2 Facts Parents Should Know

Baby teeth are essential, as they act as placeholders for our adult teeth and effect the way we speak and eat. Here are three facts parents should know about their baby’s first tooth.


1. Schedule an Appointment by their First Birthday: 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants be seen shortly after the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This first visit will help establish a dental home for your child.

The earlier you start, the better chance we have to prevent any potential problems. In addition to checking for decay and other conditions, our staff will teach you how to clean your child’s teeth properly, identify your child’s risk for cavities, and offer you helpful advice that will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.


2. Help Soothe Teething Pain

Babies may show signs of discomfort in the area where the tooth is coming in, the gums around the tooth may be swollen and tender, and the baby may drool a lot more than usual.

Parents can help ease teething pain by massaging their baby's gums with clean fingers, offering solid, not liquid-filled, teething rings, or a clean frozen or wet washcloth.

Facial Protection Month: Wear a Mouth Guard

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  

3 Health Foods for National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month and a perfect opportunity to showcase foods that help our teeth remain healthy and our smile in tip top shape. While we know the health benefits of eating healthy, the foods we consume on a daily basis, also greatly affect our teeth.

Dairy - Dairy is healthy in various ways, such as yogurt, milk and cheese. The calcium help our teeth remain strong and healthy.

Lean Protein -  Foods rich in protein such as meat, poultry and fish help to strengthen your teeth and contribute to your overall health in your body. Be sure to floss after every meal or at least once a day.

Nuts - Nuts are delicous and greatly benefit our teeth. Various types of nuts contain protein and minerals. Several nuts are low in carbohydrates don’t add to your risk of cavities and help avoid tooth decay. If you are going to snack on a snack, nuts are a safe bet.

Of course, if you have braces or in the middle of an orthodontic treatment, avoid nuts and hard foods alike.

Check out some of our patient’s beautiful smiles. Contact us to set up an appointment or if you have any additional questions.

Orthodontic Terms to Know and What they Mean

When it comes to orthodontics, there are few things you may not know. One being terms and what they mean for you and your health. We love educating our community of Londerderry on having healthy teeth.

Here are a few orthodontic terms you should know about.

Two Phase Treatment - 
Two phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

Banding - 
The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.

Bonding - 
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using a special safe adhesive.

Interceptive Treatment - 
Orthodontic treatment that is usually done between the ages of 7 and 10. The objective of interceptive or early orthodontic treatment is to provide orthopedic intervention, so that later orthodontic treatment is less complex.

The Truth about Orthodontic Myths

Myth: I can’t play sports with braces
Truth: Having braces, does not mean you have to stop living your life! As long as you wear a mouthguard, braces should not stop you or your child from playing your favorite sport. Ask our staff for more information on mouthgurads. 

Myth: My teeth will remain straight permanently after treatment
Truth: Orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign and braces are one of the most effective ways to straighten your teeth. However, your teeth will start to drift back to the original position if you do not wear your retainer as recommended by your orthodontist. Or you may notice your teeth begin to shift as you grow older. 

Myth: My dentist says he can give me braces
Truth: Pause and consult with an orthodontist. While all orthodontist are dentist, a very few percentage of dentist are also orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists must successfully complete an additional two to three-year residency program of advanced dental education in orthodontics. 

Myth: Braces are only for children
Truth: The truth is farther from this myth. As we grow older, our teeth begin to shift in various places. Braces are not just for kids. Check out how an orthodontic treatment for adults can benefit your smile and lead you to a more confident you! 

More On Invisalign

Invisalign is a way to straighten teeth without traditional braces. Invisalign works best for adults but can be suitable for teenagers too. Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners that are nearly invisible, and almost no one can tell you’re wearing them.

How Does Invisalign Work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Timmeny or Dr. Polgrean has prescribed. You’ll visit Appletree Orthodontics about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

How to start Invisalign

STEP 1Following your initial consultation, Appletree Orthodontics will advise how Invisalign can work for you. A full treatment plan with all the alternative methods available will be provided. Once you are happy to proceed the working impression of your teeth is obtained and submitted to Invisalign.

STEP 2
Invisalign creates a virtual model of your teeth and carefully translates the treatment prescription into a sequence of stages. We then show you the planned tooth movements on the computer before finalizing the manufacture of your custom aligners to make your teeth straight.

STEP 3
You then wear each set of aligners for two to three weeks, moving your teeth gradually. We check you every 6-8 weekly to ensure your progress matches the predicted plan

August Recipe For Patients With Braces

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.

