Our Blog

A Question of Missing Teeth

Missing permanent teeth or premature loss of baby teeth is one reason why the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends an orthodontic consultation for children beginning at age 7. The upper lateral incisors, second premolars and third molars (wisdom teeth) are the teeth most likely to fail to develop or erupt. Heredity is considered a major factor when

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Handling Out of Town Emergencies

School is out in most parts of the country and summer vacation will soon be here. Do you know what to do if you have an orthodontic emergency while you are out of town, on vacation, or away at camp? Here are some tips from McNamara Orthodontics. Fortunately, most problems with your braces don’t qualify as true emergencies.

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How Affective Is a WaterPix When Wearing Braces?

Good dental care with routine maintenance can be costly, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Doctors at McNamara Orthodontics recommend you see your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. If you take good care of your teeth on a regular basis with proper brushing and flossing, the

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Thumbs Down on Thumb Sucking in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti MI

Children are born with a natural sucking reflex that often evolves into a comfort behavior. It is not at all unusual for an infant or child to find a thumb or finger to calm them when tired or upset as a coping mechanism. Ultrasound scans have revealed that thumb sucking can start before birth, as early as 15

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Do You Know What to Look for When Buying a Toothbrush?

There are many different types of toothbrushes to choose from and each brush has a different type of bristle! When buying a toothbrush, everyone here McNamara Orthodontics thinks you should know the bristles are your number one priority… then consider color, shape, and all the whistles and bells manufacturers use to lure you to buy their product. There

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What Happened to my orthodontic retainers in AnnArbor and Ypsilanti MI?

It is no secret that dogs chew on anything and everything…. including retainers.  They are fair game for “Man’s Best Friend” both in and out of the case if left out on the open. If you have a dog, never leave your retainer or Invisalign aligners on tables, bathroom counters, night stands, or any where they can jump

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Blown Away by Bad Breath

At McNamara Orthodontics, we understand that bad breath can be a big turn off for most people, especially those that are image-conscious. It is also very annoying for people who deal with the problem. How can you tell if you have bad breath? What is the cause of bad breath Is there any way to prevent it?

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Easter Basket Ideas for Kid’s With Braces

At McNamara Orthodontics we ask kids and adults in our practice with braces to avoid many of their favorite Easter candies that are hard, sticky, chewy, and high in sugar in order to protect their braces. Jellybeans are an Easter favorite and can raise havoc with brackets and wires. Here are three tips to make kids of all

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Why Choose and Orthodontist In AnnArbor and Ypsilanti MI?

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontic treatment. But for the team at McNamara Orthodontics, the correct function of your bite is far more important. A malocclusion, or bad bite, can cause serious problems over a lifetime if left untreated. Loss of tooth structure, TMJ problems and even bone loss can occur

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