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The halex blog

Smile notes.

Straight answers from our pediatric dentists and orthodontists. Short enough to read in the waiting room.

PRIME Orthodontics by halex

Featured · Orthodontics

Will braces hurt my job prospects or career?

What adults worry about before starting treatment, what actually happens at work, and how to choose when you are in front of clients.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Iris Michelaki and Dr. Anastasia Tsolaki ·

All articles

Kids dentistry · 4 min read

When should my child first see a dentist?

By the first birthday. Here is why that first visit is mostly a happy hello, and what to bring.

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Emergencies · 3 min read

Knocked-out tooth: the first 60 minutes

Pick it up by the crown, keep it moist, and call. A calm, step-by-step plan for the scariest dental moment.

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Orthodontics · 4 min read

Why age 7 is the right time for a first ortho check

A check-up is not braces. Here is what an orthodontist looks for at seven, and why most kids just get a "see you later."

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Orthodontics · 5 min read

Braces or clear aligners? An honest side-by-side

Both move teeth the same way. The real differences are in visibility, daily effort and the kind of problem being treated.

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Kids dentistry · 3 min read

Sealants, explained in 60 seconds

A thin, painless coating that protects the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities in school-age kids start.

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Kids dentistry · 4 min read

Are dental X-rays safe for kids?

Why we take them, how often, and why you may no longer see a lead apron.

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Kids dentistry · 5 min read

Sedation, explained plainly

Laughing gas, oral sedation and general anesthesia: what each one is, when it makes sense, and the questions worth asking.

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For parents · 4 min read

How to talk to an anxious child about the dentist

Words that help, words to skip, and a simple plan for the night before and the parking lot.

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For parents · 4 min read

A visit built around your child

For children with autism, ADHD, sensory differences, medical complexity or anything else that makes a typical visit hard.

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For parents · 4 min read

Medicaid and insurance, decoded

What Virginia Medicaid covers for kids, how commercial plans work, and the questions to ask before treatment.

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For parents · 3 min read

Halloween candy without the cavities

You do not have to ban the candy bag. A simple plan based on the ADA's advice.

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