Easy Potato Skins | Super Bowl Snack

What to buy: Look for potatoes in 5-pound bags, as they tend to be smaller in size than loose potatoes. Avoid green-spotted or sprouted potatoes—they contain the bitter toxin solanine.

Game plan: Use the leftover scooped potatoes for mashed potato cakes or potato soup.

INGREDIENTS

• 8 (3-inch-long) russet potatoes (about 2 1/4 pounds), scrubbed and thoroughly dried
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick), melted
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 5 to 6 slices cooked, crumbled bacon
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork or sharp knife. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake until the skins are crisp and a knife easily pierces the potatoes, about 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Set the oven to broil.
3. Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch intact; reserve the flesh for another use. Brush the insides of the potatoes with the melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Flip the potatoes over, brush the skin sides with butter, and season with salt and pepper. Evenly space the potato halves skin-side up on a baking sheet and broil until the butter foams and the skins start to crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes (keep a close watch so they don’t burn). Flip the potato halves over and broil until the top edges just start to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes more.
4. Evenly fill each skin with cheese and crumbled bacon. Place in the broiler and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the broiler and top each with 1 teaspoon of the sour cream and a sprinkling of the chives. Serve immediately.

Do You Know What Sets Us Apart?

Everyone on our team understands that your goals in seeking orthodontic care, in addition to your clinical needs, are different from anyone else’s. Instead of a cookie-cutter approach to treatment, we’ll spend time talking with you about your goals in considering orthodontia and reviewing the results of your complimentary evaluation.

Then we’ll create a treatment plan and present it to you, and explain the different steps and options available to develop your new smile. We’ll encourage you to be part of the decision-making process; this is your smile, after all!

Our Commitment to You

As a family-friendly and patient-focused practice, Poser Orthdontics promises to:

• Provide a welcoming, comfortable environment
• Treat you with respect and courtesy at all times
• Be responsive to your questions, and provide you with the answers you need
• Be ethical and honest in all treatment recommendations
• Encourage you to be an educated advocate for your oral health
• Ensure any concerns you might have are listened to and immediately addressed

Give us a call to get started with your orthodontic treatment. Call 262-255-6255 for our Germantown office, or 414-476-2244 for our Wauwatosa office. 

Do You Want A Damon Braces Smile?

Our office is pleased to offer our patients Damon Smile braces. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the archwire, reducing the amount of pressure exerted on the teeth and allowing the teeth to move more freely, quickly, and comfortably. Thanks to these innovative braces, achieving your perfect smile can be faster and easier than you ever thought possible!

Damon braces use a specialized slide in place of elastics to help the wire guide teeth in to place. These slides help reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the tooth. As a result, treatment with Damon Smile is often faster and requires fewer adjustments than traditional braces.

The Damon Smile facilitates healthy tooth movement which may minimize discomfort and create beautiful Damon Smiles that last a lifetime! Contact Poser Orthodontics to get started with Damon Braces in Germantown and Wauwatosa, WI.

Very Berry Smoothie | New Recipe

We know some kids can be fussy when it comes to eating healthy foods, especially when they're dealing with a new set of braces. Changing eating habits to better accommodate new braces, and health is not always easy as healthy food choices tend to look less appealing than a slice of pizza or hard shell tacos. If you want to ensure your kids will intake some healthy fruits and vegetables, we suggest making smoothies for them! Smoothies are a wonderful way to make fruits and veggies appeal to kids, and they're healthy as well as braces friendly.

Here is a new recipe for you to try out this weekend! Enjoy!

Very Berry Smoothie
Loaded with antioxidants, this smoothie is a yummy breakfast option for your kid.

You Will Need:
1 cup fresh or frozen berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
1 cup low fat yogurt
2 small bananas
1/2 cup crushed ice

How To:
Blend the berries, yogurt, sliced bananas, and ice for a minute, or until you get the desired consistency.
Serve fresh.

