The spaces between your teeth are where cavities and gum disease love to start. Your toothbrush only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces, leaving the remaining 40% untouched. That is where interdental cleaning comes in. But should you use traditional dental floss or interdental brushes? Let us settle this debate once and for all. Traditional Flossing: The Classic Approach Dental floss has been recommended by dentists for decades. It works by sliding a thin thread between

One of the hardest adjustments when you get braces is changing what you eat. Certain foods can break brackets, snap wires, or get hopelessly stuck in your hardware, leading to emergency orthodontist visits and longer treatment times. But do not worry — having braces does not mean giving up delicious food. Here is what to avoid and what to enjoy instead. Foods That Can Break Your Braces Hard foods are the number one enemy of braces. Biting into a whole apple, chewing ice cubes

Congratulations on starting your clear aligner journey! Whether you just picked up your first set of trays from your orthodontist or they are on their way, having the right tools from day one will make your entire treatment smoother, more comfortable, and more hygienic. Here is everything you should have ready before you pop in that first aligner. 1. An Aligner Storage Box This is the most important accessory you can own. Every time you remove your aligners to eat, drink, or

Let us be honest — bad breath is one of the most embarrassing side effects of wearing braces, and it is far more common than people realize. The brackets, wires, and bands in your mouth create hundreds of tiny spaces where food and bacteria can hide. Even if you brush regularly, standard techniques often miss these hidden spots. The good news? Bad breath during orthodontic treatment is completely fixable with the right approach. 1. Upgrade Your Toothbrush A regular toothbrush

Choosing between traditional braces and clear aligners is one of the biggest decisions in your orthodontic journey. Both options can give you a beautiful, straight smile, but they work differently and suit different lifestyles. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you have a more informed conversation with your orthodontist. Traditional Braces: The Tried and True Metal braces have been around for decades and remain one of the most effective orthodontic treatments

If you have ever experienced that sharp pinch from a bracket digging into your cheek, or a wire poking the inside of your lip, you know the discomfort braces can bring — especially in the first few weeks and after every adjustment. Orthodontic wax is the simple, affordable solution that most patients wish they had discovered sooner. What Is Orthodontic Wax? Orthodontic wax is a soft, pliable material made from medical-grade ingredients that you press onto brackets, wires, or

Your orthodontist spends years studying how to give you the perfect smile. But there is one frustration nearly every orthodontist shares: patients who do not take their oral hygiene seriously during treatment. The brackets and wires that are carefully positioned to align your teeth can quickly become traps for bacteria if you do not clean properly. Here is what your orthodontist really wants you to know. Two Minutes Is Not Enough When you have braces, the standard two-minute

Every year, over 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes end up in landfills and oceans worldwide. That is a staggering amount of waste from a product we use for just a few minutes each day. If you have been looking for a simple way to reduce your environmental footprint without sacrificing your oral health, switching to a bamboo toothbrush might be the easiest change you can make. Why Bamboo? Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, requiring no fertilizers, pesticides

Whether you are heading on a weekend getaway or a two-week vacation, traveling with braces or clear aligners requires a little extra planning. Nothing ruins a trip like a broken bracket with no orthodontic wax, or misplacing your aligners because you left them wrapped in a napkin at a restaurant. With the right preparation, you can enjoy your travels without worrying about your orthodontic treatment. The Essential Travel Kit for Braces Wearers Your travel bag should include a

Clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, offering a discreet and comfortable way to straighten your teeth. But here's the thing most people don't realize: if you're not cleaning your aligners properly, you could be putting your oral health at risk. Dirty aligners can harbor bacteria, cause bad breath, and even lead to cavities — defeating the whole purpose of your treatment. At Gleam and Go, we've helped hundreds of orthodontic patients maintain their aligner