Peterson Orthodontics

Thank you for all the August fun and blessings, but it’s time for you to go … see you next year!

Students, here is another little study tip we like to share each year to help you make the most of this new school year. Flash cards – yes, flash cards! When you have all your notes in front of you, open a pack of index cards. As you read through the important facts, rewrite them in Q&A form on the cards. It sounds old school, but it works!

If you or someone you love are experiencing any of the following, you should give us a call for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth

2. Difficulty chewing or biting

3. Mouth breathing

4. Finger sucking or other oral habits

5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth

6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude

7. Speech difficulty

8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth

9. Protruding teeth

10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all

11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry

12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

The American Association of Orthodontists estimates that over 1,000,000 adults in the United States and Canada are receiving orthodontic treatment from members of the AAO. Some benefits of correcting orthodontic problems in adults include:

· Helps prevent or improve periodontal problems.

· Helps prevent or reduce bone loss around teeth.

· Improves the ability of the dentist to restore missing teeth.

· Improves the aesthetics for a better smile and facial appearance.

· Improves tooth function.

· Improves self-confidence.

· Improves oral health.

Braces are no longer considered an inconvenience for adults with our clear bracket system and Invisalign options. Having a beautiful smile and a healthy & functional bite could be just months away for you. Parents, consider setting up a complimentary exam with us to evaluate your orthodontic needs and to take advantage of your family discount. A beautiful and healthy smile is truly ageless!

Who will be the first to answer this Rebus Puzzle AND tell us what it means?

Whether your glass is half full or half empty, we hope it contains water! Sipping water is one of the best things you can do for your teeth – especially if it’s fluorinated. Water cleans your mouth with every sip. It washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay. You’ll still need to brush & floss but drinking water through the day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.

We’d love to see a picture of your pup, and if they are a rescue be sure to tell us how you found each other! Oh, and tell your cat to chill out, their day will come!

Sunday is National Banana Split Day and a great day to split a split!

We made it!

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day! Or is it? Some argue it is to be celebrated in February. So, we choose to celebrate it twice each year!

Students, here is another little study tip to help you make the most of this new school year:

Studying hard for 30-50 minutes at a time with 10-minute breaks in between is believed to be the most effective way of studying. We suggest you set an alarm on your phone to remember to take your important breaks!

Which two pups do you think are identical?

We’re wishing our patients a great new school year!

A survey showed that orthodontic treatment promotes self-confidence!

· 70% of respondents reported that straightening their teeth, without additional changes in their appearance, was enough to change their appearance and boost their confidence. What does this mean? It means that even if they did not change anything else about their appearance, they would still feel more confident.

· About 60% of those surveyed said they were perceived as being happier. People saw them as more attractive, more successful, and even smarter. People who smile easily and more often are often considered more confident.

· Approximately 80% of people who responded to the survey said that they were able to accomplish something or achieve a goal, after having their teeth straightened, that they would not have done otherwise. Almost everyone polled said they were far more confident.

What is your word of the week?

Curious about how wisdom teeth can affect orthodontic treatment? Here is some valuable information you need to know:

You do not need to wait for wisdom teeth to develop to begin orthodontic treatment. The majority of orthodontic patients complete treatment prior to wisdom teeth development.

Because wisdom teeth exert so little force, they won’t push other teeth out of the way. They will only grow in if there is sufficient space in the mouth already. If sufficient space does not exist, they either will break through the gumline partially or not come in at all.

If wisdom teeth need to be extracted in the future, the procedure should not disrupt the progress made with braces. Any future movement of teeth after braces is due to natural shifting of our teeth as we age (which is why wearing your retainer is so important).· And if you already have your wisdom teeth, it should not change the approach to orthodontic treatment. Braces can be applied to your third molars as well as your other teeth. If you have impacted wisdom teeth that you’ve chosen not to remove, it is still possible to proceed with orthodontic treatment. Wisdom teeth can also be removed while the patient is wearing braces.

Students, we want you to do your best and have a great school year. We like to share a few study tips in August each year to help. This first one is all about your study environment!

