Should I Whiten My Teeth?

You look in the mirror and smile nice and big - "Oh no! My teeth look so yellow! How did this happen? I really want to bleach them but it's so expensive. I wonder if those over-the-counter bleaching strips actually work or not." It's safe to say, the majority of us have thought this at one time or another. If you're like me and drink lots of coffee, you tend to be a bit more concerned about the color of your teeth. Well, what can be done? Are there any natural remedies? Hopefully, I can help to answer some of your questions and concerns.


When is whitening my teeth recommended?

Whitening your teeth can make a world of difference in the appearance of not only your smile but your entire face; lifting off years of discoloration. However, bleaching your teeth is not recommended for everyone. Such as:
                 - Women who are pregnant or lactating
                 - Those who have braces or other orthodontic appliances
                 - Children under the age of 16 (unless consulting with a dentist first)
                 - Those with sensitive teeth, allergies, cavities, exposed roots, worn enamel, or dental      
                    restorations
                 - Those with unrealistic expectations

           So, who is bleaching recommended for? Here are a few ways to tell if you and your
           smile are good candidates for teeth whitening:
                 - Those with healthy, unrestored teeth and gums
                 - People who have more of a yellow tone/staining to their teeth
                 - Those with realistic expectations


Different Types of Whitening Available:

There are several ways to whiten and brighten your smile; here are a few:
     - Whitening Toothpastes, if you are looking for a fast, cost-effective way to      
       whiten your smile, toothpaste is your best bet. Though, the toothpaste will
       only whiten the surface of your tooth and usually only up to 1 shade, it is a
       very simple and inexpensive way to lighten some of those coffee stains.
   
     - Over-the-Counter (OTC), these products include gels, strips, rinses, and
       trays. Unlike whitening toothpastes, OTC whitening products contain  
       bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide
       helps to bleach below the surface of the teeth allowing for a much whiter
       appearance and a longer lasting result (usually about 4 months).

     - In-Office Bleaching at Your Dentist's Office, hands-down this is the fastest,  
       most effective, and lasting way to bleach your teeth. Each session takes  
       about 30-60 minutes and in many cases you only will need to be treated
       one time and will see your tooth shade lighten, sometimes even up to
       4 shades. Unlike toothpastes and OTC whitening, in-office whitening can
       be extremely costly.


How Long Will The Results Last?
 
              These results are not permanent but the longevity of them greatly depends on
              what types of foods you eat and the things you drink. If you avoid staining
              foods and beverages, your results could last up to a year but if you continue to
              eat and drink things that cause staining, your results could last as little as one
              month.

What Are Some At-Home/Natural Options?

              There are a couple of ways to help whiten your teeth at home with natural
              remedies. However, just like the toothpastes, these will only whiten the surface
              of your teeth and the results do not last as long as those at your dentist's office.
                      - Mix a cap full of hydrogen peroxide with a "Dixie-sized-cup" of water and
                        swish in your mouth for 30 seconds. *You want to be very careful to
                        dilute the hydrogen peroxide so that it will not irritate your gums*
                      - Brush with baking soda once a month *You also need to be very 
                        careful when brushing with baking soda, as it can be extremely 
                        abrasive to the enamel and surrounding tissue*

Some Possible Side Effects:
 
              The most common side effects from whitening is sensitivity to your teeth and
              the surrounding tissue. Usually, this sensitivity goes away 2-3 days after
              treatment is stopped. One way to help alleviate this sensitivity is to start using a
              toothpaste made especially for sensitive teeth and to rinse with a fluoride rinse.


Many of us strive to achieve that beautiful Hollywood Smile and whitening your teeth is just one way in which you can get a little closer. Whichever remedy you choose, be sure to always follow the directions and if sensitivity lasts more than a week you may need to consult with your dentist.

Chalice, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

Don’t Forget

            Shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning; Christmas season at its finest. With Christmas just days away, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. You’re busy making sure this Christmas is going to be the best one yet, but at what cost? Are you neglecting to remember the true meaning of Christmas? We’re celebrating the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Our focus shouldn’t be on buying expensive presents for people and making sure our house is decorated better than our neighbors.  We should be praising God for the gift of His Son!

