Back to School: Apple Tree Orthodontics

Back to school season is officially here! 

Kids are back in school and the abnormal summer routines are no more. As summer comes to an end and fall season returns, it can be a busy time for parents and their children. New activities and new routines, it’s easy to forget simple check-ups to the orthodontist (and other health related appointments).

Why is it important for a check-up during back-to-school season? This is the time to schedule an appointment to measure the progress of your child’s orthodontic treatment. This will ensure your child's treatment is on schedule. If your child is playing fall sports, be sure to get a mouth guard specifically designed for your child. This is the perfect time to ensure your child is on the road to a healthy beautiful smile.

Whether you are an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable team is committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve – a healthy, beautiful, self-confident one that will last a lifetime

#ThrowbackThursday to twinning smiles😀! #appletreeortho

A post shared by Apple Tree Orthodontics (@appletreeortho) on Jul 19, 2018 at 5:30am PDT

Two Braces-Friendly Big Game Recipes

If you're anything like us, you are gearing up this week to watch Tom Brady and the Patriots play in the Superbowl! If you're still searching for a few more snacks to add to your menu, we've got two that will be sure to score with your friends & family.

Hot Ham & Cheese Party Rolls

• 1 can refrigerated pizza crust
• 1 lb. deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved)
• 12 slices Swiss cheese

     Glaze:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
2. Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board. Press into an approximately 13x18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face side down. Cut into 12 slices. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. 
3. Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and glaze is smooth. Pour evenly over the top of the rolls.
4. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden brown. 

Tip: Make these rolls a day ahead! Refrigerate rolls up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to warm up the glaze so you're able to pour it on top of the rolls!

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

• 1 bag frozen meatballs (any brand)
• 1 jar chili sauce
• 1 can jellied cranberry sauce

1. Add chili sauce and cranberry sauce to a medium mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix ingredients until semi-smooth.
2. Add half the bag of meatballs to your crockpot. Top with half of the sauce mixture. Repeat with remaining meatballs and sauce. 
3. Cook on low until heated through, typically 3-4 hours. 

This crowd-pleasing favorite can easily be adapted for a larger group! Just double the recipe and increase your heating time to 5-6 hours. In a time crunch? Heat meatballs and sauce on your stovetop until warm. Transfer to your crockpot for a quick, delicious addition to your game day party!

Benefits Beyond Your Smile

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are as ready as we are to charge forward into the new year. As we reflect on the last year, we can't help but smile thinking about all of the lives we've been a part of! Creating beautiful, healthy smiles is truly a joy but your orthodontic health is much more than straight teeth. When Drs. Timmeny and Polgrean create beautiful smiles for our patients, they place all the elements of the face into their perfect alignment for a healthy as well as beautiful smile. Orthodontic treatment at Apple Tree Orthodontics also provides many additional health benefits. Here are just a few you might not realize:

Prevent TMJ: TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders occur from stress on the jaw joint. Often, people who suffer from TMJ have an incorrect bite pattern or a misalignment of their bite. Orthodontic treatment can align the teeth and bite to remove the stress on the joints that causes TMJ Disorder.

Aid Digestive Health: Perfectly aligned teeth help you chew your food more effectively, which helps your digestive health.

Avoid Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Crowded and misaligned teeth make it difficult to clean your teeth and gums, which can lead to food and bacteria build-up. It's much easier to brush and floss your teeth when they are in healthy alignment.

Correct some speech impediments: Sometimes when your teeth and joints are misaligned, it can cause speech impediments. The teeth and tongue are important tools in our speech process, and it is extremely important that these tools be in their perfect alignment to speak our best.

If you have any questions about the health and aesthetic benefits of orthodontic treatment, feel free to contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Whether you are an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable team is committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve – a healthy, beautiful, self-confident one that will last a lifetime!

Avoiding Orthodontic Emergencies

At Apple Tree Orthodontics we know that even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. This soreness is the way your body reacts to your teeth as they begin to move. Your braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile but you may experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are a common occurrence when braces rub inside the mouth. There are ointments available to reduce the pain and irritation associated with mouth sores. We recommend Canker-X gel and we can provide you with a sample to try.

Loose Brackets

If you have a loose bracket you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the bracket temporarily. You might also apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Please call the office for an appointment as soon as possible!

Loose Bands

The band will need to be reattached. Please call the office for an appointment and remember to bring the band with you.

Broken or Protruding Wires

The eraser end of a pencil can be used to move the wire carefully to a less painful spot. If you are unable to move it, apply orthodontic wax to the tip. If a mouth sore develops, rinse with warm salt water or antiseptic rinse. Please call the office for an appointment to trim or adjust the wire.

Loose Spacers

If a spacer (separator) becomes dislodged it may need to be repositioned and sometimes replaced. Please call the office to see if they need to be replaced.

Remember, braces aren't forever but your smile is! If you ever have any questions or are having discomfort - we're just a call away! (650) 434-0190

Braces & Your First Days

At Apple Tree Orthodontics we believe you have taken the first step toward a healthier and more beautiful smile but you are probably wondering what comes next. The first week is the biggest period of adjustment, and there is a lot to learn in this short time. What to eat?  How to brush?  No worries, in a very short time your braces will feel completely natural.

On the first day, your braces will probably feel sort of like a mouthful and it may take time to get used to them. By the second day, you may feel some soreness or discomfort. If you are going to experience any discomfort, the second and third days are when it will happen. If you do experience discomfort it can be dealt with by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

If you have any questions or concerns the team at Apple Tree Orthodontics is here to help you! We have some great information right on our website - available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply click here to access our site. 

A New Smile for the New Year!

Invisalign clear aligners are specifically designed to give you the smile you want without any of the lifestyle changes you don’t. With unique advances such as SmartTrack® material, Invisalign clear aligners can shape your smile more precisely and comfortably than ever before.

So what are you waiting for? Start moving towards the next amazing version of yourself. Ask Dr.'s Timmeny & Polgrean how Invisalign clear aligners can give you the smile you want.

• $400 OFF Invisalign Treatment
• FREE Vivera Retainers with Invisalign Treatment
• Ask About our Patient Referral Program

Space is limited to the first 10 appointments.

Schedule a consultation with Apple Tree Orthodontics today! Call us at 603-434-0190. If you'd like to learn more about treatment with Invisalign, click HERE to head to our website!

Out With the Old & In With the New

With cold and flu season starting, germs seem to be lurking everywhere! While it’s difficult to avoid catching the office cold or flu bug, you can help keep your number one oral hygiene accessory in great shape by replacing your toothbrush regularly. Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months, and directly after any cold or flu. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn, that is a clear sign that you need a new toothbrush. People who wear braces will likely need to replace their toothbrushes frequently, as braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness.

It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. You may be thinking "My toothbrush is fine, I have it broken in just the way I like it”. While that could be true, did you know that your old toothbrush could actually be harming your mouth?

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. Now, this isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck.

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. Do we need to say it again? Germs and bacteria in your mouth twice a day, every day.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution! Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning around facet fixtures and tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes! Make sure to mark your calendar as a reminder to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. If you need a few tips on keeping your smile in tip-top shape, make sure to ask at your next appointment at Apple Tree Orthodontics.