National Facial Protection Month

April is National Facial Protection Month! National Facial Protection Month serves as a reminder over the importance of wearing mouth guards during sports, protecting your beautiful smile.

67% of parents surveyed by the American Association of Orthodontists said their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet 70% said their biggest fear is their child getting hurt when playing sports. The most effective way to protect your childs teeth and prevent injuries is to wear a mouthguard.

About 80% of traumatic dental injuries occur to the two front teeth. Injuries can happen at any age and any skill level. So when should you wear a mouth guard? Here are just a few.

• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Soccer
• Skiing
• Rugby
• Softball
• Tennis  

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.

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.

August Recipe

Here is everything you need to know to make your own rainbow smoothie! Enjoy!

Ingredients

RED LAYER

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• water or liquid for blending

ORANGE LAYER

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1 small orange
• 1/4 cup frozen mango
• water or liquid for blending

YELLOW LAYER

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• water or liquid for blending

GREEN LAYER

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1 handful (or more) spinach
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• water or liquid for blending

BLUE LAYER

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• small amount of blue food coloring
• water or liquid for blending

PURPLE LAYER

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• water or liquid for blending

MAGENTA LAYER

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1/2 cup sliced beets
• 1 cup frozen strawberries or raspberries

FOR EACH SMOOTHIE
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid to help it blend if it's too thick.
Transfer the smoothie to a bowl or container, rinse the blender and prep the next smoothie.

TO ASSEMBLE THE RAINBOW SMOOTHIE
Carefully layer each color smoothie in glasses in rainbow order. If desired, blend the smoothie using a straw or stir stick. Top each smoothie with a toothpick filled with leftover fruit.

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.

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!

Will Wisdom Teeth Affect Your Braces?

Some people require their wisdom teeth to be removed following orthodontic treatment with braces. Often the timing of the eruption of wisdom teeth coincides with the removal of braces. It is often difficult to determine if someone will have space in their mouth for their wisdom teeth to erupt or if the wisdom will become impacted.

Many people have their wisdom teeth emerge as healthy, effective back molars. In this case, the tooth has grown in straight and is not affecting the person’s bite and any dental work will be unaffected. There is nothing stopping a person with healthy wisdom teeth from getting braces either.

Wisdom teeth are a leftover trait from when humans had larger jaws and chewed hearty leaves. Wisdom teeth tend to overcrowd already corrected molars or emerge only half way. In fact, wisdom teeth statistically have the highest chance of growing in sideways, an issue known as an impacted wisdom tooth, which can affect the nearby teeth. However, wisdom teeth cannot cause front teeth to become crooked. From the back of the mouth, the pressure they exert on the other molars is not strong enough to reach the front.

This has led people to believe that wisdom teeth can ruin their current or previous dental work. There are a number of other factors that have led to this. Around 20 years old, the jaw performs its last growth spurt, which can leave teeth crooked. This is also the age when many former braces wearers begin to neglect their retainers at night.

Each set of braces is unique for the wearer, as is the decision on what to do about wisdom teeth. Talk with the doctors of Wentz Orthodontics as soon as you notice any discomfort or wisdom teeth appearing. While they may not affect your braces, wisdom teeth can change your overall oral health.

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!

EASY CROCKPOT RECIPE| Raspberry Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole

This Crockpot Raspberry Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. Perfect for a spring time breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 5-6 cups challah or brioche cubed
• 1/2 pint raspberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Whisk the milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla together in a medium bowl.
2. Place half of the challah cubes in a 4-5 quart slow cooker, pushing slightly down. Sprinkle with half the raspberries and chocolate chips. Repeat layers.
3. Pour milk mixture on top, cover and cook on high for 2 hours, or until puffed up and starting to turn golden on top.
4. Enjoy!

You Still Need To See Your Dentist

If you’re a patient at Wentz Orthodontics you are used to visiting us for your regular adjustment appointment every 6-8 weeks. While our hygienist is in your mouth making those adjustments, it’s important for you to remember our team is working on your braces and trips to your general dentist are still very much needed.

When we work on your braces, we are not looking specifically for any cavities and anything we do notice is a by-product of monitoring your oral health from an orthodontic perspective. Even if we did find something suspicious we don’t have the facilities to correct it.

For this reason, we tell you to maintain your regular dental checkup schedule of once every 6 months.

Another important thing to remember is that your oral hygiene needs to be flawless. The appliances that are in your mouth are, unfortunately, a magnet for plaque buildup. If you are a bit lax with brushing and rinsing out your mouth after eating, you may just find that you have a beautiful straight smile with stained teeth.

While having braces does not increase the risk of cavities, not caring for your teeth and having braces does.

If you have any questions regarding your oral hygiene click here to visit our website or contact Wentz Orthodontics online or give us a call at 806-79-BRACE!

Another Way To Protect Your Teeth

Our team at Wentz Orthodontics knows that there are several ways you can protect your smile throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you follow the rule of thumb and brush your teeth twice a day, floss often, and protect your appliances from damage, your treatment should be very successful.

One thing we’d like to add, is did you know there is another way to keep your teeth healthy and bright during your treatment with braces?

How is this possible? One word: fluoride. Fluoride is the mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. This mineral also helps keep your teeth strong. Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Depending on your oral health or the recommendation of Dr. Wentz or Dr. Reeves, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.

If you have any other questions about fluoride or your orthodontic treatment, please don’t hesitate to give Wentz Orthodontics a call!

Save The Date | Annual Golf Tournament Info

Get your golf clubs out, it's time for another annual golf tournament. Wentz Orthodontics and the Children's Home of Lubbock presents our Annual Golf Tournament on May 8th to benefit some sweet children that need our help. Join us for a fun time; click here to register. Contact us for registration/sponsor information.

This annual tournament gives local golfers the opportunity to rub shoulders with golf professional Bobby Wilson (Long Drive Hall of Fame and previous Long Drive Champion) and it offers many prize possibilities for teams and individuals. Although Bobby was unable to be with us in 2016, he is making plans to be back with us this year.

Bobby conducts a clinic and offers his drive for team play at a designated hole.

The money raised by The Children's Home of Lubbock's Annual Golf Tournament goes toward the purchase of new vans for transporting children to school, doctor appointments, after-school activities, shopping expeditions and church functions. With an average of eight children in each cottage, you can imagine what a beating our vehicles take each year! This past year, the golf tournament raised over $62,000 for this purpose.

Don't miss this opportunity to help our kids while spending a great day golfing with your friends!

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.

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.

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!

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.