Invisalign Q&A

If you are considering Invisalign instead of traditional braces to straighten your teeth, you probably want to know more about what it is. Here are some questions we frequently get at Birth-Stewart-Fletcher Orthodontics about Invisalign:

What is Invisalign anyway?
Invisalign is a teeth-straightening system that involves a series of smooth plastic trays, or aligners that fit directly over your teeth. You switch one tray out for the next every two weeks or so. Each tray is a little different, and as a system, they gradually move your teeth into place with the last tray matching your final teeth alignment.

What is the treatment process?
At the beginning of Invisalign treatment, we will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth in order to create a digital 3-D model of how your teeth look now, how they should move, and how they will arrive into their ideal positions. Based on this treatment plan, we will order the trays for you. Once you begin wearing the trays, you will need to come to the office about every six weeks so we can make sure your teeth are moving according to plan.

What are the advantages of Invisalign over traditional braces?
The main reason patients choose Invisalign is because the trays are virtually invisible and don’t call attention to themselves. Invisalign has other advantages as well. Since there are no metal brackets or wires, Invisalign will not cut or scrape the inside of your mouth. Also, you will never have to make an emergency visit to the office to fix a bracket that popped off or a wire that broke.

Should I wear Invisalign all the time?
You should take out your Invisalign trays when you eat, floss and brush. You might also want to take them out for certain activities, such as when playing a contact sport or a musical instrument that requires using your mouth. But aside from such exceptions, you should always wear the trays to make sure your treatment keeps moving along nicely.

Can Invisalign replace traditional braces for anyone that wants it?
Invisalign is not a suitable treatment option in all cases. Come to the office for a complimentary consultation, and we will let you know if Invisalign will work for you.

Is Invisalign treatment any faster than traditional braces?
Not necessarily. Treatment times are about comparable.

What are any disadvantages of Invisalign over traditional braces?
Invisalign is typically a little more expensive than traditional braces. You might speak with a lisp at first until you get used to the trays in your mouth (but that can happen with traditional braces, too). And the fact that the trays are removable are an advantage, but you have to remember to wear them consistently. You also have to be sure not to lose or break them.



Invisalign Q&A

Dental Fun Facts!

Just for fun, we have assembled a list of fun facts about dentistry and orthodontics which you probably never knew:


  • Straight teeth have always been important to people. Rudimentary braces made of catgut and metal have been found in Egyptian mummies.
  • The spinner dolphin has more teeth than any other animal, up to 252 teeth. Compare that to people who have only 32 teeth as adults.
  • Siwak sticks, also called miswak, are a precursor to the toothbrush. They have been used for thousands of years and are still used today in parts of the Middle East and Africa. Siwak sticks are twigs from the arak tree, which fray into bristles when you chew on them and which you can then use to brush your teeth.
  • Dental disease has been with humans since prehistoric times, but the incidence of cavities increased dramatically in Europe in the 1600’s when imported sugar became part of the diet.
  • Bears, who have a large appetite for honey, are the only non-domesticated animal that gets cavities.
  • Contrary to popular belief, George Washington never had wooden false teeth. He did have dental problems all his life, however, and for a time wore partial dentures made of ivory.
  • As of 2011, there are 193,000 professionally active dentists in the United States, according to the American Dental Association. People who live in the District of Columbia have a wealth of dentists from which to choose, because the city has the most dentists per capita in the United States. The state with the least dentists per capita is Arkansas.
  • As of 2012, there are 5,530 orthodontists in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Dental Fun Facts!

Cleaning Braces

6 Tools for Cleaning Braces


There’s no sugar-coating the fact that cleaning your teeth when they’re in braces is more involved than when they’re not (and at our office, we don’t like to coat things in sugar anyway). Braces create many new, tiny spaces to trap particles of food while at the same time hindering easy access to areas of your mouth.

But cleaning your teeth while in braces is more important than ever. Tooth decay and puffy gums won’t take a holiday until your treatment is over. We recommend cleaning your teeth at least four times a day, after all three meals and before you go to bed, and it’s a good idea to clean your teeth after any snacks too.

Even though cleaning your teeth when you’re wearing braces is both more difficult and more complicated, it’s not the hardest challenge you’ll ever face in life, and your local drugstore will carry all the tools you need to do it right. Here are 6 products that we recommend:


  1. Toothbrush and toothpaste

Keep these old standbys on hand. Use a soft toothbrush with just a bit of fluoride toothpaste. Make gentle, circular motions while brushing at various angles, and be sure to cover all surfaces: the gumline, behind the teeth, as well as the top, middle and bottom edges of the brackets. You’ll need to replace your toothbrush more frequently than normal.


