Summer Smiles in Full Effect

Welcome to Wentz Orthodontics, where you are greeted and treated like family. Our team is led by the dynamic brother and sister duo of Dr. Ed Wentz and Dr. Holly Reeves. They have been creating smiles in an atmosphere that is easy for parents and fun for kids for over 25 years. We want our patients to live life smiling!

We believe everyone should have the ability to smile with confidence and live a healthy life. We have several new locations, ready to serve you in your community. Be sure to contact us to learn more about our services.

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Loving this smile! #HappyWednesday 👍😃 #WentzOrthodontics

A post shared by Wentz Orthodontics (@wentz_orthodontics) on Jun 26, 2019 at 8:19am PDT

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Big thumbs up! Congrats on your amazing smile. #WentzOrthodontics 😃👍

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These #WentzOrthodontics smiles are ready for summer!👍😃☀

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Spectacular Smile! 😎😎😎 #WentzOrthodontics

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Happy Monday from these awesome #Wentz smiles 😃👍

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Prevent Enamel Damage

Your tooth enamel is the hard, outer surface layer of your teeth that serves to protect against tooth decay. In fact, tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body, even stronger than bone. Your tooth enamel acts as a protection shield against your teeth. There are several actions you can do to prevent enamel damage such as decaying or discoloration.

Preventing enamel decay can be as easy as cutting out or limiting high-acidic foods from your regular diet. High-acidic foods include items such as blueberries, sugar, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, cranberries, and more.  Another thing you can do is remove high sugar drinks from your diet in addition to acidic foods is also a good idea.

The easiest way to avoid decay is to steer clear of high-acidity foods. This may not always be possible, but eliminating sugary fruit juices and soda from your diet is a good start.

Brushing your teeth after each meal and flossing frequently also preserves your enamel. Another good idea is to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating to wash away high-acidity particles.

Although enamel damage is common, it does not have to be an inevitable occurrence. Knowing the foods that harm your teeth gives you the tools to prevent discoloration and decay. With some easy preventive measures, your teeth will stay strong and white for years to come!

New Year, New Smiles at Wentz Orthodontics

Happy New Year! We are so excited to start the new year at Wentz Orthodontics. We are so eager to see all the amazing smiles transformed in our office and all those who will begin treatment. Check out a few of our new smiles this month.

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.

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What a fantastic smile! 😀 Thank you Lesley for sharing these great photos. #WentzOrthodontics #Smiles

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New experiences at Wentz Orthodontics! How adorable. Thank you Andi for sharing this adorable photo. 😀 #WentzOrthodontics

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Even babies and Batman love #WentzOrthodontics....and we ❤ them!

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Thumbs up to an amazing smile! 😀 #WentzOrthodontics

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Have Braces? Avoid these Christmas Treats!

The Holidays are here and that means Christmas time, spending time with family, endless sweets and of course no school for kids. The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate with family and also a time where we can slip up on certain foods to avoid, especially if we have braces. From sugar, to cookies to gingerbread houses, there is no end in the sweet treats. Here are three foods to avoid this holiday season.

1. Candy Canes: 
These beautiful perfect treats are one to avoid this season if you have braces. The hard candy could damage your braces and the stickiness of the peppermint candy can get stuck in between your orthodontic appliances.

2. Popcorn:
If you string popcorn around your tree, you know this how involves eating the popcorn as well. Popcorn is a great treat, however you may want to stay away from it this year. Popcorn is notorious for getting stuck in between teeth and your braces.

3. Caramel Sweets
Who doesn’t love the sweet caramel treats this time of year. From caramel apple to caramel drizzled on your popcorn to your Starbucks drink, seems like caramel is everywhere this time of year. Be sure to stay away from this sticky treat, because it can be damaging to your teeth and braces.

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.

Which Type of Floss is Best?

If you’ve visited the dental care aisle recently, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming. We often have patients ask us which floss is the “best” type of floss. In essence, all of the options on the market today do the same thing, and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. We’ve listed a few of the options below.  

Flossers: Flossers are small plastic instruments with a single floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers come in flavored varieties as well. They are a great “on the go” option.

Gentle Dental Floss: Some people will find that regular dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, several options are available that have soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, gentle floss is just as effective as regular floss and an ideal match for anyone looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing.

Flavored Dental Floss: Flavored dental floss will freshen your breath while you floss! We suggest flavored dental floss if it prompts you to floss your teeth regularly.

Of all of the options, it is difficult to choose the absolute best type of floss. However, our team feels that the type of floss that works best for you, giving you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing, is the ultimately best choice. For more information on floss, or flossing with braces, ask us at your next appointment. There are many ways to make it both easy AND effective.

