#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!

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Thursday smiles!! 😃 #WentzOrthodontics

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

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Time to smile! #HappyMonday #WentzOrthodontics

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

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Thumbs up for this awesome smile! #SummerSmiles #WentzOrthodontics

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

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These smiles are summer ready! ☀😃👍 #WentzOrthodontics

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

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.

Orthodontist and Dentists? What’s the Difference?

Photo: American Association of Orthodontists

At Wentz Orthodontics, we are a family committed to providing patients with high quality orthodontic care in a fun-filled family environment.

You may be asking, what is the difference between an Orthodontist and a Dentist? An Orthodontist specializes in orthodontic treatment beyond the basic dental health care. The most common being, specialists in straightening teeth. Dr. Wentz is a board certified orthodontist and Dr. Reeves is a dual-degreed orthodontist and pediatric dentistry. We are committed to continually educating our team members so we can provide the latest, and most up to date orthodontic therapy. We consider our team the best, because that is what our patients deserve. We are committed to our patients, providing the best in orthodontic healthcare.

Summer! Foods! Braces? - Wentz Orthodontics

Summer is around the corner! Here at Wentz Orthodontics, we are excited for BBQ’s, picnics, pool parties and vacation time! However, we are not so excited about the summer heat!  

Summer in Texas, are the defining moment for kids. Everyone is out of school and ready to relax. With relaxation and an abnormal routine, it is easy for kids with braces to forget two important food categories they’re supposed to avoid: hard foods and sticky foods!

Here are some great and not so great classic summer foods that are great for kids (or anyone really) who has braces.

Source: https://www.luvmysmile.com/blog/enjoy-classic-summer-foods-braces/

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.

Bad Breath & Braces

After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth properly. Simply doing a quick job brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth in great shape, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles leftover after you eat, and this sneaky bacterium creates an unpleasant odor.

We certainly understand bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it happens to most of us. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath (or know someone who is) is to determine the root of the problem. The most common factor for bad breath our patients is almost typically caused by poor oral hygiene.  It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack or at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you aren’t able to brush. Bad breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontics (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only having a snack.

If you need a few tips on how to keep your Wentz Orthodontics smile looking it's best, please don't hesitate to ask at your next appointment. We're here to help!

Do You Have a Loose Wire or Bracket?

We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact Wentz Orthodontics as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

In an emergency, you can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain until your appointment.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us immediately if you experience any issue with your braces. 

Smile Emergency?

At Wentz Orthodontics we know that even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. This soreness is the way your body reacts to your teeth as they begin to move. Your braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile but you may experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are a common occurrence when braces rub inside the mouth. There are ointments available to reduce the pain and irritation associated with mouth sores. 

Loose Brackets

If you have a loose bracket you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the bracket temporarily. You might also apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Please call the office for an appointment.

Loose Bands

The band will need to be reattached. Please call the office for an appointment and remember to bring the band with you.

Broken or Protruding Wires

The eraser end of a pencil can be used to move the wire carefully to a less painful spot. If you are unable to move it, apply orthodontic wax to the tip. If a mouth sore develops, rinse with warm salt water or antiseptic rinse. Please call the office for an appointment to trim or adjust the wire.

Loose Spacers

If a spacer (separator) becomes dislodged it may need to be repositioned and sometimes replaced. Please call the office to see if they need to be replaced.

Remember, braces aren't forever but your smile is!

More Than Just A Beautiful Smile

It’s important to understand that orthodontic health is much more than straight teeth. When Drs. Wentz and Reeves create beautiful smiles for our patients, they place all the elements of the face into their perfect alignment for a healthy as well as beautiful smile. Orthodontic treatment at Wentz Orthodontics also provides many additional health benefits. Here are just a few you might not realize:

Aid Digestive Health: Perfectly aligned teeth help you chew your food more effectively, which helps your digestive health.

Avoid Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Crowded and misaligned teeth make it difficult to clean your teeth and gums, which can lead to food and bacteria build-up. It's much easier to brush and floss your teeth when they are in healthy alignment.

Prevent TMJ: TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders occur from stress on the jaw joint. Often, people who suffer from TMJ have an incorrect bite pattern or a misalignment of their bite. Orthodontic treatment can align the teeth and bite to remove the stress on the joints that causes TMJ Disorder.

