Smiles Orthodontist

Keep sports safe – Wear a mouthguard

Smiles — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:11:21 +0000

The Journal of the American Dental Association has written a great article about choosing and caring for a mouthguard. Please copy the link below and follow it to their website to read the article. It is a great reminder of the importance of mouth protection for all types of sports.

http://jada.ada.org/content/143/3/312.full

http://jada.ada.org/content/143/3/312.full.pdf+html

Dental Emergency tips

Smiles — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:09:28 +0000

KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH?
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or water. The tooth also may be carried in the patient’s mouth. The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY

CUT or BITTENTONGUE, LIP OR CHEEK?
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take to hospital emergency room.

TOOTHACHE?
Clean the area of the affected tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the achingtooth. If face is swollen, apply cold compresses. Take the child to a dentist.

BROKEN BRACES?
If it cannot be removed easily, snip end with heavy duty nail clippers, cover sharp or protruding end with silicone ear plugs (purchase at local pharmacy), wax, sugarless gum, or cotton ball. Call your orthodontic office for further instructions.

Possible Fractured Jaw?
If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to immobilize the jaws by using a towel, tie, or handkerchief, and take the patient to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Bleeding after Baby Tooth Falls Out?
Fold and pack a clean gauze over the bleeding area and have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once. If bleeding persists see your dentist.

Cold/Canker Sores?
Many children occasionally suffer from cold or canker sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give symptomatic relief. Because many serious systemic and oral diseases mimic or begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.

Always remember to smile! If you smile at the world, the world SMILES back!

Bringing SMILES to your neighborhood

Smiles — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:27:08 +0000

I am in the business of creating SMILES that last a lifetime. Your time is important and that is why I am proud to say that I run on time. Nobody likes to sit in a doctors office, and I am committed to make sure you do not wait in my office. We have created a schedule that allows me to see all of my patients at or before their scheduled appointment time. We can get a little crazy in the office during the summer or during after school appointments, but I do my best to make sure that I do not overbook my schedule. I would love to see you or your children for a complimentary evaluation about braces.

To Smile or Not to Smile

Smiles — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:26:29 +0000

Esthetics rather than function is usually why Orthodontists see new patients. In most cases when a patient comes into the office it is because they want “Straight Teeth”, but that should not be the only reason to want a beautiful smile. A healthy mouth and healthy teeth go much farther than just making a good first impression. There have been many studies showing how poor oral hygiene can be the cause and or agitator to many other medical conditions. It is important to keep your mouth and teeth clean and that can be done by visiting your general dentist every 6 months and a good toothbrush that you change regularly. It is also important to have straight teeth so you can more easily keep the area between your teeth clean using floss. One of the worst things you can do for your oral hygiene is to have a tongue piercing. Not only could the piercing chip a tooth, but the opening in your tongue becomes home to many bacteria that can then have easy access to your blood stream heading straight to the heart. We require all of our patients to remove any oral piercings before we will place brackets onto the teeth, and the oral piercing must remain out throughout treatment. It has been said that if you smile at the world, the world will smile back. That statement is so true in our everyday life. A smile is a gift that lasts a lifetime, a smile says hello, a smile says goodbye, a smile says I Love You… A smile can mean so many different things, never waste an opportunity to share yours.

Value of a SMILE

Smiles — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:25:45 +0000

Smiles are such an important part of communication
We see them far more clearly than any other expression.
We can pick up a smile at 300 feet, the length of a football field

Smiles and the Social Arena:

94% of those polled said they are likely to notice a persons smile when they meet them for the first time.
Almost half agree (45%) that bad teeth are a sign of bad personal hygiene.
An overwhelming majority of adults (85%) consider a persons smile to be very important at initial meeting.
33% agree bad teeth overshadows the rest of a persons appearance.
71% believe people with a nice smile make friends more easily than people with crooked teeth.

Smiles and the Workplace:

74% perceive an attractive smile as important for getting the job of their dreams.
Over one-third agree that a person with bad teeth gets fewer job promotions.
Three out of four adults (75%) think an attractive smile is important for succeeding in the workplace.

Smiles and the Opposite Sex:

84% of adults perceive having an attractive smile as important for getting a date with Mr.or Ms. Right.
An overwhelming majority of adults (85%) consider a persons smile to be very or somewhat important at first meeting.
Almost 9 out of 10 (86%) think people with good teeth are more attractive to the opposite sex

The above survey was commissioned by Align Technology, Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive

Healthy reasons to SMILE

Smiles — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:24:29 +0000

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

A Simple Reason To Smile

Smiles — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:23:23 +0000

Written by Chloe Adeline

Write A Love Letter!

“But I’m single!” you protest. Or maybe you immediately sit down and start writing a flowery letter to your partner/spouse/one-time-Cupid.

Stop!

It doesn’t matter if you’re single. And if you aren’t, you’ve probably already sent your lover a thousand notes as sweet and pathetic as petunias. [They might be tired of them.]

Instead, try writing your love letter to a friend.

A little bit ago I wrote my best friend a love letter. I wrote about the birds chirping, the flowers, and sprinkled in some math jokes about “friendly pairs.” [Because we're dorks.]

Recently she wrote me a message telling me all the things she loves most about me. She didn’t mention the wind rustling in the grass, but I count it as a love note anyway!

We talked about it yesterday, laughed, and smiled. It was one of the best times. These were two of the highlights of my recent life, and neither cost a penny or took any “work.”

The point is that it was a lot of fun to write, a bit ridiculous and pathetic, but honest and sweet. And it made us both smile.

So instead of watching reruns of Lost, what’s keeping you from writing a love letter to a friend this evening?

I’d love if you left a comment and let me know if you do…or if you have any awesome ideas about manufacturing smiles?!

Thanks for reading, and I promise for the vegans out there…less cheesiness in the future!