Why the Summer is a Great Time for Braces

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Kristine

Can you believe it’s already May? Children in school are counting down the days until that final bell rings signaling the end of school and the beginning of summer. I have no doubt in my mind that their imaginations are running wild with all of the activities that summer holds. The summer is not only a much-needed break from school, but it is also a great time to consider braces for your children.

“Summer is supposed to be fun! Why braces now?”

Great question. Receiving orthodontic treatment in the summer has many pros to it. At a young age, braces for children can take some getting used to. The first couple of weeks can be somewhat uncomfortable as teeth begin to shift into the correct position. This can make it difficult for children to focus in class and may also require a change from their normal lunchtime meal. With all of the new adjustments, it may be difficult for children with braces to do their very best during school months.

On the other end of that, if your child receives orthodontic treatment during the summer they will be able to get used to their new braces in a comfortable environment: their home. Meals will be easier to prepare and parents or guardians will be able to help their child cope with adjustments during the first couple of weeks. Children will become comfortable with the physical appearance and less self-conscious. They will also have the knowledge and skills to clean their braces properly as the summer months allow them the time to learn.

Braces for children are a wonderful and often necessary thing. Having them applied at a young age will make your children very grateful when they are older. Call Lansdowne Orthodontics today to talk about braces for your children and other orthodontic treatments!

Braces for Children

Braces and Weddings

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Kristine

One of my best friends is getting married in one week and I honored to be in the wedding party. I have almost no responsibilities, but all of the privileges that come with being in a wedding. I do have to go about buying the outfit and look presentable when the big day finally arrives, but other than that, I am on my own. I do want the photos to look great and I have found myself prepping for them by taking care of my teeth. Does that seem a little strange?

When you think about being in front of hundreds of people and being immortalized in photos of one of the most important days of someone’s life, you want to look good. Having received orthodontic care as a teen, I am happy with the results, and happy that I went through with it so many years ago. Others might not have had the opportunity as a child, but adult braces are back and are more subtle and unnoticeable than ever before.

Adult braces, especially traditional metal bands, are highly effective and work much faster than invisalign. New metal braces are almost invisible as technology continues to advance allowing adults to continue their normal work and personal lives without interruption.
Whether you’re in college, an adult, or have children, receiving orthodontic care and having braces put on as early as possible will give you the photos you can be proud of on your big day. Receiving adult braces or other orthodontic care early on will give you a smile full of confidence that you will carry with you throughout all of life’s biggest moments.

Call Lansdowne Ortho today to schedule an appointment!

Celebrities and Adult Braces

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Kristine

Probably a huge reason many adults don’t take the step to get adult braces is simply the look. Many adults feel that braces may be visually distracting or inconvenient, and some may even feel like they will have them on for the rest of their life! But that’s simply not true. As your orthodontist may tell you, wearing metal adult braces can often be a quick process. You may even have to wear them for less than a year. To me, one year with adult braces is worth a lifetime of straight teeth and a smile I can be proud of showing.

But rest assured, many have worn adult braces in our country and lived to tell the tale. In fact, did you know that many celebrities also sat in the orthodontist chair at one point? Did you know that they were adults when they did?

Check out some of the images below to see adult braces being worn by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. If these celebrities can visit an orthodontist, so can you! After all, they make their money by being in front of millions of people every year.

Photo: Manny Ceneta Stringer / Getty Images

Gwen Stefani - Photo: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

Danny Glover - Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Stop by Lansdowne Orthodontics and you will be on your way to that Hollywood smile you have always wanted!

Easter and Candy – What to Avoid!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Kristine

For those who celebrate Easter, you know that your children are probably expecting baskets full of that brightly packaged, sugar covered candy. For months I have seen entire aisles of grocery stores become completely devoted to the Easter candy that so many of our country’s youth love. The pastel candy shells, those hollow chocolate bunnies, and the stickiness of those caramel eggs. They may taste great, but the damage it can do to your teeth or braces can land you a visit to your local orthodontist!

What Not to Eat

Most of us love candy, but when you have your braces put on for the first time, your orthodontist typically informs you of the foods you should be avoiding. This Easter, if you absolutely must eat candy, avoid biting down on hard candy. They can easily bend wires and break the metal brackets clean off of your tooth. This will land you back in the orthodontist where the bracket will be reapplied and can even lengthen the amount of time you will need to wear your braces.

Caramels and other sticky candy can also break brackets. Even more so, it can easy get between the brackets and wires which can eventually lead to cavities. Have a cavity filled while you are wearing braces is no fun.

Immediately after you eat any candy, I encourage you to brush your teeth and floss. This minimizes the risk of cavities and keeps your orthodontist happy. Also when you eat candy, it is better to eat a certain amount at once rather than eating it in small quantities throughout the day. This way, when you brush your teeth you are flushing out all of the sugar rather than leaving traces of it behind. That is, unless you want to brush your teeth every time you eat a single piece of candy.

After the Easter holiday, stop by Lansdowne Ortho for a checkup so you can avoid any complications from those sweet treats!

Springs Sports and Mouth Guards – Be Safe This Season!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Kristine

Spring is finally in the air and children who have been cooped up inside all winter are finally making their way to soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts. Cold weather, or what little we had of it, seems to be a thing of the past, and this 70 degree weather is paving a beautiful path to a fantastic spring and a warm summer.

As parents begin to sign up their children for spring sports, you may also be thinking about your child’s orthodontic treatment. Braces for children can sometimes leave parents worried when it comes to physical activities such as sports. Parents worry about cut lips, damage to the orthodontic treatment or appliances that your child may have, and ultimately, your child’s safety. Well we are, too!

We want your child to have a safe and joyful time this spring, which is why we suggest mouth guards. As an orthodontist who specializes in braces for children, Lansdowne Ortho highly recommends the safety that a mouth guard provides. Mouth guards fit over your teeth and braces which ultimately keeps lips from getting cut, grinding teeth, and even helps prevent getting your braces snagged on clothing (I know, but it actually happens!).

Braces for children doesn’t have to prevent your children from enjoying the things that they love. Believe it or not, children can worry about damaging their braces just as much as parents do. This might cause them to underperform and not give their very best during practices and games. It can limit their potential! And it definitely shouldn’t mean that parents have to worry all the time about their children getting hurt. Mouth guards are a great solution to all of dental safety concerns, and purchasing one will help prevent further orthodontic treatment.

If your child plays sports, stop by Lansdowne Orthodontics so we can help you find the perfect mouth guard for the spring sports season and you will be ready for your next big game!

Mouth Guards