Our Blog

Morning Breath And Braces: What You Need to Know

We all know what it’s like to have morning breath. But those of us with braces may have morning breath that is a little stronger than most. Dry Mouth and Morning Breath The most common cause of morning breath is dry mouth. When you sleep, your body is not able to produce as much saliva. This is done

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Breakfast And Your Oral Health Are Connected

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But how important is it to our oral health? The Breakfast Effect Think about your typical first meal of the day. Is it hot or cold? Does it have a lot of sugar in it? Is it balanced? In the United States, cereals and pastries

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Orthodontic Treatment – When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?

Most parents understand the importance of starting children young with an at-home oral care routine. While children start their dental care routine in their toddler years, do you know the best age to start them with orthodontic treatment? Some parents choose to wait until all of their child’s permanent teeth have come in, but what is the real

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Can I Drink Alcohol With Braces?

You already know the effects alcohol can have on your body, but do you know how it can affect your oral health? At Boyd Orthodontics, our job is to educate adult patients on how to keep their teeth healthy during orthodontic treatment. Before you pick up that glass of your favorite alcoholic beverage, consider what’s inside. Acid – Most

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The Truth About Mail Order Orthodontics

Would you consider undergoing orthodontic treatment to improve your smile without ever having to step foot inside an orthodontic or dental office? In the last couple years, there has been a significant increase in the purchase of mail order orthodontics and at-home teeth straightening kits, especially with teens. What’s the hook? It is advertised as a more cost-effective

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Vegan Diet And Orthodontics

While we’ve all heard that milk is great for building strong bones and teeth, not everyone drinks milk. Although more Americans are becoming proactive about taking care of their overall health, many of us have dietary preferences that exclude dairy products. Both calcium and vitamin D are essential to your oral health, but are you getting enough calcium?

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Thinking About Mail-In Orthodontics? Read This First!

Wouldn’t you love to simply take a selfie, and/or impression of your teeth or get your teeth scanned, and receive aligners that straighten your teeth in a few months without even leaving your home? Sounds too good to be true, huh? This is exactly the type of convenience offered and advertised with direct-to-consumer orthodontics. Companies like SmileDirectClub, Smilelove,

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Are You Cleaning Your Braces with the Right Toothbrush?

You’re just starting orthodontic treatment and it’s time to brush your teeth. Do you brush with a manual or electric toothbrush? The truth is that either type of toothbrush does an effective job of cleaning the teeth. For those of you not convinced, we’ve listed some features and benefits of each so you can decide for yourself. Benefits

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5 Tips for Going Back to School with Braces

Bummed out that summer is almost over? At Boyd Orthodontics in Columbia, Elgin, and West Columbia, SC, we feel this is a great time of year to revisit the basics of caring for your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Starting a healthy routine at the beginning of the school year will go a long way towards achieving a beautiful,

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