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

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!

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!

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!

Dr. Stevens and team proudly offer complimentary consultations!

At Stevens Orthodontics, we provide excellent orthodontic treatment in a friendly and professional environment. We are dedicated to the comfort, well-being, and complete satisfaction of every patient that comes into our office. Our focus is on patient comfort and efficient treatment results.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Stevens, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give a call at 850-385-2822. Dr. Stevens has been serving the Tallahassee area since 1985.

See you soon!

Ask Dr. Stevens: When should my child come in for a consultation?

Thanks for asking! Dr. Lucas Stevens will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Stevens and our staff to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps, and invite you to give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment and have yourself a wonderful rest of the weekend!!

HOW TO: Floss with Braces

Dr. Lucas Stevens will tell you that keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and could possibly reduce your treatment time.

Here is a very concise video explaining the proper way to floss your teeth with braces. Give Stevens Orthodontics a call if you have more questions about flossing. Enjoy!

How important is your smile? From Stevens Orthodontics

You work hard, you care about your health and you want to look your very best. 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? Dr. Stevens has been an orthodontist in the Tallahassee area since 1985. He knows and understands the needs and expectations of his patients and is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please contact Stevens Orthodontics at (850) 385-2822 for your complimentary consultation, and start smiling!

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Stevens

With spring here, many children, teens and adults in Tallahassee will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement.

So, today, Dr. Stevens and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Stevens Orthodontics.

Stay safe and have fun!

Win a trip to Disney World from Stevens Orthodontics!

Dr. Stevens will be sending one lucky patient and his/her family to Disney. Here is how it works…

- Referral of a non-family member for a new patient exam (25 points)
- Bonus points if the referral starts treatment (50 points)
- A staff member sees you outside of the office wearing your Stevens Orthodontics T-Shirt (10 points)
- A staff member sees your car around town with your Stevens Orthodontics magnet (10 points)
- Become a fan of Stevens Orthodontics on Facebook (5 points)
- Write a review of Stevens Orthodontics on Facebook (15 points)
- Bring a friend with you to your appointment (2 points)
- Bring your Kids Club Card with you to your recall appointment (15 points)
- “A” on hygiene at your appointments (1 point)
- Wearing elastics (1 point)
- Wearing Stevens Orthodontics T-Shirt to appointments (1 point)
- Arriving on time for your appointments (1 point)
- No broken brackets at your appointments (1 point)

The patient with the most points at the end wins a trip to Disney, which includes 2 nights at a Disney Value Resort, 2-day admission tickets for 4 people and a $500 Disney gift card to use on food and/or souvenirs inside the parks.

We will be announcing the winner on December 12, 2011.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out an entry form
at the front desk.

**Account must be current to be eligible to win

Your turn! From Stevens Orthodontics

You probably know the drill: each week, Dr. Stevens and our staff blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being.

This week, however, we thought we’d step back and ask: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask Dr. Stevens for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… ask away and have a great week!

Complimentary Consultations at Stevens Orthodontics

At Stevens Orthodontics, we provide excellent orthodontic treatment in a friendly and professional environment. We are dedicated to the comfort, well-being, and complete satisfaction of every patient that comes into our office. Our focus is on patient comfort and efficient treatment results.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Stevens, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give a call at 850-385-2822. Dr. Stevens has been serving the Tallahassee area since 1985.

See you soon!

Stevens Orthodontics, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

Each February for the past 61 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Lucas Stevens is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited our Tallahassee office lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook!