Thursday, October 15, 2015

Pumpkin Cookie Pops

In a month full of sweet treats, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of your braces and/or your orthodontic appliances. As an alternative to Halloween candies that may be sticky, chewy and hard we have a fun recipe provided by the American Association of Orthodontist that you and your family will love.

Pumpkin Cookie Pops


Ingredients:
  • ¾ C unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ C brown sugar, firmly packed
  • ½ C canned or fresh cooked pumpkin
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla
  • 2 ¼ C all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • 20 wooden sticks (tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks work best)
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine with electric mixer the butter, brown sugar and orange zest. Add the pumpkin, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix. 
  • Gradually add the flour and spices. Mix with your hands to create a soft dough. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Divide dough into two pieces. Roll out each piece to
  • 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into pumpkin shapes with cookie cutters.
  • Place on ungreased baking sheet and securely insert a wooden stick into the bottom half of each pumpkin cookie.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Decorate with favorite frosting

During Halloween it's important to stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include caramel, gummies, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind), jelly beans and soft drinks. Sweets can cause cavities, which means brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season. Orthodontic patients should be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods. 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Is It REALLY An Emergency?

Did you know that many things we consider an emergency are really things that are simply causing us temporary discomfort and can be resolved at home? It's true. Most orthodontic concerns, like, poking wires and mouth soreness can be fixed without scheduling an emergency appointment.


Poking Wire - Sometimes a poking wire can be safely turned down so that it no longer causes you discomfort. Try to tuck the wire back in and out of the way with the blunt end of a toothbrush, pencil eraser or Q-Tip. Orthodontic wax can always be used to cover any archwires that might be sticking out. Also...nail clippers can be used to clip a broken archwire that may be poking out if wax doesn't ease you comfort.

Loose Wire - Use Tweezers to re-insert archwires that have slipped out of the molar bracket. Place wax over it if there is any remaining discomfort.
 
Soreness - Warm salt-water rinses are helpful in relieving soreness. You may also take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil as you would for a headache or similar discomfort. Carefully chewing on a half piece of sugarless chewing gum will help alleviate the pain and help your mouth feel "back to normal" much more quickly.


Even though you are careful, you may occasionally damage your appliances. We want our patients to be informed of problems that may occur, and understand how to solve them, at least temporarily, until it is possible to return to our office.


Please Remember:  If you are involved in contact sports, a TekFit mouth guard can be fitted over your braces for added protection.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

October is Orthodontic Health Month!


When you think October, you naturally think Halloween.
But did you know that October is also a time for celebrating Orthodontics?

Every year, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recognizes October as a time to raise awareness of the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect. Meeting with Dr. Wadhwa and her staff is a great way to find out what kind of people you’ll be seeing during your treatment. This is also a time to get your questions answered and to learn more about what an orthodontist can do for you and your family.

Facts About Orthodontics:

  • 100% of all orthodontists are dentists. About 6% of all dentists are orthodontists.
  • Adults care about straightening their teeth too! Millions of people over age 18 are currently in orthodontic treatment.
  • Approximately 4 million people in the United States have braces on their teeth right now!
  • The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests children should be seen by the age of 7?  Early intervention is sometimes needed to help guide growth and development of permanent teeth and jaw alignment.

If you have any questions about what foods are best during orthodontic treatment, feel free to ask during your next visit.We look forward to seeing you and your family this October!