Read Across America Day

Today marks a day of celebration across America, it’s Dr. Seuss’s birthday! To honor this well-known children’s author, the National Education Association has declared March 2 as Read Across America Day! This act has been taken to inspire everyone to motivate kids and teens to read.

Almost everyone has grown up reading famous stories written by Dr. Seuss, are you a fan? Check out some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books below.

Apple Tree Orthodontics hopes you will take a few minutes today to crack open a book to read to your children, or to just enjoy on your own. Let’s remind our youth that it’s important to step away from the web and smartphones, and enjoy the stories and imagination of the wonderful books we have access to! As said in The Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

#AppleTreeOrtho Before & After Patient Photos

The following before and after photos feature actual patients of Apple Tree Orthodontics. Take a glimpse at some of our patients photos, and don't forget to ask us how we can help you achieve an amazing smile with orthodontic treatment.

Please feel free to book your first visit at Apple Tree Orthodontics. We look forward to being a part of your wonderful journey to a beautiful healthy new smile!

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Did you know it's National Random Acts of Kindness week? Random Acts of Kindness promotes selfless acts performed by a person, or group, wishing to help cheer up another person by doing something kind for them. This is especially kind when nothing is expected back in return. As so many join in this week by promoting kindness, we decided to help by suggesting various random acts you can do to be kind.

Keep reading to learn about easy and fun Random Acts of Kindness you can do in our community.

1. Smile at someone on the street, just because.
2. Let someone into your lane. They’re probably in a rush just like you.
3. Forgive someone, and never bring up the issue again.
4. Talk to the shy person who’s sitting by themselves at a party.
5. Cut someone some slack.
6. Help a mother with her baby stroller.
7. Let the person behind you at the supermarket checkout with one or two items go ahead of you.
8. Leave your newspaper or magazine behind for someone else to read at the coffee shop, the doctor’s office, or on a plane.
9. Tweet or Facebook message a genuine compliment to three people right now.
10. Bring doughnuts (or a healthy treat, like cut-up fruit) to work.
11. While you’re out, compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is.
12. Don’t write the angry internet comment you’re thinking of writing.
13. If you walk by a car with an expired parking meter, put a quarter in it.

There are so many ways you can show kindness to the people living in the world. Let this week be the start of many weeks to act kind and cheer someone up.  Do you have any more ideas or stories how you've been helped by kindness? Leave a comment or post it on our facebook!

Simple Guidelines For Our Headgear Patients

Headgear is a general name for a type of appliance that creates special forces for guiding the growth of your face and jaws. Headgear is also used to move your teeth into better position or to prevent them from moving into an unfavorable position.

At first, your headgear may look a little strange to you, and it will seem a little awkward. But it’s a necessary part of your orthodontic treatment. Rest assured the healthy, beautiful smile that will be yours for a lifetime will be well worth the effort you make now.

To get the best results from your headgear, follow these simple guidelines:

• Make sure to wear your headgear as directed. It only works when you wear it!
• Always closely follow the instructions for wearing your headgear. If you do, you’ll finish this part of your treatment as quickly as possible and with the best results.
• Always be careful and remove your headgear as you were taught.
• Be sure to remove your headgear before you begin running or playing sports, including rough-and-tumble games. Accidents can happen even when you’re just having fun.
• Be careful to prevent anyone from grabbing or pulling on your headgear. Do not wear headgear in situations where there is a chance that it could be pulled off or pulled out of place.
• Take your headgear with you to every appointment.
• We will give you instructions on the care and cleaning of your headgear. To keep the appliance working as it should, be sure to follow those instructions carefully.

For more information or helpful tips with your headgear contact Apple Tree Orthodontics.

Your Patients Keep Leaping Into Our Office!

We have a contest designed specifically for area dentists! To show our gratitude for your wonderful patient referrals, we've decided to give you a chance to win a yummy prize!  If you are a local dentist that refers Apple Tree Orthodontics patients, please enter now!

Print & Fill out the form below and fax to 603-421-9550! 

You can also submit your answer via email to Laura at str8smiles@appletreeortho.com. Don't forget to LIKE US ON FACEBOOK for a double entry! Good Luck!

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.