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!

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: “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

Braces 101, With Drs. Baby & Rojas

If you live in the London or Wingham communities and you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces. Give Drs. Baby & Rojas a call at 519-675-0330 to schedule an appointment!



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.


Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

--Drs. Baby & Rojas