Connect with Dr. Orchin on Facebook!

At Orchin Orthodontics, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Washington D.C. and nearby communities. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Andrew Orchin and staff on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/OrchinOrthodontics. We share office news, updates and announcements on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great rest of the week,

- Dr. Orchin and team

"Hey, Dr. Orchin! Which foods should I avoid?"

There are a variety of foods Dr. Andrew Orchin wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why during your treatment at Orchin Orthodontics, we invite you to give us a call at (202) 686-5100 or ask our staff during your next visit! We also encourage you to check out this helpful article about eating with braces, courtesy of Parenthood.com.

Ask Dr. Orchin: What happens if I miss a visit due to summer plans?

Most of us take a vacation during summer and often it can delay a regular orthodontic visit. Please do not worry if your plans take you away from the DC area during summer and you are not able to make it to Dr. Orchin’s office. The worst case scenario is that it will extend your time in orthodontic treatment. Since we use the best wires available, this is minimized because our wires are active over a long period of time. If you will be gone for an extended period (more than 6 weeks), we recommend you come in for a visit prior to leaving and schedule another visit shortly after your return.

In most cases, a delay in one visit does not extend treatment. In fact, having loose/broken brackets and failure to wear elastics are far more likely to extend your time in braces. On that note, please remember not to indulge in hard, sticky and chewy treats while enjoying your vacation. We look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about your adventures!