Foods to avoid during your orthodontic treatment

There are a variety of foods Dr. Allen wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to Allen Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit. We also encourage you to check out this helpful article on eating with braces, courtesy of Parenthood.com.

What can I expect during my consultation?

When you first come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Allen will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. Dr. Allen will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help Dr. Allen when examining your diagnostic records).

At your second appointment, Dr. Allen will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Allen can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Allen Orthodontics. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand Dr. Allen’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

Visualize your new smile with the Brace Painter!

Braces at Allen Orthodontics are more fun than ever! With the Brace Painter, parents and children are able to “paint their braces,” and visualize how teeth will look with different colors of bands.

Would you like to try out green and gold bands this March, without the commitment of an all-out St. Patrick's Day look? The Brace Painter allows for you to select different colors, and then assign those colors of bands to certain teeth. Now, you can visualize your braces before you even come in for your appointment!

As always, please let Dr. Allen know if you have any questions about the Brace Painter, or your orthodontic treatment at Allen Orthodontics. Have a great week!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That’s why Dr. Allen and team at Allen Orthodontics thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Allen Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Allen Orthodontics Asks: "How Many Conversation Hearts Are in the Jar?"

Dr. Allen and our team at Allen Orthodontics love creating a pleasant atmosphere by not only proving excellent orthodontic care, but also through offering fun patient contests. This Valentine's Day Allen Orthodontics wants to know: "How many conversation hearts are in the jar?" We encourage patients to make their guess at the number of conversation hearts in the jar, and enter our drawing for a chance to win a Buca di Beppo gift card and movie tickets.

Please include your name, phone number and guess on a paper heart!

Happy Valentine’s Day! From, Dr. Allen & staff

Allen Orthodontics asks: Who will win the BIG game?

The moment of truth is nearly here, as the outcome of this Sunday's game at Cowboys Stadium will determine the NFL champion for the 2010 season. Who will win? Will you be cheering on the Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburg Steelers? Our team at Allen Orthodontics wants to see your dark green and gold or black and gold spirit. Write your name and phone number on a green football for Green Bay or a Silver football for Pittsburg, and enter our drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

May be the best team win!

Patient Question: Can I benefit from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Allen will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!