            Why not use this time as a season of spiritual growth? We are instructed to be constantly growing in our faith and knowledge daily, but I hope this time of year brings extra excitement of growing closer to our loving God. We have all read the passages of Christ’s birth, but why not use this time to sit down with your family and read them together? Discuss them and pray about them. Christmas was truly a miracle and we should be praising God for that!

Throughout the year we often neglect to spend enough time with our own families because we’re “too busy”. I also challenge you this Christmas to make this a holiday of family growth. Start a tradition of reading the Christmas story as a family (Luke 2:1-20 for example), decorate the tree together, make Christmas cookies and don’t worry about the mess you might be making. Pinterest has great ideas for family activities and fun crafts to make. For me, the Christmas memories I cherish the most are when we piled up in the car with hot chocolate and drove around looking at Christmas lights, or all the times my family sat around and just talked. I can’t remember the gifts I got that year, but I’ll always remember the good conversations and memories made with my family.

So this Christmas don’t forget the real reason we celebrate. Let’s praise God for the gift of Christ and our chance at new life through Him!

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is     

pleased.

Allie Todd, RDA, CDA
www.smileteam4u.com

Truth and Absolute Truth

I remember hearing a speech concerning the constitution.  The speaker was making the point that the founding fathers could not possibly foresee all of the future changes coming to our country and our society.  I totally agreed with this basic assumption, but he continued and in essence said that the constitution had to be interrupted different at different times depending on how society changed.  Being a good ole country boy I started thinking – what?  You see I thought changes to laws or the constitution was supposed to be made by the legislative branch or the system set up to make amendments to the constitution. 

In my opinion the constitution deals with basic truths. That is the reason it doesn’t need to be changed often and our wise founding fathers made it so difficult to change.  The assumption the speaker made was that there are no absolute truths.  There are absolute truths!  If you fall out of bed, 100 out of 100 times, you are going to go down.  Gravity is an absolute truth.  The sun rises in the east 100 out of 100 times. 

I submit that there are many more absolute truths, but one that my mom always told me was, “somebody has got to pay.”  A variation of this is, “there ain’t no free lunch.” 

According to a study done by George Mason University, approximately 49% of households in the U.S. receive some type of government benefits.

When there are more people receiving than paying, we are eventually doomed.  A few more absolute truths come to mind:

Just because you might choose not to believe these truths, does not make them any less true.  You don’t have to believe in gravity.  But to not believe in gravity you do so at your own peril.

We have become a society that worships at the altar of relativism and/or tolerance.  Tolerance of different thoughts or ideas is a good thing and has always been part of our great society.  Our current problem is we are confusing tolerance of ideas, with the concept of all ideas are equal.  Obviously, all ideas are not equal.  (When I first wrote this last paragraph, I didn’t have the last sentence in it.  It seems ludicrous to have to write it.  But then, I thought I better write it down because I think some people might actually question it.) 

Over the history of mankind, not observing moral and economic truths has always been followed by dire consequences.  Pray for our country.

David

www.smileteam4u.com

                       

Revolution or Revival

Free Stuff or Freedom

Frequently Asked Dental/Orthodontic Questions:

When it comes to the health and longevity of your teeth, you probably have several questions. Here are several common questions we at Smile Team Orthodontics get asked regularly and some answers that may be helpful to you:

Q: When should my child be seen my an orthodontist?
A: According to the AAO, your child should be seen my an orthodontist by age 8.

Q: Do I really need to floss every tooth?
A: Yes! Flossing helps to remove food and build up that brushing leaves behind and helps to keep your gums healthy.

Q: Why do my gums bleed?
A: There can be multiple reasons your gums bleed but the most common is inadequate removal of plaque from the teeth and gums. Click here for more information.

Q: Should I have my wisdom teeth removed even if they are not causing me any problems?
A: It is recommended to have your wisdom teeth removed in adolescent age when the roots are much smaller. If you have any questions or concerns be sure to contact your dentist for an evaluation.

Q: How important are baby teeth?
A: Even though the baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth the baby teeth are extremely important in maintaining space for the permanent teeth.

Q: How long should I wear my retainers?
A: You should wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. We recommend wearing them at night for as long as you would like to maintain the shape and position of your teeth and smile.

Q: How often should I see my dentist?
A: It is recommended to be seen by a dentist every 6 months. This way your dentist can monitor any possible problems and prevent others from occurring.

Q: My braces are causing sores in my mouth; what can I do?
A: Sores caused by braces are very common. Dental wax and oral antiseptics are helpful in making you more comfortable.

