Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: "What's the deal with retainers?"

If you recently completed treatment, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, we will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Happy Holidays!

Season’s Greetings!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Drs. Baby and Rojas and our team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Happy Holidays!

Damon Clear at Dr. Baby & Dr. Rojas' office!

Finally, we have the same high level of quality orthodontic treatment in a bracket that you can't even see! Drs. Paula Baby and Jaime Rojas are proud to offer Damon System braces, including new Damon Clear brackets. Virtually invisible, Damon Clear offers fast, comfortable treatment that can produce extraordinary results! Learn more about Damon Clear by watching the above video or by visiting our Damon Clear page, or give us a call to set up your initial consultation today!

Give us a call to find out how you can receive the smile you have always wanted, now without anyone ever knowing!

We proudly serve London, Goderich and Wingham, ON.

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: What is Digital Radiography?

Great question! In an effort to provide the best possible treatment to our patients, Drs. Baby & Rojas and team use digital radiography (X-rays) in our offices. Instead of using traditional film, digital radiography uses a small wireless sensor, and drastically reduces wait time at our office. But the biggest benefit to the use of digital technology is that it allows Drs. Baby & Rojas to obtain the same information, but also diagnose the size, shape and position of your teeth with great accuracy. Digital radiography also produces less radiation than conventional X-rays.

If you have any more questions about digital radiography or your treatment at our office, please ask us here on our blog, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: “Why do people need braces, anyway?"

Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Drs. Baby & Rojas will both tell you that crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, which can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Other orthodontic problems, specifically concerned with how the teeth bite together can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that support, or misalignment of the jaw joints. Orthodontic treatment with Drs. Baby & Rojas can be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental problems that arise as a result of uncorrected orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident. To get started with orthodontic your treatment today, please contact us to schedule a consultation.

Our offices are conveniently located in Wingham and London, Ontario. We provide orthodontic care for the following communities: London, Wingham, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Kincardine, Hanover, Brussels, Lambeth, Middlesex County.

Have a great rest of the week!

How important is YOUR smile?

At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas, our goal is to provide the highest quality of orthodontics in a professional yet caring and fun environment. As two orthodontists who specialize in treatment for children and adults, we make your treatment and your experience our top priorities. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of orthodontics in a professional yet caring and fun environment.

The bottom line is, we know having a beautiful smile is important to you. It’s important to us, too.

And speaking of smiling, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine earlier this year, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?”

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of one’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

ontact Dr. Rojas and Dr. Baby today to get started with your treatment. Our offices are conveniently located in Wingham and London, Ontario. We provide orthodontic care for the following communities: London, Wingham, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Kincardine, Hanover, Brussels, Lambeth, Middlesex County.

See you soon!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: “I got my braces. Now what?

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before before orthodontic treatment began.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Drs. Baby and Rojas recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; ask Drs. Baby or Rojas for a recommendation.

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Drs. Baby and Rojas will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call one of our offices immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: "My son is turning 7 - when should we visit for a consultation?"

Thanks for the question! Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Drs. Baby & Rojas for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for our team to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at our London, Wingham, or Goderich orthodontic offices to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Rojas celebrates 10 years in Wingham

Happy Halloween! Dr. Jaime Rojas has been putting smiles on the faces of Wingham and area people for a decade. And the smiles are beautiful. Dr. Rojas is the orthodontist who is part of Maitland Family Dental, with doctors Ray Bateman, Yang Liu and David Magee.

One day each week, usually Tuesday, Dr. Rojas and his team travel from London to the Wingham office. He’s been doing the commute for 10 years now, through good weather and bad, and wants to thank the local community for its support. The rest of the week, he works at his London office at Horton and Wharncliffe streets.

In Dr. Rojas’ opinion, he has the best of both worlds – a practice he shares with his wife, Dr. Paula Baby, who is also an orthodontist, and an opportunity to bring the latest orthodontic techniques to a community where the pace of life is different and people have a down-to-earth attitude he appreciates. And straight teeth are
important no matter where you live.

The process of getting that great smile has changed dramatically in the decade Dr. Rojas has been coming to Wingham. There are a lot more options for patients, including some that eliminate the glittering metal brackets most of us think of when
we’re considering orthodontic work.

These days, braces can be clear. There are also systems like Insignia – computer generated braces, where each bracket is designed for a particular tooth. Because the orthodontist monitors everything by computer, minor adjustments can be made, offering a precision that isn’t possible with other types of braces.

“It’s amazing what orthodontics can do,” Dr. Rojas said. He had been in a practice in Clinton, but regards his decision to accept the invitation to join the Wingham practice as “one of the best business decisions” he ever made. The dentists in the practice were welcoming, and so was the community. And the rest is history – 10 years of straight teeth, definitely something to smile about.

