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Let’s be honest: after a long day, brushing your teeth can feel like just another chore. But those few minutes you spend caring for your teeth before bed are some of the most important for your long-term dental health. As our doctors have always said, start and end each day with clean teeth in a clean mouth! Here’s how to establish a simple and effective bedtime routine that will help keep your smile bright and healthy.

1. Brush Thoroughly (and Don’t Rush!)
Start by brushing your teeth for at least two minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to reach every surface—front, back, and chewing sides. Take your time! It’s easy to rush when you’re tired, but plaque loves to stick around overnight. If you have braces, be sure to brush your teeth with a toothpaste not made for whitening. This will help avoid any potential discoloration while you have your braces on.

2. Floss Like a Boss
Flossing isn’t just for getting rid of that popcorn kernel after movie night. It removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under the gumline—places your toothbrush can’t reach. If regular floss isn’t your thing, try floss picks or interdental brushes. Ask us about our special floss threaders, specifically designed for orthodontic patients!

3. Rinse (But Choose Wisely)
A gentle mouthwash can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Swish for 30 seconds, then spit—don’t rinse with water afterward. We recommend a non-alcoholic mouthwash for a less stinging effect.

4. Skip the Midnight Snacks
Eating after your bedtime routine lets sugar and acids linger on your teeth, feeding bacteria as you sleep. If you’re thirsty, stick to water. Easier said than done, we know! But worth it for a healthy smile.

5. Don’t Forget Your Tongue
Bacteria hang out on your tongue too! Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to gently clean your tongue before you call it a night.

Keep up these habits, and you’ll wake up with a fresher mouth—and a healthier smile—for years to come! Remember, your smile is worth it! If you have any questions about your dental care routine with braces, please don't hesitate to contact our office. We’re here to help!

As summer winds down and backpacks come out of the closet, it’s time to get ready for the school year ahead. For students with braces, going back to school may come with some unique challenges—but with a little preparation, it can also be a smooth and confident start. Whether it’s your first school year with braces or you’re a seasoned pro, these tips will help you stay comfortable, clean, and confident from the first bell to the last.

1. Pack a Braces Care Kit

One of the smartest things you can do is keep a small braces care kit in your backpack or locker. This can include a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, orthodontic wax, floss picks, and a small mirror. Having these items handy allows you to quickly handle food stuck in your braces, relieve poking wires, or freshen up after lunch.

2. Choose Braces-Friendly Lunches

Avoid hard, sticky, and crunchy foods that could damage your braces. Instead, pack braces-safe foods like pasta, yogurt, soft fruits (like bananas or applesauce), cheese, sandwiches on soft bread, or cut-up veggies. If you buy lunch at school, opt for soft foods and avoid items like chips, popcorn, or chewy candy that could cause issues.

3. Stay on Schedule with Oral Hygiene

It’s easy to get caught up in the busy school day and forget to brush or floss. If possible, brush your teeth after lunch, or at least rinse your mouth with water to remove food debris. Keeping a routine helps prevent plaque buildup and keeps your breath fresh throughout the day.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is your best friend during the school day. It helps rinse your mouth, reduces sugar exposure from other drinks, and keeps your mouth hydrated. Skip the soda and sugary juices—they can stain your braces and increase your risk of cavities.

5. Speak Up if Something Feels Off

If a wire starts poking or a bracket comes loose during the day, don’t wait to speak up. Let your school nurse or a teacher know, and contact your orthodontist as soon as you can. Using orthodontic wax can help you stay comfortable until your appointment.

6. Smile with Confidence

Braces are a normal part of growing up, and a great step toward a healthier smile. Don’t be shy about showing yours off! If you’re feeling self-conscious, remember that many of your classmates are probably going through the same thing. Own your braces—they’re part of your journey to a beautiful smile.

Bonus Tip: Keep Up with Appointments

School can get busy fast, but don’t forget your orthodontic appointments. Staying on track with adjustments ensures you’re progressing toward getting your braces off on time. Let your orthodontist know your school schedule so you can book appointments that don’t interfere with important classes or activities.

At Hester and Morris Orthodontics, we want you to head into the school year feeling confident and cared for. If you ever have questions or concerns about your braces, we’re just a call away. Here's to a successful school year—and a straighter, healthier smile along the way!

Every middle school has its unsung heroes—the students who light up the room with a smile, lift others up when they’re down, and always go the extra mile. That’s exactly who we’re looking to celebrate with our SMILE Award. SMILE stands for Shine, Motivate, Inspire, Lead, and Excel, and it’s more than just an acronym. It’s a way of life, and it’s what makes our community stronger, kinder, and a whole lot more fun. This award is for the students who don’t just show up—they stand out. Whether it’s helping a classmate, leading by example, or simply bringing positive energy wherever they go, SMILE Award nominees remind us what makes our school special.

The local schools select their candidate and then award them at their school's end-of-year Honors Program.

Hester and Morris Orthodontics has been honored with this award for several years, and we were pleased to add St. John School, Valwood School, and Highland Christian Academy to the list of recipients this year. Each student receives a plaque and a $100 cash prize courtesy of our office.

The SMILE Award Recipients for 2025 are:

St. John School: Jebran Gladwin

Valwood: Tamsyn Persaud

HCA: Avery Harrell

Hahira Middle: Hayden Horton

Lowndes Middle: Cedric Holder

Pine Grove Middle: Makayla Rodriguez

Scintilla: Austin Parkerson

Newbern Middle: Aziyah Wilson

Valdosta Middle: Shemori Felton

Lanier Middle: Shawn Mann

Berrien Middle: Trenton Edwards

Thank you to the schools that submitted photos!

We are so proud of each of these students! And we wish them all the best as they enter high school! Keep Shining! Keep Smiling!

When it comes to straightening teeth, two options usually come to mind: traditional braces and Invisalign. Both treatments can deliver a confident, healthy smile, but they work in pretty different ways. Here’s what sets them apart—and how to decide which might be right for you.

How They Work

Braces use metal brackets and wires to gradually move your teeth into alignment. An orthodontist glues the brackets to your teeth and threads a wire through them, tightening it at regular appointments to shift everything into place. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners custom-made for your mouth. You switch to a new set of aligners every week as your teeth move.

Look and Comfort

The biggest difference most people notice is appearance. Braces are visible, while Invisalign is nearly invisible—most people won’t even notice you’re wearing aligners. Braces can cause some discomfort, especially after adjustments, and the metal can sometimes irritate the inside of your mouth. Invisalign aligners tend to be more comfortable since they’re smooth plastic, and there are no wires or brackets to worry about.

Convenience and Lifestyle

Invisalign aligners can be taken out when you eat or brush your teeth, making oral hygiene much easier compared to braces. With braces, you’ll have to avoid sticky or hard foods, and cleaning around the wires can be tricky. That said, because Invisalign is removable, it only works if you’re disciplined about wearing them 20–22 hours a day.

Which Is Better?

It really depends on your needs.Both are effective, but braces often address more complex cases, while Invisalign excels for both mild to moderate alignment issues and offers a more straightforward approach to bite problems. With the right orthodontist, either can be an excellent choice! An orthodontist can help you choose the best treatment for your smile and lifestyle!