We’re Sharing Smiles, Not Germs

Much has changed since we saw you last and we wanted to update you on our office and the steps we have taken to ensure we do everything possible to keep our patients and team healthy. 

 

 

Here are some things to know when preparing for your next appointment:

1. Send your child in or call us so that we can come out and meet them at the vehicle. 
2. We ask that parents wait in the car during their child’s appointment. 
3. The waiting room will be closed. 
4. The game room will be closed. 
5. We will check your temperature before entering the office. 
6. We will ask each patient to sanitize each their hands. 
7. Our team will be wearing protective gear to keep everyone safe. 
8. We take extra care in sanitizing out tools. 
9. Please brush your teeth before your appointment as the brushing station will be closed. 
10. Each chair is six feet apart to social distance. 
11. Parent’s can facetime their children during their appointment if necessary. 
12. We will provide a report on the next appointment and make your next appointment for you, which you can call to reschedule if needed. 
13. We will walk your child back to the car after their appointment is finished.

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing patients and families that we get the privilege of working with everyday. You all have been so patient, understanding, and kind as we process and navigate through our current situation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding ournew safety precautions, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

We are in this together. We can't wait to see your smiles again soon!

3 Health Tips for the New Year

Happy New Year! The new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect and set new goals. One of the most important goals we can set for ourselves is to create or keep up with healthy habits. We are so proud to serve our Ann Arbor and Tecumseh communities. Here are 3 healthy tips to help you start a healthy oral hygiene routine.

1. Floss! Floss! Floss! Flossing every day is even more important when you have braces. If you’re having trouble flossing, just use a floss threader with regular floss, or buy special stiff-tipped floss made for braces wearers.
2. New Toothbrush: It's a new season and a new year, one of the most simple ways to keep up with your habits is to switch out your toothbrush. If you are using an electric toothbrush, you should switch out the toothbrush head as well.
3. Use Mouthwash: Using mouthwash, especially during orthodontic treatment is so important. Mouthwash can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gums.

Our philosophy at Hinesly Orthodontics is combining art, science, and expertise to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible. Schedule a consultation directly online at either of our Ann Arbor or Tecumseh locations.

May Podcast Recap: Thumb-sucking

This month, our monthly podcast is about thumb sucking. One of the most common questions we receive from worried parents is “how can we get our child to stop sucking their thumb?”

Thumb sucking can be a source of comfort and stress for children, especially children younger than 5 years old. Thumb, finger sucking or using a pacifier, teaches kids to self sooth, which is a developmental coping mechanism. Too long of this habit, can impact the development of jaws and the palette.

More than ¾ of infants suck their thumb or fingers through first year of life. Most experts agree that a thumb sucker younger than five should not be pressured to stop. Most will stop before entering kindergarten, however there is still a 1 in 5 chance that your child will still suck their thumbs pass the age of five.

Usually kids stop between the age of 3 and 4.

“Because the thumb is in the palette, in can cause cross bites. Larger spaces develop between the teeth.” – Dr. Hinesly

Before insisting the child quit cold turkey, its important to observe how deeply entrenched the habit has become. How often and in front of whom? If it happens only at bed time or in front of family members, it is less serious, than if it is at school or in social situations.

What can parents do?

Contact our office for more advice or questions, we have helped many families. Give us a call at 

We’ve All Suffered From Pizza Burn, Right?

According to Gallop Poll, approximately 3 billion pizzas are sold in the US every year, and we consume about 251,777,000 pounds of pizza per year. If you’ve done your fair share of eating some of the 3 billion pizzas sold nationwide, then chances are you’ve also had your time of suffering from pizza burn. Pizza burn can happen in that micro second it takes to indulge in your first bite of that hot, cheesy, saucy pizza that you just could not wait to bite into. Though burns may be a little out of the orthodontists’ league, we wanted to take a second anyway and give you some helpful tips to get you through the pizza burn pain. When it comes to your mouth, Hinesly Orthodontics has you covered.

So whether it is a pizza burn, or another hot food you should have waited on before biting into, chances are you’ve burned your mouth before. There are several symptoms that can occur with this unfortunate mishap, from tears in the roof of your mouth to blisters. Check out these important steps to take to soothe your mouth next time you have this accident, and help it heal correctly.

Applying or sucking on ice can relieve the stinging. Gargling cold water or eating ice cream are other options.

An over-the-counter pain reliever can help, if the pain is really distracting.

Squeezing Vitamin E from a capsule over the wound can speed up healing. It will regenerate new tissue and heal the wound.

Resist touching the burned area. This may be difficult, but by touching the affected area, the lesion may become irritated further.

Drinking milk can coat the scorched area.

Avoid acidic, crunchy, and other hot foods, or even very salty and spicy dressings. This will stop the burn from getting irritated further.