Q: What should I do if I have a problem with my braces?
A: We recommend you call our office in the event you are having a problem with your braces and if you are having a problem when we are out of the office you can call our emergency phone for assistance.

Q: What foods should I stay away from when I have braces?
A: It is best to stay away from anything hard, sticky, and chewy when you have braces.

I hope these answers have been helpful in clarifying any questions or concerns you may have. If you would like anymore helpful tips just visit our website at www.smiletean4u.com.

Chalice Fraser, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

The Hardest Work We Will Ever Do (But – the most important) (continued)

Well, "Now that I know it is important", you might ask, “fine, how do I do it?”  Or you may not ask, but I am going to give you what I have learned, anyway.  

First, forgiveness is a decision.  A decision which says the person I need to forgive owes me nothing.  I totally release him!  For many of us, this decision is not enough.  I know my work of forgiveness is not done when I think about the person or the situation and those old feelings rise in my heart. 

Second, I have to follow James of the Bible’s suggestion – I have to pray for my enemies.  I cannot tell you how it works, but I can tell you it works.  If I pray for the individual, asking God to bless him and give him the desires of his heart, before long the anger, bitterness and resentment goes away.

Again, I can’t explain why or how it works.  I can tell you, though, through my experience and by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ  – it works!

Here are some other helpful Bible verses on forgiveness:

• Ephesians 4:32
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Matthew 6:14-15
• Matthew 18:21-22
• Numbers 14:19-20

Dr. David R. Sain, D.D.S.

www.smileteam4u.com

Halloween Candy Dos and Don'ts:

          

         With Halloween festivities only a few hours away, there is sure to be an abundance of hard, sticky, chewy candy being handed your way. But if you have braces or an orthodontic appliance, use your better judgment and stay clear of such candies. Did you know every time a bracket comes off, it has the potential to add three months to your treatment? Is that Starburst worth wearing your braces several more months?

          You don’t have to miss out on the Halloween candy just because of your braces though. 

There are several “orthodontist-friendly” treats you can eat such as:

• Plain M&M
• Hershey Bars
• Candy Corn
• Kit Kat Bars
• Hershey Kisses
• Three Musketeers
• Malt Balls
• Sweet Tarts
• Peppermint Patties
• Cookies and Cream
• Snow Caps
• Cup Cakes
• Soft Cookies

Be sure to stay away from these Halloween nightmares:

• Caramel
• Bubblegum
• All hard candy
• Taffy
• Licorice
• Nuts
• Jelly beans
• Candy corns
• Popcorn
• Caramel and candy apples

Allie Todd, RDA, CDA
www.smileteam4u.com

What's the Best Way to Clean My Retainer?

Now that your braces are off, you have retainers to help maintain all the hard work you've done over the past few years. Wearing your retainers as prescribed by your orthodontist is extremely important to maintaining your results and the longevity of your beautiful smile.

You may have noticed that over time your retainer can appear dull or even have an unpleasant smell. The best way to keep this from happening is by cleaning your retainer regularly. Ideally, you need to clean your retainer every time you take it out of your mouth and before you put it back in for the night. If you take your retainer out to have a snack or even to drink something, it is best to brush your teeth before putting the retainer back in. The food that is left on your teeth will transfer onto your retainer. Over time that food will harden and removing it from your retainer will be difficult.

So, how do you clean your retainers and what do you use? Luckily, you will not need any special materials to clean your retainer. You can use the same cleaners that you use on your own teeth. Be sure that you always use cold water, use toothpaste and a toothbrush, scrub all surfaces of your retainer, and then rinse them thoroughly. If you feel like your retainer needs some "freshening" you can fill a small bowl with cold water and add Listerine or Scope to help sterilize the retainers. You can even add a cap full of Hydrogen Peroxide to the cold water if you would like.

Replacement retainers can be very expensive; making their care extremely important. Following these simple guidelines can help keep your retainers in their best condition possible as well as keeping your smile beautiful for a lifetime.

Chalice Fraser, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

The Hardest Work We Will Ever Do (But – the most important)!

The Summer Olympics was completed a few weeks ago.  If I could choose one thing in which I want to win a gold medal in, it would be forgiveness.  I want to be a world class forgiver.  I personally think a successful life is not really possible without becoming excellent at forgiveness.

