Don't Try This At Home

DIY Orthodontic Treatment

Don’t you just love the internet? Anything you ever wanted to know is available to you online. Need to build a bookshelf? You can find how online. Want to change the oil in your car? There are tons of Do-it-Yourself videos online. Isn't it nice how the internet makes us feel like we can do anything and everything ourselves? 

You may have already seen the new trend that has taken the internet by storm, but unlike other Do-it-Yourself videos available online…we don’t want you trying this one at home. 

DIY Orthodontic Treatment is a new, dangerous trend. And while it's cool to do things on your own, when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums the Do-it-Yourself approach can leave you with very little to smile about. 

Photo provided by aaoinfo.org

A series of YouTube videos have appeared showing people how to create their own braces. We want you to know that anyone trying this is putting their teeth, gums and jaw bones at risk for serious damage. This quick fix offers rubber bands as a DIY orthodontic solution.  People are being told that simply by putting a rubber band around their teeth the spaces or gaps will close. Because of the known risks, orthodontists consider the unsupervised movement of teeth to be below the standard of care which can result in permanent tooth loss. 

Photo provided by aaoinfo.org

Your teeth are connected to your gums and your blood supply. Trying to move your teeth without the supervision of an orthodontic specialist puts you at risk for infection, tearing of the gums and damaging the attachment between the tooth and gums so the tooth no longer gets the support it needs. Any time a dental procedure is taken on by an untrained, unsupervised individual there is a substantial risk for irreparable damage. 

For the health and safety of the public, The American Association of Orthodontists is urging anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist. 

Dr. Mark Lenz is a trained, qualified specialist who can diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment please contact our office and never consider Do-it-Yourself short cuts. 

If you're concerned about the financial obligation involved in receiving orthodontic care from a qualified specialist like Dr. Mark Lenz…don’t be. At Lenz Orthodontics our goal is to provide you with affordable, high-quality orthodontic treatment that fits within your budget. We offer competitive pricing with a variety of payment options, including no-down-payment, interest-free payment plans, credit card payments and outside financing.

Orthodontic Awareness Month

October is National Orthodontic Awareness Month! 

Image provided by mylifemysmile.org

National Orthodontic Awareness Month is an awareness campaign created cooperatively by orthodontists and other dental health professionals. During the month of October, our office makes a special effort to promote the importance of orthodontic health to our community. 

If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect. Meeting with Dr. Lenz and his staff is a great way to find out what kind of people you’ll be seeing during your treatment. This is also a time to get your questions answered and to learn more about what an orthodontist can do for you and your family. 

Dental health is something that affects everyone. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy smile and a lifetime of comfort and well-being. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October!

Fall in Love

Can you feel it...That crispness in the air? Today is the first official day of Autumn! Do you know what that means? Fall Decorating! 

Now, just because you are starting to see Halloween stores popping up on every corner, don't get out those skeletons and spiders just yet. This year, let's ban together and make a pact to transition smoothly into October by celebrating the changing of the leaves.

Decorating for Fall is pretty cost effective considering almost everything you need can be found on the ground.

Waxing Leaves

Photo provided by marthastewart.com

This is actually pretty cool. Did you know that you can preserve the wonderful colors of Fall leaves simply by dipping them into a little bit of wax? It's totally true and really easy to do. Even the kids can help. Once you have your leaves dipped and dried, you can make all sorts of fun things for Fall. Garlands, wreaths, centerpieces... whatever you creative mind can think of. And best part is, not only will the leaves keep their color, but they won't dry out and get brittle.

Fall Leaf Wreath

Photo provided by sunset.com

OK...we know. It's not like we went out on a creative limb when suggesting this one. But come on, have you ever seen a prettier Fall leaf wreath in your life? We're going with no...no you haven't. The people at Sunset Magazine were spot on when making this wreath for Fall. Now...even though they used leaves from a Chinese Pistache Tree...we think you can get the same look by using leaves from any ol' Ash Tree. 

Leaf Covered Initial

Photo provided by thethriftyabode

We see how you might think a Fall leaf wreath could be boring, no matter how stunning it is. So, we are giving you one more idea that is sure to spruce up any front door for the Fall. The Fall Leaf Initial. Head on over to your local craft store and pick yourself up a large, light weight initial, cover it in leaves found in your yard and bam..."Yes, person knocking at my door right now, the Richardson's live here, and we are ready for Fall!" 

Leaf it to Lenz Orthodontics to give you great ideas for fall decorating!

(like you didn't know a Fall pun was coming)

What Does the Pirate Say

Ahoy Mateys! Tomorrow is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! 

Image provided by blog.jibjab.com

International Talk Like a Pirate Day was founded by John Baur and Mark Summers (aka Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy) in 1995. And it gives everyone around the world the excuse to talk like a pirate the all day long. So, go ahead and join in on the fun…inject your speech with grunts and growls and slur your words. Call your friends “matey” and intentionally use bad grammar. Who’s going to judge you? You’re just celebrating the best holiday ever! 

Now…if you think you can just go around all day saying “Arrr” every once and awhile, you are sorely mistaken. Let’s take this day seriously people. Tomorrow isn’t just some boring ol’ national holiday like 4^th of July or Labor Day...Talk Like a Pirate Day is an international holiday and should be treated as such.

Pirate lingo is rich and complicated, but if you can master a few key phrases, you’ll be able to convince anyone you are a true pirate in the making.

