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Invisalign is a popular teeth-straightening treatment that uses clear, removable aligners. They are very popular in our office, and we love recommending Invisalign for our teen and adult patients to help them achieve their dream smiles.

If you're considering Invisalign, following your orthodontist's instructions closely is important for the best results. While the aligners are convenient and discreet, they require your careful attention.

Here's why: Your doctor provides specific instructions for your treatment plan, which you should follow closely to ensure the best possible outcome.

Disregarding their advice can lead to complications and lengthen your treatment time.

You've likely heard before that patients must wear their aligners full-time or at least 22 hours daily. This includes while you sleep and when you're at school or work.

But did you know that there are some other smaller things we recommend you do NOT do with Invisalign aligners? While these may seem minor, they can greatly impact your treatment.

So here are 4 things you should not do with your Invisalign aligners:

1. Don't wrap your Invisalign aligners in a Kleenex (or napkin)!!!

So many people forget their Invisalign aligners are in their napkins.

The problem is, when you do this, you may forget them on the table or someone else may take your aligners, thinking it's trash, and throw them away.

Put them in their case. Keep a back up if you have to!

This is actually a really big and common problem. We see it all the time.

2. Don't put your aligners in your pocket!!!

Along the same lines, don't leave aligners in your pocket. Doing so can cause them to break or get damaged; they could even fall out of your pocket and be lost.

We have found lost aligners in parking lots many times.

3. Don't eat candy or any foods when you're aligners are in!

While we want you to wear your aligners as much as possible, you should not eat food or candy while wearing them. Take out your Invisalign to enjoy a snack or a meal.

Eating food with aligners can bend or break the plastic in the aligners, making them not fit as they should. Which means a longer time overall.

4. Don't drink coffee or sugary drinks with your aligners in!

While Invisalign aligners are designed to fit snuggly around your teeth, sugary drinks can get trapped underneath the aligners and can cause tooth decay.

And who wants a mouth full of cavities?

Water is the best option for drinking when you have your aligners in. But if you must drink something else, we recommend you use a straw. And then rinse your mouth out with water after you drink.

These are just a few simple things we hope you will avoid while you're wearing your Invisalign aligners.

If you happen to have any concerns or questions regarding your Invisalign treatment, please feel free to reach out to our office. We're always here to help and provide any assistance you may need.

We take pride in aiding you throughout your treatment!

Orthodontic treatments have come a long way in recent years, with several options available to patients who want to improve their smiles. Both options are effective and have advantages, and at Hester and Morris Orthodontics, we can help you decide which is best for your individual needs.

However, in a few key areas, Invisalign sets itself apart from traditional braces because of the benefits they provide.

Here are 3 things we love about Invisalign.

1. The look of Invisalign.

For one thing, Invisalign aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible and allowing patients to straighten their teeth without feeling self-conscious.

Not everyone wants to be seen in braces, so this is an excellent option for them. Many young adults are also choosing Invisalign due to their professional appearance.

They can straighten their teeth without the stigma of metal braces.

Teenagers also choose Invisalign because they like the look of a more natural smile.

For numerous teenagers involved in cheerleading, modeling, or pageants, possessing a stunning smile is a significant aspect of their self-assurance and individuality.

And with proms and homecomings quickly approaching, there are many photo opportunities in which braces might be seen. But not with Invisalign.

2. The dental benefits of Invisalign.

Another thing we love is that Invisalign aligners can be removed for cleaning, making them a more convenient option for many patients.

Patients with braces must adhere to a specific brushing routine to ensure that their teeth and gums remain healthy.

Even with brushing and flossing, some patients with braces can still have issues with decalcifications and cavities. The brackets and wires can make it difficult to get to certain areas of the mouth. Often patients with braces must go to the dentist more frequently to have their teeth cleaned and cavities treated.

The benefit of Invisalign is that patients can take them out for brushing and flossing because they are removable. This is a big advantage over traditional braces.

The dental hygienist also usually likes to see patients with Invisalign for the same reasons. Maintaining a clean mouth with Invisalign is easier, so there is a better chance for fewer cavities!

3. The eating is better with Invisalign.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners allow patients to enjoy their favorite foods without limitations or restrictions.

This is because the aligners can be removed before meals and put back in once the meal is finished.

For patients with braces, sticky, hard, or chewy foods are off-limits during treatment.

With Invisalign, there are no such restrictions, which can make the treatment process much less restrictive and more enjoyable.

And with Invisalign, there are no wires or brackets to pop off because of the patient's food choices. So bring on all of the Takis, the Skittles, and the chicken wings!

These are just three reasons why we love Invisalign at our office. If you would like to learn more, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, don't hesitate to get in touch with our office today.

We'd love to help you get started with Invisalign!

It's that time again!

As the new school year approaches, parents of children with braces have an extra reason to feel the back-to-school jitters.

Fear not, dear parents; we have your back!

This blog post is packed with practical tips and helpful advice to ensure a smooth transition to school life while keeping those braces-wearing kiddos in tip-top shape. Stay tuned as we delve into the world of orthodontic care for students, making this school year one to remember!

