Understanding cavities, from Irvine Orthodontics

At Irvine Orthodontics, we know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? Well, a cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your general dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces:

· Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily

· Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)

· Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth and braces where your toothbrush can’t reach

· Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat or drink

· Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Claro or Dr. Ghafouri

We hope that helps! Give us a call to learn more about keeping your braces and oral health in tip-top shape! Happy Holidays!

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!

What helps you relax at Irvine Orthodontics?

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri understand not everyone is always thrilled at the prospect of visiting their orthodontist for an adjustment. But at our Irvine office, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit.

At Irvine Orthodontics, whe not only offer the most cutting edge treatments, but also put enormous emphasis on providing the very best customer service available to ensure that you not only get an effective and excellent outcome from your treatment, but also enjoy your time while you’re in our care.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about Irvine Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you or your child at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our courteous staff? Something about Drs. Claro & Ghafouri?

Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month! From Irvine Orthodontics

At Irvine Orthodontics, Drs. Claro and Ghafouri know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a free consultation to our convenient Irvine, CA office. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a complimentary consultation with Drs. Claro and Ghafouri?

We also proudly provide Invisalign Teen for today’s image-conscious teens and invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend everybody!

Straight talk with Drs. Claro and Ghafouri

Some people wonder why our staff at Irvine Orthodontics works tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! At Irvine Orthodontics, we truly care about our patients. Drs. Claro and Ghafouri want to help every one of our patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that transcends the boundaries of their expectations and gives them a renewed sense of self-confidence. Plus, in California, we know the importance of having a great smile! We want to help you achieve the healthy, straight, confident smile that you’ve always wanted.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call at (949) 786-7800 to set up a consultation. Drs. Claro and Ghafouri can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Play it safe this spring, from Drs. Claro & Ghafouri

With spring here, many of our patients will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement.

So, we thought this would be a great time to remind all our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

That’s why our team is doing its part to spread the word about the necessities of protecting your mouth. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator!

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Irvine Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Get to know your braces! From Irvine Orthodontics

Should you need to call Drs. Claro, Ghafouri or our staff at Irvine Orthodontics in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

How will YOUR smile look after orthodontic treatment?

At Irvine Orthodontics, we know it's sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Our team and Drs. Claro & Ghafouri love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Claro & Ghafouri, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles,” which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Using the tool will also earn you a free orthodontic consultation coupon, which can be redeemed at our office by yourself, a family member or friend.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us at Irvine Orthodontics to get started on improving your smile today!

What is Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri and team came across this video late last week, and we realized that it's just what folks considering Invisalign need to see. Invisalign gets a ton of promotion online (including here on our blog), but people rarely get the see a clear cut, unbiased, point of view from someone who actually has chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign.

At Irvine Orthodontics, we get quite a lot of requests for Invisalign. We always let our patients know about the stages of Invisalign, as well as how one might first react to it. But, to hear it from someone actually wearing these clear aligners is something else.

Check out this video of a patient who has been wearing her aligners for only 10 minutes! Because they’re clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you! Please give us a call to set up a complimentary initial consultation, so Dr. Claro and Ghafouri can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Have a great week!

Dr. Claro & team, dispelling the myths about braces

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 President's Day weekend!

Complimentary Consultations at Irvine Orthodontics

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!

Celebrating Dr. King

Today, our country celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a thinker, leader and civil rights champion. In the 1950s and ’60s, Dr. King recognized the need to bring about social justice, and worked tirelessly to instill tolerance in our nation, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward.

As the social justice leader once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?” There are many ways that you can answer this question, whether it is participating in a local environmental impact project, volunteering through an education program, supporting disaster services, or serving veterans and military families. Today, our staff at Irvine Orthodontics would love to hear what you’re doing for others in our community.

Understanding cavities

At Irvine Orthodontics, we know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? Well, a cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your general dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces:

· Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily

· Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)

· Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth and braces where your toothbrush can’t reach

· Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat or drink

· Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Claro or Dr. Ghafouri

We hope that helps! Give us a call to learn more about keeping your braces and oral health in tip-top shape! Happy New Year!

Share your winter break plans with us!

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri and our team at Irvine Orthodontics want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

Love your new smile? Tell the world all about it!

With years of experience and training, and backgrounds in growth and development, Drs. Wanda Claro and Bahar Ghafouri 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 us for an orthodontic consultation or have taken your family for 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 Places page and leave a quick review there. Your generous 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!

We hope you're enjoying the long Thanksgiving Day weekend!

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to thank all of our patients and their families, our referring doctors and patients and our own families for all their support, encouragement and help throughout the year! We will continue striving to keep giving back to our community and thank them for their participation in making us the best orthodontic practice in Irvine.

We hope everyone takes out the time this year to spend Thanksgiving with their families and friends - we consider you our family and we feel blessed to know you. Deepest wishes for a wonderful Holiday from Drs. Claro and Ghafouri and all of us at Irvine Orthodontics!

Patient Referral Contest at Irvine Orthodontics!

At Irvine Orthodontics, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients over the years. Even if you visit our office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with us on Facebook and other social networks?

By “Liking” us on Facebook, you will receive regular updates, contest announcements and exclusive special offers from our office – all through your news feed! In fact, we’re excited to announce our new patient referral contest:

With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about gift giving. Why not give a friend or relative that perfect gift (a beautiful smile). It's easy to do, with no cost to you.

Just give a friend a referral for our office to receive a FREE examination and consultation. For each referral that begins treatment, you will be entered for a chance at the grand drawing for an iPod Touch (first place), Flip camera (second place) or an iTunes gift card (third place)!

Here's how it works:

1st referral: ONE drawing entry ticket
2nd referral: TWO drawing entry tickets
3rd referral: THREE drawing entry tickets
4th referral: FOUR drawing entry tickets
5th referral: FIVE drawing entry tickets

You'll receive your prizes after new patient begins treatment with us between December 1st and March 31st, 2011.

GOOD LUCK!

What puts you at ease at Irvine Orthodontics?

Drs. Claro and Ghafouri, as well as our staff at Irvine Orthodontics, understand that not everyone is thrilled to see their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our convenient Irvine office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment or our personable staff? Is it something about our fun and friendly doctors?

Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!