Vote for Us! 2019

The 2019 Best of the Best Awards is here! Wentz Orthodontics has been nominated in the Best of Lubbock Orthodontist category and we would like to encourage everyone to show their support by voting for us.

Make it count and don't sit this one out. Vote for Wentz Orthodontics!

https://lubbockonline.gatehousecontests.com/Best-of-Lubbock-2019/

National Fresh Breath Day 2019

Happy National Fresh Breath Day! Today is National Fresh Breath Day, are you keeping your smile fresh and healthy?

One incredible way to keep your smile healthy is by switching up your toothbrush. Most homes often forget to replace toothbrushes. The simple act of replacing your toothbrush can have a valuable impact. The Academy of Dental Association, recommends switching out your toothbrush every 3-4 months for health reasons and because the bristles can become too stiff, which can be too hard for your teeth and enamel. This simple step will keep your mouth and teeth feeling healthy and your breath fresh.

#WentzOrthodontics Summer Smiles

Your experience at Wentz Orthodontics matters to us. We are blessed to be a part of an amazing community. Thank you to all of our incredible patients whose smiles and lives we get to be a part of. Here are just a few of our awesome patients smiles this summer!

View this post on Instagram

Thursday smiles!! 😃 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jul 25, 2019 at 8:23am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Time to smile! #HappyMonday #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jul 29, 2019 at 8:03am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Thumbs up for this awesome smile! #SummerSmiles #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jul 16, 2019 at 6:00am PDT

View this post on Instagram

These smiles are summer ready! ☀😃👍 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jul 10, 2019 at 6:30am PDT

2 Health Tips for Your Summer Smile to Shine!

Summer has officially arrived! That means summer vacation, kids are at home and some free time for your family. Summer is the perfect time to schedule orthodontic appointments or to begin orthodontic treatment. Summer can also be a hard time to keep up with oral hygiene routines. According to a nationwide survey by Delta Dental, nearly 30% of parents say summer vacation is the most difficult time to get their children to keep up good oral health.

Here are two tips to help keep your smile and teeth healthy all summer long.

Replace Your Toothbrush - Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months, so summer is the perfect opportunity to get a new one. A new toothbrush will help you ensure your teeth are being brushed and cleaned properly.

Stock Healthy Snacks - With kids at home and some free time, sugary treats are bound to end up in our diet. Stay ahead of the curve and stock some healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables already cut up and within reach. Additionally, avoid sugary drinks such as soda, lemonade and sports drinks which can damage your teeth.

View this post on Instagram

#HappyMonday from these fantastic smiles! 😃📸

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jul 8, 2019 at 9:14am PDT

The Importance of Retainers

Congratulations! You are near the end of your smile journey and your braces are about to be off! Nothing like that feeling. Even long after our braces are off, teeth shift and it is natural as we grow older. There is one thing you can do to ensure your smile remains the best it can be and that is wearing retainers.

No matter your situation, it’s almost a guarantee you will be wearing some form of a retainer after having your braces are removed. It might be removable retainer, which is removed for eating and cleaning or a bonded retainer, placed discreetly behind your teeth.

There might be a minor adjustment period when you first put your retainer on. Don’t worry, this is completely normal and will pass soon enough.

Retainers are essential for helping your teeth stay in place in their new positions after wearing braces.

View this post on Instagram

A smile is what makes us, unique. 😃 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Mar 7, 2019 at 6:14am PST

View this post on Instagram

These smiles light up any room they're in. ☀😃

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Mar 27, 2019 at 6:18am PDT

Braces Friendly Foods on Superbowl Sunday

A big holiday is upon us! It is the unofficial holiday all over the United States, The Super Bowl! Which team are you rooting for? If you just received braces any holiday, especially The Super Bowl could be tough, finding which foods you can and can not eat.

First thing’s first, which foods are off limits? Stay off and avoid these types of foods.

