Ask Dr. Poggio: “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 Dr. Poggio and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics 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 is recommended as well; ask us 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.

Dr. Poggio and team 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 our Chula Vista orthodontic office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Otay Lakes Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below, on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Breaking bad habits with Dr. Poggio

At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, 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 adjustment visits with Dr. Poggio.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Poggio if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. 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 Otay Lakes Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

The importance of visiting your dentist during orthodontic treatment

Dr. Poggio wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course).

Summer is a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially during your orthodontic treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics. Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit with Dr. Poggio and we will provide a few great references in Chula Vista or nearby communities!

Get to know your braces! From Dr. Poggio

We hope you're having a great weekend! Should you need to call Otay Lakes 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.

Hope this helps! Let Dr. Poggio know if you have any questions during your next visit or on Facebook!

Who benefits from wearing braces?

Ask, and Dr. Valeria Poggio will tell you braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile at Dr. Poggio's Chula Vista, CA office. Set up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Poggio and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Patient testimonial: Ernesto

Ernesto, who is one of our many adult patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics, shares his experience at Dr. Poggio's Chula Vista, CA office. These days, Ernesto smiles more and feels more confident and can't wait to get his braces off! Your smile is going to be great, Ernesto!

Maliana gets her braces off!

Maliana, who recently had her braces removed by Dr. Poggio, talks about how happy she is with her new smile and her overall treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics. Maliana sings and acts, so we know having her braces off will make it that much more special for her!

We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call us today to make an appointment with our conveniently-located Chula Vista, CA orthodontic office!

Ask Dr. Poggio: What is two-phase treatment and when is it necessary?

Great question. Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at our Chula Vista office already have their permanent teeth, but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Dr. Poggio calls this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in.

In order to catch early problems, Dr. Poggio and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so do our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists). To learn more about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Poggio, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook.

Dr. Poggio patient testimonial: James

James, who got his braces off at Otay Lakes Orthodontics recently, talks about his newfound smile and confidence now that he's got his beautiful smile. Please feel free to visit us at our family-friendly Chula Vista orthodontic office for a complimentary evaluation in order to determine the most appropriate orthodontic treatment for you or your children. We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call to schedule an appointment!

And, be sure to check out more patient testimonials on Dr. Poggio's YouTube page!

What are patients saying about Otay Lakes Orthodontics lately?

Dr. Val Poggio and team, serving the Eastlake area of Chula Vista and neighboring San Diego, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make your treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"Eastlake Dentistry has the friendliest staff. They take the time to explain, in detail, the whole process. I can guarantee that you will not leave their office without being 100% sure of of what the process will entail and what the actual cost will be (everything is given to you in writing for you to take home and review before making a firm decision). My son, myself, and other family members have had braces put on by Dr. Poggio and the results have been amazing. I just recently had my braces put on and I can hardly wait to see the results. Dr. Poggio offers 100% quality service. One of the best experiences I have ever encountered."

"So kind and helpful... I just called Otay Lakes Orthodontics to make the initial appointment to have my son evaluated for braces. Debbie, the woman that answered the phone, was so kind and helpful in answering all my questions regarding the process. She made me feel secure that my son will get excellent treatment from everyone he deals with in the office."

"Dr. Val Poggio and her whole staff have been nothing less than spectacular in treating my two daughters. They love going to the office and always leave with a smile on their faces due to the friendly staff. I would and do recommend Dr. Poggio to everyone I come in contact with."

Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Poggio and our team love getting patient testimonials!

"I'm 45 - I'm probably too old for braces, right?"

Nope - absolutely not! At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, no one is "too old" for braces. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. In fact, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21 and - not only that - but Dr. Poggio and our staff recently read a statistic that the number of adults getting orthodontic treatment has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996!

Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: folks in Chula Vista and everywhere else want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely—to invest in orthodontics.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Poggio would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call at (619) 482-2412 to set one up!

Ask Dr. Poggio: Why are regular checkups so important?

Dr. Poggio wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course).

Yes, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. But this month also marks National Dental Hygiene Month, which is why it can be a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially during your orthodontic treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit with Dr. Poggio and we will provide a few great references in Chula Vista or nearby communities!