Selfies 101

Selfies…everybody is doing it. And at first it may have seemed a little ridiculous, all these people taking photos of themselves and posting them online. But did you know that taking selfies is a great way to show off your personality and confidence? 

Photo Provided by hellogiggles.com

Taking a selfie is an art form in and of itself. A great selfie is more than just point a click…a great selfie takes skill. But no worries, after practicing these few simple techniques, we just know you’ll be a selfie master in no time at all.

Capture Your Best Angle. Instead of taking the picture head-on turn, your head a little to the right or left or maybe hold your camera a little higher.  Try different angles to show off your best features. 

Show Off Something New. If you decide to take a selfie to show off something new, like…oh we don’t know, maybe your braces, make sure that you frame the photo in a way that highlights the new accessory that has you so excited. 

Have Expression. You can never go wrong with smiling! Play around with different smiles…but know that no matter what, a smile is the best expression you can wear. 

Focus on Lighting. A great light source is an essential part of taking any photograph. Natural light is best, so start taking those selfies near a window or outdoors. 

Don't Use a Mirror. Just stretch your arm out, point the camera toward your face and click. It may take some practice, but eventually you'll know exactly where to position the camera to make sure you capture your whole face.  

OK…now you’re ready! Upload those selfies to all of your feeds…Instagram, FaceBook, anywhere and everywhere.   

And…as we have said before…Be proud of your selfie!

Winning Snacks

Photo provided by nhlbi.nih.gov

We know that getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn’t always an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and other activities. And as parents…we’re even busier. It’s OK to admit that sometimes it’s just easier to grab fast food on the way home from work or toss our kids a couple bucks to purchase lunch in the school cafeteria. But proper nutrition not only insures that our kids will grow into healthy adults, it also insures that the money we spent on their orthodontic care does not go to waste. 

Did you know that a proper diet provides all the essential nutrients to bones and tissues undergoing change? So, the healthier you are, the better the results of your orthodontic treatment. 

Photo provided by thenourishinghome.com

Knowing this…we thought we’d pass along five quick, delicious and nutritious snacks your kids are sure to love. 

1. Cheese – Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth. In addition to providing calcium, cheese also helps fight cavities. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Cheese stimulates the body’s salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Also…the Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese prevents decreases in the plaque’s ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth. 

2. Blueberries - Blueberries are loaded with Vitamin C, as well as folic acid, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which have shown to help prevent cancer and diabetes. Try adding blueberries as a topping to cereal or even mix them into muffins and pancakes…the kids will love that. 

3. Whole Wheat Bread – Whole wheat bread gives kids their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. So instead of making a sandwich on white bread for lunch…use Whole Wheat Bread instead. It’s a little change that will make a big impact. 

4. Oatmeal - Instead of high-sugar, high-fat options from the grocery store, try baking a batch of low-fat oatmeal cookies. Raisins, cranberries, dried apricots and nuts can be great additions to the cookie dough because of their nutritional value & taste. 

5. Yogurt - Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Consider Yogurt as an alternative to ice-cream for dessert. When mixed with berries and granola…yogurt is a tasty treat. 

For more information about which foods are best for keeping your kids and their teeth healthy…feel free to give us a call, post a comment here on our blog or ask us on Facebook!

No Pain…Only Gain

When thinking about orthodontic treatment the first question people usually have is, "Will it hurt?”. There seems to be a common fear amongst everyone with regards to the pain orthodontic  treatment might bring. Well Dr. Lenz has some good news…orthodontic treatment is not as bad as you think it is.

Orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically over the years. But as a general  rule, initially, braces do make your teeth tender and sore for the first  few days after having them placed. But the soreness is not unbearable. The slight soreness you feel comes from the fact that your teeth are beginning to move and they are not used to the pressure the arch wire and brackets are causing. As time goes by, your teeth will get use to the braces and your soreness will go away. 

It is important to know that today’s braces are more comfortable than ever. But if you still think braces might hurt more than we are letting on, here are a few tips that will help reduce any soreness you may feel: 

• Take an over the counter medicine...like Advil. 
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. 
• Eat soft foods like yogurt and mash potatoes. 
• Place heating pad or warm was rag on jaw. 
• Avoid acidic drinks; those drinks with acid can irritate a sore mouth. 
• Use over the counter oral anesthetic like Orajel. 
• Apply wax to any bracket or wire bothering your cheek, tongue or lips.

