June is Oral Health Month. A good oral hygiene routine is the foundation of a healthy smile, especially for young children. For parents, leading by example should establish healthy habits like brushing, cleaning between your teeth and seeing your dentist. This ultimately leads to the big difference in the health and happiness of your entire family and in children, fewer fears about visiting their dentist. Here are 2 tips from the American Dental Association that are a great reminder to enforce. Start a Routine and Stick to It: You may be tempted to let your child skip brushing after a long day or during times when your normal schedule is off (like a vacation), but keep at it. The more second nature brushing becomes the easier it will be to make sure your child is brushing twice a day for two minutes. Kids Need to Floss: It doesn't matter if you clean between ​your child's teeth before or after they brush as long as you clean between any teeth that touch. You can use chi...

Did you know from the ages of 7 to 11 years old, children are most vulnerable to sports related mouth injuries? The importance of protecting our smile should be stressed enough and should remind our friends and community how easy it is to protect our teeth. Wearing a mouthguard is the safest way to protect your teeth while playing sports or just enjoying sports related activities. Athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer a teeth related injury if they’re not wearing a mouth guard. Here are the three types of mouth guards you can wear, especially if you are currently in orthodontic treatment. Custom fitted mouth guards - these are made by your dentist and can be molded to fit your smile perfectly Stock mouth guards - these type of mouth guards are  performed and may be a bit bulky Boil and bite mouth guards - are mouth guards that are softened by boiling water and then insert your mouth, to form to the shape of your mouth.

Why are we a most respected orthodontic practice in Hawaii for over 25 years?  We have always practiced “The Golden Rule” or the principle of treating others as one’s self would wish to be treated. Our fees are thousands less.  All transfers are accepted with reasonable fees. We have been trained in all orthodontic appliances, including Damon and Invisalign.  Call for a consultation, you’ll be glad you did. Please read the two articles by Dr. Peter Greco, Editor for Ethics in Orthodontics. 

You better think real hard and/or get a second opinion before you pay $4,000 and commit 1-2 years for Phase I treatment, then do it all over when all the permanent teeth come in. This Phase II will cost $5,000+. Total cost approximately $12,000.  That would commit a parent to take your child to the orthodontist for 3-5 years. That's about 50 appointments. Both parents and kids would be burned out when the REAL treatment is started. No thanks. None of my four children had Phase I.  Their treatment was very short and concise. Even worse would be to spend big money for Invisalign treatment for your eight year old. It is a very cool technology, but with limitations. So peer pressure from other parents and children are going to dictate treatment? Good luck. Your child won't even do their chores and you expect them to wear these things 24/7. Coolness wears off, especially after many years. At Hook Orthodontics, we run a practice, not a business. That means we place the patient ...

When adults think of “orthodontics,” they think of teenagers, hard metal braces in their mouth and an inconvenience in their lives. This could be further from the truth. New technology and experienced orthodontic care have revolutionized the way people can receive orthodontic treatment and achieve a beautiful smile. Age is not a factor in considering orthodontic treatment for adults. Any adult in good general health with healthy gums and good bone support for the teeth is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment. About 25% of our orthodontic patients are adults and that number is still growing! As we grow older, our teeth may begin to shift. There are various ways adults can straighten their teeth without disrupting their lives and fitting every lifestyle. Of course there are the tradition metal braces that lead to a healthier beautiful smile. Choosing to straighten your teeth is a big decision that affects not only your appearance, but your lifestyle as well and the benefits o...

October is here and that means fall, pumpkins, Halloween, costumes and endless amount of free sugar given out. As Halloween approaches, it is important to remember the affects of candy on your teeth and those who recently received orthodontic treatment, such as braces, invisalign and other treatment. Halloween seems like it can be a dreaded time for orthodontist, but in reality it is a perfect time to teach anyone how to prevent cavities, make healthy choices and be responsible for keeping our teeth clean and healthy. There are so many things we can do to ensure Halloween is fun for everyone, event after it has passed. Stick to Your Routine:  It is important to stick to your oral hygiene routine no matter what. If you do not have a morning and nightly routine, I would recommend to create and implement one. This will help your child create a good oral health routine, such as brushing twice a day, flossing and making healthy choices. Whether it is one piece of sweets or ...

At Hook Orthodontics, we believe in running a practice, not a business. We will provide all the information and recommendations necessary to parents, for making the best decisions they feel is best for their child or themselves. So you just received braces, woohoo, congrats! But a wire just became loose or is poking out? What do you do? First, let’s not panic, If it is an orthodontic emergency, definitely give us a call to set up an appointment as soon as possible. We will accommodate you and schedule an appointment for your comfort. Even if it is something you can take care of yourself, still call the office to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing the problem to remain for a long period of time may lengthen your treatment time. Loose Bracket or Band?  However there are a few things you can work with at home, that can help you ease your discomfort, while your in between your next visit with us. The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, pl...