Ask Irvine Orthodontics: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

October may almost be over, but not before we get a chance to acknowledge this month as National Orthodontic Health Month! Our staff at Irvine Orthodontics wanted to remind all our wonderful patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have provided a helpful list of tips and braces-friendly recipes for the Halloween Season.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

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!

Dr. Claro at the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists annual meeting

This weekend, Dr. Wanda Claro is attending the annual Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists meeting in Honolulu as a board of director for the California Association of Orthodontists

Continuing education is very important for Dr. Claro - 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 our patients at Irvine Orthodontics by continuing her education yearly.

"The Record Straight" at Irvine Orthodontics [Video]

Eric and Mackenzie show you how "set the record straight" at Irvine Orthodontics! You may check out more videos on our YouTube channel!

October is a great time to get YOUR teeth straight - it's National Orthodontic Health Month! We'll have more on this next week!

Ask Dr. Claro: What, exactly, is a temporomandibular disorder?

Thanks for the question!

TMJ is an acronym that our staff at Irvine Orthodontics use to describe the temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint. This joint is one of the most complicated in the body, and, in fact, is the only joint in the body capable of both rotary and sliding function (ginglimo-arthrodial). TMD, or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, is one of the most common problems people face in today's high-stress environment. These problems are commonly related to painful spasms of the muscles that act upon the joints and/or to structural changes within the joints themselves. Symptoms of TMD can range from pain in the facial and neck musculature to popping and/or locking of the jaw joint.

While treatment of such conditions can often be challenging and multifaceted, we'd be happy to evaluate you for these problems to ascertain your individual likelihood for successful therapeutic intervention.

For more questions on TMD, Drs. Claro and Ghafouri encourage you to give us a call at (949)786-7800 and set up a consultation.

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.

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!