  1. Floss threaders or Superfloss

These products have a stiffened end that allow you to thread the floss underneath the wires so you can get the floss between your teeth.


  1. Dental picks

Dental picks offer another way for you to get underneath your wires in order to clean between your teeth. These plastic tools come in various shapes and configurations, so try out a few to find the one that you like best.


  1. Proxa brush

Short for interproximal brushes, a proxa brush is like a toothbrush except that the bristles come in a short cone shape. It’s a more precise tool than a normal toothbrush so it’s good for cleaning hard-to-reach spots.


  1. Waterpik

These machines shoot a jet of water at various pressures to “floss” between teeth. Orthodontic tips are available. They can be pricy, but they work more quickly than manual flossing, and they’re quite good at cleaning.


  1. Mouthwash

Finish up cleaning your teeth with a rinse of fluoride mouthwash as extra protection against tooth decay.


Exactly which tools to use will depend on the braces you have and your personal preferences. Our doctors will offer you our advice when you get your braces on, please feel free to ask about any problems you might be having if one particular tool isn’t working for you. You’ll eventually get used to the longer process of cleaning your braces. Allow yourself to be motivated by the wonderful, straight smile that’s gradually taking shape.



Cleaning Braces

Preventing Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

“I have had braces for about two years. I admit that about 70 percent of the days I’ve had them I haven’t brushed more than once a day,” a teenager says in an online forum. He goes on to wonder if he can hold off tooth decay if he were to brush more often. If he came to us, we’d tell him that the answer is “yes,” but there’s also more he could do.


Since food gets stuck in unseen places on teeth when braces surround them, cleaning teeth requires both frequency and special tools. Here are some suggestions:


  • Brush after every meal or big snack. The less time food sits on your teeth, the less likely it will cause decay.
  • Use a soft bristle brush at a 45 degree angle or an electric toothbrush, which we frequently recommend because it allows you to easily brush each tooth individually. Be sure to brush all sides of your teeth. Fluoride toothpaste is best.
  • Use a floss threader or a proxabrush to clean between braces and under wires.
  • Use a Water Pik. The pressurized pulsating water it emits removes food particles from hard-to-reach places.
  • End your cleanings with a fluoride mouth wash, which helps disinfect under your braces and other spots where a brush can’t reach.
  • Even if you can’t brush after every time you eat, carry mouthwash to use after eating. At a minimum, rinse your mouth with plain water. It’s better than nothing.
  • Have a dental professional cleaning at least twice a year.


The type of food you eat can also increase the likelihood of decay as well as damage your braces. Any food high in sugar or starch can cause decay. Especially, avoid eating the following:


  • Sticky foods such as gum or caramel, which can get stuck on your braces and be hard to remove.
  • Crunchy treats like chips and popcorn, which can bend or break your wires.


Eating hard foods like apples, corn on the cob, and carrots can break your braces. Still, they can be part of a healthy diet, so cut them into small pieces so you don’t have to bite down hard.


If you have additional questions about how to care for your teeth, feel free to ask us when you’re in for your next appointment.

Preventing Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

Famous Dentists









Some other dentists that became well known include:





Famous Dentists

Dental Implements

Tired of Your Toothbrush? Try a Twig.







Dental Implements

National Stress Awareness Month

Less Stress, Better Teeth

Let’s not forget teeth during National Stress Awareness Month, which comes around every April. Stress is most often associated with conditions like heart attacks, insomnia, and ulcers, but stress can also cause damage to your oral health.

Several oral conditions are often closely linked to stress. Outbreaks of common mouth sores, such as canker sores and fever blisters (cold sores), are thought to be the result of stress, at least in part. Stress may also lead to behaviors that can in turn cause dental problems such as eating sugary foods, failing to brush or floss properly, or chewing on pens, fingernails or other items that will damage your teeth.

Stress can also cause people to grind their teeth, either during the day or while they are asleep. This condition, which is known as bruxism, is one of the most significant dental conditions that stress can bring on. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to a range of problems, including damage to your teeth and dental work, as well as pain throughout your head, neck, jaws, and ears.

If you believe that your oral health is being adversely affected by stress, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist. They might suggest mouth guards, recommend over-the-counter remedies, or prescribe more targeted forms of treatment.

And if you think that stress might be having a negative effect on your overall health and well- being, you don’t have to live life all tense and wound up. There are lots of ways to alleviate stress in your daily life:

  • Go for a walk
  • Meditate or do yoga
  • Do any form of regular exercise
  • Take a few deep breaths whenever you feel tense
  • Slow down your life and figure out what you can cut out of your schedule
  • Structure your cell phone usage so you’re not always connected
  • Hang out with friends and family

There are countless other suggestions too. Just find ways to relax that work for you!

National Stress Awareness Month