Summer Isn't Over Yet..

As each day goes by we inch closer and closer to the end of summer. Luckily, it hasn’t ended yet and there is still time to have fun.

Summer is time for takings trips, staying cool and enjoying your family. So before it’s time for the kiddies to load up their backpacks and before the weather cools down, make sure you've made your summer memorable.

We have a list of 5 things you want make sure you do before summer ends.

Camp out: Summer is the best time to get out and enjoy nature. You can visit a camp site or just grab a tent and head to the backyard. Make sure have your flashlights, s’mores and sleeping bags ready for a night under the stars.

Visit a water park: Grab some sun block and beach towels and get ready to get wet. Water parks are full of slides and rides for you and your family to enjoy.

Have a movie day: Get out the house and take your family to the movies. With high priced movie tickets you can save money and going during matinee showings. On hot days movies are a spot where you can stay cool, eat snacks and watch the latest summer blockbusters.

Visit a new place: Take you family your family somewhere they have never been before. Visit a museum, an exhibit, or even a new town. Trying out new activities together could be a bonding experience for you and your family.

Have a cookout: On a nice weekend invite friend and family over to enjoy good food and each other’s company. There’s nothing better than great food and good laughs while being surrounded by people you know and love. 

Get out and enjoy the sun now and make memories this summer that you will remember all fall. Also don't forget to make an appointment and visit our office before summer is over to make sure your are all set for the fall.

Ready to Play ?

Have you been earning points? If not, what are you waiting for you can start today. As a patient at Dr. Mark Lenz Orthodontics you are automatically eligible for tons of awesome rewards and prizes.

Patient Rewards Hub is a unique program that offers rewards to our patients through our website. It’s super easy and accessible. When you visit our office you can pick up a patient rewards card. Once you activate your rewards card you can start earning points instantly through staying on top of your oral hygiene, playing games and participating in our monthly contest.

It’s that simple, all you have to do is continue to be a great patient and log onto rewards hub via our website. As you earning points you can then cash in your point to redeem prizes such as gift cards to popular retailers.

We are currently running a contest where the winner wins 200 hub points, which can redeem a 20$ gift card. This is a fun easy way we let you earn points.

We value our patients and want to provide them with best experiences they can get from an orthodontics office. The program is geared towards encouraging healthy habits and making your experience with us fun. So log on and earn those points! If you don’t have your card ask someone in our office about getting a card during your next visit.

"Just Keep Swimming"..But Protect Your Teeth

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With the warm weather brought on by the summer heat we all know there is one sure way to cool down and have fun, hopping into the swimming pool. But, did you know those dips into the pool could be harming your teeth.

Studies done over the years have presented evidence that swimming pools can cause damage tooth enamel. The damage is called enamel erosion, which is caused by chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical used to keep pool water clean. However, this bacterium killing chemical is highly acidic and over time will start to erode your teeth.

Tooth erosion is caused by acid dissolving the surface of the teeth. Teeth usually can repair themselves with minerals in saliva, but too much exposure too often will cause the erosion to begin. The eroded teeth become extra sensitive, thin and are more likely to decay. Also in addition to erosion posing a threat, teeth can come stained by chlorine with a yellow tint.

Photo provided by dentagama.com

The pool becomes harmful when it is not properly maintained. Water with a pH balance too high or too low will have a negative effect on your body and teeth. The water’s pH is a measure of its total acid-alkalinity balance in the water. Water with a pH balance that is too acidic or too alkaline will cause undesirable chemical reactions.

To protect your teeth:

• Make sure your pool is properly maintained.
• Purchase inexpensive pH strips to check balance of pool water.
• Try to keep water out of your mouth while swimming.
• Do not brush teeth right after swimming, with soft enamel you could be brushing enamel way.

Keep It Clean

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Using the right toothbrush is important, especially when you have braces. With braces you need a toothbrush that is ideal for cleaning above/below your wires and around your brackets. And did you know it is recommended that you use two toothbrushes to maintain oral hygiene while having braces?

As a primary toothbrush you will want to use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. The smaller the head on your toothbrush the more room there is to reach all areas in your mouth. 

    

Photo Provided By DentistryIQ.com

Along with your small head soft bristle toothbrush, it is recommended that you also use an interdental brush. An interdental brush is specifically designed to get in those hard to reach areas a regular brush can’t get into like around brackets to get rid of food particles and plague. Also interdental brushes come in various sizes which making the brush convenient to tote around.

