Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

If you want to celebrate National S'mores Day today, we encourage you to do so! Take our s'mores challenge and try something different by adding some flare to your s'mores! Try out this new s'more recipe and let us know what you think!

Do you have a s'more recipe you'd like to share with us? Post it on our Facebook wall!

Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 large chocolate chip cookies
• 4 teaspoons hot fudge ice cream topping
• 4 large marshmallows
• 4 peanut butter cups

Directions

• Spread the bottoms of four cookies with fudge topping.
• Using a long-handled fork, grill marshmallows 6 in. from medium-hot heat until golden brown, turning occasionally. Carefully place a marshmallow and a peanut butter cup on each fudge-topped cookie; top with remaining cookies. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Poser Ortho Smiles of the Week

At Poser Orthodontics, we pride ourselves in providing the best care to the best patients in the Wauwatosa and Germantown areas. As we celebrate with our patients who just got braces put on, or just finished their braces and enter into retention, we love capturing every moment throughout the process and all the moments in between if we can!

Check out a few patients who flashed their #PoserOrtho this week at the office.

Do you want to be showcased on our blog? Take a picture at your next appointment at Poser Orthodontics and we will share it on our Facebook page or post it on our blog!

You Have Braces...So Why Do You Still Need To See Your Dentist?

So you have a mouth full braces, you see your orthodontist for an examination and adjustment every 6-8 weeks and your hygienist has a poke around too….so why do you need to visit the dentist?

When we work on your braces, we are not looking specifically for any cavities and anything we do notice is a by-product of monitoring your oral health from an orthodontic perspective. Even if we did find something suspicious we don’t have the facilities to deal with it.

For this reason, we advise you to maintain your regular dental checkup schedule. Ideally, a visit to your general dentist once every 6 months is good.

The other important thing to remember is that your oral hygiene needs to be flawless. The appliances that are in your mouth are a magnet for plaque buildup, unfortunately. If you are a bit lax with brushing and rinsing out your mouth after eating, you may just find that you have a beautiful straight smile with stained teeth.

While having braces does not increase the risk of cavities, not caring for your teeth and having braces does.

Remember to brush or rinse after eating.  Just swishing water around your mouth if you can’t brush during the day is better than leaving food debris in your braces or appliances. Then, brush thoroughly morning and night the way you were shown at your appointment.

If you can’t remember, ask for a brushing refresher next time you visit and one of our handy mirror clings. Or, you can always visit our website for more information. Click here to view it now.

Common Friday the 13th Superstitions

Today is Friday the 13th! Did you know Friday the 13th is the most feared day in the United States? It's estimated that 17-20 million people actually fear this day and have tons of superstitions about it. Whether you believe it's unlucky or not, it is still fun to give into they hype and play along with some of these superstitions. We thought we would step back from our usual orthodontic related blog and have a little fun today! There is nothing that brings more joy to us at Poser Orthodontics than putting a smile on your face!

Keep reading to learn about 3 popular Friday the 13th Superstitions!

Common Friday the 13th Superstitions:

1. A rabbit's foot will bring you luck. Talismans and amulets are a time-honored way of fending off evil; consider the crosses and garlic that are supposed to keep vampires at bay. Rabbit feet as talismans may hark back to early Celtic tribes in Britain.
2. Beware of black cats crossing your path.  So why keep a black cat out of your path? Most likely, this superstition arises from old beliefs in witches and their animal familiars, which were often said to take the form of domestic animals like cats. 
3. Careful with that mirror.  According to folklore, breaking a mirror is a surefire way to doom yourself to seven years of bad luck. The superstition seems to arise from the belief that mirrors don't just reflect your image.

We hope you have a safe & lucky Friday the 13th! Do you know of any funny or outrageous superstitions? Post them below or on our Facebook wall! 

When do you need a mouth guard?

Poser Orthodontics wants to remind patients, coaches and athletes to play it safe when suiting up for recreational and organized sports. Since April is National Facial Protection Month, we wanted to share some info with you about a small piece of safety equipment that can make a big difference in preventing head or facial injuries; a mouth guard.

Protect those smiles this spring by wearing a mouth guard. Curious as to when you need to wear a mouth guard? That’s simple. You need a mouth guard any time you participate in sports, or physical activities. By wearing a mouth guard, you can reduce the risk of knocking out teeth or breaking your jaw; both major injures that can be costly to your body as well as your wallet.

Mouth guards are a smart investment for your health, so be sure to make the use of a mouth guard a routine. Many injures can be far less severe or even prevented just by wearing this safety piece. Please contact Poser Orthodontics if you have any further questions regarding protecting your smile or purchasing mouth guards.

