Celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month!

Everyone knows that we celebrate Halloween in October, but not everyone knows that October is 
National Orthodontic Health Month.  


While every month at Prose Orthodontics we strive to raise awareness of the importance of good orthodontic health, National Orthodontic Health Month aims to recognize the dedicated work of this country's orthodontists and other dental professionals.  



We love Halloween at Prose Orthodontics, but we would like to remind all of our patients with braces to avoid those Halloween goodies that can damage or break your brackets or wires.  Even though it is tempting to eat hard, crunchy, gooey treats on Halloween, those types of candies are "brace-busters!"  Click here to view a great "treat" list that won't play a "trick" on your braces!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!
#AwesomeProseSmiles

Scheduling Appointments

At Prose Orthodontics our patients are seen about every 8-10 weeks for regular visits.  These appointments typically take 15-30 minutes and can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you - in the morning, after school or work, or during lunch.  

At certain times during orthodontic treatment, we may need longer appointment time.  Examples of these visits are: initial placement of braces, adding braces, replacing a loose brace, and removal of braces.  While we make every effort of provide convenient scheduling options, these longer appointments are scheduled during each day, usually in the morning or early afternoon.

We realize that everyone has busy schedules.  Therefore, we make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us.  While every appointment is crucial to the success of your treatment, we understand that sometimes events may cause you to change or overlook an appointment.   If you can't keep an appointment or are running late please call to let us know as soon as possible. We will offer you our next available appointment.  Keep in mind that missed appointments can extend your treatment time.

You will always receive an automated appointment reminder as long as we have your current phone number.  If you would you like to receive email or text reminders please register with T-Link by clicking here, text: drprose to 622622 or scan the QR code below.

Orthodontic treatment and rubber bands

Wearing rubber bands during your orthodontic treatment

There may come a time during your orthodontic treatment when you are asked to wear rubber bands.  They are an important part of your treatment and it is important to follow the instructions given to you.  

These small, elastic bands add the needed force to align teeth, correct an overbite, or correct an underbite.  The rubber bands or elastics come in many different sizes, strengths, and colors and are fit specifically for you.  You will be instructed on where to place the rubber bands and also how many hours per day they are to be worn.  They can be removed to eat and also to brush your teeth.  After you brush, always remember to replace your rubber bands with new ones that Prose Orthodontics supplies for you.

If you are instructed to wear them full time, that means 21-22 hours per day. 

Think of the rubber bands as the force that pushes a car uphill - the continued force the faster the car will get up the hill. If you stop the force the car will roll back down the hill and you will be back where you started.  

Teeth can't guess where they are supposed to be in your mouth.  Their position is a result of force over a continued period of time.

Keep your orthodontic treatment on schedule and make sure to wear your rubber bands as instructed!  Please ask anyone at Prose Orthodontics for more information regarding rubber bands.

Prose Orthodontics knows that a clean mouth is a happy mouth!!!

Nothing makes us happier than when we see your smiling face and your clean teeth and braces! 

Clean teeth and braces means that you have been working hard to prevent food from getting trapped under your wires and in between your teeth.  Always be thorough when you brush.  Here are some tips to keep your teeth (and us) smiling proud...

• Tooth brushing is all about angles.  
• Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down.  
• Brush the bottom of your teeth and braces with the brush angled up. 
• "Christmas tree" or interproximal brushes are great for reaching the tiny spots around your braces and under your wires.
• Brush after every meal.  You don't want to leave food sitting on your teeth or braces because it will turn into plaque if left long enough.  Plaque is a sign of an unhappy mouth!
• Don't skip flossing!  Use floss threaders to make the job easier and try to floss after every meal.

Visit our website for more helpful hints.

http://proseorthodontics.com/braces/#brushing  

TIPS FOR AVOIDING AND HANDLING ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES

Taking care of your braces throughout your treatment is the best way to avoid orthodontic emergencies.  However, emergencies happen, and not always at the best time!   Sometimes no matter how careful you are or how well you care for your braces, the wires get long, brackets come loose, or you experience orthodontic discomfort.  

