Are you visiting your dentist regularly?

Our staff at Tidewater Orthodontics want to know: Is your child brushing his or her teeth twice a day during treatment? If yes, that’s fantastic!

But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day (and visiting us at Tidewater Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. During the visit, your dentist can:


• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will also check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment - just ask us - Drs. Ashby, Dorfman, Dailey and Owens know plenty of great dentists in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake!

What helps you relax at Tidewater Orthodontics?

At Tidewater Orthodontics, we understand that not every person is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits. At Tidewater Orthodontics we don't just treat adults and children; we specialize in creating great smiles for every person. Drs.John O. Ashby and Curtis W. Dailey have been in the business of making people smile for a combined 43 years, and we continue to provide the most effective, up-to-date orthodontic treatments.

On this day, we'd like to know: What is it about Tidewater Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or our talented doctors?

Let us know! We'd love to hear from you!!

Tidewater Orthodontics want to know: Are there teeth grinders in your house?

If you live with a teeth grinder, you could be familiar with the unpleasant sound of grind... grind... grind... especially recently. A recent study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine in March suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Drs. Ashby and Dorfman and our staff at Tidewater Orthodontics can help determine the cause of the problem.

Have a great weekend!

Tell Tidewater Orthodontics what’s on your mind!

You know the drill: Week after week, the Tidewater Orthodontics team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques offered at Tidewater Orthodontics.

Today, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our phenomenal patients and readers: 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 wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page and have a terrific weekend!