Does My Child Need Orthodontic Treatment?

It is usually difficult for you as the parent to determine if treatment is necessary because there are many problems that can occur even though the front teeth look straight. Also, there are some problems that look intimidating and complex which will resolve on their own. Asking your general dentist is a good reference, but Wentz Orthodontics is your best resource since orthodontics is all we do.

Early intervention can make a dramatic impact on establishing the proper occlusal foundation. The American Association of Orthodontists, and Dr. Wentz, recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they reach age 7, for early detection of any potential problems.

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.

An early exam allows us to determine how and when a child's particular jaw and/or dental problems should be corrected for the optimal results. Early treatment, or phase one therapy, may be needed to create a better environment to idealize the occlusion for the patient or possibly create an environment to elevate treatment forever. An early orthodontic examination does not always result in immediate treatment. After evaluating your child, we may simply want to monitor your child periodically while the permanent teeth erupt and the jaws and face continue to develop.

Our initial exam is comprehensive and informative, and we would be more than happy to see your child and make any recommendations necessary. Contact Wentz Orthodontics to schedule your child's first visit and let us help them get the smile they deserve. 

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Don't Do It Yourself

Do-It-Yourself videos and websites are popular among today’s culture, and while so many great ideas come from several of these outlets, there are some things that you just shouldn’t do yourself! Straightening your teeth or attempting to move your teeth as a “DIY” project is definitely one of the things you should not be doing.

Moving and straightening teeth is a medical procedure that needs to be supervised by an orthodontist. It’s important for you all to be wary of any videos or websites that advise you to use objects such as rubber bands, dental floss, or anything else in order to get straight teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “Moving teeth without a thorough examination of the overall health of the teeth and gums could result in the permanent loss of teeth, which may result in expensive and lifelong dental problems.”

Wentz Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists have a prompt announcement for consumers about “DIY” orthodontic treatment. It is with great urgency that we emphasize to you all to be cautious about the trending “DIY” orthodontic treatment because straightening your teeth on your own can lead to lifelong dental problems.

If you have any further questions regarding “DIY” orthodontics, or are curious about straightening your teeth, please contact us at (806) 79-BRACE.

Avoid Bad Breath With Braces

Bad breath is nothing any of us want to deal with, right? When you have braces, the chances of having bad breath are even worse because there are so many other places for bacteria to hide. If you are worried about how your breath smells, take these simple steps every day to ensure that you are not causing people to back up when you talk.

Eat Right
Sugar is not good for your diet in the first place, but it is horrible for your dental health. If you have braces, sugar can hide in some of the tightest areas of your mouth. This means that when you do brush and floss, you probably are not getting all of it. The longer the sugar is able to sit on your teeth, the more damage it does.

As it joins with the bacteria in your mouth, it begins to form an acid that eats away at your enamel and causes bad breath. So instead of worrying about garlic and onions ruining your breath, stay away from foods high in sugar content to keep your breath smelling pleasant.

Drink Water

Water is essential for overall health and to fight bad breath. When your mouth is short on saliva, the bacteria thrives. That means that you will likely suffer from bad breath.

Brush and Floss

With or without braces, you should be brushing twice a day and flossing at least once, but this becomes even more important when you have braces. In fact, you should be brushing after every time that you eat, but if you cannot, you should at least rinse your mouth out with water to remove as much debris as possible from your braces. It is imperative that you never forget to floss when you have braces, as this could be the number one reason that you have bad breath. Floss is the only way to get the food that is stuck in between your brackets out from between them. If you have trouble flossing with braces, ask our staff for help.

Bad breath and braces do not have go hand in hand as long as you take care of your mouth. If you have a problem with bad breath with your braces, please contact us today so that we can help you!

Are You Having An Orthodontic Emergency?

Broken or disturbed appliances are likely to occur from time to time during your orthodontic care. If there is any disturbance, such as loose bands, broken or poking wires, call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly.

The following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office.

• If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax or tuck it under the archwire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip.
• A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call the office as soon as you notice a loose band or bracket so we can schedule you to be seen to reattach the loose appliance.
• A broken archwire, or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue, needs to be seen as soon as possible for replacement or adjustment.
• A bent headgear facebow, or removable appliance that is not fitting well, is not to be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the facebow or removable appliance adjusted.
• Several days of soreness and sensitivity are common following an office visit. If you are experiencing abnormal pain or discomfort please contact our Wentz Orthodontics.

Enter to Win $100 Home Depot Gift Card

It's time for another amazing Wentz Orthodontics contest! This time,  we're celebrating Father's day! Tell us why your dad makes you smile by posting on our facebook page, tagging us on instagram, or emailing your answer! You can email tamara@wentzmail.com.

Be sure to include a photo of you with your dad! All entries will be entered to win a $100 Home Depot gift card for Dad!