For more information, call 519-357-3027, or check the website.

Halloween Candy Buy Back through November 8th!

Check out the details for our Halloween Candy Buy Back! One lucky person will win an iPod Touch!

October is Oral Health Month!

In honor of Oral Health Month, Drs. Paula Baby and Jaime Rojas recommend patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook, or ask Drs. Baby and Rojas during your visit this month!

Happy Thanksgiving! From Dr. Baby and Dr. Rojas

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a day to sleep in late, eat turkey, pumpkin pie and enjoy the colours of the season. As always, Drs. Paula Baby, Jaime Rojas and our team have a lot to be thankful to be for.

How about you? What are you thankful for today? Friends? Family? A day off? Your new smile?

Drs. Baby, Rojas and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them below or post them to our Facebook page!

Gobble Gobble!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

Great question. Let’s say you just got braces and Dr. Paula Baby or Dr. Jaime Rojas have informed you that during your orthodontic treatment you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, created a variety of braces-friendly recipes that will allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care!

Recipes include main dishes, side dishes and even yummy desserts! After all, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps the patient achieve the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about the recipes listed or about the foods you should be avoiding during your orthodontic treatment, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Enjoy!

Drs. Baby & Rojas, giving back to the community

We are a week into collecting items for the people of Goderich. Thanks to all those who have already generously donated. Our list of urgently needed items has recently been updated to include only non-perishable food items. All donations can be dropped off until October 5th at any one of our offices. For further information please refer to our Facebook page.

Thank you again for your support.

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: “Where can I get more info about braces?”

Great question! Besides here on Dr. Baby & Rojas’ website, which provides you with a plethora of information about all things braces and Invisalign, we would like to point you to a helpful website: Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, have provided lots of important information about everything braces, including myths and facts of orthodontics, tips for a better orthodontic experience and cool webisodes about orthodontics.

We encourage you to check out AAO today and feel free to contact us if you have any questions here on our blog or on our Facebook page.

Hope this helps,

Drs. Baby, Rojas and Team

Join the conversation.

Whether you just began your orthodontic treatment and have a follow-up question for Dr. Baby, Dr. Rojas or our team, or if you’d simply like to drop us a quick line, we’d love to hear from you!

We love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page.

Please visit us on the following networks:

Facebook: facebook.com/LondonBraces
YouTube: youtube.com/LondonBraces
Twitter: twitter.com/BabyRojasOrtho

20 things that can ruin your smile, from Drs. Baby & Rojas

We know your smile is important. And we know you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best. Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things can ruin that perfect smile you have.



These include:



- Sports drinks

- Tobacco

- Coffee

- Wine

- Soft drinks

- Citrus and acidic foods

Drs. Baby & Rojas encourage you to read the rest of the article and ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our convenient Wingham, London or Goderich office. For more tips or for general questions about your ongoing dental treatment, we invite you to ask Drs. Baby & Rojas during your next visit! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!

What do you love about our office?

From your very first visit to our office strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by our orthodontists? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Thank you,
Drs. Paula Baby and Jaime Rojas

Back to school with Drs. Baby & Rojas

Now that many of the schools in London, Wingham and Goderich are back in session, Drs. Baby & Rojas would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit our office this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients’ busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you’re unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We’ll see you soon and hope summer is winding down nicely for all our patients!

The trouble with bottled water, from Drs. Baby & Rojas

Our team at the office of Dr. Baby and Dr. Rojas know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the traditional tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

For more than 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries. Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20- to 40 percent in children who have access to fluoridated toothpaste.

Bottled water, however, which remains one of the more popular drinks in the world, may not contain any fluoride, which is known to help prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride, according to the American Dental Association, or ADA. Many dental health specialists suspect bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. So if bottled water is your water of choice, be sure to check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million) of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting your dentist regularly.

Tell Drs. Baby & Rojas about your summer!

The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better time for Drs. Baby & Rojas (and our team) to ask our patients about their summer!

Whether you visited our nation’s capitol, went on a camping trip, visited the state fair or just stayed in town and hung out with friends, we want to know how you’re all spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page as the summer comes to an end soon for a lot of our patients! We invite you to post your photos as well!


We look forward to hearing all about your adventures! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

When you need immediate care, we’re here for you.

At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas, we know true orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Drs. Baby and Rojas are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Drs. Baby and Rojas.

Common issues include:

*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office. We proudly serve patients from London, Wingham, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Kincardine, Hanover, Brussels, Lambeth and Middlesex County.

We hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

Connect with us on Facebook!

We value the relationships we have developed with our patients in London, Wingham, Goderich and nearby communities over the years. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook ?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com//LondonBraces. We share office news, updates and all sorts of announcements there, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great weekend,

- Drs. Baby, Rojas and team

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: Can germs really live on my son’s toothbrush?

Thank you for the question, and yes, absolutely. Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart this summer - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope these tips help! Feel free to call us if you have any questions or ask Dr. Baby, Dr. Rojas or our team on Facebook.

What’s on your mind?

As the summer progresses, our team at the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the summer, Drs. Baby & Rojas and team would like to ask you, our readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the summer months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Baby or Rojas for a while? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you’re having a great week!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: “I’m 31 – am I too old for braces?”

Absolutely not! At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas, nobody is “too old” for braces! In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Of course, braces help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But we’d like you to know orthodontic treatment with Drs. Baby and Rojas can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation at our office. Please give us a call to set one up at our convenient Wingham or London office and have a wonderful weekend!

Are you wearing your mouthguard this summer?

With summer in full force, we thought today would be a great time to remind all our young athletes in treatment to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in sports - especially contact sports - this summer.

Only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you're in for a visit with Dr. Baby or Dr. Rojas, we encourage you to ask us for a mouth guard! In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists has five quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities.

• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant, even as a spectator

We hope you're enjoying your summer, and invite you all to share your summer photos on our Facebook page!

Do we have your current contact info?

We hope you’re having a great Friday and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Drs. Baby or Rojas, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient at that appointment time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Love your new smile? Tell the world ALL ABOUT IT!

At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas we understand that deciding to undertake orthodontic treatment is an important decision and investment, and choosing the right specialist is a crucial part of that decision.

Whether you've visited our office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office has fared during your orthodontic treatment! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Drs. Baby & Rojas create more beautiful smiles in London, Wingham, Goderich and surrounding communities. Thanks in advance, and we hope you have a great week!

You may write your review here.

Where will your braces go this summer?

With summer almost here, we thought it would be a great idea for you to share your summer photos with us by letting us know where your braces went this summer.

Camping, canoeing, back yard BBQ, Canada’s Wonderland, or boating it doesn’t matter, we want to see those smiling faces!

You can post those pictures on our Facebook FanPage or email us at staff@londonbraces.com and we will post them on your behalf.

5 habits that lead to teeth plaque, from Drs. Baby and Rojas

Nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Let’s start with not brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is not flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading your dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your dentist at least twice a year, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick that candy up, think about giving in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, visit our web page on oral hygiene, or contact our office at 1-800-920-9798.

Hope this helps,
Drs. Baby & Rojas

What’s on your reading list this summer?

With summer almost upon us, some of us at Drs. Baby & Rojas' office ave been thinking more and more about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You can also ask a local librarian or check out this list of 19 books to read this summer!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Access your account—any day, any time, anywhere!

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home, which is especially helpful for those teens and parents who are always on-the-go! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email, text messages and more!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or ask us on Facebook!

"My son is turning 7 - when should we visit for a consultation?"

Great question! Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Drs. Baby & Rojas for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for our team to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at our London, Wingham, or Goderich orthodontic offices to schedule an appointment.

Breaking bad habits, from Drs. Baby and Rojas

At the office of Drs. Baby and Rojas, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your visits with Drs. Baby and Rojas.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health, as well as preventing gum disease. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Drs. Baby and Rojas if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our convenient Wingham, Goderich and London offices or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: Which foods should I avoid while in braces?

There are a variety of foods Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas want you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces.

If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Drs. Baby and Rojas a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Drs. Baby & Rojas, dispelling the myths about orthodontics

Drs. Baby & Rojas and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) out there nowadays. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here , feel free to give us a call. Or, we invite you to ask us on Facebook!

Ask Drs. Baby & Rojas: What's the deal with retainers?

If you recently completed treatment, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, we will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Play it safe this spring, from Drs. Baby & Rojas

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s already springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment at our office. And don’t forget to ask us—Drs. Baby and Rojas will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Drs. Baby and Rojas.

See you soon!

How important is your smile? From Drs. Baby & Rojas

At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas, we believe confidence in your smile begins with the alignment of your teeth. As two orthodontists who specialize in treatment for children and adults, we make your treatment and your experience our top priorities. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of orthodontics in a professional yet caring and fun environment.

In fact, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Contact us today for a consultation and start the path to a dazzling new smile! Our offices are conveniently located in Wingham and London, Ontario. We provide orthodontic care for the following communities: London, Wingham, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Kincardine, Hanover, Brussels, Lambeth, Middlesex County.

