"Hey, Dr. Whitlock! What can you tell me about malocclusion?"

Malocclusion, or what northwestern Arkansas orthodontist Dr. Whitlock calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, your gum tissue health, the ability to properly care for your teeth and, yes folks, even your appearance.

Dr. Whitlock and our staff at Whitlock Orthodontics will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Whitlock Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and our staff will try to answer any questions you may have.

SureSmile featured on the Science Channel!

How cool is this? SureSmile treatment was recently featured on the Science Channel. At Whitlock Orthodontics, we love working with SureSmile technology, as it is faster and produces better results. Take a look at the video, and be sure to let us know what you think.

Happy Tuesday!

Ask Whitlock Orthodontics: Which toothbrush should my child use?

Northwest Arkansas orthodontist Dr. Boyd Whitlock will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. The question remains, however: which type of toothbrush should your child use?

When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles have the ability to harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Northwest Arkansas orthodontist Dr. Whitlock, reminding you to play it safe this spring

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. And for Dr. Boyd Whitlock, that's simply not acceptable.

You see, April happens to be National Facial Protection Month, and it’s a good time to remind our young athletes about staying safe on the field this spring. The above video from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists outlines some basic ways you can save face this April and spring.

Dr. Whitlock will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these AAO tips, please contact Whitlock Orthodontics. Have a great weekend!