Ask Dr. Stevens: Any truth to all those rumors about braces?

Believe us when we say Dr. Lucas Stevens is well-aware that there are a lot of myths and half-truths flying around these days when it comes to braces and orthodontic treatment. But, before you buy into those myths, Dr. Stevens thinks you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of braces, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment at Stevens Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call this upcoming week at (850) 385-2822.

We hope you have a great rest of your Memorial Day weekend! We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Mouth Guard Q&A with Stevens Orthodontics

Wouldn’t you believe it, summer is just around the corner! The summer months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Lucas Stevens for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and many others.

Q: How can I help prevent my teeth from becoming chipped or broken while I play sports this summer?

Please wear an orthodontic mouthguard, designed for braces. Ask us for one during your next appointment if you do not already have one.

Q: If I’m hit in the mouth, and a tooth gets knocked out, what can/should I do? What should I do if I am injured on a weekend when the office is closed?

Call your dentist immediately.

Q: Can my teeth be fixed if they are chipped, broken or knocked out?

Absolutely - dentists can fix teeth that need to be repaired.

Q: Are sports drinks bad for my teeth? What can I drink to stay hydrated and keep my teeth healthy?

H20 is always the best, but if you like drinks with sugar, please be sure to brush or rinse with water when you take your last sip.

Q: If I wear Invisalign aligners, will they help protect my teeth, or do I still need to wear a mouth guard?

Always use a mouthguard while playing contact sports.

Q: Can I still play sports while wearing my retainer, or is it best to take it out?

Keeping your retainer in is best, but if it needs to come out - please remember to put back in your mouth ASAP! We don't want those straight beautiful teeth to shift.

Q: Can I still wear a mouth guard with braces?

Yes, please ask us for one if you need it. We have special ones just for braces that allow your teeth to move while you wear them. Please don't buy the mouthguards that you boil yourself - they will not allow your teeth to move because they mould to your teeth.

Please let us know if you have any other questions about mouth protection or your treatment at Stevens Orthodontics!

SureSmile lands on CNN! From Dr. Stevens

We've blogged about SureSmile treatment in the past, and today wanted to share with a clip of SureSmile being discussed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN this week!

In the video, Dr. Gupta spotlights a Maryland teenager named Jessica Thompson, who wasn't particularly thrilled about traditional braces, and chose SureSmile as her treatment. Jessica is not alone - more and more people are choosing SureSmile as their treatment option.

With SureSmile treatment at Stevens Orthodontics in Tallahassee, getting braces sure isn’t what it used to be. Dr. Stevens' patients get fantastic results in less time with this remarkable technology and typically spend less time in braces, need fewer office visits, experience less discomfort and ultimately greater results.

To learn more about SureSmile treatment at Stevens Orthodontics, we invite you to give us a call at 850-385-2822!

Stevens Orthodontics share pool safety tips

Spring is here and summer is rapidly approaching, and with summer comes lots of swimming! Our team at Stevens Orthodontics found some helpful pool safety tips that we’d like to share with you, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Pediatricians.

* Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

* Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

* Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

* Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

* Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.

* Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.

Have more questions about your children and their safety this summer? Give us a call!

Stevens Orthodontics, supporting National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant in this day and age, as kids everywhere are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these health guidelines for your reference. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At Stevens Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

When should you call Stevens Orthodontics?

Happy May Day!

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call the team at Stevens Orthodontics. If you experience the following symptoms or conditions, it may be time to check in us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth

2. Difficulty of chewing or biting

3. Mouth breathing

4. Finger sucking or other oral habits

5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth

6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude

7. Speech difficulty

8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth

9. Protruding teeth

10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all

11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry

12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, please give us a call!