How Old is Your Toothbrush?

The toothbrush is your number one oral hygiene accessory.  Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush?

It is recommended that ever 3 to 4 months you switch out that old toothbrush for a new fresh one. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your tooth brush have become worn out that is a sign that you need a new toothbrush. Those of you who wear braces should change their toothbrushes frequently because braces break down and fracture bristles and the toothbrushes lose their effectiveness.


3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush:

1. Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth, but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing.

2. Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that… an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque.

3. Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to switch out your toothbrush. The germs and bacteria your toothbrush has been exposed to can be harmful to your health once your feeling better.

Having a toothbrush that is in good shapes means good oral hygiene. It is helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in your household at all times for easy replacement. So mark those calendars for every 3 to 4 months and it’s out with the old and in with the new.

Selfie Ready Smiles

No matter what your age is admit it, you have taken a selfie or two. And with selfies and instant photo sharing being as popular as it is these days, a camera-ready smile is a great thing to have. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a celebrity or genetically blessed to flash a stunning smile. You just need practice. Sounds crazy, right? Practicing to smile like you would practice a sport or cooking a recipe may seem silly, but as they say...practice makes perfect.

Smiling naturally may not come as easy for some people as it does for others. But just like with anything we do in life, the more we practice, the easier it gets.

3 Helpful Tips for a Photographic Smile

1. GET IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR - Take time to practice your smile in front of a mirror. See how it looks when you hold your shoulders back and strike a natural, unforced smile. Play around with turning your head and finding your best angle. Figure out which smile you like best, then practice, practice, practice 'til you get right. Remember how great that smile feels so that you'll be able to replicate it without looking in a mirror.

2. SMILE WITH YOUR EYES - A genuine smile will naturally draw in the eyes. And a natural smile is not something you can fake. The eyes are essential for a genuine, warm smile. When you are practicing your smile in the mirror, focus on your eyes and which muscles are working and how.

3. MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE - One thing that can cause you to fear flashing your pearly whites, is when they might not be that pearly. Be sure to brush your teeth after each meal and carry floss with you...just in case. We all know that good oral hygiene is important...but the fact is, a healthy mouth will make you feel more confident about your smile.

Now get on out there and SMILE!
Smiling raises your spirits and makes other people happy. Your smile is a  very powerful expression.

For those of you who have been considering improving your smile, but are feeling uneasy about the thought of braces, consider this...Invisible Braces.

If all you need is a little cosmetic improvement for a great smile and you'd prefer not to have braces, the nearly invisible Invisalign may be the treatment for you. A quick evaluation at our office will tell if you are a candidate for this convenient treatment and, if so, you can have a dazzling smile in just a few months.

It's National Children's Dental Health Month!

February is National Children's Health Month!

National Children’s Dental Health Month is sponsored by the ADA (American Dental Association) which promotes creating lifelong healthy habits starting at an early age. Developing good habits early will more likely lead to that child being able to look forward to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. It is very important that parents know that a balanced diet, limiting snacks, brushing and flossing are key to healthy teeth and avoiding cavities. Along with healthy habits, regular dental appointments will help you keep your child on track.

This year's NCDHM campaign slogan "Defeat Monster Mouth" is displayed on the eye-catching children's posters that feature the McGrinn Twins, Flossy and Buck, along with their best friends and next-door neighbors, Den and Gen Smiley and K-9 the dog.  They are fighting to defeat Plaqster the Monster for good oral health.

For more information about National Children’s Dental Health Month please visit Ada.org.

Remember, 7 is the perfect age for an evaluation. 7 years old may sound too early to be thinking about orthodontic treatment, but it proven that early treatment is important for ensuring positive treatment results. 7 isn’t just a number Dr. Wentz came up with, it is the age recommended by the American Association of Orthodontist.

An early examination does not mean immediate treatment is necessary. After your initial examination we may just need to monitor your child periodically to see how teeth and jaw continue to develop. If your child is not ready for treatment he/she will entered into the Wentz Thumbs Up Club. The Wentz Thumbs Up Club provides a way for our office to communicate with each patient’s family about everything going on in our office.

Have any questions about early intervention or want to bring your child in for a consultation? Give us a call today.

National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. The single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long observance known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach thousands of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed services bases. Local observances often include displays of posters provided by the ADA, coloring and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations by dentists and other members of the dental team, and dental office tours.
Source: ADA.org

Win 4 Tickets to see Brad Paisley LIVE in Concert!

With songs like “Celebrity”, “Mud on the Trees” and “I’m Gonna Miss Her”, Braid Paisley has made himself a household name. We’re excited to announce that we are giving you a chance to see him perform LIVE at the United Supermarket Arena on March 7^th.