1. Sit Up and Turn the Lights On: being too comfortable will cause you to want to sleep, so sit up straight at a desk to help you stay focused. Avoid studying in a comfy chair/bed, no matter how much they're calling your name. Rather than studying by a dim lamp, turn on brighter lights to help increase alertness.

2. Move Around: when drowsiness does hit during studying take a break to move around. Take a walk to grab a snack or do some jumping jacks.

3. Eat Healthy Snacks: when stress kicks in we're tempted to grab a candy bar but resist the temptation. Eating snacks with high sugar will give you a quick energy boost but is followed by a crash. Instead try eating healthier snacks such as yogurt or an apple (cut into small bite-size pieces) that will give you an energy boost for a long study session.

4. Cool Things Off: keep your room as cool as possible.

5. Drink Water: drink fluids (other than coffee) to prevent dehydration and fatigue.

6. Change Subjects: studying one subject for too long can get boring. Switch topics every hour.

Happy Tell a Joke Day and National Roller Coaster Day. The answer is “brace themselves”!

Today is National Back to School Prep Day and a great time to remind our patients to put a bag in their backpack for their braces!

We suggest that you put together a “back-to-school braces bag” to keep in your backpack throughout the school year. It should include floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, a proxy brush, rubber bands if you are being asked to wear them, and wax. If you are in aligners, be sure you have an aligner case to put them in when you eat. Be sure to check your supplies at home once a week to see if you need to replenish anything. Ask our staff if you need a reminder on how to use any of these items. Also, remember that your school nurse is a wonderful resource should you need Ibuprofen or some other medication for any minor discomfort you may feel after an adjustment.

We understand parents! Appointment scheduling can be a little more complicated for you during the school year, between classes and practices and other extracurricular activities. If possible, try and reschedule your (your child’s) next appointment before leaving our office to ensure you get the best possible time for your calendar!

Who will be the first to guess correctly?

Hey all you lefties, today is your day! “Like” this post so we know how special you are! “Everyone is born right-handed. Only the greatest overcome it.”

On August 12, recognize the sibling in the middle, the meat of your family sandwich! If you're a middle child, celebrate your unique position in the family. Give us a thumbs up below if you are in the middle!

When brackets are applied to the teeth, they only cover a small amount of the entire tooth enamel. If the uncovered tooth enamel changes color during orthodontic treatment, teeth can have uneven coloring once the braces are removed. To prevent this from happening, it is especially important to take care of your teeth while having orthodontic treatment! Here are some oral hygiene tips that can help prevent stains from braces:

1. Brush Frequently - brush at least twice a day to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay. In addition, you should also be brushing after every meal if you have metal or ceramic braces.

2. Avoid Pigmented Foods and Beverages - Here are some examples of food/beverages to avoid:

Tea/Coffee Tomato-based Sauces

Sports Drinks Balsamic Vinegar & Soy Sauce

Red Wine Berries

Fruit Drinks Beets

Sodas Curry

Popsicles/Slushies Colored Candies/Dark Chocolate

3. Use the Right Toothpaste - Another way to prevent stains is to make sure you are using the right toothpaste. For starters, you should use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Additionally, you should avoid using whitening toothpaste

because it can cause uneven coloration once the braces come off. This is because whitening toothpaste will not whiten the area beneath the brackets.

4. Use Mouthwash - In addition to using toothpaste that contains fluoride, it is also recommended to use mouthwash that also contains fluoride. Using mouthwash once a day helps to remove bacteria and makes it harder for plaque to accumulate on the surface of your teeth. Additionally, the fluoride in mouthwash will strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce the risk of developing white spots.

Can you guess? Most people have one!

Each year, Family Fun Month is celebrated throughout the month of August. Whether it is a day at the beach, pool, making S’mores or just sitting and talking, spend some extra time with your family this month. You are blessed to have them!

Whether your treatment plan includes traditional metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign, orthodontic treatment works by slowly shifting the position of your teeth by small increments over time. When you have an adjustment appointment (or start a new set of aligners), you may experience some minor sensitivity. Be proactive and take an over the counter pain reliever before your next appointment! Don’t worry, the sensitivity should diminish in a day or two. If not, give us a call!

Which best describes how you are feeling about the new school year?