Maintain good oral hygiene while your mouth is burnt, keeping it as clean as possible to promote healing and prevent further infection.

Make sure you allow your burn to heal; it usually takes about a week for soreness and blistering to pass. Also, let us know if you have any home remedies that we didn’t list, or any interesting stories about a time you burned your mouth. Leave a comment or post it on our Facebook wall! Also, check out this video we found with more helpful tips for fighting pizza burn!

Back To School With Braces

Caring for braces especially for students in school can be quiet hectic due to the restrictive devotions to maintain the braces and for this reason, Hinesly Orthodontics has decided to put up an article which will make caring for orthodontic braces easy in school. As a student who just had an orthodontic treatment, you should be rest assured that it is the best that can happen to give you the perfect smile again but the care for your teeth and gums help make it very effective. Take a look at your new braces, you can notice a lot of nooks and crannies that can trap food and plaque and that means a great risk of tooth decay is imminent if not properly cared for, therefore you need to pay special attention to cleaning your teeth. This might look hectic but right here the team of Hinesly Orthodontics has a few great tips to keep your braces in top condition.

1. WATCH YOUR DIET

As an orthodontic patient with braces, it is very important for you to select your diet with caution. We know that there are several foods in school which tastes great but don't look great in your braces. Certain foods can either break a bracket or some foods are sugary and can have negative effects on the natural ability to brush behind the bracket. Be sure to make decisions on foods based on what is healthy, tasty, and won't harm your brackets.

Food to avoid: As an orthodontic patient we would advise that you desist from:

• Sticky or gooey foods 
• Hard foods
• Sugary foods
• Acidic drinks 

2. WEAR A MOUTHGUARD
With braces on your teeth, you might be wondering if you should desist from sports or retire from being the captain of your favorite sports team, but the truth is orthodontics does not affect your ability to play sports. You can keep on with your braces and sports if and only if you have your mouth guard on. Mouth guards are safety measures that can mean the difference between just a bruised, fat lips and thousands spent in orthodontics repair work. While you are in any kind of physical activity (including gym classes), it is advisable that you wear a mouth guard which can protect your teeth and braces from flying sports balls, swinging elbows or an accidental fall or hit.

3. BRUSH AND FLOSS REGULARLY
Braces can easily trap food, and this trapped food can lead to other inimical dental problems. Because of this, it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal and to floss at least once a day.

4. DON'T CHEW ON PENCILS
Pencils, pen, and rulers are all hard objects and most times when you get bored, anxious or plainly destructive you are tempted to chew on them in class. Obviously, this can be destructive in the moment and can be grossly inimical over time. It is important that you don't practice these habits while wearing braces.

We know that maintaining braces in school is can be tough. That is why we ensure to give you the best plans of action to help you out.

For more questions and inquiries that you may have, we are always at your service. You can always contact Hinesly Orthodontics.

There's No Age Limit On A Beautiful and Healthy Smile

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.

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. Some adults shy away from braces because they want to avoid having a mouth full of metal. Fortunately, with the advancement of technology we have also advanced our treatment options.

Options for adult braces include:

Traditional metal braces

"Clear" ceramic braces

Ceramic braces are similar to traditional braces, but their brackets are made of tooth-colored

porcelain, and so only the connecting wires are visible.

Lingual braces

These braces are attached to the back of the teeth, facing the tongue. Though you cannot see lingual braces, they can be irritating to the tongue and may be more difficult for your orthodontist to adjust.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are custom-fitted, removable appliances that are placed over your teeth. The major advantages are that aligners are essentially invisible and are easier to clean than braces because they can be removed during eating. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, and then put on a new pair to further adjust your teeth. 

                

Don't let you age be the reason you pursue a healthy and beautiful smile. Contact us today for a consultation to find out what treatment options may be best for you. 

Benefits Of A Beautiful Smile

Everyone wants a naturally aligned and beautiful smile, and it is no secret that orthodontic braces or clear aligner therapy can help deliver one. There are greater benefits to wearing braces than just having straight teeth. You will gain many oral benefits in addition to cosmetic ones.

Oral Health: Crooked and/or crowded teeth often overlap each other making it difficult to keep those tight spaces clean.  Brushing and flossing become more difficult allowing bacteria and plaque to build up.  This can eventually lead to periodontal disease and decay. With orthodontic treatment your teeth will become properly aligned which will allow more effective brushing.

Speech Impediments: The position of you teeth play a role in speech.  When the dentition is out of alignment, either the teeth are too far out or pushed back too far, this can affect speaking patterns and possibly cause embarrassment and frustration.  Orthodontic treatment can readjust the positioning of the teeth to allow for clearer and more professional speech.

