Braces Archives - Lowe Orthodontics

April is National Facial Protection Month

Nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while playing baseball and more than 100,000 people suffer facial injuries from bicycle accidents. This month enhances public awareness of facial protection and specialized treatment for facial injuries, at least half of which are in children. Pediatric dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists—which are all ADA- recognized dental specialists—are sponsoring “April is National Facial Protection Month.” Their message is clear: Avoid sports injuries by wearing protective equipment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) encourage active people—children, parents, weekend warriors, professional athletes—to play it safe when getting outside this spring (or playing indoor sports). According to the National Institute of Health, childhood sports injuries may be inevitable but prevention does matter. For instance, football players can protect their faces with mouth guards and helmets. Likewise, basketball players should wear mouth guards and eye protection. A study published in the February 2003 Journal of the American Medical Association showed that players who used faceguards—devices made of plastic or metal that attached to baseball helmets—were 35 percent less likely to suffer facial injuries than non-users. Further, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that universal helmet use could save one life each day and prevent one head injury every four minutes. The Marshfield (Wisconsin) Clinic states that wearing protective eyewear can prevent 90 percent of eye injuries in the U.S. It seems the first step to facial protection is [...]

By admin|2017-02-05T21:07:57-08:00April 1st, 2016|Braces, Oral Health, Orthodontics|0 Comments

Diet

The primary cause of cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease is accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. The bacteria normally present in your mouth converts the food you eat into acid, which in turn combines with bacteria and leftover food to form a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque accumulation can begin on your teeth in as little as 20 minutes after you’ve eaten. If not removed, the acid in the plaque dissolves tooth enamel and creates a cavity. The way you eat and the things you eat will either aid your body in fighting cavities and gum disease, or make you more likely to develop them. While your grandmother would have probably told you that eating candy was bad for your teeth, today’s dental nutritionists know that she was only partly right. Yes, sugary snacks are one of the culprits that set up the right conditions for development of plaque, but did you know that carbohydrates, such as bread or potatoes, are just as bad for your teeth as a candy bar? And did you know you can combat these conditions by eating your food in the right combinations? The two main factors that make a food a bad snack is the amount of sugar in the food and the length of time the food stays in your mouth. Strangely enough, the sugar and chocolate in a candy bar will actually be washed out of your mouth faster than the sugars from some fruits or the bread from your [...]

By admin|2017-02-05T21:07:57-08:00September 2nd, 2015|Braces, Braces Food, Oral Health, Orthodontics|0 Comments

Early Warning Signs of Orthodontic Problems

Some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult. But…children and adults can both benefit from orthodontics, because healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. It is not unusual to begin orthodontic intervention if one or more of the following early warning signs is seen: Difficulty in chewing or biting Chronic mouth breathing Finger sucking or other oral habits that continue after 6 years of age Top front teeth that protrude Top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth when biting Top front teeth go behind the bottom teeth when biting A space exists between top and bottom front teeth when biting Crowded, overlapped, misplaced teeth or extra teeth Teeth meet abnormally or don’t meet at all Center of top and bottom teeth don’t line up Teeth wearing unevenly Baby teeth falling out too early Jaw joints that click or are painful Jaws that shift off center when biting Speech difficulty Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth often Weak chin or a prominent chin Facial imbalance Jaws that protrude or recede Grinding or clenching of the teeth Embarrassing teeth or smile often hidden by hands If you or your child has one or more of these early warning signs of orthodontic problems, see your dentist or orthodontist. The sooner you receive orthodontic intervention for these alignment problems, [...]

By admin|2017-02-05T21:07:57-08:00August 2nd, 2015|Braces, Braces FAQ, Early Orthodontic Treatment|0 Comments

Braces Friendly Recipe: Almond Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

Easy to assemble dough – good for any occasion Ingredients: 1 cup butter (softened) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 1/2 cups flour 1 egg 1 teaspoon cream of tarter 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon baking soda Directions: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract flavorings. Combine the dry ingredients in separate bowl. Next, add the dry ingredients (by 1/2 cup measurements) to the butter/sugar mixture. Mix with a mixer on medium speed. Chill the dough for 2-3 hours or overnight, or “quick chill” in the freezer until very firm, for about 30-45 minutes. To Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate the dough into fourths and roll each section until it is about 1/8 – 1/4 inch thickness. Use seasonal cookie cutters and cut into desired shapes. Bake 7-9 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown. Super Easy Ornamental Frosting Ingredients: 16 oz. powdered sugar 3 tablespoons meringue powder 1/3 cup of warm water Directions: Combine all the ingredients and mix at medium speed until smooth. Food coloring may be added at this point. Spread the frosting on each cutout. For spreading consistency, thin icing by adding tablespoons of warm water. Please note: it doesn’t take more than one or two tablespoons to thin the icing. Enjoy!

By admin|2017-02-05T21:07:57-08:00July 2nd, 2015|Braces, Braces FAQ, Braces Food, Orthodontics|0 Comments