DIY Freezer Smoothie Packs

Ingredients

• 1 cup spinach, packed
• 1/2 banana, cut up into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt, frozen (about 2 frozen cubes)
• 1 cup mixed frozen fruit (mangoes, pineapple, strawberries)
• 1 to 1 & 1/4 cup water OR milk (cow, almond, coconut, whatever kind you like)

Instructions

• In a zip-top sandwich bag, add the spinach, banana pieces, frozen yogurt cubes, and mixed frozen fruit. Squeeze out the air and zip the bag shut. Place in freezer. Repeat for additional packs.

• To prepare: Pour 1 to 1 & ¼ cup water or milk in a blender. Add one frozen smoothie pack and blend until smooth, adding extra water or milk if desired to preferred consistency.

5 Fun Spring Activities

Spring is in the air! As the flower buds are peeking out and birds are starting to chirp, it's time to leave those thoughts of winter behind. Spring can be a wonderful time to explore the outdoors or go for a walk around town. Get your family moving together and establish some healthy habits, away from the electronics indoors. We have 5 fun ideas to get you in the mood for the loveliest season of the year.

1. Dust off the sports gear. Find a kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, shoot hoops, whatever sports activity that you and your family enjoy doing. 
2. Get dirty in the yard. Mow the grass. Pull weeds. Till flower beds. Replant. Cut back. Find the fun in getting sweaty, and teach your kids how to manage the landscaping while you do it.
3. Explore the outdoors. Hike a trail and check out the plants budding out of the ground.
4. Go to a baseball game. The beginning baseball season is one of the annual markers that warm weather is just around the corner. If you don't have it in your budget for pricey pro tickets, look into local league games, college, or even high school games to watch.
5. Make Something. Whether you're experimenting with a new recipe or creating a new craft, making something new will give your kids a sense of satisfaction.

After being cooped up all winter, everyone's ready for some fresh Spring air. We hope you will step into the warm weather with suggestions of fun activities for the entire family.

How To Stop Nail-Biting

Do you ever find yourself biting your nails? Nail-biting is a very common habit which usually has its beginnings in childhood. It can leave your fingers and nail beds red and swollen. If you think your nails are the only ones getting roughed up by your nail-biting habit, you're mistaken—so are your teeth!

There are several things you can do to ease up on your nail-biting:

• Trim your nails shorter and/or get regular manicures – Trimming your nails shorter is an effective remedy because it makes it a little more difficult to bite them. Also, if you enjoy getting manicures, you’ll be less likely to ruin the investment you’ve made in your hands and fingernails!
• Find a different kind of stress reduction – Try meditation, deep breathing, practicing qigong or yoga, or doing something that will keep your hands occupied like squeezing a stress ball or playing with a yo-yo.
• Wear a bitter-tasting nail polish – When your nails taste awful, you won't bite them! 
• Figure out what triggers your nail-biting – Knowing what situations cause you to bite your nails will help you to avoid them and break the habit.
• Wear gloves or bandages on your fingers – If you've tried the steps above and they aren't working, this technique can prove effective since your fingernails won't be accessible to bite.

#WentzSBsmiles Contest Info

It's time for another wonderful Wentz Orthodontics contest! Use #WentzSBsmiles to send us your pictures this Spring Break for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches | NEW RECIPE

These Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches are prepared with an unbaked egg-free chocolate chip cookie dough. Use your favorite ice cream or make it homemade!Best of all, it's braces friendly & taste buds approved!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 Cup butter
• 1/2 Cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
• 3 T milk
• 2 t McCormick® Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 Cups ice cream, softened

DIRECTIONS:

1. Microwave butter and sugars in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. 
2. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in milk, vanilla and salt. Add flour; stir until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate 15 minutes. 
3. Line 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, with ends of paper extending over sides of pan. Press 1/2 of the dough into pan until smooth and even. Place a second layer parchment paper on top on the dough and repeat with remaining dough. Freeze for 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
4. Remove from freezer. Carefully remove the top layer of cookie dough by lifting the top layer of parchment paper.
5. Gently spread the softened ice cream over the bottom layer of cookie dough still in the pan. Peel the parchment paper from the second layer of cookie dough and place it smooth side up on top of the ice cream. Cover with foil or plastic wrap. 
6. Freeze 2 hours or until firm. Cut into 16 bars. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Store in freezer.

Braces Friendly Breakfast Recipe

Enjoy this cake with any sort of fruit that inspires you! Roasted apricots, fresh plums, or smashed blackberries would be great if you're not a strawberry fan!

Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Cake

For the Roasted Strawberries:

• 8-ounces medium strawberries, hulled
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

For the Buttermilk Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon aluminimum-free baking powder (I use Rumford Baking Powder)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• Roasted strawberries
• 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar for topping

To Make the Strawberries:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. The strawberries get juicy, so a rimmed baking sheet is important. Set aside.
3. Cut each strawberry in half and place in a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, and salt. Whisk together until completely incorporated. Drizzle the mixture over the strawberries and toss until each strawberry is coated. Arrange strawberries in a single layer across prepared baking sheet.
4. Roast strawberries for 40 minutes. The juices will thicken, but remove the strawberries from the oven before the juices begin to burn. Remove the berries and juice from the pan while still warm. Place in a small bowl, stir in balsamic vinegar, and set aside.

To Make the Cake:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and heat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter an 11-inch cast iron skillet. You can also use an 11-inch round tart or quiche pan, or a 9×13-inch pan… although the cake will be more thin and you’ll need to keep a close eye on it in the oven.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and butter. Whisk in the vanilla or almond extract.
4. Add the buttermilk mixture all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined and no lumps remain. Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Top batter with half of the roasted strawberries and juice. Sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool to room temperature before slicing to serve. Serve with the remaining roasted strawberries.
6. Cake will last, well wrapped in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

Tater Tot Skewers for Super Bowl Sunday

INGREDIENTS 

• Bag of Tater Tots
• 8 slices of cooked bacon chopped
• 1 cup of cheese grated
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
• Skewers

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook your tater tots according to directions until golden brown in color - Set oven for 425 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Once you pull them out of the oven, let cool for approximately 2-5 minutes until you can skewer them onto the skewers. We suggest 6-7 per skewer.
3. Once on the skewers and on the pan, sprinkle ranch dressing over each of the tater tots.
4. Sprinkle the bacon and then the cheese.
5. Put into the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and golden in color.
6. Remove from oven and serve.

Nacho Loaded Potato Skins | Braces Friendly Super Bowl Snack

Have you heard of Nacho Loaded Potato Skins? What does that even mean? It means basically that this is the end all be all game day snack. Imagine a crispy potato skin stuffed with refried beans, bacon, topped with cheese, salsa, guacamole, and chives. Can you dig it? We thought we would provide the recipe for our patients who are looking for a braces friendly alternative to tortilla chip nachos during Super Bowl Sunday! Enjoy!

NACHO LOADED POTATO SKINS

INGREDIENTS

• 6 Russet Potatoes, scrubbed and pricked with a fork
• olive oil
• 6 strips applewood smoked bacon
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup refried beans
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Chipotle Guacamole (http://whatsgabycooking.com/chipotle-guacamole/)
• 1 cup salsa

Optional

• chopped scallions
• sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Drizzle the whole potatoes with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for about 60 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3. While the potatoes are baking, cook off 6 pieces of bacon until crispy and then set aside to cool. Once cooled, roughly chop the bacon.
4. Remove from oven and let cool until they are cool enough to handle. Cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise, and scoop out a most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch remaining.
5. Crank the oven up to 450 degrees F.
6. Place the cut potatoes back onto the baking sheet, flesh side up. Lightly drizzle the tops with olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder and red pepper flakes and place them back into the oven for about 10 more minutes. Flip them onto their other side and bake for another 10 minutes before removing them from the oven.
7. Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet, cut side up.
8. Spoon equal amounts of refried beans into each potato, followed by equal parts bacon and shredded cheese. Place the potato skins back into the oven for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts.
9. Take the potatoes out of the oven and top them with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, scallions, chives or whatever else you'd like to top them with and serve immediately.

Invest In Your Child's Future

Braces are an investment in your child’s future for their oral, facial and overall health. At Wentz Orthodontics we advise our patients of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommendation that all children have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they reach age 7.

Find out some benefits of early orthodontics below:

• Improved appearance: Attractive smile for life after having braces is a great self-esteem and confidence booster, improving both your child’s emotional well-being, as well as their social life.

• Improved oral health: Following braces, the teeth are better aligned and much easier to clean and floss, making them less likely to decay over time.

• Good bite: A well-positioned bite reduces wear on and fracturing of the teeth.

• Correction of issues: These can be from previous thumb sucking or extended pacifier use, or craniofacial abnormalities.

• Better sleep: Many children who grind or clench their teeth during sleep experience a resolution of their symptoms after orthodontic treatment.

• Improvement or elimination of recurrent headaches: Misalignment of the bite can cause damage to the temporomandibular joint and headaches and earaches. Orthodontics can help correct this.

• Improved speech: Many children who experience an array of speech impediments notice a difference when their teeth are aligned properly.

Call us at Wentz Orthodontics today for a consultation for your child. It’s never too early to start exploring your options and with a comprehensive assessment,

Merry Christmas

May your blessings in this holiday be as beautiful as the snowflakes.