Brushing With Braces

Having a clean mouth is very important. Brushing and flossing removes a thin sticky film of bacteria that grows on your teeth. This sticky film, called plaque, is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease. We're sure you've noticed that it is much harder to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food becomes caught in the brackets and between your teeth. Brushing after meals and flossing will help prevent plaque from forming and should become part of your daily schedule. Here’s a few things you need to know to make brushing a little easier.

Types of toothbrush you can use:
Soft toothbrush
Soft toothbrushes are toothbrushes with soft, gentle bristles. When shopping for a toothbrush you will notice they are labeled either “extra soft,” “soft,” “medium,” or “hard.” Extra soft is your best option for braces.

Electric toothbrush
An electric toothbrush, also known a power toothbrush, either battery powered or the kind you plug into the wall to recharge. Electronic toothbrushes clean teeth more effectively than traditional ones. Since you don't need to brush as hard with an electric toothbrush to get the same results, you are also less likely to injure your gums or inner cheeks.

How to brush: 

• Prepare to brush. Make sure to take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.
• Clean your braces. Use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. 
• Brush your teeth. Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

Don't forget! You still need to see your dentist twice a year for your regular dental cleanings. If you are having any trouble brushing your teeth let us know about it during your next visit. We're always happy to give you tips on keeping your Wentz Orthodontics smile shining bright!

Braces For Kids

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7. This is the recommended age because typically the first of the adult teeth appear, and when some of the more important problems of dental development can require treatment. Treatment for young children is usually aimed at dealing with functional problems that immediately threaten the health of the teeth. The conditions that we treat in early childhood are problems of tooth eruption, crossbite, overcrowding, jaw growth problems, snoring, thumb sucking, tongue thrust and open bite.

Orthodontic issues can develop very early in childhood, which is why early treatment is important for a number of specific conditions to prevent damage to the adult teeth or to limit the effects of a developing growth problem. One of our guiding principles at Wentz Orthodontics is to keep the amount of treatment required to produce a great smile to an absolute minimum. For more information on orthodontic treatment for children, click here to visit our website or give us a call.

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.

DIY Summer Treat

Wentz Orthodontics wants to help you keep your snack choices healthy this summer with braces-friendly healthy summer snack recipes.  By avoiding sticky sweets and sugary beverages, we will provide you with snack choices that are fit for orthodontic patients and promote overall wellness and health! All summer long, check here for healthy new summer snack recipes! 

STRAWBERRY-KIWI FRUIT POPSICLES

Ingredients:

• Popsicle Molds
• 8 strawberries , cut into thin slices
• 2 kiwis , cut into thin slices
• Strawberry-Kiwi Juice

Instructions:

1. Arrange sliced strawberries and sliced kiwis inside the popsicle molds.
2. Pour just enough strawberry-kiwi juice into each mold to cover the fruit.
3. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze until frozen solid; about 1 to 2 hours.
4. Serve.

Tips For Creating Your #WentzJingleJam Entry

Here at Wentz Orthodontics, we love giving back to the community and patients as much as we can. This month, we're giving you the chance to win 1 of 3 amazing prizes all valued at $1500 each! Don't feel overwhelmed with the requirements of entering, you don't need fancy equipment or video editing skills! Use your smartphone or any camera that allows you to video record, pop on your best smile, and show us some fun moves to our new Wentz Orthodontics jingle!

Keep reading for a few tips on how to create your #WentzJingleJam video entry!

Make a Plan
Ready to make your video? Get creative, get loud, get silly! Dance around with your friends or family and show off that Wentz smile. Think quick, simple, and fun.

Set-up the Scene
Prepare your setting and have all people and props ready to go. If you want to keep it simple use your camera app and attach your camera phone to a tripod or camera stand. This way you can film and arrange the scene without also holding the camera. However, you’ll find out quickly that another set of hands will make life easier.

Shoot
Open the camera app and tap the camera button to go into photo shooting mode, then tap the video camera icon on your phone to enter the video mode. (Unless you have a video camera)

Edit
Watch your video and go back and delete or add shots. If this is a little out of your comfort zone, skip this part! This is meant to be fun and easy so don't overcomplicate it!

Share
Add a description of the video and post it on our Wentz Orthodontics Facebook wall! Be sure to include the tag #WentzJingleJam! Check out the flyer for other ways to enter!

Mouthguards Save Teeth & Faces

A mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth

Contact and collision sports such as boxing and martial arts are higher-risk sports for the mouth. Any athlete can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguards
Mouthguards can be custom made for your mouth by your dentist or orthodontist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore.

Protecting Your Braces
A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

If you're an athlete and a patient at Wentz Orthodontics, talk to Dr. Wentz about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection for you. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, Dr. Wentz may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.

