Our Blog

Have you ever wondered if getting braces is only about achieving straight teeth? We get this question a lot and thought we would address why having straight teeth not only helps with confidence but also provides many health benefits. 

The benefits of braces are not merely aesthetic. It has been proven that crooked teeth are more difficult to brush and floss. Also, food tends to be easily lodged between misaligned teeth. Therefore, after undergoing this treatment your teeth will be straight and it will be much easier to maintain good oral hygiene.

Poor oral hygiene results in the buildup of bacteria and food debris on your teeth and gums. With time, this causes some dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. By straightening your teeth and improving your oral hygiene, you will prevent the onset of these diseases which are the leading cause of tooth loss.

Aside from straightening your teeth, braces can also fix other issues such as malocclusions. This is an aspect that is sometimes disregarded but it has great benefits for your oral health. When left untreated, a malocclusion becomes worse over time and results in pronounced clenching and grinding of your teeth.

Protruding teeth are more prone to dental injuries. Braces can shift these teeth back into their ideal positions and prevent any injuries.

Sometimes, crooked teeth can affect your speech and cause lisps. This can make people feel very self-conscious, but tends to be corrected after braces with Grace Kerr Orthodontics. 

For these reasons and many others we feel that orthodontic treatment is about so much more than just straight teeth. Want to give your teen a healthy smile that may even help boost their self confidence? Bring them to Grace Kerr Orthodontics and we will help create a healthy smile. 

Click below to schedule a complimentary consultation now!

Grace Kerr Orthodontics is a  certified provider of Invisalign & Invisalign Teen in the Cincinnati area, offering clear aligners as a treatment option for their patients. Consider Invisalign to provide yourself (or your teen) with the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted as an alternative to braces - it's just as effective and provides the same fantastic results!

How does Invisalign work?

During a consultation at Grace Kerr Orthodontics, Dr. Kerr will determine the exact movements necessary to get your teeth into the correct position. The Grace Kerr team then has a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. As you replace each Invisalign aligner with the next in the series, the teeth will gradually and gently shift little by little, until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Kerr has prescribed.

What are the benefits?

Clear: Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. No hiding your smile in meetings, engagement photos, or school pick-ups, and no closed-lipped selfies here!

Comfortable: Invisalign aligners are extremely comfortable and made out of smooth, sleek plastic.

Confidence Booster: A recent study* found that only 22% of teens feel that wearing braces does/will boost their self-esteem; whereas, nearly half of teens report wearing Invisalign does/will boost their self-esteem (47%). Likewise, 40% of Teens reported that wearing braces would/does negatively impact their self-confidence during treatment; whereas, only 13% of Teens reported the same about wearing Invisalign aligners. After conversations with our Adult patients, we think the findings would be similar.

Removable: (ok, we know this one isn’t a C!) Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing your teen to eat and drink whatever they'd like while in treatment- there are no food restrictions! Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem.

Convenient: Fewer visits to the orthodontist, meaning fewer interruptions of your busy schedule. You and your teen will visit Grace Kerr Orthodontics about once every 2-3 months to ensure that your treatment progress is on track.

Cost Effective: At Grace Kerr Orthodontics, Invisalign comes at the same price tag as traditional braces. No need to shell out extra cash to avoid a metal mouth. 

Click below to begin your virtual consultation now! 

There isn’t a specific age at which children should start undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, at around seven years old, your child will have grown out enough permanent teeth and the jaw is developed enough to tell if there are any current issues... or any on the horizon.

There are many benefits to getting orthodontic treatment as a child, including shorter treatment time, fewer impacted permanent teeth, and reduced chance of needing to remove teeth because we:

• Guide teeth into desired positions early 
• Minimize crowding/creating room for erupting teeth
• Guide jaw growth
• Correct the results of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking 

Are there any signs I should look for?

Yes, definitely! Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting into food
• Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Speech difficulties
• Thumb or other finger sucking habit
• Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
• Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
• Protruding of teeth
• Biting the inside of his or her cheek 
• Teeth meet abnormally or do not meet at all
• Jaw and teeth do not appear to be proportionate to the face

Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation may be a good idea.

Do some of these signs look familiar to you? 

Have no fear, your child will be in good hands! At Grace Kerr Orthodontics we have built a family-oriented, professional practice in the Cincinnati community. They are no strangers to the latest technology so you can be sure that they are up to date on the newest trends in orthodontics. 

Think your child may need an orthodontic evaluation?

Give us a call and make an appointment for a consultation! At Grace Kerr Orthodontics, early treatment can help give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for more self-esteem as they go through their teenage years and through adulthood.

Click below to begin your virtual consultation now!