National Orthodontic Health Month – Oct. 1, 2026

Expected National Orthodontic Health Month Deals

Throughout October, National Orthodontic Health Month inspires a focus on oral wellness, with many organizations and dental practices offering educational resources rather than commercial deals. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) often leads awareness campaigns, providing free consultations or virtual events to educate the public on treatment options. Local orthodontic practices may host open houses, offer complimentary screenings for children and teens, or partner with schools for oral health presentations. Brands like Invisalign and Philips Sonicare might support these initiatives through sponsored content or by highlighting the importance of proper oral hygiene during and after treatment. Dental insurance providers such as Delta Dental often use this month to emphasize the coverage available for orthodontic care, encouraging early intervention. We will update this page with confirmed live events and educational campaigns as October approaches.

History of National Orthodontic Health Month

The significance of having healthy and well-aligned teeth may be traced back to 1000 B.C. To shift teeth into better alignment, the ancient Egyptians and Etruscans used a substance produced from animal intestines. An ancient Roman scientist found that putting finger pressure on teeth for a long length of time over months would help shift teeth into a new position.

Early in the 1770s, reports of the first more contemporary orthodontic procedures appeared. Pierre Fauchard, a French dentist and surgeon, created the Bandeau. It was a horseshoe-shaped device that created a natural arch in the mouth. Francois Delabarre later created the wire crib in the early 1800s, which was used to help move teeth into better alignment. By combining microscopic rubber tubing and wire cribs, dentists were able to align the jaw and teeth at the same time in the middle of the 19th century.

The era of orthodontics that we are more familiar with now began in the early 1900s. Dentists would wrap different materials (such as ivory, wood, copper, or zinc, and then gold or silver) and connect them with bands that helped press the teeth into the proper place, according to their preference. Because it was less expensive and more flexible than the other materials previously used, stainless steel gained popularity in the 1970s. Orthodontics saw a paradigm change with the introduction of invisible braces in the late 1990s. Clear retainers were utilized to help teeth be kept properly in addition to brackets that were placed inside of people’s teeth to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Following this, the American Association of Orthodontists proclaimed October as National Orthodontic Health Month.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month