7, 8, Keep Them Straight

For anyone going through braces treatment, it's pretty much common knowledge that you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth straight after your braces have been removed.

We probably told you that you will need to wear your retainer full time, which means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We know...24 hours a day, 7 days a week sounds like braces all over again. But really, wearing your retainer couldn't be more important.  

Fact of the matter is…your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. Your teeth are held in place by a network of fibers. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position, it takes months for the fibers to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift out of alignment. You may think that your teeth don’t look any different initially, but just because you can’t see the change, doesn’t mean your teeth haven’t moved. And if you continually go without wearing your retainer, your teeth will continue to move until the misalignment is visibly noticeable. 

So again...just to be clear.

If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your nice straight teeth will move out of alignment and back into their crooked places…just as if you never even had braces at all.

Photo provided by Poser Orthodontics

 We know you didn't go through orthodontic treatment just to have your teeth go back to being crooked. So…if you want to keep that perfect smile, wearing your retainer is a MUST. 

Wearing your retainer faithfully will maintain your beautiful, healthy smile.

Seventh Heaven

Did you know that every child should be seen by an orthodontic specialist as early as the age of seven? 

It's true. Early diagnosis and treatment by an orthodontic professional can help correct small problems before they turn into big problems.

We know...seven years old sounds way too early to be thinking about braces for your child. And if you're like most people, when you think braces...you think teenager. In most cases that's true. However, seeing an orthodontist at the age of seven doesn't necessarily mean braces at age seven. But early diagnosis can help avoid more extensive treatment in the future after the teeth, jaw and face have already developed.

Think of it this way...we take our car in for a tune-up. Nothing is wrong with our car as far as we can tell, but we take it in for a check-up to insure nothing major will go wrong in the future. That's just what Interceptive Treatment is...making sure we avoid major problems later in life.

So, if you or your general dentist notices your child has difficulty chewing, is mouth-breathing, is sucking on his/her thumb or fingers or has misaligned teeth...come in and see Dr. Poser. He will let you know if orthodontic treatment is necessary now or if it can wait until later.

There is no fee for your initial consultation. So, if you have a child and you are concerned that that child may need orthodontic treatment...give us a call and let Dr. Poser and his staff provide your child with the opportunity to feel good about themselves and smile with confidence!

A Rose by Any Other Name is...MOM

With Mother's day right around the corner, you may be wondering what to get the woman who has everything.

Photo Provided by urbanicpaper.com

It's pretty easy to go out and buy a box of candy or a shirt or a bottle of perfume, but those things don't really relay just how much you care for the most important woman in your life. This year, show mom exactly what she means to you by making her something that she can enjoy every single day.

Now all women pretty much love receiving flowers, so here are a few ideas to put some love and flare into an otherwise traditional gift.

Etched Glass Vase

Photo Provided by huffingtonpost.com

Making mom this custom etched glass vase is very simple...anyone over the age of 5 can do it. It just takes a little etching cream and some sticker transfers...and in six easy steps, you've got yourself the most beautiful floral vase anyone can ask for.

Mason Jar Vase

Photo Provided by christinasadventures

This is a simple and inexpensive idea that children of any age can create. You can make several different colored jars in different sizes and mom can use them all around the house. Get creative, instead of your hand print on the outside of the jar...write mom's name or wrap the jar with a pretty ribbon. Let your imagination and love for mom shine through.

Decorative Yarn Vase

Photo Provided by allyou.com

Now this idea is the absolute cutest! And what better way to add that personal, loving touch to a bouquet of flowers for mom on her special day? All it takes is some yarn and any glass cylinder or vase. Just wrap as little or as much of the vase as you like, add a few buttons or pearl beads, fill with a wonderful arrangement of spring flowers...and perfection! The best Mother's Day gift ever!

Now get to work and show mom just how much you love her!