Thursday, December 9, 2010

Ultimate Bieber Fever Winner

And the Bieber Fever winner is.......Erin Blankenbecklor! Congratulations!! She won a Portable Ipod Speaker!


National Ortho Month Winner

Congratulations to Cheryl Winner of our National Ortho Month Contest! She won a Oral-B Spin Brush! Way to go Cheryl!!


Friday, November 19, 2010

Hammond Girls Swim Team


Congratulations to the Hammond Varsity Girls Swim team, Winners of the 2010 SCISA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! WAY TO GO GIRLS!!

AC Flora Girls Golf Team

Congratulations to AC Flora Girls Golf Team for winning state championship

Miss RWA Runnerup

Congratulations to Rebekah Phillips Runner-up in The Miss Richard Winn Pageant this past weekend. Way to go! Great smile!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

BREAST CANCER WALK FOR LIFE



On October 2, 2010 Green Orthodontics proudly supported the cause for Breast Cancer Awareness, walking in the Annual Walk for Life, put on By Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital. We all had a great time for a great cause!

Friday, September 17, 2010


Recently Clinical Assistant, Jill, went on a Mission Trip to Mexico in which she brought with her toothbrushes to donate to the children in the community. Here she is showing one of them how to brush!

Congratulations to Preston Smoak winner of our SHREK TRIVIA challenge! He knows his Shrek! Preston won TWO $25 AMC GIFT CERTIFICATES! Enjoy the movies Preston :) WAY TO GO!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

KNOW YOUR ICONS WINNER


Congratulations to, Marcus Edmond, he is the winner of KNOW YOUR ICONS! Marcus won 75 DOLLARS CASH!! Way to go MARCUS!

Friday, August 6, 2010

COOL TIE DYE LAUREN!

Lauren came in to get her braces this week sporting her Dr. Green t-shirt she tie dyed at camp! Great idea Lauren! You can do it, too!

Lauren Smith Karaoke


Dr. Green and staff would like to congratulate our newest winner, Lauren Smith our Karaoke winner. CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN!! She won a brand new KARAOKE machine! WAY TO GO!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Forest Acres Festival


Dr. Green and his staff participated in the Forest Acres Festival. The festival was held on the baseball field at A.C. Flora High School and sponsored by the F.A. Rotary Club. We en joyed seeing many of our patients at the festival and look forward to next year!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"Hey, Dr. Green! What's the deal with retainers?"

If you've recently completed treatment at Green Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Green will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

After braces are removed, Dr. Green and our staff will tell you that teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Green is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

And don't worry, our retainer deals are awesome! Dr. Green offers half off retainers to his patients who lose them.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment at Green Orthodontics, please read this article about night retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call! We hope you're having a GREAT summer!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

How, exactly, does Invisalign work? [Video]



Have you ever wondered how Invisalign's clear braces manage to straighten teeth without using metallic traditional braces? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient Columbia office. Dr. Nettles Green proudly offers Invisalign for teens and adults, and invites you to give our office a call to learn if Invisalign is right for you!

We hope you're all enjoying Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

We have a winner!


Dr. Green and our staff would like to congratulate Eliza McDow, the winner of our American Idol contest! Eliza won a $50 iTunes gift card! Way to go Eliza!

Enjoy!!

Monday, June 21, 2010

How do Green Orthodontics "Go Green"?

Our team at Green Orthodontics know that we are living in an age when more and more people have a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. We, too, have taken steps to make our office more environmentally-friendly.

Dr. Green's office is literally a GREEN office. Here are a few things that make us friends of the environment:

*Computers using digital practice management software
*Electronic patient appointment reminders
*Shredding of paper
*Digital x-ray imaging
*reusable infection control and sterilization
*Energy-efficient light bulbs
*non-toxic cleaning products
*Recycling

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Green Orthodontics, supporting National Smile Month!


We're halfway into June, and Dr. Nettles Green and team thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a fantastic time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to Green Orthodontics.

Make sure to...

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to thoroughly clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).


