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.

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!

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!

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!

What is two-phase treatment and when is it necessary?

First of all, happy holidays! Usually patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at our Irvine office already have their permanent teeth, but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Drs. Claro & Ghafouri call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. Our staff at Irvine Orthodontics will follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in.

In order to catch early problems, Drs. Claro & Ghafouri recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontists). To learn more about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a complimentary consultation at our office, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

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!

Staying connected with Irvine Orthodontics

At Irvine Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative orthodontic treatments Drs. Claro & Ghafouri offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, however, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog in the coming weeks or months? Please post your thoughts on Facebook or tell us during your next visit!