Orthodontics

Straight smiles. Simple plan.

Braces and aligners for kids & teens—guided by a highly credentialed specialist who treats you like family.

Meet Your Orthodontist

Dr. Jeff Haskins, D.D.S., M.S.

Board-Certified Orthodontist

Dr. Jeff Haskins is a board-certified orthodontist with 37+ years of experience and a relationship-first approach to care. After earning his dental degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he completed a master’s in orthodontics at Washington University in St. Louis. Known for pairing state-of-the-art techniques with genuine, personal attention,

Dr. Haskins has treated generations of families while staying active in teaching, professional leadership, and community service. He and his wife, Kristina, consider their four children their proudest achievement. Away from the office, you’ll often find him on the golf course or cheering on his favorite teams.

Credentials & Affiliations

  • Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics (board-certified since 1991)
  • Pitts Master Course graduate (2018)
  • Former Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics, University of Colorado
  • Recognized by 5280 Magazine among Denver’s Best (2004–2023)

Professional memberships:
American Association of Orthodontists
Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists
American Dental Association
Colorado Dental Association
Metro Denver Dental Society

Community involvement:
Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Folds of Honor
Former board member: Bankers Foundation of Colorado

Services

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Comprehensive Evaluation

& Treatment Planning

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Braces

We use Wildsmiles Braces, which allows the kids to choose from different fun shaped brackets
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Aligners (for teens and adults)

Diamond Provider—Top 1%

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Growth & Guidance

monitoring for younger kids
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Bite Correction

elastics/rubber bands, auxiliaries

What to Expect

The first few days with braces are an adjustment period. Mild soreness is common as teeth respond to light forces.

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Comfort & Diet (first 24–48 hours)

choose softer foods (soups, yogurt, smoothies, cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, milkshakes/ice cream).

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Discomfort relief

over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) can help—follow package directions and your dentist/physician’s guidance.
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Irritation

use orthodontic wax on any bracket/wire rubbing your cheeks; warm salt-water rinses soothe tender spots.

Eat This / Skip That

To protect brackets/wires (and your timeline!), avoid hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods:

  • Avoid: ice, nuts, hard crusts, sticky candies (suckers, Jolly Ranchers®, Laffy Taffy®), chewy caramels, taffy.
  • Smart swaps & habits: cut foods into smaller pieces, take smaller bites, and chew gently. Most favorites are still fine—just modify how you eat them.

Rubber Bands (Elastics)

Elastics align your bite—and nothing moves treatment faster than wearing them exactly as directed.

When prescribed: wear 24/7 unless told otherwise.

Replace as instructed and keep extras on hand. Consistency = faster finish.

Keep It Clean!

Braces create extra “hideouts” for plaque—so hygiene matters.

  • Brush after every meal (aim for 3 minutes).
  • Technique: small circles at a 90° angle, cleaning above and below the wire and around each bracket.
  • Tools that help: electric toothbrush, interproximal “Christmas tree” brush or GUM® Soft-Picks Advanced for around brackets/wires, and a water flosser.
  • Floss nightly. If you can’t brush at lunch, rinse well with water and brush as soon as possible.

Why it matters: great hygiene prevents white-spot decalcification and staining.

Comfort Toolkit

Wax/Gishy Goo: dry the area first, then mold a small ball over the spot that’s rubbing.

Sugar-free gum can be a temporary buffer in a pinch.

Soreness tip: tissues “toughen up” within 3–4 days as your mouth adapts. If a wire is poking, call us for guidance.

Dr. Jeff’s note: Alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help some patients with short-term discomfort—follow package instructions and your medical provider’s guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Braces or aligners—which is right for my child?

Both can create beautiful results. We’ll recommend what fits your child’s bite, goals, and lifestyle. As an aligners provider, we treat a wide range of cases with aligners when appropriate.

How long does treatment take?
Most cases run 12–24 months depending on complexity, growth, and cooperation (hygiene + elastic wear).
How often are visits?
Typically every 6–10 weeks to make planned adjustments and monitor progress.
What if a bracket comes loose or a wire is poking?
Call us. Cover sharp spots with wax and we’ll schedule a quick comfort visit.
Sports & activities?
Yes—play on! Use a proper mouthguard and remove elastics for games if instructed.
Do you treat adults?
Our focus is kids and teens, but we’re happy to discuss adult options as appropriate.

Ready to Begin?

Orthodontics can begin as early as age 7 or when Fremont Children’s Dentistry refers. Request an Ortho Consult to meet Dr. Haskins, review options (braces or aligners), and get a custom plan. Call (402) 727-8700.