AreYou Ready For Some Football...with the Kids!?

You can feel the excitement in the air as the Big Game draws near and many of us make plans to watch the game with family and friends. We are either going to a Super Bowl Party, or hosting one ourselves. If you are one of the people in the latter category, you probably have everything you need to host the most amazing Super Bowl Party ever. Decorations...check, snacks...check, drinks...check, stuff to keep the kids entertained for 3 to 4 hours...ooops. 

So, you may not have given much thought to what the kids are going to do while the adults are watching the game or chatting it up in the kitchen. But let's face it, shouldn't everybody at your Super Bowl Party have a great time no matter what their age? 

No worries...We have some fun ideas that won't take much time to prepare.

1. Fun Games: 

Make an area in the house...away from the main TV area, a kid-friendly game room. Put out a few board games, craft items, etc. You can even create some fun party games so the kids can drum up a little competition of there own. 

Below is a fun twist on a classic party game...and all you need is some poster board, construction paper and a blindfold.

                                            Wall Football

This photo originally appeared in FamilyFun Magazine

Get everything you need to make this great game along with directions on how to play.

2. Fun Food: 

While veggies and ranch dip might seem like a great snack for the adults. For the kids...not so much. Serve a food that all kids love and one that they can create themselves. Try a Make Your Own Pizza Bar! The kids will love creating a personal pizza that is just for them...and the toppings offered don't have to be elaborate just cheese, pepperonie, olives...you know what kids like. 

 

How to set up a make-your-own pizza bar for your Super Bowl party. 

3. Fun Friends: 

Let the kids invite a few of their own friends to the party. Just as you would invite your friend, "Mark" and allow him to bring a guest, tell parents who are attending your Super Bowl Party that their child can bring a guest as well.  
The More the merrier!

Lenz Orthodontics

Now...You ARE Ready for Some Football!!

 

 

Good Vibrations

Did you know that there is a faster way to get the smile you have always wanted? It's true...you can actually speed up your treatment time by 38 to 50%! 

You're not going to believe it when we tell you, but there is new technology designed to decrease the time you are in braces or Invisalign by increasing the rate of your tooth movement...and all you have to do is wear a mouthpiece for 20 minutes a day! We know...you don't believe it.

This new technology is called AcceleDent and we are excited to be one of the first practices in Wisconsin to offer this revolutionary new treatment to our patients.

AcceleDent is an easy-to-use, hands-free device that uses gentle micropulses to accelerate bone remodeling and move teeth faster than with just braces or Invisalign alone.

And the best part...AcceleDent is both non-invasive and non-surgical! You can continue to do your regular daily activities while wearing AcceleDent...watching TV, doing homework...even while reading our Blog.

Wearing AcceleDent means that you can get your braces off faster and you'll feel more comfortable during treatment.

Baby It's Cold Outside

With temperatures in the low 20's...who wants to go outside? No one. And when kids can't go outside and play, there really isn't much else for them to do but stay indoors and "plug in". 

Technology today has made it easy for kids to just turn off their brains and turn on the computer or a video game. What happened to the days when kids who where cooped up indoors built forts and played board games? As parent's, we know that we should foster our children's imaginations...but how do we compete with Play Station, Wii, Facebook and the internet? 

As corny as craft projects sound...craft projects really do inspire kids to use their imagination, and "Imagination allows children to develop forces of creativity." 

We found one craft project that actually bring the outdoors indoors. 

What could be better?

When you are all snowmanned and sledded out...and quite frankly just tired of the cold. Get inside where it's warm and gather the kids around the table for some Snow Painting.

It's easy and all you need is snow and a little bit of food coloring.

For detailed instructions on this great indoor project please visit whilewearingheals.

Be sure to share this idea with your friends. And if you liked our snow painting idea...try out another site we found for great winter time craft projects...

The Crafty Crow

New Year - New You

It’s a new year…and you know what that means…a new start in all areas of your life!

Many of you may have already made your New Year’s resolutions, and those resolutions may have been something to the effect of…resolving to save money, spending more time with family and friends or losing weight. But why not make a resolution to improve your dental health?