National Pound Cake Day

This may sound a little odd, but today is National Pound Cake Day.National Pound Cake Day is annually observed in the United States on March 4th. Pound cake lovers, near and far, can celebrate with a slice (or two) of this delicious rich delight.

Traditionally, the name Pound Cake comes from the recipe itself. The recipe for pound cake makes a cake much larger than most families can consume, as it calls for a pound each of flour, butter, eggs and sugar.  You mix these ingredients together and bake to create a delicious moist cake ready for any toppings you'd like to add!

Check out this awesome video we found showing you how to make a pound cake using a blender!

We hope you enjoy this video. Do you have a good pound cake recipe you would like to share? Post it on our Facebook page & we will share it with our Facebook fans!

Myth or Fact

So we all know someone who has a friend who has a cousin who knows a guy...so the story must be true.

Oh those myths and how we love to believe them all. No...we aren't talking about mixing Pop Rocks candy with Coca-Cola, we're talking about the myths surrounding the Orthodontic World...you know, the really scary ones.

There are many legends and myths about orthodontics, some of which have become so commonplace that they are now believed to be legitimate. Well...guess what? Even if you know the guy who has the cousin who has the friend that the story happened to...it's myth.

Myth: Only children and teens need to visit an orthodontist. 



Fact: Braces are not just for kids. More and more adults today are seeking the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important at any age.

Myth: Braces interfere with radio signals and electronic devices.

Fact: In theory any metal can act as an antenna, but braces are really bad ones. Radio signals are modulated electro-magnetic waves transmitted through the air. In order for these transmitted signals to travel well in air, they must be sent at high-frequencies. This is achieved through modulation. Even if someone's tooth could receive these frequencies, it would have to be decoded to actually hear real messages.

Myth: Braces are just for cosmetic purposes and aren’t necessary for your overall dental health.

Fact: While braces can definitely help you get that beautiful smile, they aren’t just for cosmetic improvement. Well aligned teeth can facilitate good oral hygiene making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, resolving certain orthodontic problems with the use of braces can improve your ability to speak, chew, and even breathe.

Myth: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning?

Fact: The chances of a person getting struck by are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any one year, the chance you will be struck by lighting is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing.

Myth: If there was a giant magnet overhead, anyone who is wearing braces would get stuck to it.
Fact: Braces are made of materials which are non-magnetic in nature. Therefore getting stuck to a giant magnet is highly unlikely...and really, where is this giant magnet anyways?

So fear no more...Orthodontic myths are just that...MYTHS. No matter what your friend's cousin's brother says.

Your Smile Is A Lifelong Investment

When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment.

For your convenience, we do offer different methods of payment, including interest-free monthly payment plans and credit card payments. We will discuss these payment options and assist in determining the best plan for you.

Our office will assist those who have orthodontic insurance by submitting the necessary information. Insurance companies vary greatly in the type and extent of coverage available. Most misunderstandings about insurance can be eliminated if you are familiar with your policy:

• Be sure that you do have orthodontic coverage. Not all dental plans provide orthodontic benefits.
• Inquire if there is an age limitation as some orthodontic plans can expire at age 18.
• Be aware of the percentage which will be paid by your insurance and the amount of lifetime benefits provided by your plan.

Braces Are Great At Any Age

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

Don't forget to check out our FaceBook page and post your comments letting us know what you think of our blog!

Treatment Troublemakers

Successful orthodontic treatment depends upon our patient exercising reasonable care in avoiding hard or chewy substances which will damage braces or other orthodontic appliances.

Please Stay Away From These Troublemakers:

• Sticky foods like taffy and caramels
• Crunchy foods like pretzels, popcorn, and nuts
• Vegetables and fruits such as apples and raw carrots should be cut into small pieces
• Do not open sports bottles with your teeth
• Biting on things like pen caps, pencils, ice or fingernails

It is impossible to list all the types of food that need to be avoided, so please use common sense in your selections.

If you experience a problem with a loose bracket, band, or other orthodontic appliance, please call us at Poser Orthodontics as soon as possible during regular office hours. That will allow us to schedule the additional time necessary for the repair.

Calling All Cheeseheads

We are excited to announce we have a new contest going on this month for our patients. It’s easy to enter and we have 2 awesome prizes up for grabs!

Can you guess how many mac & cheese noodles are in this jar?

#PoserCheesehead

To enter:

1. Go to our Facebook Page

2. LIKE US

3. Post your guess with your name, and office you are seen at.

4. Use #Posercheesehead

Two winners will be announced, one from both of our offices. Each winner will get a Green Bay Packers gift basket!

The contest will run January 1-January 29th!