Ask Dr. Stevens: What's the deal with all those Halloween treats?

As Halloween draws closer and closer, our staff at Stevens Orthodontics know a lot parents in Tallahassee are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this weekend.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Dr. Stevens as soon as possible.

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Featured patient review for Dr. Stevens!

Wow, more fantastic reviews have come in during the past month! Check out what Elaine had to say about our office!

"Thank you all very much for the thorough exam and detailed explanation that you provided me yesterday. Being "treated" at your office was really quite a treat - What a wonderful, creative environment - I think it says alot about the care & detail that obviously attends your work. Makes me wish I had a house full of kids who needed braces!!! Seriously, Thank You, Elaine P."

When should kids visit Stevens Orthodontics?

It's best for Dr. Stevens to see children by age 7 or 8. This allows him to monitor growth and development and determine the optimum time for treatment. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding, and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is begun early, Dr. Stevens can sometimes guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment in select cases.

Dr. Stevens is conservative, and recognizes that some early treatment that can be done is of little long-term value to your child. He will gladly give you an honest assessment of the relative value of early treatment so that you can make an informed decision. He will use his ‘gold standard’ – what he would recommend for his own children. With over 25 years of treating patients conservatively he has found that employing early treatment on every child as a general practice is unnecessary and, in some cases, harmful. He will be as strategic as possible in order to give your child the best possible result with the least cost, inconvenience and treatment time at our convenient Tallahassee office.

"What do you like best about Stevens Orthodontics?"

Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Stevens and our team lately! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"Everyone at Dr. Steven's office treats each patient as a special individual. Everyone is so easy to work with!!!" ~ Christine B.

"He's very, very good!!!" ~ Vickie S.

"The friendly atmosphere of the office along with the professional staff." ~ Sandra W.

"The office and Dr. Stevens are so much fun. I told everyone about it. I can't wait to go back." ~ Letricia M.

"I like the atmosphere, they are very kid friendly, I like the way they also allow my son to be seen by himself, it makes him feel more grown up and in charge of this part of his life. The staff is great." ~ Kelly R.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Today marks the official start of National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have provided a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Don’t eat foods that are hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy. Avoid candy, gum, nuts, hard chips and popcorn. For foods that you would normally bite into with your front teeth, you should cut or break it into small pieces and chew on your back teeth. Eating these foods can cause the brackets to become loose or broken. Keep foreign objects out of your mouth such as pens, pencils, and fingernails because these can also cause breakage. If you have excessive breakage, it will prolong your treatment time. Dr. Lucas Stevens and our team want to work with you to get to that spectacular smile we are all looking for as soon as possible, so let’s do what we can to take care of your braces properly!

Please give us a call if you have any questions! Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!