• Hard nuts, candies, hard fruits (like apples and pears)
• Hard vegetables (like carrots and corn on the cob)
• Chips
• Taco shells
• Pizza crust
• Pretzels
• Sticky stuff like taffy, gum and caramels
• Foods high in acidity that could cause discoloration like lemons, limes and sodas.

Superbowl Friendly Foods:

• Burger Sliders
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Guacamole
• Meatballs 
• Smooth potato salad
• Cole slaw
• Soft Tacos
• Ice cream
• Cupcakes
• Creampies
• Soft pastries
• Soups
• Pasta

3 Benefits of Orthodontics

Your thinking about getting braces or invisalign? Congratulations! Did you know there are other benefits to orthodontics, other than a straight smile? No doubt, you will feel confident and smile every chance you get, after treatment. Here are three benefits to orthodontics.

1. Gum Disease: 
Out gums are the essential foundation to our teeth. Our gums are also connected to the overall health of our body. Having straight teeth, allows our teeth to be spaced out evenly and prevent tooth decay and cavities by making it easier to brush out teeth, floss and avoid plaque buildup.

2. Improved Speech:
Disproportionately teeth have an impact on our speech and the way we sound out words. Teeth that are not straightened make it harder for someone to pronounce particular sounds, which could cause an effect on our personal or professional life. And just like with the health and aesthetic aspect of having braces, having straightened teeth significantly improves the way you sound out words.

3. Improving Bad Bites:
A bad bite can cause problems with eating, chewing and even speech. All because your teeth do not fit properly together. This also make your jaw tired, which eventually leads to tooth loss. Thanks to orthodontic treatment, it will help to realign these upper and lower parts of your mouth to properly fix any bad bite's you may have.


To schedule an appointment with us or learn more about our services, contact us at (806) 79-BRACE. Learn more about what makes Wentz Orthodontics unique.

Halloween Candy Spectacular

Halloween is here!

Pumpkins, ghost, costumes and candy all make up this fantastic holiday. The endless amount of free sugar will sure make you extremely happy, however for your teeth, that is another story. These sugary treats can affect your teeth in different ways, especially when it comes to orthodontic treatment and the overall health of your teeth.

Halloween is about having fun, dressing up and eating candy. It’s important to stick to your routines and be sure to brush your teeth, floss and wear your retainer. Here is a rundown to all the types of Halloween candy and their impact on your teeth. Wentz Orthodontics is also having a Candy Buy Back. Stop by either of our Lubbock locations on Thursday 11/1 to sell us your candy! 3:30-5:30.

Sticky Gummy Candies: 
Sticky, gummy type candies are the worst type of candy for your teeth. It is harder to remove and stay longer on your teeth. This is especially bad for those who just received orthodontic treatment such as braces.

Hard Candies:
You want to watch out for hard candies on Halloween and beyond. These can break your teeth and can be damaging if you have braces. On top of that, hard candies can cause the sugar to wash all over your teeth. This is due to having the hard candy for longer periods in your mouth.

Sour Candy: 
It’s no secret how important the enamel on your tooth is. Acidic foods are harmful to your enamel and can cause it to erode, exposing your tooth to being more vulnerable to cavities. You can pass on sour candy because of the acidity.

Popcorn Balls:
These are often a big hit on Halloween night. You may find a couple of these in your child’s Halloween bucket. Have some floss on hand after enjoying these treats. Please be aware, if you have braces, these are probably not an ideal treat.

World Smile Day

"Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart."

Today is #WorldSmileDay and we love that our job is to create beautiful smiles and share them with everyone. Here are a few of our fantastic smiles this month, perfectly fitting for World Smile Day. 

#WentzOrthodontics Smiles

We love what we do at Wentz Orthodontics. Here you’re treated like family and we want our patients to live life smiling!

For some people, life is compartmentalized into neat, little boxes; one for work, one for faith, one for family, and so on. For us work is a natural extension of our families’ lives, our faith in God and a pretty good measure of fun. We approach everything we do with one goal in mind - to make a positive difference in people's lives and to honor God in the process. We have been blessed with a great team that shares our single-minded goal, and we couldn’t be more thankful!

