Orthodontic Partners visits Double Diamond to teach 2nd Graders good Oral Hygiene Habits

Orthodontic Partners and their bear O.P. recently visited 5 of the 2nd grade classes at Double Diamond Elementary to teach the students good brushing and flossing habits. This is a fun presentation where students can interact with O.P. the bear (whose voice is done by Katherine hidden behind the bear). The students also share their knowledge of which foods are good and bad for their teeth and learn a little dental trivia. Did you know there are 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth? The reason we like to visit the 2nd grade is because the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by the age of 7 and this gives us a chance to address any concerns the students may have about braces. We were fortunate that one of the students in this class, Connor, is a patient of ours and not only helped us with the flossing demonstration but also shared his orthodontic experience.

If you would like us to do presentation for your classroom, please call Ann at 823-5200 x106 or if you would like to schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation, please call our office at 825-4804.

Baby Teeth – and Gums – Need Special Care! Orthodontic Partners

One question we hear all the time at Orthodontic Partners is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.

After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact us today at 775.825.4804

Why Are Straight Teeth So Important? - Orthodontic Partners (Reno, NV)

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime, and with new technology like SureSmile, straightening your teeth takes less time than ever!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 775-624-5476 to set up a consultation. Drs. Corbridge, Bruntz, and Lohse can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Keep Your Smile Healthy for the Holidays

The Holidays are a wonderful time filled with friends, family, and, of course, delicious treats! We hope you enjoy all three but want to remind you to brush more frequently when eating sugary foods. This is especially important when you have braces because there are more places for food to get trapped. Each time you eat something with sugar, bacteria forms and produces cavity causing acid for 20 minutes. Brushing and flossing is always the best way to keep your teeth clean but if you’re some place where you just can’t, try swishing some water around in your mouth to help clear away some of the food particles. After all, Santa loves a beautiful white smile!