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!

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.

Happy November! From Irvine Orthodontics

Happy November, everybody! Believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we at Irvine Orthodontics forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or feel free to post them on our Facebook page!

We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it.

Lastly, have you been in for a dental checkup lately? It’s important that you see your general dentist, as well as visiting Drs. Claro & Ghafouri. If you have questions about your orthodontic treatment or just want some general information, give us a call or ask us during your next visit!

Happy Tuesday!

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!

More happy smiles at Irvine Orthodontics!

In southern California and especially Orange County, our staff at Irvine Orthodontics know the importance of having a great smile! Dr. Wanda Claro and Dr. Bahar Ghafouri want to help you achieve the healthy, straight, confident smile that you’ve always wanted. Choosing to receive orthodontic treatment can change your life. Check out what a few of our patients are saying about our office!

"Very professional and extremely friendly and a fun atmosphere." ~ John T.

"Quality work and Saturday Appointments! We live over 100 miles away!" ~ Richard F.

"They are always nice and friendly." ~ Stefanie S.

Irvine Orthodontics, reminding you September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month

This month, Dr. Claro and Dr. Ghafouri want you to be extra careful with your braces and appliances. After all, September marks the start of fall sports. Of course, that also means an increased risk for mouth injuries. September also happens to be National Childhood Injury Prevention Month, and our staff at Irvine Orthodontics thought we'd share a few sobering facts about sports and facial injuries, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Injuries can happen at any age: More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24, according to the CDC. Collision and contact sports have higher injury rates, and account for about 80 percent of all sports-related emergency room visits. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Here's why:

Mouth guards are not being used: Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70% say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. And here’s a chilling stat: One out of every four (27 percent) parents say their child has sustained an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the AAO.

Not enough support for mouth guards: Of the parents whose children do not wear a mouth guard, 84 percent say it's because the league or coach does not require it, the AAO says.

Hard hits occur in every sport: The average high school baseball pitcher can throw a fast ball between 75-to-85 miles per hour. This compares to being hit in the mouth by a speeding car!

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports! For more ways you can stay safe on the field, check out these tips. We encourage you to give us a call at (949)954-5765 if you have any questions! Have a wonderful week!

Tell Irvine Orthodontics: What should we blog about?

As the summer winds down in Orange County and a lot of our patients begin to head back to school, our staff at Irvine Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment with Dr. Claro and Dr. Ghafouri.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the fall, we're looking for your help: What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Claro or Ghafouri for a while and just haven't found the perfect opportunity? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you have a relaxing rest of the weekend! See you soon!

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.

The importance of regular dental visits, from Irvine Orthodontics

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!

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri present: Age 7, the magic number in orthodontics

Many parents here in Irvine and surrounding Orange County believe they should wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Drs. Claro or Ghafouri for a complimentary orthodontic consultation, only to find that treatment would have been much simpler if started sooner. It's important to know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

You're probably thinking, "All right, what, exactly is sooo great about age seven?" Well, by then, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Drs. Claro or Ghafouri to make a determination about whether any problems are present. Also, by then, the first molars have come in, providing us an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what we at Irvine Orthodontics call “bad bite.”

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For most children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, please give us a call at (949) 954-5765 to schedule an complimentary consultation.

Drs. Claro & Ghafouri, wishing our patients a safe and happy Fourth!

For many of our patients at Irvine Orthodontics, the Fourth of July is a day of fireworks, picnics, playing at the lake or spending quality time with family. Most people recognize Independence Day as a time to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence.

What about you? What are your Fourth of July plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the open road with family? Are you planning on using fireworks to light up the ice blue California sky?

Share your July 4th adventures with us on our Facebook page! We even encourage you to post your photos! If you're out of ideas for the family this weekend, check out this helpful guide on all things Orange County!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend everyone!

Ask Irvine Orthodontics: How do I know when I have an emergency?

Dr. Wanda Claro will tell you true orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur our dedicated staff at Irvine Orthodontics are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Drs. Claro and Ghafouri:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, please give us a call at (949) 954-5765 as soon as possible!

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!

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

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.