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At Jones + Foster Orthodontics, we are passionate about helping our patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. Many of our patients have questions and concerns about taking care of their braces and how their daily lives may be affected. We’re here to answer all of your burning questions and if you follow our advice, we promise living with your braces will be a piece of cake!

What can’t I eat?
We get this question a lot and always tell our patients to stay away from three main things: foods that are sticky, crunchy or hard. It’s best to save the popcorn and apples for when your braces come off. Unfortunately, these items can break or damage your braces which can cause you discomfort, require additional appointments and can even extend treatment times. If you need more guidance, you’ll receive a detailed list of foods to avoid at your appointment.

How should I care for my braces?
Brush and floss! Keeping up with your oral hygiene is the best thing you can do for your teeth, especially during orthodontic treatment. Waterpiks can also be really helpful to remove food particles in hard to reach areas.

How do I brush and floss with braces?
We would like you to brush ideally after every meal or at least three times a day. Oral-B or Sonicare toothbrushes do a great job of getting teeth clean compared to a regular toothbrush. As for flossing, we’ll provide you with Floss-Threaders and teach you how to use them.

What if I have discomfort or a piece of my braces breaks?
Don’t worry, a loose or broken bracket isn’t an emergency and we can fix it right up at your next appointment as long as we know about the damage ahead of time. If you have any discomfort, give our office a call! We also have an emergency line if you need to ask a question outside of normal business hours.

How can I help the success of my treatment?
We do the hard work for you in our office but we also need you to care for your braces at home! Keep up on your excellent hygiene routine and always wear your rubber bands when instructed. Not wearing elastics is often why orthodontic results don’t go according to plan, so it’s up to you to allow yourself to achieve the perfect results you desire!

What makes Jones + Foster unique?
We’ve built our reputation by delivering the highest clinical care to each of our patients. Not to mention, we’re Arizona’s highest rated and most awarded orthodontic office since 1972! We always have your best interest in mind and love helping our patients, one smile at a time.

Come see what makes us the Butterfly Team! We personally invite you for a complimentary initial consultation and you could be on your way to a greater smile!

We’ve been celebrating the new year for a really, really long time. It goes way back, but it started formally in 1582, when Pope George XIII made January 1^st the official holiday for ushering in the new year. The idea was to yell, cheer, and blow horns to scare away all the evil spirits of the previous year with the hope that the new one would be filled with happiness and opportunity.

While scaring away evil spirits isn’t what’s on our mind these days, we still ring in the New Year by cheering and hollering with friends and family. It’s a time to set new goals, refocus on old ones, and look forward to all the surprises the coming year will bring.

Whether you’re saying hello to the New Year snuggled up at home on your couch in the Phoenix, AZ area or by gathering your friends for a social celebration, here are some tips to help ensure you welcome this new chapter with a smile.

Tips for a great New Year’s Eve celebration from Clark Jones, DDS, MSD

• Stay safe. This one’s vital, because nothing puts a damper on your party like an emergency trip to the hospital. Stay responsible and try to plan ahead, whether that means taking a taxi, staying with a friend, or recruiting a designated driver. Do what you have to do to keep yourself and everyone around you safe.
• Spend time with the people you love most. The way we see it, the whole point of the holiday season is to cherish your family and friends. Regardless of what you’re doing, make sure there’s something for everyone. It’s essential to do something the whole group will enjoy!
• Smile! Whether you get all dressed to go out or have a quiet gathering with family and friends, make sure you accessorize with a smile. There’s always something to smile about!

We can all agree that change can be scary sometimes, but ringing in the New Year is an observance we all welcome with open arms. We hope you’ll enjoy this transitional holiday in a fun, healthy, and safe way. You have endless possibilities ahead of you!

From Dr. Jones, have a fantastic New Year!

Although using mouthwash is certainly not the equal of brushing and flossing, it does have benefits for your dental hygiene. If you use mouthwash regularly, you should find out which type is best suited for your needs. Here are some things to think about the next time you’re at the store.

The first item to weigh is why you want to use mouthwash. If the reason involves a high risk for cavities, you should focus on a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Make sure to double-check the label, because some mouthwashes do not necessarily include fluoride.

If you’re looking for a mouthwash to fight gingivitis, select an oral rinse with antibacterial properties. Make sure to read labels and avoid picking one that contains alcohol. Antibacterial mouthwash would also be best for a patient who has periodontal disease.

Another option is prescription mouthwash. These should be discussed with Dr. Jones and/or your pharmacist in order to avoid negative side effects. Pay close attention to the directions regarding how much to use and for how long. Keep in mind that some brands may lose their effectiveness if you use them on an ongoing basis.

For children, you can find a mouthwash that changes the color of plaque on their teeth. This is a fun way to help them understand how well they are brushing, and what areas they need to focus on. It can even be a tool for adults who have trouble reaching certain areas of their mouth.

While mouthwash is generally considered as a safe means to improve your oral health, you need to keep certain things in mind. Avoid using any mouthwash that has alcohol in it. If you are using a strong one, it can reduce your sense of taste over time. Be wary of a mouthwash that claims it can loosen plaque; this is not accurate and can mislead consumers.

We hope these simple suggestions will help you the next time you’re at the store. Make sure you pick the right mouthwash to keep that healthy smile! Feel free to contact Dr. Jones at our Phoenix, AZ with any questions you may have.

A solid oral health routine begins with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Without a consistent oral health regimen, you may begin to experience tooth decay and bacterial infections. Few patients ask Dr. Jones about different mouthwash options, so we’ve put together a list of the conditions that mouthwashes can treat. This should help you decide which oral rinse would be best for you.

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce large amounts of bacteria on and near the gum line and generally help to decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. The key ingredients of antiseptic mouthwashes are antibacterial and antimicrobial items. Antiseptic mouthwash is a preferable option if you are concerned about the general gum health of your mouth.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a great tool for preventive tooth decay treatment. It prevents tooth decay and is great for oral health in general because it kills germs that can live in your mouth. Fluoride also builds stronger teeth. If you’re a bottled water drinker, Dr. Jones may recommend that you purchase a simple fluoride rinse to use after brushing.

Bad Breath

Fluoride mouthwash can be used to fight any bad breath issues you may be facing. It’s designed to combat any bacteria that might be building up in your mouth. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate bad breath, but some are specifically designed to address this difficult problem. If you feel as though this might be turning into a chronic problem, please contact Dr. Jones to discuss other options that would be effective for treating your symptoms.

American Dental Association (ADA Approval)

The ADA reviews all mouth rinses for safety measures and to prove effectiveness. Any mouthwash approved by the ADA has met strict guidelines according to whether the manufacturer’s claims are supported with scientific evidence. If you’re looking for a quality mouthwash, look for one that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure you have a great rinse for your mouth.

Considerations

When you’re trying to decide which mouthwash to pick, contact our Phoenix, AZ or ask Dr. Jones during your next appointment. If you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth, be sure to discontinue use immediately. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and be sure to keep all mouthwashes out of the reach of children, because they contain alcohol and other substances that could be harmful.