Be Good To Your Braces & They'll Be Good To You

This summer we’re promoting kindness and as we encourage you to be kind to others we also want you to be kind to your braces. 

What do you mean be kind to your braces?

When we say be kind to you braces we are asking that you take cares of your orthodontic appliance so that your treatment process can go as planned.  Dr. Wentz has determined braces are the best corrective option for you so we want you to take care of your braces. Taking care of your braces and following treatment instructions will help your achieve the best final results.

Here's how to be kind to your braces:

Brush and flossing daily

You will notice 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. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces, but flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders definitely make flossing with braces much easier.

Avoid sticky or hard foods

Even though it may seem like the best foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard, those foods can break a bracket or wire. An example of sticky food is laffy taffy and an example of hard food is hard shell taco. To see the full of foods to avoid click here.

Chew with the back of teeth

Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into pieces and use your back teeth to chew.

Wear your elastics

Elastics move the teeth in a direction they could not be moved using braces alone. Change the elastics routinely even if they are not broken. After a while, elastics lose their strength. Change them after each meal and before bedtime. If one elastic breaks, replace both sides.  Carry extra elastics with you at all times. If you don't have enough to last until your next appointment, please stop by our office and pick more up or call us and we can send more to you. We don't want you to run out

Be mindful of wires and brackets 

Every day when you brush your teeth, check to make sure you do not have any loose braces by gently trying to slide each one. If a wire or band comes loose, do not be alarmed. If a tie wire is protruding and irritating, use a blunt instrument (the back of a spoon or a pencil eraser) to carefully push the wire out of the way. If you have a broken or loose appliance, please call us to determine if your breakage is urgent and requires immediate repair.


This summer we're giving out rewards for your kindness! Let us know about your act of kindness and you'll be entered to win cash prize up to $300! Enter in our office, tag us on social media using the hashtag ‪#‎wentzkindnesscontest‬ or email tamara@wentzmail.com. Contest ends August 28th, 2015.

Wentz Orthodontics

4013 84th Street

Lubbock, TX 79423

(806) 792-7223 

(806) 794-8124

Retain Your Smile

Yes, we know your super excited to get your braces removed and an anticipating loving your new smile, but to keep that smile there is another step to the process. This final step is called Retention.

Once the active orthodontic appliances are removed, the patient will receive retainers to stabilize the dental correction. Because the bone and soft tissues surrounding the teeth are stabilizing for several months after braces are removed, it is imperative that the retainers are worn as instructed. Failure to wear the retainers may result in undesirable movement of the teeth, which could necessitate re-treatment.  Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, we feel that individuals who have undergone orthodontic therapy should wear retainers indefinitely. A patient should wear retainers as prescribed by our practice.

So many patients tend to lose and misplace their retainers, but we want to make sure you don’t skip a beat in your retention process. Here’s what you need to do to take care of your retainer:

• Don't fold it in your napkin or leave it on the table at a restaurant. Garbage cans don't make happy hunting grounds.
• Don't put your retainer in your pocket. You might sit on it and break it. OUCH!
• A protective case is provided for you. Always keep retainers in its protective case when it’s not in your mouth. 
• Animals and younger children love to play with it. Please make sure your retainer is in your mouth at all times. Your retainer should only be out of your mouth when brushing or eating.
• Keep things clean! Be sure to brush your teeth without your retainers in. Do not boil your retainer or put it in hot water. Brush your retainer with a toothbrush using toothpaste or water.

Your retainer is a special part of the road to a better smile. The benefits of orthodontic treatment will last a lifetime if you keep these important tips for caring for your retainer in mind. For more information regarding Retention visit Wentzorthothodontics.com  or give us a call today!

4th of July Ortho-Friendly Treats

Every year on the 4th day of July we celebrate a great American holiday, Independence Day. Flags of bright red, white and blue appear everywhere you go. Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July because it was on July 4, 1776, that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

The best things about the 4th of July are Family, Food and Fireworks. Everyone will show off their patriotism in different ways on Saturday. One way to show support for Independence Day that the entire family to enjoy is by making 4th of July themed treats. Since some of our patients are currently abiding by Dr. Wentz’s rules to avoid anything hard, sticky and super sugary, we've listed 5 tasty ortho-friendly treats for our patients under treatment to enjoy.

5 Ortho-Friendly Fourth of July Treats (For recipes click the name of each treat)

Cupcake Cones

Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad

Patriotic Punch

Jell-O Firecrackers

Red, White and Blue Cheesecake

Share your treats and your 4th of July fun with us, Tag us in your photos on Instagram and post photos to our wall on Facebook.

Protect Your Smile This Summer

It’s summer time so that means it’s time to get out and have some fun in the sun. Grab the kids and head outside. While you’re enjoying yourselves it’s still important stay safe which includes protecting your smile.

We advocate protecting your smile all year round, however summer is a time where playing and fun activities are turned up a notch. Here are a few tips for enjoying your summer safely.

Stay hydrated

It’s going to get pretty hot this summer here in Lubbock and all around Texas. When you’re out in the sun you have to stay hydrated, but make sure you are drinking fluids that are good for you. Sports drinks that claim to help you with endurance usually are high in sugar. Super sugary drinks are not the best for your teeth. Sugar produces acid that causes tooth decay which can lead to cavities among other issues. To stay hydrated your best option is to drink lots of water.