The country superstar made his debut in 1999 with his hit album “Who Needs Picture”. Paisley has held a very successful career selling millions of albums and winning countless awards. Recently, Paisley released his 11^th studio album “Moonshine in the Trunk”. And with a new album came a world tour making its stop in Lubbock, TX March 7^th.

We want to give all of our patients the chance to win 4 tickets to attend the concert on Saturday March 7^th at 7:30 P.M.

How to Enter:

Head over to our website and check out Dr. Wentz’sbiography. Then, tell us what some of his hobbies are! (Hint: It is under meet the Doctors)

Email your answer to tamara@wentzmail.com or enter the contest at our office.

The winner will be drawn at random on Thursday, March 5^th. For more information feel free to contact us and GOOD LUCK!

Check out some of Brad Paisley’s live performances below:

Fact or Fiction: Braces Edition

There are many legends and myths about orthodontics, some of which have become so commonplace that they are now believed to be legitimate. Well...guess what? Even if you know the guy who has the cousin who has the friend that the story happened to..it could be fiction!

Fiction: Only children and teens need to visit an orthodontist. 



Fact: Braces are not just for kids. More and more adults today are seeking the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important at any age.

Fiction: Braces are just for cosmetic purposes and aren’t necessary for your overall dental health.

Fact: While braces can definitely help you get that beautiful smile, they aren’t just for cosmetic improvement. Well aligned teeth can facilitate good oral hygiene making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, resolving certain orthodontic problems with the use of braces can improve your ability to speak, chew, and even breathe. 

Fiction: Braces interfere with radio signals and electronic devices.

Fact: In theory any metal can act as an antenna, but braces are really bad ones. Radio signals are modulated electro-magnetic waves transmitted through the air. In order for these transmitted signals to travel well in air, they must be sent at high-frequencies. This is achieved through modulation. Even if someone's tooth could receive these frequencies, it would have to be decoded to actually hear real

messages.

 

Fiction: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning?

Fact: The chances of a person getting struck by are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any one year, the chance you will be struck by lighting is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing.

Fiction: If there was a giant magnet overhead, anyone who is wearing braces would get stuck to it.

Fact: Braces are made of materials which are non-magnetic in nature. Therefore getting stuck to a giant magnet is highly unlikely...and really, where is this giant magnet anyways?

So fear no more, these are the hard facts...No matter what your friend's cousin's brother says.

The Harlem Globetrotters Are Coming to Town!

One of the most famous basketballs teams in the world are coming to Lubbock! The Harlem Globetrotters will show off their entertaining skills and trick for a fun-filled show.

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters have been entertaining crowds since 1926 with non-traditional style of playing basketball. The team has become a fixture in sports history and have been around for over 80 year, having played over 20,000 games.

The Harlem Globetrotters are on their 2015 “Washington Generals’ Revenge Tour.” The infamous Generals beat the Globetrotters nearly 50 years ago, and are on the hunt for a repeat.

Halftime entertainment will include the honoring of active, wounded or retired members of the military with the team’s Hometown Hero promotion. Nominations can be sent to harlemglobetrotters.com. A portion of the game will be played with a special camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to those who protect our country.

The Globetrotters’ roster features Lang, Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard, Firefly Fisher and Moose Weekes – plus female stars TNT Maddox, T-Time Brawner and Sweet J Ekworomadu.

WIN TICKETS

This show is sure to be fun for all and we want to give YOU a chance to attend. We are giving away 4 tickets to one lucky Wentz patient to attend the January 27th game at United Spirit Arena.

How do I win?

All you have to do is come by our office and fill out an entry form or email Tamara@wentzmail.com to enter to win.

This is an event you don't want to miss! To check out of Zeus of the Globetrotters on KLBK click here

Keep Your Teeth Healthy on the Road

Whether you are leaving your home for a weekend trip or go on vacation, you want to properly pack for your dental care. 

Even when you are not in the comfort of your own home don’t let your healthy teeth habits don’t fall to the wayside. Having a clean mouth is important. It gives you fresh breath and a nicer-looking smile. 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.

You can find pre-packaged kits for purchases at your local drugstores or even online. However, while under Orthodontic treatment you want to make sure your kit fits your needs.

Here are some of the items that need to be in your kit:

• Travel Toothbrush
• Toothpaste 
• Mouthwash
• Threader floss
• Rubber bands
• Mini Mirror

& in case of a dental emergency 

• Dental wax
• Cold pack
• Over the counter pain killers

Putting together a mini dental travel kit is the easiest way to support your healthy habits while on the road. Get a small bag that can easily fit in your carrier and fill it with all the items you need. Also, make sure you keep a Wentz Orthodontics contact card inside your kit just in case you have an emergency and need to contact our office.