Your summer smile questions, answered!

Summer is just around the corner, which for many people means vacations, baseball season, days spent at the beach, and fun in the sun! Now that you have braces, it’s important to take special precautions to prevent facial injuries and preserve your healthy smile for a lifetime. That’s why Dr. R. Scott Smith and our team wanted to answer a few of the common questions that we often receive from patients and their parents during the summer months.

How can I help prevent my teeth from becoming chipped or broken while I play sports this summer?

The best way to protect your smile is by wearing a mouthguard. If you do not have braces on, we can take an impression and make you a custom-fit mouthguard in your choice of colors. Dr. Smith does not charge for this valuable service, because he believes that everyone should wear a mouthguard when playing sports, and cost should not stand in the way.

If I’m hit in the mouth, and a tooth gets knocked out, what can/should I do? What should I do if I am injured on a weekend when the office is closed?

If you should receive a sports injury to your smile, call one of our offices. Follow the emergency prompt and you will be connected to Lynn, our practice manager.

3. Are sports drinks bad for my teeth? What can I drink to stay hydrated and keep my teeth healthy?

Most sports drinks contain sugar. Water is a great alternative. If you do drink sugary sports drinks, do it in moderation, and remember to brush your teeth afterward.

If I wear Invisalign aligners, will they help protect my teeth, or do I still need to wear a mouth guard?

Wear your Invisalign when you play sports but you should also wear a "brace friendly" mouthguard.

Can I still wear a mouth guard with braces?

We will give you a "braces friendly" mouthguard to wear over your braces.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more physical activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant in this day and age, as kids everywhere are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games. Kids living an active lifestyle can improve their health, productivity and overall well-being, and best of all? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At R Scott Smith Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

At R Scott Smith Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

Dr. Smith and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about R Scott Smith Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or R Scott Smith Orthodontics?

Let us know by posting here, on Facebook or by giving us a call!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month

At R Scott Smith Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a free consultation to R Scott Smith Orthodontics. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation with Dr. Smith and Dr. Raney?

We proudly provide traditional braces and Invisalign Teen for today’s image-conscious teens.

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a free consultation or ask us on Facebook!