There are a number of sayings about forgiveness that ring true.  A couple of them are:

• Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.

• When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself.

• Unforgiveness turns into resentment, cynicism, and bitterness.  It binds us emotionally and spiritually.  It also can stress us physically to the point of crippling us.

I have heard it said, and I agree, “It’s all about relationships.”  Dr. M. Scott Peck, after his very successful book, The Road Less Traveled, wrote a number of books, including The Different Drum:  Community Making and Peace.  In this book he stresses the important of connectedness and wholeness of community in achieving any kind of mental, emotional, or spiritual health.   When God made Adam, he said it was not good for him to be alone.  Before Jesus really started his ministry, he found 12 men to take the journey with him.  It really is all about relationships.

Being married for 40 years, I have some experience with relationships and the importance of forgiveness.  I don’t care how much we might love someone; we are going to hurt them.  We are human and we all make mistakes and sin against God and our fellow human beings.

Without being a world class forgiver, quality, long term relationships are impossible.  If there is one thing I want to be good at, it is forgiveness.  Without being good at forgiveness, I cannot enjoy the emotional and spiritual wholeness that God has in store for me.

The forgiveness work we may need to do may involve more than just family and close friends.  We may have to forgive coworkers, institutions, governments, churches, judges, deceased parents; the list is endless. 

I do think the hardest work we will ever do is forgiveness.  I also think it is the most important.

To be continued next week – stay turned!

Dr. David R. Sain, DDS
www.smileteam4u.com

Beautiful Things

Have you ever heard the song Beautiful Things by Gungor? If not, I highly encourage you to read the lyrics. This song is a sweet reminder that God will make beauty out of the filth in our lives.

It is so easy for us as humans to have a sense of pessimism when we are faced with troubles. Speaking for myself, my mindset is often "Why me, God? You know I'm not strong enough to handle this!" Our God is not a god of coincidences! If he is putting us through a certain struggle, there is a specific reason for it. Whether it is for our own spiritual growth or so we can help others with their problems, He has a purpose. It's taken me a while to realize this, but it's amazing to see the blessings and good He has brought from my mess. 

We so often pray  for God to simply deliver us from the tribulations we face, but think of the growth and wisdom He'd bless us with if we had prayed for our hardships to bring Him glory! My prayer is we accept the trials with a sense of thankfulness and know he will always make beautiful things out of the dust. 

All this pain

I wonder if I'll ever find my way

I wonder if my life could really change at all

All this earth

Could all that is lost ever be found

Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things 

You make beautiful things out of us

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground 

Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new

You make me new, You are making me new

You are making me new

Allie Todd, CDA RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush and Floss?

picture of healthy teeth and gums

Do you ever notice bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth? Maybe you have noticed your child's mouth bleeds when he/she is brushing or flossing. Though, there are several reasons your gums may be bleeding (some even being indicators of a serious condition) I will mostly be discussing dental reasons your gums are bleeding.

picture of unhealthy gums

After the age of 25, the leading cause of tooth loss is, surprisingly, not due to cavities but, instead, gum disease. So, what causes gum disease? The initial cause of gum disease is inadequate removal of plaque from teeth and gums. As this sticky film (plaque) sits on your teeth it irritates the surrounding tissue (gums or gingiva). Once the irritation begins and goes untreated it then turns into inflammation and results in an infection. This infection is called gingivitis with one side effect being bleeding. If the infection continues to go untreated it will most likely turn into periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often causing shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth).

Here are a few common reasons your gums may be bleeding:

•   inadequate removal of plaque from teeth and gums

•   hormone changes

•   family history

•   trauma or injury

•   smoking

•   drug use

•   some types of cancer

Luckily, if caught early, the effects of gum disease can usually be reversed. Some ways to help reduce bleeding and the progression of gum disease are:

•   brush and floss daily (preferably 3 times a day)

•   rinse your mouth daily with Listerine (or other oral antiseptic)

•   6 months cleanings at your dentist's office

•   cut back on sugars

•   use a soft bristled toothbrush

It can take up to a month to stop the bleeding all together and your gums may even become irritated in the beginning, but soon you should notice the bleeding has stopped. However, if the bleeding continues, you may also want to seek an opinion from your dentists. 

