Now that you’re a teenager, you have a lot more responsibility and independence. Choosing high school classes and electives. Getting a driver’s license. Landing your first job. And those new responsibilities extend to your dental health as well!...
You may have noticed that we specialize in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. And while most people we talk to have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the dentofacial orthopedics part of the title. Today, Dr. Crawford and our team thought..
Orthodontists like Dr. Crawford recommend a first orthodontic visit and evaluation for your child around the age of seven. We will evaluate your child’s jaw and facial development and make sure that there is enough room in the mouth for the permanent teeth
It’s vital to understand the difference between an orthodontic emergency and minor orthodontic issues. Minor issues can be handled the next day, or at your next scheduled appointment. When a real orthodontic emergency occurs, however, you will need to...
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 1st the official holiday for ushering in the new year. The idea was to yell, cheer, and blow horns...
A lot of patients ask us why Dr. Crawford and our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can...
There's something special about customizing the elastics on your braces to fit your unique personality. Once you embrace your braces (no pun intended) you'll realize how many color options and combinations there are to choose from...
TMJ is the quick way of referring to your Temporomandibular Joint. Pardon the pun, but that’s quite a mouthful! What is this joint, what does it do, and, if your Dr. Crawford and our team have told you that you have a TMJ disorder, what can we do to help?
At Crawford Orthodontic Care, we love to celebrate the holidays with vigor! Dr. Crawford would love to share some unique ways of celebrating Thanksgiving from beyond the Norcross, GA area to the national level!...
Dr. Crawford and our team recommend always wearing a protective mouthguard to participate in most physical sports. We especially encourage this if you have braces that can potentially cut your mouth or cause damage to your teeth...
Many patients underestimate the importance of wearing their retainers after their braces come off, but it is one of the most critical post care practices to keep your teeth in alignment. Why spend all that time, energy, and money to straighten your...
The goal of orthodontic treatment at Crawford Orthodontic Care, which may include the use of braces, retainers, and aligners, is to straighten your teeth...
Halloween is a time to enjoy delicious candies you might avoid the rest of the year. Youngsters who get to dress up and ask for sweet treats out trick-or-treating cherish this holiday...
How long? Well, a beautiful smile is both science and art—proper teeth and jaw alignment united with aesthetically pleasing results. Orthodontists achieve both these outcomes with a careful analysis of any dental and facial problems,...
Two-phase orthodontic treatment involves two separate and distinct periods that your child receives orthodontic treatment. It allows your son or daughter ...
Our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care knows that there are many ways you can protect your pearly whites throughout your orthodontic treatment ...
Now that October is upon us, Dr. Crawford and our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care wanted to send you a friendly reminder ...
You and your braces will become good friends over the coming months or years, so it’s important to get your relationship off ...
So you’re about to get braces. Congratulations! You are taking a very smart step to improve the health of your teeth ...
By no stretch is it rare for your gums to hurt during and after flossing. Even some bleeding is to be expected. This is especially true ...
Going back to school is already an exciting (and sometimes nerve-racking) time so we don't want your braces adding to that. Our Norcross, GA team ...
Our patients at Crawford Orthodontic Care hate the thought of delaying their treatments and often ask us what they can ...
In the long run, wearing braces is so worth it. Whether you’re working toward straight teeth, an improved bite, or both, you’ll end up with a beautiful smile! But sometimes, in the short run, they can be really annoying...
Sometimes real life is stranger and more interesting that any made-up story. These weird and interesting facts about braces will amuse you …
Although major orthodontic emergencies are relatively rare, when they do happen it is important to seek immediate attention ...
Orthodontic technology changes and improves all the time. Today’s braces are lighter, smaller, and more efficient than those of past years. Wires are thinner and more flexible. Even brackets come in different styles and colors...
Perhaps you are already planning for the years when your teenager will need orthodontic work. But hearing that your seven-year-old would benefit from orthodontic treatment? That might come as a complete surprise! ...
Happy Independence Day from Dr. Crawford and team! The Fourth of July celebrations in America may have changed a lot over the years, but there is no doubt that we Americans love to celebrate the anniversary of our country's independence! ...
Sometimes food that’s good for your body isn’t necessarily the best for your teeth. Dr. Crawford and our team want you to know which healthy foods can harm your teeth and gums, and what steps you can take to continue enjoying these foods, ...
Breakfast is called the most important meal of the day for many reasons. Children need to refuel after a long night’s sleep, and studies suggest that school kids who eat a good breakfast have more energy, better attendance and behavior, ...
