It's National Soup Month

Did you know that January is National Soup Month? We love this idea and encourage you to celebrate by making and eating some savory soups. Not only is soup perfect for keeping warm in January, but they’re also braces friendly so all of our patients can indulge in this meal. Whether you want a soup that is low calorie or hearty, we found some recipes that are great for any diet, or lack thereof.

Here are some soul-warming soups you must try this month!

Chinese Hot & Sour Soup

Click here for the recipe.

Savory Vegetable Beef Soup

Click here for the recipe.

Chicken Pozole Soup

Click here for the recipe.

These soups are the perfect meal for the family on a cold winter day, as well as nutritious and low-cal. Expand your pallet this month and try some new recipes that are body and teeth friendly. Let us know what your favorites are by leaving a comment below or posting on our Facebook page.

Malocclusions Should Be Treated

A Malocclusion is abnormal contact between teeth, defined as the misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when biting or chewing.  Malocclusions are most often inherited, but may be acquired. Inherited conditions include too many or too few teeth, too much or too little space between teeth, irregular mouth and jaw size and shape, and atypical formations of the jaws and face, such as a cleft palate . Malocclusions may be acquired from habits like finger or thumb sucking , tongue thrusting, premature loss of teeth from an accident or dental disease, and possibly from medical conditions such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids that lead to mouth breathing.

According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems:

• Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease.
• Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping.
• Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
• Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.

Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.

Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile – it creates a healthier you.

What's Invisalign Teen?

Invisalign Teen aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. You can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth, and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.

What is Invisalign Teen?

• Clear way to straighten your teeth without braces.
• Series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners.
• Uses no metal wires or brackets.
• Custom-made for comfort.

How does Invisalign Teen work?

• Wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.
• Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
• Your teeth will move gradually each week.
• Visit us every 8-10 weeks.
• Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
• Average number of aligners is between 18 and 30.

What conditions does Invisalign Teen treat?

By using its advanced technology, Invisalign Teen can treat a broad range of dental and orthodontic conditions, which, in the past, were usually treated with traditional braces. These conditions include:

• Overly crowded teeth
• Widely spaced teeth
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite

With a Blue Dot Wear Indicator to show how long each aligner has been worn, six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken, and other changes designed to accommodate growing mouths, Invisalign Teen is the perfect teeth-straightening system for today's teens' busy lifestyles!

#AppleTreeOrtho Contest Alert

Since our patients have the best smiles around, without a doubt, we decided it is time to reward you for flashing those pearly whites.  For the next few months, you will have a chance to win $100 by participating in our contest! What face will you make when you win $100? Take a picture of that winning face and post it on our facebook, or tag it to our instagram, and you will have a chance to be $100 richer!

All you have to do is "LIKE" our facebook page & post your picture on our wall. Don't forget to use the hashtag #AppleTreeOrtho.  Don't have facebook? Follow @appletreeortho on Instagram and tag us in your picture! Again, use #AppleTreeOrtho.  If your instagram page is set to private, you will need to make it public so we can see your entry.

The contest runs until March 31st! We can't wait to see your winning faces!

Merry Christmas From Apple Tree Orthodontics

All of us at Apple Tree Orthodontics would like to wish all of our friends, patients and their family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Don't for get we will be closed Thursday, December 24 until Monday, January 4, 2016.

We will, however, be open on Tuesday, December 29th from 8 to 4. 

#ChocolateCoveredAnything Day

You may want to pinch yourself because today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day!  For all you chocoholics out there, it’s time to indulge in your favorite chocolate covered treats!   The possibilities are endless when deciding on what to cover chocolate in and almost everything tastes delicious.  What will you cover in chocolate today?

If you need some ideas, or just want some off the wall recipes, look no further!  From traditional chocolate covered strawberries, to dipped pretzels and covered crepes, you can do make something that everyone will love.

Check out these traditional treats.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Aren’t those treats mouthwatering? Well if you’re looking for a recipe a little more daring, we found some that may work.  Dishes like beef tenderloin smothered in chocolate, to chocolate covered bacon & chocolate covered potato chips.  There really is no end to what you can pair with chocolate.

Dare to be different? Try these uncommon chocolate covered anything treats.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

Chocolate Covered Chips

Cover as little or as much of your food in chocolate today, and in spirit of the holiday season share some treats with friends and family! Oh yeah, don’t forget to brush & floss after eating too!

Enjoy!

Before & After

Several of our patients have been nervous or intimidated about beginning the process of braces, but with our care they quickly grow eager and excited to see the end result. Not only can braces improve your oral health, but they also provide a cosmetically attractive smile too.

Below you will find some before & after photos of Apple Tree Orthodontics patients. We want to showcase just a few of the numerous smiles we’ve had the pleasure or treating.

Apple Tree Orthodontics has a knowledgeable team committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve.  We have a staff of highly trained and educated professionals ready to assist and answer all of your individual questions and concerns. If you have been considering orthodontic treatment, you should visit the office of Dr. Patricia Timmeny and Dr. Rachel Polgrean, respected providers of orthodontic care.

CALL US TODAY AT (603)434-0190