Smile for the Camera!

With instant photo sharing and selfies taking over the internet, a camera-ready smile is great to have. If you have braces, Dr. Cynthia Wong wants to flaunt that shiny smile of yours and don’t be shy. If you recently got your braces removed, we expect you to flaunt that straight smile everywhere! Here are some tips to take pictures you’ll be happy to send to your friends!

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Bad Habits to Kick While Wearing Braces

When wearing braces, it is important to steer clear of a few habits that may delay treatment. Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL wants her patients to know which habits to kick to the curb for healthy treatment.

Biting Fingernails and Other Non-Food Objects

Biting your fingernails is already bad for your teeth, but when you bite them while wearing braces, it could create enough pressure to cause one of your brackets to break or pop off. Even if the brackets remain intact, the pressure will make the braces less effective, therefore delaying treatment. This rule also goes for biting on pen caps, pencils, water bottles, etc. Just stick to biting food!

Hard or Crunchy Foods

Okay, so we said to stick to food. What you really should do is stick to the right foods, and avoid some of the others. Hard foods like popcorn, bagels, and raw carrots are common culprits for popping off brackets. In addition, skip the sticky stuff like chewing gum and caramels.

Brushing Too Hard

Many people think they need to apply force and really scrub their teeth to get them clean. However, all it takes is a light touch with a soft toothbrush. Scrubbing hard is not only bad for your gum tissue and enamel, but it can cause damage to a bracket or wire.

Your Daily Pop

Pop is filled with sugar that can hide in between teeth and around your brackets! Pop is also very acidic, so drinking it frequently can contribute to worn down enamel. Frequently drinking dark colas can also stain your teeth and while you have brackets on, the staining won’t reach that area of the teeth. It could result in some uneven staining. Stick to keeping pop as a treat instead of a staple in your diet.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call us at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

Teeth Types and Functions

Many factors play a role in the amount of teeth we have but have you ever wondered why all teeth have different shapes? Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to take this opportunity to educate you on the types of teeth you have and the purpose they serve in your mouth!     

The types of teeth and their functions are:

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Exercises for TMJ Pain

When suffering through TMD, it can seem like you do not want to move your jaw at all. However, there are actually exercises that can help. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL treats patients with TMJ pain or TMD. Take some of these jaw relaxation tips.

To improve the range of motion your jaw has, gently open and close your mouth. Do this a few times every morning and every night to see improvement over time.

To stretch your jaw, close your mouth and place your right hand on the right side of your jaw. Gently push your lower jaw into your hand. Do this a few times and then switch to the other side. Another great stretching option is to apply resistance. Place your thumb under your chin and gently press up while you open your mouth halfway; creating resistance. Do this exercise ten times.

To relieve jaw tension and relax facial muscles, smile a really big smile. Smile as wide as you can while opening your jaw about two inches. While you are smiling, take in a few deep breaths and then relax. Repeat this exercise a few times.

Relieving tension and stretching muscles can not only help with existent pain but it can also help prevent future pain flare-ups.  If you have frequent jaw pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL. Our office can be reached at (708) 444-8341. Appointments can also be made through our website, www.drcynthiawong.com.