If you have any questions about starting orthodontic treatment at our office, please feel free to give us a call anytime, or...

leave a question on our Facebook page!

The Choice is Clear

Photo Provided by damonbraces.org.uk

Contrary to popular belief…traditional metal braces are not the only choice when it comes to orthodontic treatment.  

Let’s face it…adults worry about the stigma of traditional metal braces and it’s this stigma that may deter many adults from seeking orthodontic treatment. Well, worry no more. Clear braces are discreet and comfortable and clear braces move your teeth just like the traditional metal braces. 

The Damon Clear Bracket System is based on a philosophy that goes beyond straight teeth. Many adults see a noticeable change not just in their smile, but in their entire face…we call it a “Bracelift”. 

With Damon Clear Brackets you will see:

• A fuller, wider smile
• Better facial balance and aesthetics 
• Smoother cheek contours which make narrow smiles look fuller and more inviting
• Fewer dark triangles within the corners of your mouth
• Straighter, less crowded & crooked teeth 
• Improved profiles…for a more youthful look at any age!

Having braces used to mean a mouthful of wires with elastic ties and uncomfortable orthodontic adjustments. Instead of using elastic ties to hold the wire to the bracket, Damon brackets utilize a passive, self-litigating system. This means the wires are held in place by a sliding mechanism. This sliding mechanism allows for more freedom of movement and eliminates the need for tightening by Dr. Lenz. 

In addition to avoiding uncomfortable adjustment appointments, eliminating the use of elastic ties also allows for a more attractive final result. Even with proper brushing and flossing, plaque tends to gather around elastic ties leading to erosion of the enamel around the bracket, which can mean permanent marks on your teeth when the brackets are removed. Damon brackets are easier to keep clean, making dental hygiene easy during treatment.

Straightening teeth can be an important part of that confidence-boosting makeover process. Damon clear brackets are barely noticeable and give adults a more discreet choice when it comes to orthodontic treatment.

Every Relationship Takes Work

...and the relationship between you and your Braces is no different.

Image provided by andretobar.com

You and your braces will become besties over the upcoming months.  There will be some bad days, but there will be good days too. And if you stick with it and work through those bad days, the good days will be that much better. 

To prevent any ill feelings between you and your braces we recommend...

• Avoiding sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your bestie harm. And even though it may seem like the best foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard…sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire. 
• Chewing with your back teeth. Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into pieces and use your back teeth to chew. 
• Flossing. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces…your braces may even fight you on it.  But flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders definitely make flossing with braces much easier. 
• Smoothing things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces.  

You and your braces will go through a lot together. When all is said and done, you’ll smile at yourself in the mirror one day, remembering your braces fondly and you'll know that the relationship was totally worth it.

My Life With Braces: Frosty's Untold Story

It's a little known fact...but a fact none the less. 

Frosty the Snowman wore braces (as pictured below).

Photo Provided by www.smartpractice.com

We all know that Frosty is a jolly happy soul, but what we didn't know is that he wasn't always that way. Growing up, Frosty felt very self-conscious about his smile. He never smiled in photos and always put his hand over his mouth when he talked. And forget about selfies...Frosty didn't dare take a selfie for fear a being made fun of by the other snowmen in his town.

But that all changed the day his mom took him for an initial consultation at his local orthodontic office. "It was made very clear to me, that I could have the smile I always dreamed of, in a short amount of time with high-tech, light-force brackets and wires that create less pressure and are more comfortable...Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity." 

Frosty (Before) Provided by imgarcade.com

Shortly after his initial consultation, the orthodontist placed Damon Brackets on Frosty's teeth. "Treatment time went by so fast, and I had fewer appointments due to the Damon System's innovative technology", says Frosty. "This was important to me as I have a very busy schedule and can really only go outdoors four months out of the year."

Frosty (After) Photo Provided by www.zazzle.com

Today, Frosty is the jolly happy soul with two eyes made out of coal that we have all come to know and love...and he owes it all to his orthodontist and Damon System Braces.

If you have always dreamed of smiling with confidence, schedule you initial consultation with Dr. Lenz today. Dr. Lenz and his team specialize in the Damon System and will work with you to achieve a magical smile!