Invisalign Tips

Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It's virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you're straightening your teeth. 

To ensure the best possible results we decided to compile a list of a few tips for our patients currently using Invisalign.

• Wear your aligners for a minimum of 2 weeks, before moving into the next aligner. 
• Sharp or rough edges can be smoothed with an emery board. 
• Change into your next aligner before going to bed so they settle in overnight. 
• Keep your aligners in their case while eating to avoid losing them. Keep the out of reach of any household pets, especially dogs! 
• If you need to, you can soak your Invisalign aligners in a mix of 50/50 white vinegar and cold water to brighten them. 
• Wear your aligners for at least 20 hours a day. 
• Always carry a toothbrush. 
• Only drink water when you're wearing your aligners. 
• Don't put your aligners in hot water. 
• Don't use toothpaste to clean your aligners. 

If you have any further questions about Invisalign please don’t hesitate to call us at our convenient Londonderry location at 603-434-0190.

3 Smoothies For New Braces

Here are 3 Appletree Orthodontics office-approved smoothie recipes that taste great and help you get the nutrients you need. We want to show you that eating healthy, delicious food is still possible after you’ve started your braces journey. Yes, there are certain points in your treatment process when your mouth might be more sensitive than usual, but that doesn't mean you don't get to enjoy a delicious meal or snack. Smoothies are the perfect solution for when chewing just doesn’t sound all that fun!

You can prep and freeze these 3 super quick and easy smoothie recipes. Choose your own base of yogurt, juice, milk, tea, or water and some ice to blend these ingredients up into something spectacular for your taste buds!

SWEET SUNRISE

• 1C Raspberries
• 1 Orange
• 1/2 Banana
• 1C Mango

KIWI REFRESH

• 1 Kiwi
• 1& 1/2C Watermelon
• 1 &1/2C Grapes

GREEN MONSTER

• 1 Grapefruit
• 1 Banana
• 1C Pineapple
• 1C Spinach

Curious About Wisdom Teeth & 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 Appletree 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.

Perfect Spring Recipe| Fruit Pizza

Making fruit pizza during this time of year is the best because it embraces the Spring. The bright colors of the fresh fruit seem to brighten menus as well as spirits. Fruit pizza seems to say, “Summer is on it’s way!” Get the details and make your version of a fruit pizza this Memorial weekend!

INGREDIENTS

• (1) 17.5 oz sugar cookie mix pouch
• ½ C butter at room temperature
• 1 egg
• (1) 8 ounce block cream cheese at room temperature
• (1) 7 oz package marshmallow cream
• 2-3 C fruit of your choice, chopped into small pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare the sugar cookie dough according to package directions, mixing in the butter and egg.
3. Using your hands, spread the dough evenly on a cookie sheet. Dot the dough with a fork to prevent air bubbles.
4. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool completely.
5. Mix the marshmallow cream and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
6. Frost the cookie dough "crust" with the marshmallow cream mixture.
7. Cover the pizza with fruit. Refrigerate until serving. Slice into squares.
8. Enjoy!

Reasons You Should Still See A Dentist During Orthodontic Treatment

If you’re a patient at Appletree 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 Appletree Orthodontics at our new Londonderry office, 603-434-0190.

More On Fluoride

Our team at Appletree 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. Polgrean or Dr. Timmeny, 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 treatment, please don’t hesitate to give Appletree Orthodontics a call!

Try This New Spring Recipe

No-Bake Strawberry & Cream Pie

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ⅓ cup butter, melted

Strawberry Pie Filing:

• 1 (3 oz.) package strawberry jello
• ⅔ cup boiling water
• ½ cup cold water
• ½ cup ice cubes
• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip topping
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Instructions

1. Using a food processor, pulse graham crackers until crumbly. Mix in sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until crust forms.
2. Press graham cracker crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Place pie crust in refrigerator.
3. In a large bowl, add boiling water and gelatin powder. Stir gelatin powder until completely dissolved.Then, add ½ cup cold water and ½ cup ice cubes, stir until gelatin is slightly thickened. TIP: Let the gelatin mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly before you add the cool whip otherwise it won’t set up.
4. Add cool whip topping to gelatin mixture and whisk together until light and fluffy. Stir in sliced strawberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture has thickened.
5. Add strawberry pie filling to pie crust. Refrigerate for up to 6 hours or until firm. Top with cool whip and a slice strawberry. Serves 8.