Some common emergencies are loose brackets, poking wires, mouth sores, lost or broken retainers, and mouth injuries sustained playing sports.

WHAT TO EAT

It is very important to not eat foods that can damage your braces and wires.  All sticky, crunchy, chewy, and hard foods should be avoided during your entire treatment.  While it seems like a long time to go without, these types of foods can loosen the brackets and bend the wires.  

If a bracket comes loose or comes off of the wire, put the bracket in a bag, and call us at 630.584.6555 to set up a repair appointment.  If a wire comes out of a bracket you can try to put it back in or you can call us and we will be happy to fix it.  

DISCOMFORT

You will experience some discomfort after your braces are first placed or after your wires are changed. That discomfort should only last a few days and over the counter pain medication can help give you relief. If you are still experiencing discomfort after 4-5 days, however, it would be a good idea to call Prose Orthodontics.  

In between appointments your wires make get too long and start to poke.  Don't try to trim the wire yourself.  Please call the office to set up an appointment and we will take care of the poking wire for you.

PLAYING SPORTS

Sports related injuries to the mouth and jaw are common and the best way to protect your teeth and braces is to wear a mouthguard.  We have mouthguards in the office and will be happy to give you the appropriate one for your sport.

RETAINERS

Your retainers are so important to maintain your Prose smile.  If by chance a pet gets a hold of one of your retainers please call us to have it replaced for a fee. We will need to take an impression to make you a new retainer.  If your retainer develops a crack please call the office and set up an appointment to have your retainer evaluated.  

Your lower retainer will need to be repaired if it becomes loose.  If it happens to come out, please save it, and call us to set up a repair appointment.  

You never want to go too long without your retainers!

Most orthodontic emergencies do not require an immediate appointment. Please refer to http://proseorthodontics.com/braces/ for more information.  

If you have any questions or would like more tips please ask any team member at Prose Orthodontics.  

  

May is National Teen Self Esteem Month

National Teen Self Esteem Month is designed to focus attention on the importance of teens having a healthy outlook of themselves and figure out ways in which we can support them in that development.

Building and maintaining self esteem is a process that happens throughout the year and Prose Orthodontics is here to help.  Below are some interesting facts regarding straight smiles...

• The Want List: Having an attractive smile is something important to many Americans. Close to three in five (57%) Americans would rather have a nice smile than clear skin. What's more, 87% would forego something for a year in order to have a nice smile for the rest of their life; more than one-third of these folks would give up dessert (39%) or vacations (37%).

• Making a Lasting impression: It's important to have attractive teeth as part of a smile because pearly whites make a lasting first impression.Nearly one-third (29%) of Americans say the first aspect of someone's face they typically notice is his or her teeth, and 24% say this is also the facial aspect that they remember the most after meeting someone.

• A Nice Smile Goes a Long Way: Nearly three in four (73%) Americans would be more likely to trust someone with a nice smile than someone with a good job, outfit, or car.  

Not all teens are that excited at the thought of metal brackets, however, metal brackets aren't the only option to achieve a beautiful smile. Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time.  Dr. Prose is a 2016 Preferred Provider of Invisalign.  

Please contact us today for more information on how we can work together to help develop a positive and healthy self image!

Spring is right around the corner.

Play it safe this spring!

Spring is almost here and we want to remind our patients at Prose Orthodontics to protect their faces and teeth while out on the playing fields.  Children, high-school athletes, and adults have more than 5 million teeth are knocked out in sporting events each year, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation.

If you are planning on, or playing in, a spring sport it is important to have a proper-fitting mouthguard.  Mouthguards can prevent chipped or broken teeth, lip and cheek injuries, jaw fractures, and even concussions.

If you are currently wearing braces we have mouthguards in the office that will fit over your braces and protect your teeth and brackets.  If you don't have braces you will want to protect your Prose smile with a custom mouthguard. Please call 630.584.6555 with any questions.