Correct some speech impediments: Sometimes when your teeth and joints are misaligned, this misalignment causes speech impediments. The teeth and tongue are important tools in our speech process, and it is extremely important that these tools be in their perfect alignment to speak our best.

If you have any questions about the health and aesthetic benefits of orthodontic treatment, feel free to contact us today. At Wentz Orthodontics our goal is for our patients to feel that their experience with our office is remarkable, unique, and pleasurable.

New Braces & You

At Wentz Orthodontics we believe you have taken the first step toward a healthier and more beautiful smile! You are probably wondering what comes next. The first week is the biggest period of adjustment, and there is a lot to learn in this short time.  What to eat?  How to brush?  No worries, in a very short time your braces will feel completely natural. Click on the links above to head to our website. It is filled with useful information that can help answer some common questions.

On the first day, your braces will probably feel sort of like a mouthful and it may take time to get used to them. By the second day, you may feel some soreness or discomfort.   If you are going to experience any discomfort, the second and third days are when it will happen. If you do experience discomfort it can be dealt with by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

If you have any questions or concerns the team of Wentz Orthodontics is here to help you. We're just a phone call away! We strive to make your smile journey a wonderful experience. 

Four Flavorful Fall Smoothies

With Fall in full swing and with it the hectic holidays just a step further down the road, we thought we’d put together a list of a few fall-themed smoothies that can serve as a great (and easy!) breakfast or after school snack.

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
If you’re a pumpkin fan, this smoothie is for you! While pumpkin is a trendy item, especially this time of year, what you might not know is pumpkin has both fiber and protein which makes for a healthy and filling smoothie.

• 2 tablespoons canned pure pumpkin
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 banana, frozen
• ½ teaspoon honey
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• ¼ cup ice

Helpful tip: If you’re finding that you have several over ripened bananas that you aren’t able to eat in time, toss them in a freezer bag! Frozen bananas are the perfect addition to smoothies and help make preparation even easier for those hectic weekday mornings. 

Cranberry, Pear, & Orange Smoothie
That’s quite a mouthful, and trust us, you’ll love this nutrient-packed smoothie!  It chocked full of filling fiber from the pear, Vitamin C from the orange, and antioxidants from the cranberries. If you’re using whole cranberries for the first time, this smoothie might be a bit tart! Add a bit of extra honey to tone down the tart zing.

• ¾ cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 pear, core removed & chopped
• 1 small orange
• ½ cup low-fat plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Feeling adventurous? Add in any of the items below to give this smoothie even MORE flavor!

• A handful of fresh spinach
• A frozen or fresh banana
• A few frozen strawberries, blueberries, mango, or pineapple
• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

Caramel Apple Smoothie
This smoothie is a great alternative to the traditional sticky treat and delivers all of the delicious flavor! Smoothie staples Greek yogurt and almond milk add filling protein and frozen banana adds plenty of sweetness.

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• ½ cup applesauce
• ¼  tsp caramel extract
• Caramel sauce & cinnamon for topping

Recipe swap: This recipe is very adaptable - the trick is to use what you have! Experiment with different types of milk and yogurt. If you don’t have caramel extract on hand, add a bit of caramel sauce right to the blender! Many of the applesauce pouches that are so popular with kids come in fun flavors too. The options are endless, have some fun with it!

Green Monster Smoothie
When you are ready to move on from using spinach in your green smoothies, Swiss chard is a great next step. Swiss chard has a delicate flavor and softer leaves that blend well in most blenders. It is actually in the same family (amaranthaceae) as spinach and beets!

• 2-3 cups Swiss chard, destemmed and roughly chopped
• 2-3 ripe bananas, fresh or frozen
• 1 tart green apple, chopped
• 1 medium whole grapefruit, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup white cranberry juice or water
• 2 cups ice

This recipe makes plenty, so freeze individual portions for those extra hectic mornings!

Calling All Expert Pumpkin Carvers!

We are SO excited to celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month with our annual

PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST!

Grab your art supplies and enter to win some pretty amazing prizes! Good luck to all of you & thank you for supporting Wentz Orthodontics. We LOVE our community!

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!