{"id":375,"date":"2016-08-17T11:09:42","date_gmt":"2016-08-17T15:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=375"},"modified":"2026-04-28T17:42:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:42:06","slug":"smile-with-braces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/smile-with-braces\/","title":{"rendered":"School Pictures Are Coming! Should You Smile with Braces?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a new school year, and you\u2019ve got a whole new smile \u2013 thanks to your braces. Now the big question: Should you smile with braces in your school pictures? The answer is: Absolutely! Never miss a chance to show off your great smile!<\/p>\n

Trust us \u2013 whether or not you think your school pictures are, well, picture perfect<\/em>, you\u2019ll treasure them in the years to come. Sure, now you may look at them and only see that your hair was a little messed up (why do they always seem to schedule pictures after gym?) or think that you should\u2019ve worn a different shirt. But someday, you\u2019ll look back and remember this was where your beautiful grown-up smile began.<\/p>\n

If you want to make your brace-y smile your best ever, we\u2019ve got a few tips to help. So don\u2019t hold back \u2013 smile, say \u201ccheese,\u201d<\/em> and get ready to show off that smile with braces!<\/p>\n

Practice Makes Perfect \u2013 Even When It Comes to\u00a0A Smile with Braces<\/h2>\n

It may sound silly, but the best way to master the smile you want is to practice it! This is especially true when you have braces, because you\u2019re getting used to a whole new mouth shape. Your facial expressions rely on your facial muscles, so “exercising” those muscles in front of a mirror can help you find a smile you’re comfortable with.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you exercise your smile? Like every other exercise, you have to stretch it! Here are a series of facial exercises to perfect your grin:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Start with a somber smile.<\/strong> Stretch the corners of your mouth outward, keeping your lips closed. Hold that pose for 10 seconds, then release it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. Add some teeth.<\/strong> Repeat the first stretch, but part your lips just enough to show your teeth. Hold that pose for 10 seconds, then release it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Then grin from ear-to-ear.<\/strong> Stretch the corners of your mouth as wide as you can, exposing all of your teeth. Hold that pose for 10 seconds, then release it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. Do the duck face<\/strong>. Purse your lips, making them as big as possible while pulling in your cheeks.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. But try not to quack up.<\/strong> While keeping your lips pursed, try to simultaneously stretch the corners of your mouth outward, into a smile. Hold that pose just long enough that your facial muscles begin to feel fatigued. Then release it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Don\u2019t practice this routine more than once a day, as it may cause muscle strain. Over time, these stretches should help your smile look and feel more natural.<\/p>\n

            Some Dos and Don\u2019ts for Brightening Your Brace-y Grin<\/h2>\n

            You can\u2019t have a great smile when your teeth don\u2019t look their best. Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to getting and keeping your smile beautiful \u2013 especially when you\u2019re wearing braces. Your teeth now require special attention; here are some dos and don\u2019ts for keeping them strong and bright.<\/p>\n

            DO<\/strong> – Keep your teeth clean and healthy by brushing after every meal and rinsing after snacks. Use ordinary toothpaste frequently after meals to keep your brackets stain free.<\/p>\n

            DON\u2019T<\/strong> – Use a whitening toothpaste. The toothpaste will whiten your teeth, but only the exposed parts. The part of the teeth where the whitening toothpaste didn\u2019t reach will be a different color once your braces are removed.<\/p>\n

            DO<\/strong> – Eat a variety of healthy foods, like these listed in our blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

            DON\u2019T<\/strong> – Eat foods that will stain your teeth, like berries, tomato sauce, colored sodas or sports drinks. Or if you do, brush and rinse right after you\u2019ve finished eating. If you have Invisalign\u00ae aligners,<\/a> it\u2019s important to remove them before eating and immediately brush your teeth afterward. If stain-causing juices from your food end up trapped between your teeth and the aligner, your saliva won\u2019t be able to wash it away.<\/p>\n

            DO<\/strong> – Get your ligatures changed frequently. If they looked stained, have them changed before class pictures. That is, unless you want to go bold \u2013 then express yourself with brightly-colored ligatures.<\/p>\n

            DON\u2019T<\/strong> – Rush while you brush. Make sure you\u2019re brushing for at least 2 minutes to keep your smile healthy and bright.<\/p>\n

            \"Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n

            Schedule a Free Consultation<\/h2>\n

            Doctor Andy offers free consultations in Parma, Ohio, for those that may need to improve their smile with braces. Learn all about our treatment options.\u00a0Contact us online<\/a>\u00a0or call 440-842-8015<\/a>\u00a0to book your appointment.<\/p>\n

            Stay connected with Doctor Andy on Social Media!
            \n            Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google+<\/a><\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            It\u2019s a new school year, and you\u2019ve got a whole new smile \u2013 thanks to your braces. Now the big question: Should you smile with braces in your school pictures? The answer is: Absolutely! Never miss a chance to show off your great smile! Trust us \u2013 whether or not you think your school pictures…