a great smile! At Irvine Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve the healthy, straight, confident smile that you’ve always wanted.

Whether you've visited Drs. Claro or Ghafouri for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local listing and write a review there. Or, you may review us on Yelp if you'd like. After all, reviews help us create more beautiful smiles!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and enjoy the rest of your weekend! Drs. Claro and Ghafouri, as well as our entire team, look forward to reading your reviews!

Connect with Irvine Orthodontics on Facebook!

At Irvine Orthodontics, Drs. Claro and Ghafouri, as well as our entire team, truly value the relationships we have developed with our patients here in Irvine, Laguna Beach, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and surrounding communities in Orange County. Even if you only visit us every three- to four months, did you know that you can now connect with Irvine Orthodontics on Facebook?

We invite you to “like” Irvine Orthodontics on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/IrvineOrthodontics. We share office news and updates on our Fan Page, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive all kinds of updates from our office automatically on Facebook!

See you on Facebook and enjoy your week,

- Drs. Claro and Ghafouri

How does Irvine Orthodontics "Go Green"?

We, at Irvine Orthodontics, have been making strides in "Going Green" for over 6 years, and have offered digital X-rays and photos since then. This year we are encouraging our patients to view their digital records through our website versus printing them on paper. We began scanning our records and charts over 2 years ago and are now all digital and chartless. Also, through our website, our patients have the option of making payments online. Two years ago we switched to automatic payments versus sending out statements. We also encourage our staff to sign up for automatic deposit versus paper checks and we try to make many of our office payments online.

Our office has been using non-toxic cleaning supplies for many years. We wash all uniform jackets and towels with environmentally friendly detergent. We recycle printed paper as scratch paper. Our trash service doesn't offer recycling yet, however, we are proud of one of our employees who recycles the plastics and cans that are used through the office and other staff members. We have master electrical, vacuum, compressor and water switches, which are turned off every evening. We use the least amount of electricity in our entire office complex.

In addition, Dr. Claro has driven a hybrid car for over 3 years and most of our staff have "green" cars or ride a bike or walk to work. Dr. Ghafouri used environmental friendly diapers for her children. We are all trying to preserve our environment for generations to come!

Lastly, we just finished our "Find Buster Bunny" contest - the winner will be announced and posted on our Facebook page soon. Our next contest is the "Eyes of Summer" - Stay'C is in the process of making up our eyes (like she did our lips) for all to guess who's eyes are who's! This will start in June. We have our ongoing quarterly contest for being on time, having clean teeth, and having intact braces and retainers or other appliances, too!

Meet Our Orthodontists

Dr. Wanda Claro earned her DDS degree from the University of California San Francisco before attending UCLA in Los Angeles, where she received her Master of Science degree in Oral Biology, as well as specialty certificates in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. The field of orthodontics is always searching for more comfortable and effective techniques to achieve the best outcomes possible. Dr. Claro prides herself in keeping up on and offering the latest technological advancements to her patients by continuing her education yearly.

Dr. Claro is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists and is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. During dental school she was recognized as a recipient of the Fleming Humanitarian Scholarship and a Regents Scholarship for her outstanding academic record and personal achievement.


Dr. Bahar Ghafouri attended the University of Southern California for dental school, earning her DDS degree, her Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology, and her specialty certificate in Orthodontics. She feels strongly about her responsibility to keep up on the new technology that is being introduced each day in the orthodontic community. To keep up to date, Dr. Ghafouri takes continuing education courses and seminars on the newest treatments available.

Dr. Ghafouri has complete the first two phases of the certification process for the American Board of Orthodontics and is currently completing the third and final phase. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and has served as past President of the Iranian Dental Association. She received the UCLA Excellence in Teaching Award, the American Women's Dental Association Leadership Award, and is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society.