Our Blog

The Impact of Smoking on Oral Health

When it comes to smoking, we’ve all been reminded constantly of the effects it can have on our overall health. In most cases, lung cancer is often the disease of choice that is a result of smoking. However, the damaging effects of smoking don’t stop there. Do you know the negative effects smoking can have on your oral

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What Happens When We Swallow Gum?

The team at McNamara Orthodontics want to dispel an urban legend about chewing gum: if you swallow a wad of gum, it does not sit in your stomach for seven years. In most cases, actually, not even seven days. Chewing gum, although not meant to be swallowed, passes harmlessly through the digestive system and is excreted in the

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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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Mail Order Orthodontics – Far Too Many Risks?

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 Braces

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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Can I Drink Alcohol While Wearing Braces? – high quality

You already know the effects alcohol can have on your body, but do you know how it can affect your oral health? At McNamara 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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Are Braces Making Your Morning Breath Worse?

  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

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The Secret To A Brighter Smile Could Be Inside Your Kitchen

You just took a photo with friends but notice that your smile isn’t as white as everyone else’s. Did you know that there are natural ways to brighten your tooth enamel? Even better, the solution could already be in your kitchen. To help you put your best smile forward, here are six foods that make a whiter smile.

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Flex Your Flexible Spending And Smile

Well, we all know that 2017 is quickly winding down and we will soon be welcoming the New Year. As a courtesy to all our patients, this is a reminder to review your Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account (FSA or FLEX) balances to make sure you don’t lose any of your benefits socked away this year. Fall

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