Wednesday, February 27, 2019

#KellyOrtho Smiles - February


A smile is what makes you uniquely you. It is the first thing people notice about you and displays who you are. Here are few of our smiles this month. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see all the amazing transformations

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Family Health Tips



We are a family oriented practice that have been serving the St. Charles community for 40 years. Our own, Dr. Dan Kelly always knew that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become an orthodontist. From a young age he was able to observe his father in practice and witness firsthand the positive difference orthodontic treatment can make in a person's life. Dan feels that being an orthodontist is the best job in the world. He truly enjoys getting to know his patients and working with them to achieve smiles that will last a lifetime.

As a family we follow these healthy habits, that help us maintain an excellent oral health. We love to see the initiative to keep your family’s teeth healthy. Here are a few tips to ensure your family is in tip top shape before their next visit with us.


  • Brush Your Teeth Together: Make brushing your teeth a routine every morning and every night. Stick to the routine and ensure that you and your family keep a specific time for brushing your teeth, this will build a great daily habit. 
  • Flossing is Key: Flossing every day is even more important when you have braces. If you’re having trouble flossing, just use a floss threader with regular floss, or buy special stiff-tipped floss made for braces wearers.
  • Use Mouthwash: Using mouthwash, especially during orthodontic treatment is so important. Mouthwash can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gums.


Friday, February 1, 2019

Braces Friendly Foods


It’s that time of year again...The Superbowl. Superbowl Sunday is all about the thrill of the game, rooting for your favorite team and enjoying all those delicious snacks at Superbowl parties.

However, if you just received braces, Superbowl parties may be a little tough to enjoy, especially when it comes to food. Here is your official guide to food items you should avoid if you have braces and food items that are soft enough for your teeth.

First thing’s first, which foods are off limits? Stay off and avoid these types of foods.

  • Hard nuts, candies, hard fruits (like apples and pears)
  • Hard vegetables (like carrots and corn on the cob)
  • Chips
  • Taco shells
  • Pizza crust
  • Pretzels
  • Sticky stuff like taffy, gum and caramels
  • Foods high in acidity that could cause discoloration like lemons, limes and sodas.

Superbowl Friendly Foods: 

  • Burger Sliders
  • Mashed Potatoes 
  • Guacamole
  • Meatballs 
  • Smooth potato salad
  • Cole slaw
  • Soft Tacos
  • Ice cream
  • Cupcakes
  • Creampies
  • Soft pastries
  • Soups
  • Pasta


Wednesday, January 23, 2019

How to Apply Dental Wax

dental wax

When it comes to braces, your first few days may be uncomfortable. It may even feel as if your braces are sticking out. Your gums may be sore and tender, but that does not have to stop you from living your life.

An important item to use for relief is dental wax. Dental wax is “a soft, harmless gum protector for children and adults with braces that can be used in a pinch to cover brackets and protruding wires with a smooth surface,” according to Colgate. Dental wax can provide relief when a wire breaks and pokes out. Just add some dental wax on your gums and can help prevent pain while your wait for your next appointment.

Dental wax is completely safe.

Step 1: Be sure you have dental wax, you can ask us for recommendations on which we feel is best.
Step 2: Wash your hands.
Step 3: Brush your teeth, where you want to apply the dental wax
Step 4: Pinch off a piece of wax about the size of a small pea
Step 5: Squeeze until it softens and roll it into a ball, then flatten the ball slightly
Step 6: Gently push the wax onto the problem area of the braces


If you want to remove the dental wax, you can use floss. Be gentle, not to damage your teeth or gums. If you have any questions over dental wax, or any other orthodontic questions, please feel free to call us at (630) 584-9666

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

3 Healthy Habits to Start in 2019

healthy habits

Happy New Year! It is another fantastic start to a new year and we are so excited for all the smiles that will be transformed at Kelly Orthodontics. With the new year it is exciting to adopt new healthy habits and keep your smile in check. Here are 3 of our favorite habits we are encouraging our patients to adopt in 2019.

#1) Switch Toothbrush: Switching your toothbrush is a big step, most people disregard. Replacing your toothbrush can have a valuable impact. The Academy of Dental Association, recommends switching out your toothbrush every 3-4 months for health reasons and because the bristles can become too stiff, which can be too hard for your teeth and enamel. This simple step will keep your mouth and teeth feeling healthy.

#2) Pledge to Floss: Your smile is what makes you, YOU! This year, pledge to floss more. It’s never too late to begin flossing. Flossing not only helps you get rid of food debris, it also helps your overall healthy by removing plaque buildup and fighting against cavities.

#3) Drink More Water: 
Drinking water has it obvious benefits for our overall health, but did you know drinking water has great benefits for our smile?

Drinking water prevents staining from our teeth, cavities and fights bad breath. It prevents from bacteria from growing when your mouth is dry. It is also a great source of fluoride, which is great for your pearly whites.


Monday, December 31, 2018

2018 in Smiles

We have seen many fantastic smiles from braces to invisalign, these are just a few of the great smiles we have seen.


Friday, December 28, 2018

Thank You for a Great 2018

It has been another fantastic year at Kelly Orthodontics. We love our Saint Charles community and love all the smiles we have seen transformed in our office. Thank you to all our patients and their families for entrusting us with their smiles.

kelly orthodontics

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