BAKING TIP: When making the gelatine mixture: add the hot water to the gelatin and let it dissolve, then add your cold water and ice cubes, let it sit for about 5 MINUTES to let it thicken slightly before you add the cool whip otherwise it won’t set up and it will be runny/soupy.

For more braces-friendly recipes subscribe to the Appletree Orthodontics blog and connect with us on Facebook!

Spring Activities For The Family

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 snowstorms 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.

No-Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie Recipe

No-Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie is an easy to make dessert with bright citrus & berry flavors everyone loves! It gets even better...it's BRACES FRIENDLY!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 prepared graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)
• One 3.4 ounce package lemon instant pudding mix
• 2 cups milk
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• One 8 ounce tub whipped topping (or 3 cups homemade whipped cream)
• 8 ounces fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Add the lemon juice and whisk to combine.
2. Add the whipped topping to the pudding and fold together until evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Remove the leaves from the strawberries and cut each strawberry in half. Place the fruit in a food processor with the sugar and puree until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Pour half of the lemon pie filling into your prepared crust and spread evenly in the dish. Pour half of the strawberry puree over the lemon filling and spread evenly over the filling. Place the rest of the lemon filling over the puree and spread into an even layer.
5. Drizzle the remaining strawberry puree over the top of the pie. Use a knife to swirl the puree into the filling.
6. Cover the pie and freeze until set, about 2-3 hours.

Serves: 8

Do You Know What To Ask At Your First Appointment?

It's completely natural for questions to arise as you consider orthodontic care. Don’t be afraid to ask Appletree Orthodontics questions you might have because our orthodontic team is here to help. Not sure what to ask at your first visit? Here are just a few examples of questions you may want to ask at your first appointment at Appletree Orthodontics. 

• How can I keep my teeth clean with braces? 
• Is there an estimated length of time that I will likely require braces? 
• Is it likely that I will be wearing extra appliances in addition to braces to correct my overbite or other problems? 
• How much should I expect to pay for my treatment? What are the payment options? 
• Does getting braces hurt? Is there anything I can do to prevent or minimize pain? 
• How often will I be expected to come in for check-ups and other appointments?
• Are there specific foods I will need to avoid when I get braces? 
• Will braces prevent me from playing my favorite sport or musical instrument? 

If questions arise after your first appointment, don’t be afraid to ask us. Dr. Timmeny, Dr. Polgrean as well as the entire Appletree Orthodontics team will be here to help throughout the entire process.

Adjusting To Braces

Are you a new patient at Appletree Orthodontics? You may or may not be excited about wearing your braces, but regardless we know you will be thrilled with the result of your new smile.  As with any change, adjusting to something new can be a little confusing and overwhelming sometimes, so we decided to help you out with a few tips on adjusting to your braces.

The first tip is to give yourself some time. Your braces may not be what you expected or wanted, but after a while when your teeth start shifting you will notice how incredible your teeth and smile alignment look. Pain may occur after your appointments, just give it a few days after each adjustment and you should feel more comfortable. 

Another thing to remember is to be confident. Don't worry about how your braces look and don't be afraid or embarrassed to smile with your braces. Depending on the type of braces you're treated with, people may not even know you're wearing braces. Be proud and flash those pearly whites often!

Lastly, be sure you know what to do if you're experiencing pain or problems with your braces. Before you leave checkups, feel for any wires poking out so you can have us correct the agitation and avoid pain. If a problem arises after your appointment, don't be afraid to call us; chances are it's a simple fix. For more information about adjusting to your braces, visit our website or give us a call.

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches | GET THE RECIPE NOW

These Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches are prepared with an unbaked egg-free chocolate chip cookie dough. Use your favorite ice cream or make it homemade!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 Cup butter
• 1/2 Cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
• 3 T milk
• 2 t McCormick® Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 Cups ice cream, softened

DIRECTIONS:

1. Microwave butter and sugars in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. 
2. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in milk, vanilla and salt. Add flour; stir until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate 15 minutes. 
3. Line 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, with ends of paper extending over sides of pan. Press 1/2 of the dough into pan until smooth and even. Place a second layer parchment paper on top on the dough and repeat with remaining dough. Freeze for 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
4. Remove from freezer. Carefully remove the top layer of cookie dough by lifting the top layer of parchment paper.
5. Gently spread the softened ice cream over the bottom layer of cookie dough still in the pan. Peel the parchment paper from the second layer of cookie dough and place it smooth side up on top of the ice cream. Cover with foil or plastic wrap. 
6. Freeze 2 hours or until firm. Cut into 16 bars. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Store in freezer.

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