TMJ prevention: TMJ (Temporomanibular Joint) can be prevented by receiving braces as orthodontic treatment. TMJ can occur from stress on the jaw joint in people that have an incorrect bit pattern or misalignment of the bite. Teeth that have been aligned by braces also have a better bite pattern and this helps with chewing.

Our goal is to the enhance the quality of life for those who come to us for their orthodontic health care. If you have any questions regarding braces as orthodontic treatment feel free to contact us today.

Hinesly Orthodontics 

Tecumseh Office 

126 Herrick Park Dr.

Tecumseh, MI 49286

(517) 423-6300 office

Ann Arbor Office

2433 Oak Valley Dr., Ste. 200

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

(734) 769-7600 office

Dentist vs Orthodontist

Recently there has been a lack of understanding about who should be providing your orthodontic care. Most patients contemplate on whether they should seek treatment for braces or clear aligners from their general family dentist, or a certified orthodontic specialist. Making the decision to get orthodontic treatment is an important one that will affect your dental health for a lifetime, so it’s important that consumers are informed of the significant differences in care between a certified orthodontist and a general dentist.

In reality, just like not all doctors are the same, the same fact is true when it comes to dentistry. Did you know that all orthodontists are dentists, but only 7% of dentists are orthodontist? This is determined by training, as all general dentists complete 8,000 hours of dental training for their dental degrees, orthodontists start with this same training and continue on with over 4,000-6,000 hours in an accredited residency program to learn orthodontic basics. A general dentist is wonderful for routine dental work, but the scope of their practice is preventive, cosmetic, and restorative. Orthodontists, on the other hand, are trained specialist and have the expertise in smile and facial aesthetics, jaw function, facial growth and development, tooth movement, alignment of teeth and jaws, and straightening of teeth. Thus, orthodontists have the best experience, judgement, and certifications to give the best orthodontic treatment for all patients with braces.

You will notice today several general dentists are advertising orthodontic care such as Invisalign, as well as offering special discounts for these treatments. We urge you to recognize that these general dentists are not orthodontic specialists recognized by the American Dental Association.

At Hinesly Orthodontics we understand that your smile is priceless and want you to be confident in knowing that our orthodontic office is the clear choice for braces.

Instances Where Clear Aligners Aren't The Answer

Below, Dr. Hinesly and the Hinesly Orthodontics team cover some of the instances where clear aligners just aren't the answer.

• If you're looking for the fastest treatment possible – Clear aligners usually can't move teeth as quickly as fixed appliances. So if you're looking for the fastest way to achieve your desired result, clear aligners may not be the best bet.
• If you need to move molars – Molars have much stronger roots than your other teeth and would require significantly longer to move with clear aligners. A fixed appliance is the best choice in this instance, especially if you have a substantial overbite or underbite that needs to be dealt with.
• If you're the type who often forgets or loses things –If you would forget to wear your aligners for the prescribed amount of time (usually at least 22 hours per day), clear aligners are probably not the best choice for you. Forgetting to wear them can delay treatment and even make it so you need to regress to the previous set of aligners to be able to move forward with treatment. Also, losing aligners delays treatment and is expensive since you need to buy replacements to stay on course. Replacing a lost set of aligners usually takes between seven and ten days.
• If drastic tooth movement is required – Fixed appliances deliver much more significant tooth movement. So if your case is a drastic one, clear aligners may not be the best choice.

Feel free to talk with Dr. Hinesly about your options regarding braces and clear aligners. We know there are pros and cons to both, so let’s find the option that works best for your life and for your specific needs in terms of treatment.

EASY MICROWAVE RECIPE | Low Carb Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Try this super fluffy and moist cinnamon roll inspired mug cake which packs a protein punch and is low carb. It’s also ready in under a minute and completely braces friendly!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (32-34 grams)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 T coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 T granulated sweetener of choice
• 1 large egg OR 1/4 cup liquid egg whites (see notes for Vegan option)
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

For the glaze (optional)

• 1 T coconut butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp milk of choice
• pinch cinnamon

Directions:

1. Grease a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray and add the protein powder, baking powder, coconut flour, cinnamon, sweetener of choice and mix well.
2. Add the egg/whites and mix into the dry mixture. 
3. Add the milk of choice and vanilla extract- If the batter is too crumbly, continue adding milk of choice until a very thick batter is formed. granulated sweetener of choice and extra cinnamon and swirl over the top. 
4. Microwave for 60 seconds, or until just cooked in the center. 
5. Top with glaze and enjoy!

Have Fun This Spring

Spring is in the air! As the flower buds are peeking out and birds are starting to chirp, it's time to leave those thoughts of snowstorms behind. Spring can be a wonderful time to explore the outdoors or go for a walk around town. Get your family moving together and establish some healthy habits, away from the electronics indoors. We have 5 fun ideas to get you in the mood for the loveliest season of the year.

