3 Random Facts You Didnt Know about Orthodontics:

Orthodontists today can successfully correct most problems regardless of the patient’s age. Here at Quest Johnson Orthodontics, our practice's top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. Here are three random facts you may not know of orthodontics.


1. The word “orthodontics” is of Greek origin.
“Ortho” means straight or correct. “Dont” (not to be confused with “don’t”) means tooth. Put it all together and “orthodontics” means straight teeth.

2. Teeth move in response to pressure over time.
Some pressure is beneficial, however, some is harmful. Actions like thumb-sucking or swallowing in an abnormal way generate damaging pressure. Teeth can be pushed out of place; bone can be distorted.

Orthodontists use appliances like braces or aligners to apply a constant, gentle pressure on teeth to guide them into their ideal positions

3. Gold was the metal of choice for braces circa 1900.
Gold is malleable, so it was easy to shape it into an orthodontic appliance. Because gold is malleable, it stretches easily. Consequently, patients had to see their orthodontist frequently for adjustments that kept treatment on track.

What Does Two Phase Treatment Fix?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment can be used to: Help the jaws develop to ensure adequate space for all of the permanent teeth, especially the permanent canines.

• May reduce the need to pull permanent teeth in the future. 
• Some problems that can be treated quite well in a growing child but may require corrective surgery if treatment occurs after growth ends. 
• Normalize the relationship of the upper jaw to the lower jaw, especially in the case of an underbite. 
• Intervene in a child’s prolonged sucking or abnormal swallowing. 
• Damaging pressure can move teeth in the wrong directions and/or change the shape of the bone that supports teeth. 
• Tuck in upper front teeth that stick out to reduce the risk of those teeth being broken or knocked out.

National Oral Health Month

June is Oral Health Month. A good oral hygiene routine is the foundation to a healthy smile, especially for young children. For parents, leading by example, should establish healthy habits like brushing, cleaning between your teeth and seeing your dentist. This ultimately leads to the big difference in the health and happiness of your entire family and in children, less fears about visiting their dentist.

Here are 2 tips from the American Dental Association that are a great reminder to enforce.

Start a Routine and Stick to It:
You may be tempted to let your child skip brushing after a long day or during times when your normal schedule is off (like vacation), but keep at it. The more second nature brushing becomes the easier it will be to make sure your child is brushing twice a day for two minutes.

Kids Need to Floss: 
It doesn't matter if you clean between ​your child's teeth before or after they brush as long as you clean between any teeth that touch. You can use child-friendly plastic flossing tools to more easily clean between your child’s teeth until your child learns to do it.