-Chalice, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

A "Braces-Friendly Recipe"

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Italian Sauce and Bowtie Pasta

I thought I would change our blog up a bit and share with you a "Braces-Freindly Recipe". Now, I know you're looking at that picture and thinking, "WOW! She is in the wrong field!" and that my true calling is Bravo's Top Chef, but alas, I cannot take any credit for this picture nor can I take credit for the recipe.

I actually found this recipe on a little website called, Pinterest. I'm sure you've heard of it but if by some chance you have not, you should check it out. Though, I will warn you, make sure your husband/wife does not need you and your kids are sleeping. It can be very addictive!

Well, a few months ago I was searching that little website, Pinterest, looking for a recipe to make for a friend at church who had just had her baby, when I came upon this delicious picture. Of course, after making it for my friend I decided it must be tried on my own little family of four; I was not disappointed (and neither was a single, opinionated person in my family). It is delicious, fairly easy to make, and you can find all of the ingredients in ONE store (which is a huge deal for me).

In order to save some time and space, I have left the link here for you to see the recipe step-by-step (with pictures)!

Happy Eating!

Chalice Fraser, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

What Foods and Drinks Should You Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment?

Typically, the first thing I am asked after placing braces, an appliance, or aligners is: "What foods should I not eat?" The best response I can give is, "Stay away from anything hard, sticky, or chewy." Now, of course there are plenty of exceptions to the rule but, for the most part, if something you are about to eat falls into one of those three categories, it is best to stay away from them.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your braces and appliances in-tacked, while keeping your teeth and aligners nice and bright:

•   Gum - some orthodontists allow you to chew sugar free gum but in our office we recommend staying away from gum all together - due to the style of brackets and appliances we use

•   Taffy/Caramel - obviously, these are extremely sticky and can many times pull your brackets off of your teeth

•   Hard Candies - when biting into hard candies you can cause the bracket to loosen from your teeth

•   Corn on the Cob - biting into anything hard, such as corn on the cob, can cause a bracket to come off, if you really like corn you can always cut it off of the cob

•   Raw Carrot/Apples - just like corn on the cob, biting into anything hard can cause your brackets to come off, but cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces will help to keep your brackets in-tacked 

•   Doritos/Tortilla Chips - these chips are not only hard but also have pointed edges, so they can get stuck between your brackets and irritate your gums, as well as pop brackets off of your teeth

•   Hard Taco Shells - you can substitute a soft taco shell

•   Pizza Crust - most crust is fine to eat unless it is hard or the thin pizza crust. Either way, you should try to be careful

•   Ice - in your glass is fine but not to crunch on

•   Nuts

•   Coffee, Sodas, Dark Juices - these drinks can stain your teeth, so if you do drink any of these, it is best to minimize your intake as well as brushing your teeth right after. The dyes in these drinks can cause your teeth to stain, and if you are wearing Invisalign, it can stain the Invisalign Trays and in-turn make your teeth appear stained

-Chalice Fraser, RDA

www.smileteam4u.com

Church History – The Jesuits

August 15, 1534 marks the day when St. Ignatius of Loyola and six fellow classmates took vows to become Catholic priests. This led to the formation of a new order of priests, the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, in September of 1534. The Jesuits are close to my heart because I had an excellent undergraduate education provided by a Jesuit institution, Regis University.  Regis is one of a few Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. It is a sister school to Boston College, Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, and Georgetown, to name a few. The Jesuits and the first Superior General of the order, St. Ignatius, led the way in establishing excellent educational institutes. They specifically established schools through mission work (predominately in South America and Asia) to give high quality educations in liberal arts, natural and social sciences, performing arts, and the various branches of knowledge, with an emphasis in Christian teaching and theology.

A second benefit we have received from the Jesuits and St. Ignatius in particular, is the writings of St. Ignatius, known as the Spiritual Exercises. This is a compilation of Christian prayers and meditations with a focus on becoming involved in the life of Christ and to live out a relationship with Christ.  These exercises are not meant for clergy alone; they are applicable to lay members of the church congregation for spiritual growth and discernment. The exercises allow one to become involved in the text of Scripture, to consider the perspectives of Jesus, his disciples, and those in the crowds who followed Jesus through his life, ministry, and passion on the cross. It allows us to focus on the intricacies of various passages of scripture in order to become sensitive to the culture, environment, and various opinions of that day and age.