The Basics

• Ahoy – Hello or Hi…but can sometimes be used for Goodbye. 
• Ahoy, matey or Ahoy, me hearties - Hello, my friend. 
• Are we thar yet? – Are we there yet?   
• Arrr! -I'm happy.  Arrr should not be confused with Arrgh, which is the sound you would make to expresses displeasure.
• Avast ye - Stop and check this out or pay attention. 
• Aye – Yes. 
• Aye aye! - I'll get right on that. 
• Blow me down – Used as an expression of shock or disbelief. 
• Do ye 'ave any plans fer tonight? – Do you have any plans for tonight? 
• How 'ave ye been? – How have you been? 
• I be late fer me orthodontic appointment! – I’m late for my orthodontic appointment! 
• I be starvin' – I’m hungry. 
• I can nah, I be busy. – I can’t, I’m busy. 
• I can nah wait t' get me braces off! – I can’t wait to get my braces off! 
• I needs t' go brush me teeth. – I need to go brush my teeth. 
• See ye later – See you later. 
• Shiver me timbers - Comparable to the expression “Holy cow!” 
• Tis talk like a pirate day! – It’s talk like a pirate day! 
• Wha' time be it? – What time is it? 
• Where be th' head? – Where is the bathroom?

Image provided by heidischulzbooks.com

So get out there and celebrate International Talk like a Pirate Day…cause if you don’t…

 

We'll rip an' burn yer Jolly Roger, ye salty kraken. We’ll make ye walk the gangplank, ye sorry, black-spotted, parrot-loving swab. Blimy! Yo ho ho an' a bottle o' rum!”

Say Cheese

Image provided by telegraph.co.uk

The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting time…but now, with the popularity of social media, going back to school is more exciting than ever! The updates, the hash tags, the likes the sharing…and let’s not forget the selfies. Whether you’re in middle school or college, you all know, back to school selfies are everywhere! 

How does your selfie hold up when compared to the millions online? Are you proud of your smile? Does it show in each and every selfie you take? If you’re worried about flashing your pearly whites, one reason just might be…those pearl whites of yours aren’t so pearly. 

Well worry no more, because, as always…the team at Lenz Orthodontics is here to help.

A Bright White Smile Starts With Great Oral Hygiene 

If you are currently in orthodontic treatment, you may have noticed that it is a little harder to keep your teeth clean with braces, as food gets caught in the brackets and in between your teeth. Brushing and flossing after meals will help prevent plaque from forming and should become part of your daily schedule. 

Here are a few things you need to know to make brushing a little easier while wearing braces. 
 

Arm Yourself With Proper Tools

Proper Oral Hygiene Tools

When shopping for a manual toothbrush you will notice they are labeled either “extra soft,” “soft,” “medium,” or “hard.” Soft or extra soft toothbrushes are your best option when brushing with braces. However, you could also go electric. Electronic toothbrushes clean teeth more effectively than traditional Soft Bristle toothbrushes. And since you don't need to brush as hard with an electric toothbrush to get the same results…you are less likely to injure your gums or inner cheeks. 

Get Back to Basics

Image provided by wikihow.com

Get prepared before brushing your teeth…take off elastics and/or any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance. Use your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom, taking time to ensure that all plaque and debris is removed. Clean each tooth individually. Apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces. 

Check Yourself

Schedule an Appointment

Remember to see your dentist twice a year for your regular dental cleanings. Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. But regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive...when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too.

We all know that good oral hygiene is important...but the fact is, a healthy mouth will make you feel more confident about your smile. Be sure to brush your teeth after each meal and carry floss with you...just in case. And now that your smile is nice and bright, go…go and take that selfie. Pin, post, tweet, snap, tag, check and share. You look amazing!

A is for Apple B is for Breakfast

The new school year is here and whether you’ve just headed back to grade school, middle school, high school or college, there is one important component that relates to all of our patients doing well in school this year…its breakfast! 

Photo Provided by eblogfa.com

We’re sure you have heard it a million times before…Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But why? Was this slogan made up by the Poultry Industry to get us to eat more eggs? Or what about the Quaker Oats Guy? Did he start saying this in 1901 so that we would all eat more oatmeal? 

”Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is no sales pitch…it’s the truth. 

Eating breakfast provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration in the classroom. In general, kids and teens who eat breakfast have more energy, do better in school and eat healthier throughout the day. According to pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, children who eat breakfast tend to participate more in class discussions, are better able to handle complex problems in class and get better grades. 

Evidence suggests that eating breakfast really does help you learn. A developing brain needs a fresh supply of glucose after a night of fasting. Without glucose your brain doesn't operate as well. You will have difficulty understanding new information, you’ll have problems with visual and spatial understanding and you won’t remember things as easily. 

Now, we’re not saying that you’re going to get straight A’s just because you grabbed a Pop-Tart on the way out the door in the morning. But there is something to be said for this whole “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.   

Don’t Skip Breakfast

3 Tips on Eating a Quick and Healthy Breakfast Each and Every Day 

1. Eat at least one thing from each of the following food groups: Breads/Grains (cereal, toast, muffin), Dairy (low-fat yogurt, low-fat milk) and Fruits/Vegetables (bananas, apples, carrots). 
2. Grab a portable breakfast. Fruit, low-fat yogurt, whole grain breakfast bars or granola bars will work in a pinch on those mornings when you have to eat breakfast on the go. 
3. Get up 15 minutes earlier.  Did you know that you can prepare and eat a healthy breakfast in 15 minutes or less…especially if you plan ahead? You can save time by putting out the box of cereal or cutting up fruit the night before. 

 

If you aim for a breakfast that combines good carbs and fiber with a little protein each morning, you’ll have more energy and set the stage for smart decisions all day long.