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Servings: 4
Nutritional Value: calories – 151.2, carbohydrates – 31.3g, protein – 5g, fat – 1.7g, cholesterol – 3.7mg

How Important Is Orthodontics For Your Health?

We know how important it is to regularly visit the dentist to stay on top of our dental and oral health and goals. Dental treatment not only keeps teeth clean, fresh and cavity free, it also helps to monitor the health of the mouth and gums to note issues quickly should they arise.

Just as important as preventative dental treatment, however, is corrective orthodontic treatment – and orthodontics involves much more than a purely cosmetic undertaking.

Did you know...
Orthodontics was the first specialty to arise in the field of dentistry and there is evidence that people even used a version of this more than 2000 ago; ancient mummified remains have been found with metal bands wrapped around individual teeth.

What does orthodontics involve?

Orthodontic treatment involves the correction of misaligned jaws and crooked teeth, and not only ultimately results in a beautiful smile, but also maximizes your overall health and well-being. Misalignment of the bite and teeth, while not a disease in itself, can regardless lead to an array of health problems that over time become chronic and can impact much further throughout the body than just within the mouth.

As well as correcting dental displacement, orthodontics can also be employed to control and modify the growth of the facial bones in order to manage craniofacial abnormalities that may be present from birth or acquired through accident or misadventure.

Orthodontics can benefit you for a healthier, happier life.

Call Poser Orthodontics today for a complimentary evaluation with Dr. Poser and start the New Year with a New Smile!

Mini Eggnog Cheesecackes | NEW RECIPE ALERT

These Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes are perfect for your holiday party dessert table. Not only are they easy to make and delicious, but they make a beautiful display too.

Cute, creamy, delicious, simple to make, and perfect for your holiday party dessert table.
Ingredients

• 1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 2 Tbsp Butter, melted
• 12 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• ½ cup Sugar
• ½ cup Eggnog
• 1 Tbsp Flour
• 1 Egg
• ½ tsp Vanilla
• ½ tsp Nutmeg

Instructions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350.
• Place paper liners in 9 cups of muffin pan.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and melted butter. Mix well.
• Divide between the lined cups, pressing gently to flatten.
• Blend the cream cheese and sugar together until creamy.
• Add in the egg, eggnog, flour, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and vanilla. Mix until blended.
• Divide and spoon into the lined cups to about ¾ full.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until centers are set.
• Allow to cool completely in pan.
• Remove from pan and refrigerate for several hours.
• Top with whipped cream and dust with nutmeg.

Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 mini cheesecake Calories: 259 Fat: 15g Carbohydrates: 25g Sugar: 16gSodium: 231mg Protein: 5g

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Poser Orthodontics!

Simpli5 Offered At Poser Orthodontics

Simpli5 is a revolutionary new system of aligners designed to correct minor imperfections in about five to six weeks. Each set of aligners are customized to fit your mouth and to give you the smile you've always wanted. Simpli5 aligners are designed to correct minor crowding or spacing, and to realign teeth that have already received orthodontic treatment.

If you're interested in orthodontic treatment with Simpli5 aligners, please contact Poser Orthodontics. We can answer any questions you might have and provide a comprehensive consultation to determine if Simpli5 is the best treatment for your smile.

Pumpkin French Toast - NEW FALL RECIPE

Do you like pumpkin flavored everything? We do! We've done some searching for new innovative ways to add pumpkin to your favorite meals and found this delicious recipe for Pumpkin French Toast!  Who will be making these this weekend? 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 9 slices Texas toast (or other white bread such as Challah or French bread)
• Butter, for griddle

Directions

1. Preheat an electric griddle to 350 degrees (a non-stick skillet set over medium heat also works fine). In a mixing bowl whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger until well combined. Pour into a shallow dish.
2. Butter griddle and dip bread into egg mixture (allowing a few seconds for it to absorb mixture. I also squeeze gently to soak the mixture to center), then rotate and coat opposite side. Transfer to griddle and cook until golden brown on bottom, then lift, butter griddle once more and flip french toast to opposite side and cook until golden brown. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Signs Your Child Needs Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment

If your child exhibits the following signs, he or she may be a good candidate for two-phase orthodontic treatment:

• Losing baby teeth early, before five years of age
• Problems with biting or chewing
• Sucking the thumb after age five
• Evidence of a crossbite, where the teeth don’t come together when opening or closing of the mouth
• Teeth are crowded at age seven or eight
• Protruding teeth on the top or bottom

Not all children need to have early treatment, but if your child shows any of these signs, you should bring him or her to us for a complimentary initial evaluation at Poser Orthodontics.