St. Ignatius wrote from the point of view that humans are pulled in two different directions. One direction is toward the grace of God, the other toward the sinful nature. The more people can dedicate themselves to a life of prayer, mediation, and a relationship with Christ, the more spiritual discernment they will gain, which allows them to move in a direction towards God’s grace, rather than toward the sinful nature.  This is supported through Romans 8:5-8:

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”

This is not advocating any sort of works based relationship to earn God’s grace. However, if we dedicate our lives to knowing Christ, through his Word, we will gain wisdom and discernment about life, how to strengthen ourselves to avoid our temptations, and how to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Although I am not Catholic, I believe there are many beneficial ideas and teachings that stem from the Catholic Church, the early Church Fathers, and various church leaders throughout history. I consider the Jesuits to be kind and compassionate, mission driven men who work for the Lord in a lost and lonely world. They work to empower people to take charge of their futures by giving them educations and the tools they need to succeed. Not only do they offer a quality education, they offer spiritual education to reach their students’ hearts and spread the gospel around the world. I would encourage people to participate in the Spiritual Exercises, to consider sending their children to schools that offer classical educations, and to participate in mission work in our own communities and around the world.

Our office has made it a goal to provide wonderful orthodontic care not only through our knowledge of orthodontic treatment, but through establishing and building relationships with our patients. We can only strengthen our relationships with our patients and the community after growing in our relationships with Christ, who gave us the ultimate example of how to lead, serve, and love one another. We appreciate the opportunity to build Christ-centered relationships with our patients and will strive to continue that tradition 

-Stevie Lawrence, CDA
www.smileteam4u.com

What is a Jaw Corrector (Herbst Appliance) and Why Do I Need One?

Jaw Corrector/Herbst Appliance

At Smile Team Orthodontics, we use an appliance called a Herbst Appliance or Jaw Corrector. Maybe you have heard of them or maybe we even recommended one for you. So, what exactly is a Jaw Corrector and why might you need one?

Many times when a Jaw Corrector is recommended it is because the front teeth appear to be too far forward. In approximately 70% of these cases it is not the upper front teeth that are too far forward but, usually, the lower jaw is too far back. If the lower jaw is the problem, an orthopedic (ortho = straight, pedic = bones) appliance, in this case a Jaw Corrector, will help this specific problem.

Jaw Corrector Patient Before and After

 Jaw Corrector Before

Jaw Corrector After

The Jaw Corrector uses a tube and rod mechanism that is attached to the back molars and this places pressure on the lower jaw to help promote lower jaw growth. We also place braces on the front four teeth (top and bottom) to straighten the arches as well as to help the growth of the lower jaw. The Jaw Corrector is typically kept in place for twelve months and if you are in a full phase of treatment we will usually remove the Jaw Corrector and place the rest of your braces for the final portion of your treatment.

As with any appliance, the first couple of week are the "adjustment period". You should expect to have some difficulty speaking and eating. In most cases, patients quickly adjust to the appliance and can speak and eat very well. You should also expect your teeth to be sore but this soreness will diminish in just a few days. The main thing to remember is that the more closely you follow your usual, daily routine the faster you will adjust to your appliance. And remember Smile Team Orthodontics is only a phone call away and we are always available to help in any way that we can. 

-Chalice Fraser, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

What is a Palatal Widening Device and Why Do I Need One?

Palatal Widening Device

One of the most commonly used appliances in our practice is a Palatal Widening Device (AKA: expander). This appliance is a thin bar with a small screw in the middle that can be turned in order to widen the arms of the appliance. We can connect this appliance to the upper first molars, and in some cases if a child needs treatment very early, we can connect this appliance to the upper primary second molars. We teach our patients to take ownership and personal responsibility of their appliance not only by keeping their expander clean, but by teaching them how to “turn” their appliance. Turning the expander moves the arms of the appliance apart to help widen the upper jaw.

This sounds dramatic, however, it is similar to disarticulating a joint.  The roof of our mouth or palate has a suture running up the middle where our jaws connect. Our upper jaw is really plural; we have two upper jaws that fuse together after puberty. Thus, we are able to separate the suture in young children in order to correct certain orthopedic problems.