As a parent of a child with Invisalign or orthodontic braces, you know the unique challenges and concerns that come with it.

With the school year in full view, planning braces-friendly and appealing meals for your child can be overwhelming. However, rest assured that with some creativity and planning, you can pack delicious and healthy lunches for your child to take to school. One easy option is to switch out hard, crunchy snacks for softer alternatives like sliced fruit, cheese or yogurt. Additionally, meal prep can go a long way in ensuring that your child has access to braces-friendly meals throughout the week.

Heading back to school can be a busy time for families in so many ways, but it's important to remember to prioritize braces or Invisalign care during this transition.

One helpful tip is to ensure your child has a braces care kit in their backpack, complete with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Encourage your child to use this kit after lunch or snacks to keep their teeth clean and free of food particles.

Many parents send a second backup Invisalign case in the lunchbox to make sure aligners are never stored in a napkin and thrown out!

Another useful strategy is to talk to your child's teacher about their braces and concerns.

If your child is involved in sports, it's important to consider how their braces might affect their safety during games and practices.

One solution to this concern is to have your child wear an orthodontic mouthguard. A properly fitted mouth guard can protect your child's braces and teeth from potential injuries while playing sports. Talk to our Valdosta, GA office about getting a custom-fit mouthguard designed for braces.

Sending your child off to school with a confident and healthy smile is important to overall well-being. At Hester & Morris Orthodontics, we understand the importance of a beautiful smile and offer a variety of treatment options to help achieve one. From traditional braces to Invisalign, our orthodontic specialists work with families to create the perfect treatment plan for each patient. By prioritizing your child's braces or Invisalign care, they can return to school with a beautiful smile that will inspire confidence and success throughout the year.

We can help your child can feel proud to show off their Hester & Morris Orthodontics smile in the classroom and beyond! Email us here or call (229)245-1800 to schedule a consultation with our orthodontic office.

Braces can be a major adjustment for anyone, especially when it comes to diet. Many orthodontists recommend avoiding hard, chewy, or sticky foods to prevent broken brackets. However, one common favorite among all ages is chicken nuggets. But can people with braces still indulge in these crispy, breaded delights?

In this blog, we will look at a few of our favorite chicken nuggets from area restaurants and see how they fare in the world of braces.

Generally, chicken nuggets are good food for patients with braces. But which ones are considered the best for braces? We recently went around town buying up chicken nuggets (for science!), and we found that some are more suitable than others when you have braces.

The restaurants we visited include Wendy's, Chick-fil-a, Sonic, Zacadoo's, and Mcdonald's. We bought these nuggets from each restaurant and brought them back to test on our own braces model.

We decided not to include chicken strips in our test because we feel chicken strips are entirely something else. Still delicious, just not nugs!

And please remember that this is strictly based on crunchiness and toughness, not taste.

Here are our findings:

1. Wendy's Chicken Nuggets

These are the middle of the road in our braces test. The soft interior makes it very easy to eat, but depending on the crunchiness of the outside, it could be difficult to bite into. Side note: Not good cold. They became tough and dry.

2. Chick-fil-a Chicken Nuggets

The Lord's Chicken Nuggets are some of the most popular in our area, so we had high hopes for them. And we were not disappointed. These nuggets were tender and juicy and had a light batter on the outside, making them easy to bite into, even with brackets. The only thing to watch for may be the denseness of the chicken itself since it's real chicken breast.

3. Sonic Drive-In Chicken Nuggets... AKA Popcorn Chicken

So while technically not a chicken nugget, these small bite-sized chicken pieces were their equivalent. Unfortunately, these did not fare well in our braces test, and we recommend caution with these while you have braces on your teeth. Or better yet, avoid them altogether and opt for other options at Sonic to prevent possible bent wires or broken brackets. We love their burgers and tots! And their milkshakes!

4. Zacadoo's Chicken Nuggets

This is a local place in our area, and it's well-known for its chicken fingers. On the day we tried them, they were overcooked and chewy, making them difficult for the braces model to bite into. The batter was much too hard to eat without possibly bending wires or breaking off brackets. Maybe these would be a good option on a better day, but we can't recommend them for our test.

5. McDonald's Chicken Nuggets

The classic! These are the nuggets that started it all, the ones we all grew up on. McDonald's chicken nuggets are known for their crispy coating, but our study found that the ones we received were surprisingly easy to bite into and even easier to eat. The coating was not too hard and would not be a problem to eat with braces on, as long as the nuggets were not too old or overcooked.

Mostly, all chicken nuggets are the same, a great food option for patients with braces. While we recommend avoiding popcorn chicken varieties due to the extreme crispness and chewiness, the classic nuggets are a great choice! Just be mindful of how your nuggets are prepared, and always be careful eating nuggets with extra heavy coating or breading. Also, watch out for overcooked nuggets, as these can be harder to bite into.

And as always -- Don't forget to brush your teeth!

So... Which is your favorite chicken nugget? Let us know in the comments below!

Pass the sauce and happy eating!