Happy Independence Day!

America turns 235 years old tomorrow! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers - past and present - who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Our team at Stevens Orthodontics would like to know: what are your plans for the 4th of July? Are you out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear all about it.

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Summer fun with Stevens Orthodontics

It’s summer here at Stevens Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you've been to a barbecue, gone on a camping trip, hit the great American open roads with family or just had fun in the sun, Dr. Lucas Stevens and our team want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos to our Facebook wall!

Happy and safe travels,

Dr. Stevens and team

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!

Smile wide! June marks National Smile Month!

Now that June is here, our team at Stevens Orthodontics thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our convenient Tallahassee office, as well as your general dentist.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month 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!

Mouthguard Q&A with Dr. Stevens

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!

What’s on your reading list this summer?

Traveling this summer? Heading on a camping trip? Lying on a hammock resting in your backyard?

Whatever you're up to, summer is a great time for kids to continue learning, maintain the skill level and prepare for the school year. With summer only weeks away, some of us at Stevens Orthodontics have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading, which we encourage for all our patients.

Out of ideas? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Lucas Stevens and team would be happy to provide a few titles. You may also ask a librarian here in Tallahassee for some ideas or check out these summer reading lists we came across this past week.

We hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

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!!