What's The Right Age To Start Orthodontic Treatment?

Though Dr. Poser can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or around 7 years of age. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?

• Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
• Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
• Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• Preserving space for unerupted teeth
• Reducing the need for tooth removal
• Reducing treatment time with braces

Early Evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, Dr. Poser can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal. For more information, call Poser Orthodontics located in Germantown and Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Red, White, & Blue Braces

Are you one of the many people in the Germantown or Wauwatosa area with teeth that just don’t reflect you? Would you like to have perfect teeth in less time than you could imagine? Our new Red, White and Blue clear braces may be right for you! To find out if this revolutionary orthodontic device will help you get the smile you desire, contact Poser Orthodontics today.

Red, White and Blue braces are a fast way to straighten teeth using clear aligners marked with tiny colored dots. Unlike traditional braces, these clear braces get the job done in as little as a few months. Most candidates for these braces need very little movement in order to get their teeth into perfect alignment.

Contact Poser Orthodontics to set up your first appointment and learn more about our orthodontic treatment options.

What is Multi-Phase Orthodontics

Are you aware of Multi-Phased Orthodontics? If not, don’t worry you’re not alone. Multi-Phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that involves facial and jaw changes along with straightening teeth. This process allows Poser Orthodontics to create a healthy functional smile with results that remain stable after treatment. One benefit of Multi-Phase orthodontics in certain cases, it can prevent adult tooth extractions or major jaw surgery.

How does it work?

Multi-Phase orthodontics starts with interceptive orthodontic care. This is a process where Poser Orthodontics intercepts an oral problem before it continues to get unmanageable. Typically, treatment starts with younger children in order to manipulate teeth and growth before it’s too late. The best age for this is between 7 and 10-year-old. With interceptive orthodontics, treatment is about 4 to 12 months with monitoring of the child after that to discuss is possible second phase treatment.

Once a majority of the adult teeth have erupted, another phase of treatment can begin. The average treatment time of Multi-Phase is about 12 months of braces on the teeth. Retainers are worn after treatment to hold the correct position of the teeth.

If you are interested in learning more about Multi-Phase Orthodontics, contact Poser Orthodontics to discuss it more. We love answering questions and providing a solid foundation of information to those who are interested in treatment for their children or themselves. Call us at our Germantown office 262-255-6255 or our Wauwatosa office 414-476-2244.

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.

Summer Tip #1: How to Pack With Braces

If you are wearing braces and are planning a vacation, our team at Poser Orthodontics would suggest that you be prepared. We put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are out of town.

They include:

• Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners
• Travel toothbrush
• A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse
• Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires
• A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth

Putting these items together in a “braces/oral hygiene kit” may be wise. You may even buy pre-made braces kits. Please ask us for more information.

Smile More This Summer

If you are considering straightening your teeth with orthodontic work, this summer is a great time to get started on your journey toward a beautiful smile. While you can straighten your teeth at any time, upcoming barbecues, Fourth of July celebrations, and beach parties make the summer months a great time to improve the appearance and function of your teeth. Orthodontics are appropriate for patients of all ages, and there are many reasons that you should finally take the steps to straighten your teeth.

Improve Your Appearance
With the summer months approaching, you may be working on how to improve your physical appearance. Tanning, exercising, and eating right are likely on your agenda for getting a beach-ready body, but don't forget your smile. A straight smile is a beautiful smile, and straightening your teeth can go a long way in improving your appearance. Straighten your teeth over the summer and be prepared to show off a straighter, more beautiful smile during this year's wedding season.

Straight Teeth are Healthy Teeth
If you choose to straighten your smile this summer, you will be left with healthier teeth. Straight teeth are less likely to experience discoloration, fractures, and uneven wear, and they are less likely to develop cavities. The gums that support straight teeth are healthier than those that support crooked teeth, meaning you can chew and eat anything that you want. Straight teeth are less likely to experience cold or heat sensitivity, and they also lower your risk of developing expensive and painful dental problems.

Boost Your Self Confidence
A great smile is usually the first thing that someone new will notice about you. If you have crooked teeth or an improper bite, you may feel self-conscious of your smile and might try to hide it. Studies have shown that the better you feel about your looks, the better you will also feel about yourself as a whole. This improved self-esteem and confidence can benefit your life in a variety of ways, from dating and socialization to greater career opportunities at work, so consider straightening your teeth this summer.

If you are ready to get that straight smile you deserve, call Poser Orthodontics today at
262-255-6255 to make your appointment today!

The Skinny On Eating With Damon Braces

Damon braces are a unique type of self-ligating braces that allow you to eliminate the rubber bands that cause so much trouble for traditional braces wearers. These braces use a steady pattern of pressure to correct your teeth, and they can shift your teeth more rapidly than traditional braces can.

The unique design of Damon braces helps to reduce the buildup of food particles and debris that can tend to get lodged in the brackets of traditional metal braces. Thus, eating with Damon braces can actually be easier because your cleaning job is simpler.

There are several different foods that you might want to focus on during your early days with Damon braces. The most important thing to remember is that you need to focus on soft foods and non-chewy foods immediately after you get your Damon braces. Remember to chew carefully and evenly as you start to adjust to your new braces.

As you become comfortable with the braces, consider gradually re-introducing the crunchier and harder foods that you usually enjoy. Most Damon braces patients are able to eat virtually anything that they usually can, as long as caution is used. However, particularly chewy foods, for example taffy, are something that you might want to avoid in general.

Some patients tell us that they are successful in eating all the same foods they did prior to braces! Overall, you can expect a very smooth transition into wearing braces, and you will be able to enjoy remarkably fast smile correction at the same time.

If you are curious about Damon braces or if you have specific questions about how they can help you, please feel free to contact our Poser Orthodontics Germantown or Wauwatosa, WI office anytime!

Braces Friendly Breakfast Recipe

Whether you're new to wearing braces or have had them for a while, you probably noticed that certain foods are hard to enjoy while being treated for orthodontics. Instead of loading up a list of things you can't eat, we suggest creating a list of new foods and recipes you can eat. This makes wearing braces a pleasurable experience that will leave your smile, and your tummy, very happy!

To help you start this positive orthodontic experience Poser Orthodontics found a new recipe that is braces friendly and taste buds approved! Check it out below.

Apple-Maple French Toast

Ingredients 

• Vegetarian 
• Produce 
• 3 Apples 
• Refrigerated 
• 6 Eggs 

Condiments 

• 1/2 cup Maple syrup 
• Baking & Spices 
• 1 Cinnamon, Ground 
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract 
• Bread & Baked Goods -6 slices Bread 

Dairy

• 2 tbsp Butter 
• 1 cup Milk 

Liquids

• 2 tbsp Water 

Directions:
1. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of ground cinnamon in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the bread in a single layer, turning until all the egg is absorbed.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter, and add apples, stirring to coat until starting to caramelize. Add the water, cooking until water has evaporated and apples are tender, about 4 minutes.

3. Pour in the maple syrup and a dash of ground cinnamon; simmer for a minute to combine.

4. In a large, heated nonstick skillet, melt about 1 tablespoon butter and saute the soaked bread until golden brown on each side, about 4 minutes. Place French toast on a plate and top with apple-maple mixture, plus more butter if you'd like!

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!