Also, be sure to remember if you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports. For more information give us a call at 806-79-BRACE or visit our website.

Nutella Stuffed Pancakes | MARCH RECIPE

When you have pillowy soft, fluffy pancakes that are stuffed with warm, oozy Nutella, you don’t need anything else. Try out this amazing braces friendly breakfast recipe this weekend! These are best eaten warm but still fabulous at room temperature.

Recipe makes 6 to 7 pancakes.

NUTELLA STUFFED PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS

• 10 - 14 tbsp Nutella
• Dry Ingredients
• 1½ cups plain flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 4 tbsp sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Wet Ingredients
• 1 egg
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp milk 
• 1 tsp vanilla essence (optional)
• Other
• 1 tsp butter, separated (2 x ½ tsp)
• Sliced strawberries (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Frozen Nutella Disc

• Line a baking tray with baking paper (parchment paper).
• Dollop 1½ to 2 tbsp of Nutella onto the baking tray and spread into a disc around 2½" / 6cm in diameter and ⅕" / ½ cm thick. (Note 1) Repeat to make 7 discs.
• Place the tray in the freezer until firm (around 1 to 1½ hours).
• Peel off the parchment paper. Keep the Nutella discs in the freezer until required (they soften quickly).

Pancakes

• Place the Dry Ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
• Make a well in the center and place the wet Ingredients in the well. Whisk until combined and lump free (stop whisking as soon as it is smooth, don't over whisk).
• Melt ½ tsp butter in a non-stick fry pan over medium heat. Once melted, wipe most of the butter off with a paper towel. (Note 2)
• Take 3 Frozen Nutella Discs out of the freezer just before you start cooking. (Note 3)
• Dollop ¼ cup of batter into the fry pan. Working quickly, place 1 Frozen Nutella Disc in the middle of the batter, then top with batter to cover the Nutella disc (Note 4).
• When bubbles start appearing around the edges (around 2 minutes), lift up the edge and make sure the underside is golden. Then flip and cook until the other side is golden.
• Repeat with remaining batter. Melt more butter in the pan after the 3rd or 4th pancake. You should be able to make 7 in total, but sometimes it makes 6 - depends on how much batter you use on top of the Nutella.
• Serve warm with sliced strawberries, if using. 

NOTES
1. Don't make the Nutella discs too thin otherwise they may break when you handle them. But on the other hand, don't be too greedy and make them too big otherwise they will ooze out everywhere when you're making the pancake!

2. Wiping most of the butter off is the secret to getting the first pancake an even golden brown rather than splotchy which is what usually happens!

3. The Nutella discs soften quickly. They need to stay firm in order to handle them.

4. Use a ¼ cup measure and fill it about ⅔ of the way up then dollop that on top of the Nutella. You don't need a full ¼ cup of batter to cover the Nutella, the pancake becomes too big and thick. Use the edge of the cup to spread the batter to cover the Nutella. You have to work quickly because once the Nutella disc is on the batter, it melts quickly and it is almost impossible to spread batter on top of melted Nutella.

5. If you get a pancake that "bursts" and Nutella spills onto the fry pan, scrape the Nutella off before making the next one. Otherwise you'll get burnt bits of Nutella on your next pancake!

Super Bowl LI Contest

Who ya got??? Falcons or Pats? Send us your predictions of winners along with the score and the closest guess wins $200!!!Head to our Facebook page to enter now!

Honeydew Melon Cucumber Smoothie | NEW RECIPE

We know some kids can be fussy when it comes to eating healthy foods, especially when they're dealing with a new set of braces. Changing eating habits to better accommodate new braces, and health is not always easy as healthy food choices tend to look less appealing than a slice of pizza or hard shell tacos. If you want to ensure your kids will intake some healthy fruits and vegetables, we suggest making smoothies for them! Smoothies are a wonderful way to make fruits and veggies appeal to kids, and they're healthy as well as braces friendly. 

To help get you started on your smoothie journey, we're sharing a delicious recipe with you below! Try it out this weekend and let us know how you liked it!

Honeydew Melon Cucumber Smoothie

Our personal favorite, a lean green smoothie your teenager will love.

You Will Need:

• 1 honeydew melon
• 1 cup green grapes, preferably seedless
• 1 cucumber peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup mint leaves

How To:

• Peel the honeydew melon, remove the seeds and dice it.
• Add the melon cubes, green grapes, cucumber pieces and mint leaves to a blender and blend for a minute.
• Serve fresh.

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Servings: 4
Nutritional Value: calories – 86, carbohydrates – 21.2g, protein – 1.6g, fat – 0.5g, cholesterol – 0mg

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!