By now, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard...
The dog days of summer are upon us, and with the temperatures soaring, our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care wants you to be extra careful about sun safety when you’re out and about...
While mouthwash goes a long way in improving your oral care, it is not a substitute for flossing. Mouthwashes and flossing provide different benefits that you should understand...
Memorial Day didn't become an official holiday until 1971, but Americans started gathering annually in the spring to remember those who lost their lives in war during the 1860s, right after the Civil War...
You may have noticed that kids seem to be getting braces and other orthodontic care a lot earlier these days. There was a time, only a decade or two ago, when braces were mainly seen on teenagers, but that is beginning to change...
When the time comes for Dr. Crawford to remove your braces, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers...
The month of May has the unique distinction of being National Teen Self-Esteem Month. What does that mean?...
You've made an investment on spending money on getting braces, so why not keep your teeth in good health while undergoing orthodontic treatment? ...
The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in...
When beginning orthodontic treatment, most patients ask Dr. Crawford and our team a lot of questions about what to expect, while others choose to just "go with the flow" and leave it to us to build for them a beautiful smile...
It's springtime and it's again time to remind our patients at Crawford Orthodontic Care to protect their faces and pearly whites while out on the field playing sports. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, ...
Wearing orthodontic braces may be the best choice for correcting your teeth and improving your smile, and that's why you've come to see Dr. Crawford at Crawford Orthodontic Care...
On March 17, everyone has a little Irish in them. St. Patrick’s Day is a joyous celebration of Irish heritage. The holiday originated as a commemoration of Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland...
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment for children should start at around age seven...
When you think of orthodontic treatment, you may automatically assume that it only relates to older children and teens with alignment and spacing issues...
It’s possible to develop tooth decay even when you take great care of your teeth. Brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep your teeth healthy, depending on your diet...
Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, has been said to originate with a Catholic priest named Valentine several thousand year ago...
Sticky, hard, and gooey: these candies fill your dopamine receptors with spasms of sugar-filled joy, but if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment at Crawford Orthodontic Care to straighten your teeth, then these sweets are not so sweet...
For centuries, many have believed in messages written in the stars and constellations. Some people look to their astrological sign to understand their personalities and preferences better, and even to foresee their destiny...
Not everyone is born with a million-dollar smile, not even some celebrities. The following stars have all had their moments as a “brace face,” either as a child, teenager, or adult. You might be surprised to learn about stars who had braces...
It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment...
While everyone understands that a dentist takes care of teeth, not everyone is aware of what an orthodontist does...
Just because it’s cold out there doesn’t mean you’ll give up keeping fit and active! Winter is the season for some of our favorite team sporting activities, and when you’re donning your protective gear, don’t forget to protect your teeth as well...
People have been ushering in the New Year for centuries but it became an official holiday in 1582 when Pope George XIII declared January 1st to be the day on which everyone would celebrate the New Year. At midnight people would yell, holler, and ...
Orthodontic treatment should begin earlier than most parents are apt to assume. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment should start at around seven years of age...
If Dr. Crawford and our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care have recommended a palatal expander, you might be wondering what it is and how it will help you...
The team at Crawford Orthodontic Care loves to help adults achieve straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. If you are considering getting braces, here are some things you’ll need to know. Can braces work for adults?...
Most of our patients at Crawford Orthodontic Care will need to wear rubber bands at some point during their orthodontic treatment. The main reason our patients are instructed to wear rubber bands is to correct their bite. If your teeth do not fit...
Thanksgiving marks the start to the holidays; a season filled with feasting, indulging, and spending time with family and friends are always special. Thanksgiving is a holiday meant for giving thanks, and while this may seem like such a natural celebration
Now that you are working hard to improve your dental health and appearance with your braces, it might seem like a logical time to whiten your teeth as well. But should you go ahead with home kits or a professional whitening? ...
If you’re wearing braces, then you know they are working hard to straighten your teeth. However, those hard-working braces are also preventing you from easily cleaning your teeth...
If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Crawford and our team think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, ...
Halloween is fast approaching, and Dr. Crawford wanted to be sure to wish our patients a happy day, no matter how you might celebrate this holiday...
However you may feel about having to wear braces, choosing the color of your rubber bands is sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you want to express your creativity, coordinate your braces with your outfits, ...
Dr. Crawford and our team hear this question a lot. Some of the common reasons for crooked teeth include...
What does the month of October mean to you? For people in the northern hemisphere, October is when the weather starts to get a little chilly: heavy jackets might come out of storage and the summer clothing gets packed away...