From the beginning of your orthodontic treatment to the moment where you see your completed smile, we love that we get to be there every step of the way. Check out a few of our amazing patients and their smiles.

We LOVE seeing these smiles! Finishing orthodontic treatment rocks!!! 👍 😊 👍 😊 👍 😊 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Aug 13, 2018 at 11:04am PDT

Nothing better than finishing Orthodontic treatment!😀 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Aug 14, 2018 at 9:39am PDT

A beautiful summer smile! #WentzOrthodontics #Lubbock #FridayFeeling

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Aug 17, 2018 at 8:50am PDT

We love what we do! We also love seeing awesome smiles like these! Thanks for sharing @kristilowe 😃 #repost #wentzorthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Aug 23, 2018 at 8:18am PDT

A Healthy Foundation: Inflamed Gums

Before you visit an orthodontist, there are several health factors you need to have checked out. If you have swollen, inflamed gums, you know they can lead to serious discomfort. The most common cause of inflammation is gum disease, but improper brushing or flossing, tobacco use, chemotherapy, hormone changes, and irritation from dental hardware can also play a role.

With more than 50 percent of American adults experiencing early gum disease, inflamed gums are a common ailment. Depending on the severity of inflamed gums, you may be suffering from one of two types of gum disease.

Summer Smiles #WentzOrthodontics

Summer is officially here! Summers in Texas are HOT! But they also mean BBQ’s, spending time with friends and family, family vacations and tons of fun for everyone. With all the adventurous excitement of summer, it might be easy to forget a few of our regular simple tips that keep your smile healthy.

Stay on Routine: 
Summer screams vacation and fun times for children. It is also the time where it is easy for routines to slip and forget. Don’t forget the nightly and morning routines from simply brushing your teeth to flossing to getting check up from both your dentist and orthodontist, if it falls during the summer.

Resist Sugary Drinks:
Say no to the sugary drinks that have a high volume of sugar. Not only is it bad for your teeth, it is also bad for your health. Instead stay hydrated with water. This summer watch your intake of lemonade, soda and sports drinks - which are summer staples.

Traveling: Brush with Bottled Water:
Summer means family vacations for most families. If you’re traveling outside of the country or are out in the wilderness - brush your teeth with bottled water. It will reduce your chances of getting sick and keep your smile healthy beyond summer.

It was a thumbs-Up kind of day at Wentz Orthodontics 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on May 29, 2018 at 5:32pm PDT

Eating With Braces

Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

Chewy foods — bagels, licorice

Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice

Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum

Hard foods — nuts, hard candies

Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks

Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts

Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice

Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats

Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes

Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans

Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice

Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Crowd Pleasing Braces Friendly Game Day Recipes

If you're still searching for a few more snacks to add to your Super Bowl menu, we've got two that will be sure to score with your friends & family.

Hot Ham & Cheese Party Rolls

1 can refrigerated pizza crust

1 lb. deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved)

12 slices Swiss cheese

Glaze:

1/2 cup butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions:

1.         Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray

2.         Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board. Press into an approximately 13x18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face side down. Cut into 12 slices. Arrange in the prepared baking dish.

3.         Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and glaze is smooth. Pour evenly over the top of the rolls.

4.         Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Tip: Make these rolls a day ahead! Refrigerate rolls up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to warm up the glaze so you're able to pour it on top of the rolls!

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

1 bag frozen meatballs (any brand)

1 jar chili sauce

1 can jellied cranberry sauce

Directions:

1.         Add chili sauce and cranberry sauce to a medium mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix ingredients until semi-smooth.

2.         Add half the bag of meatballs to your crockpot. Top with half of the sauce mixture. Repeat with remaining meatballs and sauce.

3.         Cook on low until heated through, typically 3-4 hours.

This crowd-pleasing favorite can easily be adapted for a larger group! Just double the recipe and increase your heating time to 5-6 hours. In a time crunch? Heat meatballs and sauce on your stovetop until warm. Transfer to your crockpot for a quick, delicious addition to your game day party!