Love your smile? Tell the world about it!

At the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas we understand that deciding to undertake orthodontic treatment is an important decision and investment, and choosing the right specialist is a crucial part of that decision.

Whether you've visited our office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office has fared during your orthodontic treatment! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Drs. Baby & Rojas create more beautiful smiles in London, Wingham, Goderich and surrounding communities. Thanks in advance, and we hope you have a great week!

You may write your review here.

Invisalign patient testimonial [Video]

Drs. Baby & Rojas and team came across this video recently, and realized that it's just what folks considering Invisalign need to see. Invisalign gets a ton of promotion online (including here on our blog), but people rarely get the see a clear cut, unbiased, point of view from someone who actually has chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign.

We get quite a lot of requests for Invisalign. We always let our patients know about the stages of Invisalign, as well as how one might first react to it. But, to hear it from someone actually wearing these clear aligners is something else.

Check out this video of a patient who has been wearing her aligners for only 10 minutes! Because they’re clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you! Please give us a call to set up an initial consultation, so Drs. Baby and Rojas can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Biolase ezlase 940 Dental Laser

We are excited to announce that our office has recently purchased a new soft tissue laser for use with our patients to speed up treatment time.

The laser, called the ezlase 940, is the first dental laser to obtain clearance at the unique 940 nm wavelength, and enables Drs. Baby and Rojas to remove tissue and place brackets to teeth sooner in order to speed up treatment.

In the past, orthodontists would sometimes wait 6 months - one year for these teeth to fully erupt before placing brackets. Now we can drastically speed up treatment with laser tissue removal! The really great news about this laser is that it is one of the most high tech on the market. It also runs at a very specific wavelength that is far more comfortable for patients and uses and superior control of bleeding during dental procedures. Small and ultralight, the ezlase 940 enables Drs. Baby and Rojas to produce results and more comfortably than ever.

You can learn more about this process by giving us a call today or asking us on Facebook!

Tell us what's on your mind!

Week after week, Drs. Baby, Rojas and our team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques we offer. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

Happy Valentine's Day!

February marks Children's Dental Health Month

Each February for the past 61 years, Children's Dental Health Month has helped raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign Teen, which is removable, make it easier for kids to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Drs. Baby and Rojas are both available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited our Wingham, London or Goderich office lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment! We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook!

Access to your account any day, any time

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

At the office of Dr. Baby and Dr. Rojas, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home, which is especially helpful during the holidays! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or ask us on Facebook!

What do you love about our office?

Drs. Baby and Rojas understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. As two orthodontists who specialize in treatment for children and adults, we make your treatment and your experience our top priorities. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of orthodontics in a professional yet caring and fun environment.

We’d like to know: What is it about the office of Dr. Paula Baby and Dr. Jaime Rojas that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff? Is it something about the quality care you get from our doctors?

Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Drs. Rojas and Baby, your local Insignia™ providers

Let's say you're getting braces soon. While you’re excited about finally having that great, gorgeous smile, you may be nervous about wearing wires and brackets for two or more years. Well, Drs. Baby and Rojas would like to tell you about an orthodontic system that makes straightening your teeth with braces a lot faster and easier compared to conventional orthodontic treatment. It’s called Insignia, and it’s changing the way people feel about their braces.

While traditional orthodontic treatments take two or more years, it’s not true for Insignia. Through the use of Insignia’s sophisticated 3-D imaging, treatment planning, and customized braces with customized precision archwires, Drs. Baby and Rojas can reduce treatment time compared to that of conventional braces.

In addition to shortening treatment times, the greater efficiency of the Insignia system at London Braces also helps reduce the number of wire changes and adjustments you’ll need, and that means fewer trips to our office. The Insignia system’s 3-D software lets Drs. Baby and Rojas analyze how to effectively and efficiently align your teeth. Through this software, personalized archwires are designed to move your teeth into proper alignment smoothly and directly, reducing the number of maintenance visits. Unlike traditional orthodontics and their “one size fits all” approach, Insignia Advanced Smile Design customizes braces and wires to you. The result is a radiant smile that reflects your individuality.

Give us a call and ask us about this revolutionary treatment! Our offices are conveniently located in Wingham and London, Ontario. We provide orthodontic care for the following communities: London, Wingham, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Kincardine, Hanover, Brussels, Lambeth, Middlesex County.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it is never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, get in touch with us so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

Preparing for Cold and Flu Season, from Drs. Baby & Rojas

It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some simple steps you can take to help yourself avoid colds and the flu this season.

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we and our team give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!