If you’ve never been to an orthodontist before, you might be wary of what to expect during your first visit...
Patients have so many choices for straightening their teeth nowadays — clear aligners, ceramic braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces — but who is best suited to guide them through orthodontic treatment? ...
Having braces can be frustrating when you have to be cautious about eating certain foods or having to avoid them altogether...
It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change,...
Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday each September here in the United States, is a holiday devoted to the American working community...
Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to this country, and for many Americans, the holiday is a great time to ...
It’s not unusual for a patient to be unaware of the range of services that orthodontists can provide for their patients...
Clear aligners like Invisalign® have become increasingly popular over the past several years and rightly so. They’re removable, easier to clean than ...
A clean mouth is a happy mouth. And when Dr. Crawford and our staff see you have a clean mouth, we are happy too...
Now that many of the schools in Norcross, GA are back in session, Dr. Crawford would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance...
Well, of course, they already are working for you—as an essential part of the alignment process. Rubber bands, also known as elastic ligatures, are used to secure the wires inside your brackets. But bands can be more than functional...
Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) refers to a diverse range of disorders that relate to muscular function in the jaw and face — the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). ...
Once you get your braces off, you want to make sure your smile remains straight! This is where retainers come in...
We’ve heard all the reasons why folks put off scheduling an orthodontic consultation: not quite ready to begin treatment, vacations, busy schedules, financial concerns, etc...
Every year, Americans all over the world celebrate the birth of the country and its independence on the Fourth of July. There are countless ways that people celebrate and they range from community parades and large scale gatherings to concerts, ...
Here is some surprising yet worthwhile advice you might be hearing for the first time: Brushing after a meal can be incredibly bad for your teeth if you do it after eating certain foods...
Nowadays, many adults are taking advantage of getting straighter teeth with braces. Dr. Crawford and our team love to help patients create the dazzling, confident smile they’ve always wanted...
As we start our summer, our team at Crawford Orthodontic Care wants to remind our patients who have completed treatment that it is very important to wear your retainer as prescribed even while away for vacations and summer camps...
It’s useful to know some of the common problems that can arise when you get braces. Even if you take great care of your braces and teeth, you might not be able to avoid certain issues or side effects that accompany braces...
Memorial Day is not only a federal holiday in the United States, but it is a day of observance and remembrance of those who died in service. Originally known as Decoration Day,...
Nobody likes bad breath, and although it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have it, it is always better to practice good oral health than risk having a smelly mouth...
"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there." - Robert Browning We would like to take this moment to thank all the great moms out there for being so great during their child’s visits to Crawford Orthodontic Care. Whether it’s driving their kids to...
Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Crawford Orthodontic Care. Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have...
Kids can be picky eaters. How many times have you seen your child try to hide the peas under a mound of mashed potatoes?...
During the early days of the environmental awareness movement, those who demonstrated against pollution, toxic chemicals, and the general public health were known as hippies. The early 1970s were a time of change, and assertions that we needed to pay...
Although adolescence is a common time to get braces, there’s no reason for adults of any age to have to deal with crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, or other dental issues. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists notes that demand...
The Importance of Facial Protection Americans from all walks of life should mark April as National Facial Protection Month on their calendars. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Academy for Sports Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric...
The term malocclusion refers to misalignment of teeth. You may have been born with malocclusion, so your teeth simply grew in crooked, or the misalignment and crowding of your teeth occurred over a period of time. Either way, not only can malocclusion pose
Your first few days with braces will feel rather odd, awkward, and even painful. The day you get your braces you will probably just feel weird, like you have something in your mouth – because you do. You are most likely to feel pain and soreness during...
Millions of people, around Norcross, GA and beyond, wear green on St. Patrick’s Day so they can show their spirit for the holiday and avoid getting pinched. While it may be easy for you to throw on a green shirt, sport a St. Patrick’s Day button...
Most people think braces are all about their teeth. While it is true orthodontics is meant to move your teeth into proper position, there's more to it than that. To safely move your teeth with braces, you're going to need healthy and stable gums...
At Crawford Orthodontic Care, we aren’t just concerned with straightening your teeth and giving you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted...
After getting your braces, it is important to know how to take care of your teeth in order to ensure that your braces stay intact and do their job so that your teeth are in top-notch condition after you complete your orthodontic treatment...
Most parents know that routine dental care should begin during their child’s toddler years. And many assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Crawford for an initial orthodontic consultation...