1. Dust off the sports gear. Find a kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, shoot hoops, whatever sports activity that you and your family enjoy doing.

2. Get dirty in the yard. Mow the grass. Pull weeds. Till flower beds. Replant. Cut back. Find the fun in getting sweaty, and teach your kids how to manage the landscaping while you do it.

3. Explore the outdoors. Hike a trail and check out the plants budding out of the ground.

4. Go to a baseball game. The beginning baseball season is one of the annual markers that warm weather is just around the corner. If you don't have it in your budget for pricey pro tickets, look into local league games, college, or even high school games to watch.

5. Make Something. Whether you're experimenting with a new recipe or creating a new craft, making something new will give your kids a sense of satisfaction.

After being cooped up all winter, everyone's ready for some fresh Spring air. We hope you will step into the warm weather with suggestions of fun activities for the entire family.

ENTER TO WIN!

Head over to our website to enter this awesome contest for a chance to win 2 tickets to the new Emagine Theater in Saline!

http://www.hineslyorthodontics.com/

Review Us On Google

Reviews on Google provide valuable information about our business to both us and our customers. Business reviews appear next to our listing in Maps and Search, and can help our business stand out on Google.

Leave us a review on Google by clicking here. You will need a Google account to leave review. If you are not sure how to create a review. Click here to create a Google account, then come back and leave us a review!

TO LEAVE A REVIEW: https://goo.gl/maps/5e1xmwX2TxD2

Have A FaBOOLous Halloween

Happy Halloween from Hinesly Orthodontics!

Straighter Teeth, Healthier Smiles

At Hinesly Orthodontics, Dr. Hinesly and staff strive to give patients the best services while straightening their teeth. We know having a beautiful straight smile is the ultimate goal of our patients, but we can’t deny the fact that their orthodontic treatment also assists in a healthier smile too. The fact is, straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene and an increased chance of healthier teeth later in life.

Another wonderful fact about straight teeth is they are less prone to decay because they collect less plaque. When you visit Hinesly Orthodontics for your initial consultation, Dr. Hinesly will examine all aspects of your teeth, face, smile, and jaw.

If you’re curious whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up an initial orthodontic consultation at our convenient Ann Arbor or Tecumseh offices. Dr. Hinesly can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Questions? Give us a call, ask us below or on our Facebook page!

Let Braces Be Another Reason You Quit Smoking

We don't need to tell you smoking is bad for your lungs because chances are you’re already aware of that and several other health concerns smoking can bestow upon you. Besides the link between tobacco and heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and cancer, smoking can lead to oral health problems too. At Hinesly Orthodontics, it is our duty to inform you of problems that may arise when you wear braces and smoke.

We’ve decided to create a list to update you on oral health problems that smoking can cause.

Bad breath: when you have braces, there are just more areas for bacteria. Smoking with braces often leads to more severe odor.

Tooth discoloration: smoking stains your teeth – when you have braces it is harder to brush increasing the likelihood of obvious tooth discoloration following the removal of your braces.

Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth

Increased loss of bone within the jaw; compromising your treatment time. Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss

Delayed healing process; making mouth ulcers more painful and longer to heal.

Hinesly Orthodontics urges you to be wise and consider using your decision to invest in braces as an opportunity to quit smoking and invest in your overall oral health. There are plenty of resources and support groups out there willing to help. If you have any questions on oral health problems that can occur, contact Hinesly Orthodontics.

"Give Me S'more" Cake - National S'mores Day 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!

"Give Me S'more" Cake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

MARSHMALLOW FROSTING:

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions

1. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; lightly coat paper with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine cracker crumbs and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
2. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes.
4. Place a cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting and sprinkle with half of chips. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining chips. Yield:12 servings.

"Give Me S'more" Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Summer Packing List For Those With Braces

It’s that time again; SUMMER is here. For many of our patients, Summer is a popular time to take a vacation and escape the responsibilities and routine of every day normal life. As we encourage you to take some well-deserved time away and hit the beach, we want you to remember to stay responsible for your braces while you’re traveling.

Be sure to pack more than the essential tooth brush and floss if you wear braces! Check out our tips below for those of you wearing clear aligners & traditional braces

If you wear Invisalign clear aligners, be sure to remember:

• Always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you.
• Always carry your aligners in your purse or carry-on luggage when flying.
• Take an extra case. 
• Make sure you rinse out your mouth and aligners before reinserting into your mouth if brushing is inconvenient. 

If you wear traditional braces, be sure to pack the follow:

• Orthodontic wax
• Floss & threader
• Proxy brush
• Rubber bands (if required)
• Ibuprofen

We hope these tips help you while you’re traveling this Summer. If you have any questions or concerns while you are traveling please give Hinesly Orthodontics a call. Wishing you all safe travels!