Charlie's Coat Drive

We would like to send a great big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by our office and donated coats to Charlies Coat Drive, but do you know the story behind this very special coat drive?

Charlie Pitner on KLBK "This Morning"

Charlies Coat Drive was started 3 years ago by an extrodinarty young boy who want to help others. Charlie Pitner, 9, started this coat drive when he was only in kindergarten. Where did such a young boy get such a great idea? The radio. "I was listening to the radio one night and they were doing a coat drive where you had to pledge $40 a month," Charlie said. He wanted to give to the coat drive, but his mother said they would not be able to make the pledge. After seeing how eager her son was to help she suggested to her church that they should help Charlie start his own coat drive. Now a third-grader at Northridge Elementary School, Charlie has helped get many donate new and gently worn coats to those in need.

We are glad Wentz Orthodontics has the opportunity to be a drop-off location for such a great cause! We couldn't have made such a great contribution to the coat drive without our lovely friends and patients, we appreciate you all.

To watch Charlie's KLBK news interview please visit EverythingLubbock.com

7 is the Magic Number.. For Early Intervention

Many people may think it is best to wait until adolescents to seek orthodontic care however, the earlier you seek treatment the better. Actually 7 is the perfect age for an evaluation.

Photo provided by poorrichardsnews.com

7 years old may sound too early to be thinking about orthodontic treatment, but it proven that early treatment is important for ensuring positive treatment results. 7 isn’t just a number Dr. Wentz came up with. The AAO (American Association of Orthodontist) recommends that all children receive a check-up by age 7. By the age 7, some of the permanent teeth have erupted, so that most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. At this stage of mixed dentition, we can spot potential orthodontic problems related to jaw growth and eruption of adult teeth. Some growth-related orthodontic problems are easier to correct when they are identified early while the facial bones are still growing.

Will my 7 year old need to get braces right away?

No, an early examination does not mean immediate treatment is necessary. After your initial examination we may just need to monitor your child periodically to see how teeth and jaw continue to develop. If your child is not ready for treatment he/she will entered into the Wentz Thumbs Up Club.

The Wentz Thumbs Up Club provides a way for our office to communicate with each patient’s family about upcoming events and contests or new technologies within our office via our website’s link to The Wentz Thumbs Up Club or the quarterly newsletter. 

If your child has reached the right age for an orthodontic examination schedule an appointment today. Here at Wentz Orthodontics we want to focus on the oral dental health of each patient and your child would no exception, contact us today!

Foods Your Braces Should Avoid

Orthodontic treatment brings out the best smile in our patients here at Wentz Orthodontics, but with treatment come a lot of changes. From your smile to oral hygiene habits there is change. Be that as it may, one of the most drastic changes patients experience is what you can and can not eat.

Certain foods can do damage to your orthodontic appliances (ie; braces). It is important for you to avoid sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy foods. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets, and sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires.

Here are examples of food we want all of our patients to avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Caramels
• Starburst
• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Rancher
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

In the meantime here are some examples of food you CAN enjoy:

• Dairy - pudding, soft cheeses
• Breads – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts, biscuits
• Grains – noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood - fish w/o bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes
• Vegetables - mashed potatoes, peas, yams, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats - ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, smoothies, Jell-O, cake
• Other – eggs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, beans and much more

Be mindful of what you war or you might have to make a visit to our office sooner than expected.