Remember the foods you must avoid

Summer is filled with sweet treats, but you have to remember while under orthodontic treatment you must avoid certain foods. To protect your orthodontic appliance stay away from sticky, hard and crunchy foods and treats. Find healthier foods you can snack on that are tasty and good for you.

Guard your grill

Summer is filled with fun and physical activities for kids and families. While participating in physical activities you have to protect your mouth with a mouth guard. Mouth guards protect teeth and jaw from potential injuries. Contact us for information regarding custom mouth guards.

Make your appointments

Summer time = free time for kids since they are on vacation from school, which is the perfect time for dental check-ups. You must make sure you make all of your scheduled appointments with Dr. Wentz to ensure that we can track the progress of your treatment.  Along with visiting us, it is important that you schedule time for a check-up with your dentist to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.

We hope that all of our patients have a awesome summer and remember this summer we are giving away cash prizes when you complete a good deed. All you have to do is let us know about your act of kindness and you’ll be entered to win. Contest ends August 28th, 2015.

Pick the Right Snacks

Sometimes getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn't an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and other activities. And as parents we’re even busier. It’s OK to admit that sometimes it’s just easier to grab fast food on the way home from work or toss our kids a couple bucks to purchase lunch in the school cafeteria. But proper nutrition not only insures that our kids will grow into healthy adults, it also insures that the money we spent on their orthodontic care does not go to waste.

Did you know that a proper diet provides all the essential nutrients to bones and tissues undergoing change? So, the healthier you are the better the results of your orthodontic treatment.

Knowing this, here are 4 quick, tasty and nutritious snacks your kids are sure to love.

1. Cheese: Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth. In addition to providing calcium, cheese also helps fight cavities. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Cheese stimulates the body’s salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Also…the Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese prevents decreases in the plaque’s ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth.

2. Whole Wheat Bread: Whole wheat bread gives kids their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. So instead of making a sandwich on white bread for lunch use Whole Wheat Bread instead. It’s a little change that will make a big impact.

3. Oatmeal: Instead of high-sugar, high-fat options from the grocery store, try baking a batch of low-fat oatmeal cookies. Raisins, cranberries, dried apricots and nuts can be great additions to the cookie dough because of their nutritional value & taste.

4. Yogurt: Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Consider Yogurt as an alternative to ice-cream for dessert. When mixed with berries and granola…yogurt is a tasty treat.

For more information about which foods are best for keeping your kids and their teeth healthy visit our website or call our office directly.

Eat Better, Beat plaque

You've heard over and over about the basics of maintain good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, floss daily, visit your dentist twice a year and stay on top of orthodontic appointments. However, in between in order to keep your mouth healthy you must eat foods that help main oral health.

When you eat foods that are not good for your teeth, like sugary foods, you are aiding the production of bacteria formally known as plaque. Plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth and contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria in plaque cause tooth decay and gum disease if they are not removed regularly through brushing and flossing.

Here are some healthy foods and drinks to add to your diet to protect your teeth.

Dairy products: cheese, milk, yogurt
The calcium in dairy products helps put back minerals your teeth may have lost due to other foods.

Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables:
These foods stimulate saliva flow which is the best defense your teeth has against cavities and gum disease.

Black and Green Tea:
Both teas contain polyphenols which can suppress or kill bacteria that could attack the teeth.

Foods with fluoride:
This includes drinking water and products you prepare with water like powder sugar-free juices. Commercial prepared poultry, seafood and cereal provide fluoride nutrients as well.

Remember maintaining you’re oral hygiene habits helps you keep a healthy mouth. Brushing and flossing regularly removes plaque from your teeth. Having a clean mouth is important. It gives you fresh breath and a nicer-looking smile. For our oral hygiene tip click here!

Get Out and Get Active!

Did you know May was National Physical Fitness & Sports Month? 

Recently implemented, during May the President’s Council on Fitness Sports and Nutrition highlights the importance of healthy lifestyles, being physically active, and participating in sports activities. May is the ideal time to promote going outside and being active in nice weather. Warm weather motivates people to get moving. Versus the winter season, during warmer weather people are encouraged to go outdoors for free play, sports, and a healthy dose of physical activity.

According to the President’s Council on Fitness Sports and Nutrition, studies have shown that active kids do better! While it’s great to see our youth outside and active when the weather is nice, they alsoneed physical education and activity year-round. It’s a fact that children can be motivated by their parents, so why not get the whole family involved?

Here are a few ideas to get your family moving: (source: letsmove.gov)

• Play tag, swim, toss a ball, jump rope, hula-hoop, dance to music or even play a dancing video game. It doesn’t have to be sports—just get your family moving!
• Walk the dog, go for a jog, go on a bike ride, take the stairs or head to the park and let kids run around for a while.
• Celebrate special occasions—like birthdays or anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a volleyball or soccer game or playing Frisbee at the park.
• Get the whole family involved in household chores like cleaning, vacuuming, and yard work.
• Walk instead of drive whenever you can. If you have to drive, find a spot at the far end of the parking lot and walk to where you’re going.
• Park farther away and count with your children the number of steps from the car to your destination. Write it down and see if you can park even farther away on your next stop.
• Train as a family for a charity walk or run.

We continue to encourage great overall health for all of our patients. Share with us on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) what your currently doing or what do you plan on doing as a family to stay active!