Everybody's Brushing with Moles Orthodontics

We at Moles Orthodontics found a fun video on brushing your teeth! Watch it and tell us what you think :)

Braces 101, from Moles Orthodontics

Should you need to call Moles Orthodontics in case 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.



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.

--Dr. Moles

Dr. Moles says: Baby Teeth – and Gums – Need Special Care!

One question we hear all the time at Moles Orthodontics is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”



You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.

After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please us at Moles Orthodontics.

More Patient Reviews for Moles Orthodontics

Moles Orthodontics has been receiving some excellent compliments from patients, and we wanted to share a few of them with you!



Moles Orthodontics is up to date with technology. The staff has been wonderful in making us feel comfortable and the rapport, i.e. postcards and phone calls from the staff, have been excellent! Wonderfully trained staff. A++ ~ Jessica L.

Professional knowledge, professional office staff, reputable and friendly. I like the ease of checking in at the office and the access to my records, account, etc thru Sesame. ~ Kathleen S.

Everyone, including Dr. Moles seems to be very courteous and willing to help. ~ Colleen M.

Everyone at Moles Orthodontics is very friendly and willing to do anything to make the patient happy. I have never seen a group of people that enjoy their jobs more than the Moles Orthodontics staff, they are a wonderful group of people. ~ Monica W.

I have been very impressed so far with the attention to detail, efficiency and technology that is in use in at Moles Orthodontics- Time is a very important commodity- and you are mastering the use of it in daily practice and policy ~ Kathy S