Photo Provided by Nakano-ds.com

In addition to using the right brushes don’t forget that it is also important to floss regularly. Although flossing with braces can be a challenge at first, don’t worry you’ll get the hang of it. It is very important to use floss so no food particles get stuck in your braces, wires and bands to prevent cavities.

So make sure you have the tools to keep your mouth fresh and healthy while you wear your wonderful braces. 

Sticky and Chewy and Crunchy…Oh My!

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Braces are used as a treatment to bring out your best smile. And with that comes a lot of changes to your mouth including your daily oral hygiene activities and eating habits.

While you have braces you will want to avoid certain types of foods…basically anything sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy. 

Here’s a list of treats you will need to avoid during your braces treatment.

Photo provided by The Daily Meal

• Gum
• Hard Candy
• Sticky Candy
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Ice
• Taffy
• Hard Chips
• Carrots
• Apples
• Hard/Thick Bread
• Large/Hard Pretzels
• Corn on a cob

It is important to not consume these foods, because eating anything sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy can damage your braces which could make your treatment longer than expected.

We want you to have the best experience during your treatment. So…here’s a list of great foods you can enjoy while wearing braces.

• Dairy - pudding, soft cheeses
• Breads – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts, biscuits
• Grains – noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood - fish w/o bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes
• Vegetables - mashed potatoes, peas, yams, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats - ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, smoothies, Jell-O, cake
• Other – eggs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, beans and much more

Remember with braces, always be mindful of what you are eating, the wrong food can lead to a sooner than expected visit to our office.

It’s Bar-B-Que Time

With 4^th of July just a few days away, we know many of you have got to be planning for a huge get together. And nothing says 4^th of July like a back yard Barbeque. But you’re probably thinking…”Ugh! So much work. I have to slave away over the hot barbeque and miss out on all of the fun.” Not true, you just need to re-think how you do your barbeques. 

Photo Provided by blovelyevents.com

Think Stations. Create areas in your yard for different food and beverage stations. Incorporate “Build Your Own” style bars for hot dogs and hamburgers and let your guests help themselves. You can have all of the condiments and fixin’s pre-done, thus allowing you more time to enjoy your party and really celebrate what the 4^th of July is all about. 

Photo Provided by partycity.com

Photo Provided by partycity.com

Creating “Build Your Own” bars is fun and lets you get super creative. Plus “Build Your Own” bars take away the hassle of custom orders, you know…having to remember who is allergic to what, who is not eating gluten at the moment, etc. Just be sure to have everything at each station labeled so your guests know what’s what. And…there is no reason you can’t make all of the food “Build Your Own”. From Salad, to Drinks, to Dessert…if you take some time before the 4^th to prepare, you can create a station for all of the traditional 4^th of July goodies. 

Put the power of what your guests eat in their hands…and enjoy what a great time everyone is having (including you) this 4^th of July.

My Milkshake Brings All Y'all to the Yard

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Heads up people! Tomorrow is National Vanilla Milkshake Day! 

National Vanilla Milkshake Day is a celebration that falls on the same day every year…June 20^th! And with Summer officially beginning on June 21^st, what better way to kick off the season then with homemade Vanilla Milkshakes? 

A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream and flavorings such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce. Milkshakes are usually served in a tall glass with a straw and whipped cream as a topping. 

Now, we are giving you a 24 hour heads-up on this “unofficial” National Holiday so that you can perfect your milkshake making skills. Here are some tips for making the best milkshake ever: 

1. The Perfect Blend - You can always add more milk, but you can’t take it away. Add a little milk to your ice cream at a time until you are happy with the consistency. The more milk you add, the thinner the shake. So be careful, we’re not making cold soup here. 
2. Quality not Quantity – Milkshakes are meant to be rich and delicious. Milkshake time is not the time to use non-fat milk. When making milkshakes, be sure all of your ingredients are the best, from the premium ice cream to the 100% whole milk. 
3. The Fresh Factor – If you’re feeling like you might want to spice up your traditional vanilla shake, add fresh vanilla bean, fresh fruit or fresh spices. You can pretty much add anything to a vanilla shake…just make sure what you add is fresh. 

Paula Deen's Vanilla Milkshake

Photo Provided by foodnetwork.com

Need a tried and true Vanilla Milkshake recipe? Try this one from Paula Deen. Just reading the simple ingredients will make you mouth water.