Our smiles are much more important than many of us realize. Did you know that your smile can help you look younger, relieve stress and live longer? It’s true. The sad thing is...people who are unhappy with their smiles cover them up. And people who have lived their life being self-conscious about their smiles have actually learned to smile without even showing their teeth.

Dr. Lenz is passionate about helping you take the steps you need to improve your smile because he understands how powerful it can be.  He takes pride in helping our patients improve their life experiences by helping them feel good about smiling. If you are one of those people who has been hiding their smile, this year is your time to shine! Make the best resolution you can make for yourself...achieve your goal of a beautiful, full, healthy smile!

Our smiles don’t only improve our lives; they improve the lives of those around us. As they say…a smile is contagious!

All I Want For Christmas Is...

My two front teeth...
to be straight, bright and healthy.

Sometimes we may forget how important having great oral hygiene is, especially when we have braces. And this time of year, with all of the amazing treats and goodies, it is even harder to stay on top of proper brushing and flossing. But if we want our smiles to be the best they can be when our braces are removed, we have to stay focused and put the work in now...even when we may not want to.

Food and plaque can get trapped in the tiny spaces between braces and wires, causing decay and enamel stains. And did you know that food left in these tiny spaces can also react with the bacteria in your mouth and the metal in the braces to produce a bleaching effect, leaving small, permanent light spots on your teeth? 

You all know...but we are going to say it anyway...sweets, soda and other sugary and starchy foods can promote tooth decay and gum disease.  It might be too much to ask, but try your best to stay away from these types of foods. OK...we know, way too much to ask, especially now. So, if you are going to eat a sweet treat, please remember to brush afterwards.  It is best to brush after every meal and use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss at least once a day to clean between braces and under wires. But if you don't have your toothbrush with you, rinse your mouth vigorously with water soon after enjoying those special homemade goodies.

Below are a few tools that will make staying on top of your oral hygiene easier.

Crest Ortho Essentials Hygiene Program

The Best Gifts Are Handmade

'Tis the season for giving. But who said that the best gifts have to be the ones that cost the most? 

Save yourself some time, money and frustration...skip the malls and department stores. Give gifts that are handmade and straight from the heart. We think handmade gifts are the perfect way to show how much you care. And with so many resources out there these days, it's easy to find the perfect gift for every person on your list.

Handmade gifts are also perfect for the kids. Grandparents love anything made by a child's hands. Not only that, making gifts gets kids involved and teaches them what the spirit of the season is all about. 

We found the cutest handmade gift that will get the kids involved...something they will be excited to give to everyone.

DIY Chalkboard Coasters

The supplies for making these coasters are inexpensive (some items you might already have lying around the house). The steps are super easy and not at all intimidating. For complete directions on how to make these coasters, please visit livingwellspendingless.com. 

Other great sites for handmade Holiday gifts are hgtv.com, realsimple.com and marthastewart.com. Check them out and let us know what you think.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good craft project!

Beautiful Smiles Don’t Have An Age Limit

Don't let age stop you from having the straight teeth you've always dreamed of. Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Parents are still making regular trips to the orthodontist's office, but these days more and more are leaving their kids in the waiting room.

Sad, but true…over time our bodies start to wear out, including our teeth. As you age, your teeth break down. Unfortunately, it's one of the most visible signs of aging. As teeth wear, the lower and the upper jaw move closer together. Shortening of your teeth causes your lips to change, creases to form on the sides of your nose and mouth, a deep crease develops between your chin and lower lip and jowls develop on the sides of your jaw. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can also contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay and abnormal wear of the tooth enamel.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Numerous technological advances have made braces less noticeable, less painful and even less time-consuming. 

As America's baby boomers have become more health conscious, they're rejecting the notion that loosing teeth and dentures are a routine part of growing older. These days people are exercising more and eating healthier and braces are another way of demonstrating that you care about yourself and your overall health.

 

Don’t believe us? Still think you’re too old for braces? Check out these adults who decided it was time to improve their smiles…you might be surprised.

     Faye Dunaway - Age 61                      Tom Cruise - Age 40                       Gwen Stefani - Age 30          

  

 Famous Faces With Braces

 

PS. Don't forget to check out our FaceBook page. We have a great photo contest going on right now and we would love to see the pictures you come up with!