Top 2 Candies to Avoid this Halloween

Halloween is here! Halloween is the perfect opportunity to talk to your child and remind them about the importance of sticking to their health routine. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, wearing your retainers, using mouthwash and other health tips. If you recently received orthodontic treatment such as braces or in the middle of your treatment, we recommend you avoid these sweet treats.

1. Sticky Gummy Candies: Sticky, gummy type candies are the worst type of candy for your teeth. It is harder to remove and stay longer on your teeth. This is especially bad for those who just received orthodontic treatment such as braces.

2. Hard Candies: You want to watch out for hard candies on Halloween and beyond. These can break your teeth and can be damaging if you have braces. On top of that, hard candies can cause the sugar to wash all over your teeth. This is due to having the hard candy for longer periods in your mouth.

Halloween Treats for Healthy Teeth

Happy Halloween! October is also National Orthodontic Health Month. We believe that Halloween is the perfect opportunity for a reminder in sticking to health routines, after consuming all the free sugar. If you just received braces or looking for something different to try this Halloween, here are 2 incredibly delicious alternative to sweet treats and hard candy that can harm your teeth if you have braces.

Graveyard Shakes: 
What You Need:

• 1 ¼ cup milk  
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup  
• 1 large scoop chocolate ice cream  
• 1 large scoop vanilla ice cream  
• 2 Oreo cookies, finely crushed  
• 1 soft ghost-shaped marshmallow 

Directions:

Combine milk, chocolate syrup and both scoops of ice cream in a blender.  Mix well and pour into clear glass.  Sprinkle a layer of the finely crushed cookies onto the top of the shake.  Then, set the ghost-shaped marshmallow in the shake to make it appear as though it’s rising out of the top. Serve immediately.  Makes one serving.

Invisalign for Adults

At Hinesly Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering the most beautiful smiles and we are confident that you will receive orthodontic care that will truly make a difference in your life.

When adults think of orthodontic treatment, they may think of braces and teenagers, however orthodontic treatment today is so much more different. At Hinesly Orthodontics, we combines art, science and the latest technology and expertise to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible.

As adults, you may have noticed your teeth may have shifted a bit and your smile isn’t what it once was. The common approach we see adults take is Invisalign. Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth.

Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. Hinesly plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life.

This is a perfect approach for adults who want to reshape their smile into a confident smile, being the best version of themselves. Each partient varies on orthodontic treatment, however usually a full treatment averages 6-15 months.

Schedule your complimentary orthodontic evaluation and see how easy and convenient Invisalign can be for you.

Health Tips for Your Family

We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Whether you're an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable doctors and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve - a healthy, beautiful one!

We see family of all types and love to see the initiative to keep your family’s teeth healthy. Here are a few tips to ensure your family is in tip top shape before their next visit with us.

1. Brush Your Teeth Together: Make brushing your teeth a routine every morning and every night. Stick to the routine and ensure that you and your family keep a specific time for brushing your teeth, this will build a great daily habit. 
2. Flossing is Key: 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.
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.

Back to School: Hinesly Orthodontics

Summer is fading away and the fall season is quickly approaching. Kids have returned back to school and the normal routines have begun. As summer comes to an end and fall season returns, it can be a busy time for parents and their children. New activities and new routines, it’s easy to forget simple check-ups to the orthodontist.

Why is it important for a check-up during back-to-school season? This is the time to schedule an appointment to measure the progress of your child’s orthodontic treatment. This will ensure your child's treatment is on schedule.

If your child is playing fall sports, be sure to get a mouthguard specifically designed for your child. This is the perfect time to ensure your child is on the road to a healthy beautiful smile.

July Podcast Recap: Invisalign or Braces?

“Everyday I am asked by patients and parents, which one is better, Invisalign or braces? Which one should they choose? My answer is always the same. Invisalign and braces are methods to introduce light continuous forces on the teeth, causing them to move into an ideal position.”

It’s easy to think Invisalign is better because the aligners are less noticeable. However with both, there is a level of commitment. At Hinesly Orthodontics, both Invisalign and braces cost the same price.

The Differences: 

With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions that happen with braces. It is less challenging to maintain oral hygiene because the aligners are removable. When it comes to braces, at times when teeth are shifting, some wires may poke, these are called “pokies.” With Invisalign that is not an issue.

Invisalign aligners are designed to be worn 22 hours a day. This means that they should only be taken out for eating and drinking beverages other than water. This means that you should sleep with Invisalign aligners.

Our office, Hinesly Orthodontics, was named a platinum provider by Invisalign. We treat almost any malocclusions with Invisalign. Invisalign also works great with patients who were treated in their teenage years but have now some relapsed.

Now, with all the information, the question remains, which one will you choose? Invisalign or braces?

If you have any questions, please give our office a call.

June Podcast Recap: The Next Health Problem of the Decade?

This month, our monthly podcast is about a new worrisome trend in health, “Juuling.” What is Juuling and what is the big issue?

“This could be the next health problem of the decade” - Dr. Hinesly

The Juul is a smoking device that looks like a flashdrive. It was first developed by Stanford University students to help curb cigarette smoking in adults. “In reality it is attracting teenagers who have never smoked in huge numbers, no device is as worrisome as the Juul because of both its explosion and popularity and the heavy dose of nicotine it delivers,” Dr. Hinesly says. 

Some do not consider it smoking or vaping, with teens thinking it is harmless. Manufacturers have created flavors such as fruit medley, mango or cool mint. The odor is subtle and easily can be mistaken for a lotion or body spray.

Educate yourself and teens on the dangers of this practice. Learn more about Juuling in our podcast and by researching a few articles.