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At Fresh Orthodontics, my team and I use modern braces. They’re smaller and more comfortable than those of the past and have minimal interference in your day-to-day life. Usually, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them. That said, there is one time of year when braces patients can feel a little left out: Halloween. Yup, a holiday filled with sticky, chewy candy.  Well, as a Brooklyn orthodontist, I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely still enjoy the spooky season when you have braces. Yes, you’ll have to steer clear of some common Halloween candy, but there’s plenty you can…

A new school year is underway. For kids and teens, that means keeping tabs on assignments, activities, and, yup, removable orthodontic appliances. If you’re worried the hustle and bustle of fall will lead to a lost retainer or Invisalign® Teen aligner, have no fear.  In this post, I’ll be sharing some simple ways to help your child or teen get into the habit of wearing and storing their orthodontic appliance. This way, they can achieve fantastic results and you won’t have to spring for any replacements.  Wearing Invisalign Teen Aligners Invisalign Teen and Spark™ Aligner treatment involves a series of…

When Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen hit the market, they were revolutionary. It was the first time patients could really straighten their teeth without braces. It was also the only option for clear aligners for quite a while. Though I still offer Invisalign and I’ve perfected thousands of smiles with the treatment, I’ve expanded the clear aligner offerings here at Fresh Orthodontics.  Now, I’m a Brooklyn Spark clear aligners provider. This Invisalign alternative gives my patients another option to choose. The high-tech aligner system fits with my mission to achieve excellent results comfortably, efficiently, and conveniently. If you’re not familiar with…

As someone who had braces as a teenager, I can tell you firsthand that the cosmetic benefits of braces and clear aligners are incredibly important. When you’re happy with how your smile looks, it gives you a huge boost in self-esteem and confidence. This can really be life changing for a lot of people, myself included!  But while improving the appearance of your smile is amazing and nothing to take lightly, it’s not the only reason to consider orthodontic treatment. Having straight teeth and a properly aligned, functional bite also enhances your oral health and, in turn, your overall health….

We all know kids need sleep in order for their brains and bodies to develop. It’s when they’re snoozing that growth actually occurs. But, sometimes, babies and little children aren’t sleeping as soundly as it may appear due to what is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). This can affect their development, ability to learn and even their mood (hey, you know how grumpy you get when you don’t get a good night’s sleep!).  Teeth grinding, snoring and mouth breathing are all signs of sleep apnea in kids. As a Park Slope orthodontist, I often…

If you’re in the process of straightening your teeth, it’s only natural you want your smile to look its absolute best. So, you might be wondering how to whiten your teeth with braces. But, before you purchase a whitening kit or special toothpaste, read on to learn more about whether or not you can whiten your teeth with your hardware in place.  Can You Get Your Teeth Whitened With Braces? If you’ve looked into how to whiten your teeth with braces, you’ve probably noticed a lot of conflicting information. Some sources say, sure, bring on the whitening treatments, while others…

You had your digital scans taken and your orthodontist created a personalized treatment plan for you on a 3D model of your mouth. If you’re one of our Brooklyn Invisalign patients, I can even show you what your new smile will look like when you finish treatment on our Invisalign Outcome Simulator. Once the Invisalign lab fabricates your clear aligners based on your custom treatment plan, you’ll receive your first Invisalign trays and officially begin your smile journey.  So, what happens in the first week of Invisalign treatment? Here are 7 things you should know: Mild Tenderness is Normal The…

Drinking and Eating With Invisalign: Your Questions Answered Our Brooklyn Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients usually opt for the clear aligners because they’re comfortable, removable, and virtually invisible. The treatment offers a way to get straight teeth and a healthy bite with minimal impact on your day-to-day life. While Invisalign is fairly simple to care for, and most people are well aware they’ll need to take their aligners out before biting into something like a sandwich, not everyone is clear on where exactly to draw the line when it comes to drinking and eating with Invisalign.  In this post, I’ll…

Can I swim with Invisalign? Is it safe to swim with braces? Can I continue to play watersports during orthodontic treatment? These are some of the questions my team and I get from our Brooklyn Invisalign and braces patients throughout the warm weather months. To help you soak up the last few weeks of summer, I’ll be filling you in on the logistics of splashing around with your appliance.  Can I Swim With Braces on My Teeth? Absolutely! The idea that your appliance can rust is a braces myth. Braces are made of a rust-resistant, titanium alloy material. After all,…