Ask Dr. Stevens: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

With Halloween here, 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!

REMINDERS!

* Don't forget to come in for your appoinhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftment, or stop in, with your Halloween Costumes on Monday October 31. We will be taking pictures and giving a Target Gift Card to the best dressed.

* Bring in your canned goods for 50 additional Disney points (10 can limit) and you will also receive 5 wooden coins for participating.

* The deadline to bring in your Veteran's Day Letters in on Veteran's Day November 11th. For those who bring us a letter will receive 50 Disney Points and 10 wooden coins.

LET'S ALL SHOW OUR STEVENS ORTHODONTICS SPIRIT!!!!!

Stevens Orthodontics, supporting Smile for a Lifetime

Dr. Stevens and team are proud to be partners of the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontic treatment to people who may not otherwise be able to afford it. have the opportunity to acquire assistance.

To become a candidate, interested families must be at or below twice the federal poverty level and must complete a two-page application for their child or candidate. Local Smile for a Lifetime Foundation applications can be downloaded online from our web site.

NOTE: Correspondence can be via mail sent to the office or e-mail sent to S4L@stevensorthodontics.com. Every effort will be made to respond within 48 business hours, Mon-Thurs. There is NO DEADLINE. Applicants are welcomed and encouraged to resubmit their applications every quarter.

What’s the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Lucas Stevens started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Stevens decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert in Dr. Stevens to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

At Stevens Orthodontics, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy Monday!October is 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!