Love,
Wentz Orthodontics

HOLIDAY RECIPE: Red Velvet Banana Bread

Do you enjoy making holiday treats for loved ones or neighbors? Then you need to try this Red Velvet Banana Bread recipe we've found! It’s like banana bread and red velvet cake all at the same time. Add some character to it by drizzling with white chocolate and Christmas colored sprinkles!

Red Velvet Banana Bread is easy to make, and this recipe makes 5 loaves, perfect for a holiday gift! 

Ingredients

• 2 red velvet cake mixes (I used 2 (16.5 oz) Duncan Hines red velvet cake mixes)
• 6 eggs
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 6 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 8 ounces white candy melts
• Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 5 (8" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/2") loaf pans with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on low for 20 seconds, then turn up speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour batter into loaf pans. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool.
3. Place candy melts in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until completely melted. Stir until smooth. Pour into a clear plastic pastry bag. Cut the tip off and drizzle melted candy over the cooled bread. Let the candy melts set (about 20-30 minutes).
4. For a gift, wrap in clear plastic wrap. Tie a bow around it and add gift tag. Store at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Happy Holiday's from Wentz Orthodontics!

Happy Thanksgiving

There is always something to be thankful for, and at Wentz Orthodontics we are thankful for you! Thank you to our wonderful patients for letting us work on those gorgeous smiles!

Happy Thanksgiving!

National JERSEY Day!

Tomorrow is National Jersey Day! To celebrate, we want you to wear your favorite sports jersey to show off your favorite teams and players! It’s no surprise that every Fall weekend means football games for thousands of fans, so for that very reason, National Jersey Day was created!

Sport your jersey tomorrow whether you have an appointment at Wentz Orthodontics or not! Not coming by our office, no problem! Post your jersey pictures on our Facebook wall or tag us on Instagram!

NEW FALL RECIPE: Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake

Fall is here! With this new season comes fun Halloween festivities, Breast Cancer Awareness, National Orthodontic Health Month, as well as PUMPKIN flavored EVERYTHING! Are you a fan of pumpkin flavor or scent? If you answered no, we're sorry, you probably won't enjoy this blog! If you answered yes, then you're in luck because we've done some research to find you a brand new
spooktacular pumpkin recipe.

PUMPKIN CARAMEL POKE CAKE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

• one 16.50-ounce box spice cake mix
• one 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• one 12-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• one 12-ounce jar caramel sundae topping
• one 8-ounce container whipped topping, thawed 
• 1/2 cup toffee bits
• 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce (storebought or homemade, regular caramel sauce or caramel sundae topping may be substituted)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add the cake mix, pumpkin puree, egg, oil, pumpkin pie spice, and beat with a handheld electric mixer on high until smooth and combined, about 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
3. Bake for about 27 to 30 minutes, or until cake is set in the center, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no batter.
4. While the cake bakes combine the sweetened condensed milk, caramel sundae topping, and whisk to combine; set aside.
5. Remove cake from the oven when it's done and use the blunt end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. 
6. Slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk and caramel mixture over the cake, taking your time to evenly distribute it. Place cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes to cool slightly before adding the whipped topping so it doesn't melt.
7. Remove cake from the fridge, evenly spread the whipped topping over the surface, evenly sprinkle with toffee bits, chocolate chips, and evenly drizzle with salted caramel sauce. Cover cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best) before slicing and serving. 

Stay Flossy

Wentz Orthodontics understands it may be difficult to figure out how to floss when you have braces. With those wires, brackets, bands, and appliances getting in the way, going from no braces, to a mouth full of appliances can be a little overwhelming. It is important that you don’t neglect flossing in order to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Flossing is extremely important while you’re a patient at Wentz Orthodontics being treated for braces because it can be easy for food particles to become trapped in your teeth. Trapped food particles can lead to cavities and gum disease; something we definitely want you to avoid. Flossing regularly while wearing braces will keep your mouth healthy and your smile will look amazing when your braces are removed.

If you are new to flossing with braces we’ve gathered some tips and tricks you can use to help you conquer this task. 

• Carefully Thread the Floss: You should thread the floss under the wire before passing it between your teeth with a floss threader. 
• Use a Proxy Brush: There is a special type of brush you can use called a proxy brush that can assist you trapped food particles. The bristles on this brush are great for getting under the wire and between your teeth. 
• Use a Water Flosser: Another great tool for flossing with braces is a water flosser. These flossers can be fixed with a special orthodontic tip on them that is designed to remove food particles and bacteria from your braces and between your teeth. Using a water flosser is much easier than threading the floss between each bracket. 
• Use Waxed Floss: Waxed flosses are less likely to get caught in your braces or tear when they come into contact with the metal braces. 

If you are a difficult time flossing with your braces, or if you would like more tips on how to successfully care for your teeth, our friendly team at Wentz Orthodontics is happy to help.