The orthopedic conditions or problems we are able to correct with a Palatal Widening Device are crossbites of the right or left side, crossbites of both the right and left side, or anterior crossbites (underbites). We like to see the upper teeth on the outside of the lower teeth; when the upper teeth are on the inside of the lower teeth, that is a crossbite. We can also use an expander if a patient is severely crowded and we need to create more space in order to accommodate all of the permanent teeth in the dental arches. The Palatal Widening Device allows us to correct orthopedic conditions for children at early ages before they are finished growing and developing so that patients can avoid corrective jaw surgery to correct any orthopedic conditions as adults.

Not all of our patients need an expander. However, we can determine which patients need this appliance if they are seen at an early enough age (the American Dental Association recommends children be seen by an orthodontist at approximately age seven). If you believe your child may have a crossbite or severe crowding, bring them in to our office for a complimentary exam and allow our doctors to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your child’s orthodontic care.

Stevie 

www.smileteam4u.com

What to Do in Case of an Emergency

What to Do if You Have an Emergency:

Having braces can sometimes be a stressful experience and even more stressful when something goes "wrong". Smile Team Orthodontics has (what we call) an Emergency Phone for just these situations. Now, what qualifies as an emergency and what can wait until the next office day?

Here are some tips to help you determine when you should call our emergency phone:

•   Wire is Poking - Although, we do all we can to ensure you are completely comfortable before you leave our office, sometimes we can't stop things from happening. As your teeth begin to shift (especially after changing to a new wire) your wire can also shift and stick out of the bracket. This can cause discomfort to your cheek, gums, or even lips.

•   Broken Bracket - When we say "broken bracket" we don't necessarily mean that the bracket is actually broken but that it is off of the tooth. This does not always qualify as an emergency, so don't feel pressured to call our emergency phone just because you have a bracket loose. Though, if it is causing you discomfort we want you to call us right away. If the bracket is not causing discomfort it is okay to call our office on the following business day, so that we may schedule an appointment to replace the bracket.

•   Loose/Broken Appliance - Sometimes, your appliance (such as a Jaw Corrector [Herbst] or Expander) can come loose from your teeth. If this happens you should call our emergency phone so that we can get you in as soon as possible to re-seat it.

•   Rubber Band Hook Has Come Off - Wearing your rubber bands is very important and if one of the hooks comes off it can make it extremely difficult to do so. This is one of the easiest things to fix that can have the most signifiant effect on your treatment. This, also, does not necessarily qualify as an emergency, but we do need you to come in as soon as possible so that we can keep your treatment on schedule.

•   Broken/Lost Retainer - After you get your braces off you are given retainers so that we can maintain the changes we have made. If you are not wearing your retainer your teeth will move and then your retainer will no longer fit. It is extremely important to try and wear your retainers every night as instructed. If you happened to lose or break your retainer call our office as soon as possible so that we may see you to replace the retainer. You definitely do not want to have worn braces for nearly 2 years just to have your teeth move back.

•   Sports/Trauma Related Injuries -  A major cause of tooth loss in people under the age of 35 are sports, accidents, and fights. Just like your skin and bones, teeth are at risk for injury. Any type of trauma to your teeth and jaws can be considered an emergency. If you are in doubt, please, call the emergency phone or our office so that we may look and see if there is any thing to be concerned about. And remember, just like when you wear shin guards, helmets, and other body padding it is extremely important to protect your teeth with the proper mouthguard and Smile Team Orthodontics just so happens to have plenty for you to choose from.

Hopefully, this has helped you understand our procedures for "emergencies" and if you are ever in doubt, just call! We are always happy to help you in any way we can.

Chalice Fraser, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com

Freedom in Christ

As the 4^th of July approaches this summer, most people in our communities will be reflecting on freedom in general, the Revolution that freed our people from foreign rule by Great Britain, and the freedom our military brings us each and every day. It is safe to say that many Americans are patriotic and become emotional when watching fireworks, singing our national anthem, and celebrating our blessed independence. The military has always been a great source of pride to many of us because we have served or have family members who have served or are currently serving. I am personally grateful to my parents, who are Air Force Veterans, and my grandfathers who valiantly served in World War II. I have a direct connection to two men who literally fought on a battlefield for my freedom. Just the thought of what my grandfathers faced in battle stirs emotions that bring such gratitude and humility because of my inability to return their service. How much more gratitude and humility should we feel about the Son of God who won the ultimate battle over sin and death and who intercedes for us even today? Nothing compares to the freedom we have in Christ; not even the freedom we enjoy in our country on a daily basis. We are so blessed and should indeed remember the sacrifices made by our military since the 1700s. However, we should also remember that many of those men and women fought believing this nation was great because of its’ reliance on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. My grandfather once wrote,

“May the soul of America never become insensitive to the sacrifices of men who without thought of monetary reward gave themselves unreservedly to the defense of their country in a war that was unquestionably the defining event of the 20th century. We're reaching the end of our expectancy. All will be gone in a few years. Will U.S. citizens know a war was fought? And why? As old vets depart, as we must, our concern is that of eyewitnesses to the sacrifices of war. May those who come after us realize that their freedoms are etched in blood. So soon comes the silence of old war veterans gathered in the bivouacs of the dead awaiting the Lord's trumpet call to the final muster. Such is the faith of those who fought and died in defense of a nation they held inseparable from God.”

Jack Conn, 6^th Marine Division, Pacific Theatre, World War II

A nation inseparable from God! Our forefathers fought and died for a nation they held inseparable from the Living God. Our freedom is not the only thing our ancestors granted us; they passed down the Christian tradition that teaches it is for freedom that Christ set us free from the laws of sin and death! Not only is the freedom of a U.S. citizen etched in our soldier's blood, our freedom is etched in the blood of Christ Jesus. This 4^th of July we pray that you experience freedom in Christ, and of course, thank a veteran!

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV

“You, my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14 NIV

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Stevie 



www.smileteam4u.com

Snakes!

This is not a subject that I am especially fond of, but due to the recent events at my house, I thought I'd share some information.   My son and husband were in the yard throwing the baseball around and my son looked in our birdhouse to see if we had any baby birds.  Baby birds are not what he found!  We had a nice little snake.  After he and my husband got it out, they realized it was quite large ... about 4ft!  Being that it is illegal to kill snakes in Tennessee, they relocated it to a field near our house.  The next week, at the same tree, there was another one, this time not quite as big, only about 1 1/2ft.  He decided to shimmy up the tree to sun a little bit.  A few days later, there was a small one that had been hit in front of our house. Now, the most recent one was found in our garage.  YUCK!  Once again, my son and husband captured it, put it in a bucket and relocated it.  This one was about 4 ft, also.  It appeared that he had just had him a nice little snack, seeing how he had a lump about midway.  He was relocated as well.

My husband emailed Lisa Powers with Froghaven Farms (www.froghavenfarm.com). She is a Biologist/Herpetologist. She is a Biologist/Herpertologist. She identified the snake as Gray Ratsnake/Pantherophis Siploiddes. She said he is perfectly harmless.  We asked why we had seen so many recently.  Her response was the, due to the mild winter and all of the changes we had been experiencing with the weather the snakes are "out more".  We have seen several more in our neighborhood either dead in the road or slithering across the road.  Every time I see them slither, it gives me the shivers!

I posted the picture on my facebook page.  I have a friend that is very animal friendly.  She told me that if they had round eyes, they were good and if they had "cat eyes" they were NOT good.  I told her I was not going to look dreamily into the eyes to see if they were round or not.  Some other responses I received were: 

"Tastes like chicken."

"Looks like a mouse eater."

"Never coming to your house again, EVER!"

"In my book, a dead snake is a good snake."

"It's a snake, which means it is terrifying.  Period."

A friend of mine's husband teaches Science.  She told me that her husband did his Thesis on snakes and that if he sees one in the road, he will pull over and move it so it doesn't get hit.  

I know that snakes are one of God's creatures and they they have a purpose.  I don't have a problem with them if I don't see them and I do appreciate the job they do ... as long as I don't see them.  I looked up Tennessee snakes.  On the website, tennsnakes.org, they say that "Snakes are important to the environment and help to keep nature in balance."  While I know this is true, I still don't like them very much.   In Tennessee, there are 32 species of snakes.  Only 4 of these are venomous.

They also had a message posted from the TWRA:

In Tennessee, it is illegal to harm, kill, remove from the wild, or possess native snakes taken from the wild without the proper permits.

Please help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to protect our native snakes. Do not remove snakes from the wild or release snakes that have been captive into the wild.

Once-captive snakes often don't survive in the wild and can introduce harmful diseases and parasites into the wild.

So, while I hope we don't find any more snakes around our house, I do hope they keep doing their job of eating mice, bugs, and things of that nature.   

-Holly Hughes, RDA
www.smileteam4u.com