Giving thanks this holiday season

Dr. Stevens and our entire team at Stevens Orthodontics would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy a day filled of friends, family, and great Thanksgiving food! What are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ask Dr. Stevens: “I got my braces. Now what?

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before before orthodontic treatment began.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Lucas Stevens and our team recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; ask Dr. Stevens for a recommendation.

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Our team at Stevens Orthodontics will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Tallahassee office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Dr. Stevens' office during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

What are your November plans?

Believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Dr. Lucas Stevens and our team at Stevens Orthodontics want to know: What are your plans for November? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning a winter vacation? If so, we’d love to hear all about it!
You may share your stories with us below, or by posting on our Facebook page!

–The team at Stevens Orthodontics

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!

In love with your smile? Tell Dr. Stevens & team about it!

Dr. Lucas Stevens, who has been an orthodontist in the Tallahassee area since 1985, knows and understands the needs and expectations of his patients and is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Your teeth are an important part of your health, your appearance and your self-confidence. Why leave your oral health in the hands of anyone other than a skilled qualified specialist with years of experience?

Today, Dr. Stevens and our team are wondering: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our convenient Tallahassee office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google listing!

September is Self-Improvement Month, from Dr. Stevens

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Stevens Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as SureSmile and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Lucas Stevens would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up! Passionate about his work as an orthodontist, Dr. Stevens is Tallahassee’s first board certified orthodontic specialist and the area’s exclusive provider of SureSmile braces technology.

See you soon!

Connect with Dr. Stevens on Facebook!

Did you know Stevens Orthodontics is on Facebook? Our fan page, which keeps growing with each day, provides you the latest news from Dr. Lucas Stevens and our office. We invite you to connect with us and be "in the loop" for all things orthodontics.

Our goal is to have 500 fans! Invite your friends!

Tips for a successful school year, from Dr. Stevens

At Stevens Orthodontics, we know a new school year brings a lot of stress for many kids. New classes, new teachers, new friends and new academic challenges can be overwhelming! That’s why we thought we’d provide a few steps for our patients to enjoy their time in school and succeed this upcoming school year!

· Get plenty of sleep every night. Eight hours is recommended.

· Eat a healthy breakfast as it’s the most important meal of the day.

· Pack a healthy lunch or make healthy choices when selecting your school lunch. Try to avoid the vending machine and limit your intake of junk food.

· Stay on top of your homework and reading assignments.

· Stay active. Limit the time in front of the TV or playing video games. Instead, try to get outside to get some exercise—go for a walk or ride your bike.

· Ask for help. When you are having a hard time understanding a concept, ask your teacher or your peers for guidance.

· Always have a positive attitude and a smile on your face!

Our entire team at Stevens Orthodontics hope everyone has a productive and fun school year!

Back to school with Dr. Stevens

Now that many of the schools here in Tallahassee are back in session, Dr. Stevens and our staff would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance in August and early September. With school, clubs and sports to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit our office this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients' busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you're unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call at 850-385-2822 if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We look forward to seeing you all, and hope you had a wonderful summer!

Breaking Bad Habits

At Steven Orthodontics, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Dr. Stevens.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Stevens if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Steven Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Tell Dr. Stevens about your summer!

The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better time for our team at Stevens Orthodontics to ask our patients about their summer!

Whether you visited our nation’s capitol, went on a camping trip, visited the state fair or just stayed in town and hung out with friends, we want to know how you’re all spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page as the summer comes to an end soon for a lot of our patients at Stevens Orthodontics! We invite you to post your photos as well!

We look forward to hearing all about your adventures! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Smile Week at Stevens Orthodontics

It’s National Smile Week at Stevens Orthodontics, and a GREAT time to remind Dr. Stevens' patients to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining during your orthodontic treatment!

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Week for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask Dr. Stevens during your next visit ... or ask us on Facebook!

And remember to smile at people you come across throughout the week, whether you know them or not. Smiles are contagious, and are a good thing to give and to get. We hope you’re all having a relaxing summer!

Myths about braces, explained

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 at (850) 385-2822.

We hope you're all having a great summer!

Does Dr. Stevens have your current contact info?

We hope you’re off to a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled adjustment appointment with Dr. Lucas Stevens, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient at that appointment time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

What’s your story? What made you & your child choose Stevens Orthodontics?

Dr. Lucas Stevens, who has been an orthodontist in the Tallahassee area since 1985, knows and understands the needs and expectations of his patients and is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Your teeth are an important part of your health, your appearance and your self-confidence. Why leave your oral health in the hands of anyone other than a skilled qualified specialist with years of experience?

Today, Dr. Stevens and our team are wondering: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our convenient Tallahassee office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google Places page!

Ask Dr. Stevens: “I’m 53 – am I too old for braces?”

Of course not! No one is "too old" for orthodontic treatment!

Recently, our staff at Stevens Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 15 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great.

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Stevens can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

Because of a lifetime of wear, it is not uncommon for adult patients to require some cosmetic dentistry after orthodontics is completed in order to gain the maximum esthetic result. Dr. Stevens likes to work closely with your family dentist here in Tallahassee to give you the most esthetic and healthy smile possible.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Stevens would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!