If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at 803-462-5533 at our convenient Columbia location!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Access your account—any day, any time—at Green Orthodontics

Access to your account, when you want, wherever you want it. Sounds nice, simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Green Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

Just take a look at what some of our patients are saying!

"Can take time to view the pictures, and it helps to see the progress." ~ John S.

"Most health care professionals make you feel that your own medical records are confidential, but by having access to my child's records via this site I feel more in control of my child's health care services." ~ Sara R.

"This is office is top of the line and very update to date in technology. For me, since I am constantly on the computer this is very convenient." ~ Darrell S.

"It was interesting to see my photos. Wow, my teeth have improved tremendously!" ~ Scott R.

"I can look on my time and not have to add one more thing to do between 8 & 5 Mon. - Fri. to my already long list. Thank you!" ~ Mark A.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at 803-462-5533 if you have any questions about getting started!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Share your summer plans with Dr. Green and staff!


As the school year comes to a close for a lot of our patients, the days get longer and the temperatures climb in Columbia, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off in the shade. For some folks, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned that has become a tradition? Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Dr. Nettles Green and team would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun summer!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Write a Review of Green Orthodontics!

Dr. Nettles Green is an experienced orthodontist with an expert staff, skilled in bringing beautiful smiles to Columbia and surrounding communities. He understands that orthodontic treatment is important for all ages and treats both children and adults who may need braces and other orthodontic treatment options.

Whether you've been treated at Green Orthodontics for a week or months, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring during your treatment! There are many, many ways you can share your thoughts about our office with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. Or, you may review us on Yelp if you wish. After all, reviews help Dr. Green create more beautiful smiles just like yours!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and enjoy your week! Dr. Green and team look forward to reading your reviews!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Protecting your mouth during sports, with Green Orthodontics


At Green Orthodontics, we can't believe summer is right around the corner! We know however that while the spring and summer months bring with them an increase in outdoor activities, they also bring a greater chance of kids - especially athletes - damaging their precious pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Nettles Green for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and many others.

We were reminded about the need to wear mouth guards after reading an article this week about hockey player Keith Tkachuk, who needed facial surgery after taking a hockey puck to the mouth. Tkachuk’s injury underscores the need for all athletes - young or old - to use facial protection.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment at our office. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Green will be happy to provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment!

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call at 803-462-5533 if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Dr. Green.

Friday, May 14, 2010

At Green Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

At Green Orthodontics, we know not everyone always 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 our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly and experienced staff? Is it something about Dr. Green?

Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page! Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Mother's Day Week, from Green Orthodontics!

Our entire staff at Green Orthodontics (Dr. Green included) would like to take this time thank all the wonderful moms out there for being so great during your child's orthodontic treatment. Whether it's for driving your kids to their regularly scheduled appointments or for being there for mom while at our office, we'd like you to know that we appreciate you all! Happy Mother's Day Week and upcoming Mother’s Day!

And kids? Are you out of Mother's Day gift ideas? Then check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of Good Morning America. Whatever you come up with, Dr. Green and team are sure mom will love it!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Patient question for Dr. Green: When should my kid come in for a visit?

Many parents in Columbia assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Green Orthodontics for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

All right, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Green to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Early evaluation by Dr. Green, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Green Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Ask Dr. Green: What can I expect during my consultation?

That's a great question! When you first come in for your consultation at Green Orthodontics, we will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you. Then, at your next appointment, Dr. Green will discuss your orthodontic options with you.

Our staff feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Green can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, we ask that both you and your child attend the consultation. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Teeth grinding and the economy, from Green Orthodontics

If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, and especially recently. A recent study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine in March suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

Our staff at Green Orthodontics will tell you the first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Dr. Green and our team at Green Orthodontics can help determine the cause of the problem. We look forward to hearing from you.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Breaking down the myths and facts of orthodontics with Dr. Green

Believe us when we say Dr. Green knows there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, Dr. Green and our team think you should get the facts! Recently, we came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We definitely encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Green Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call at 803.787.1601.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

This April, play it safe! From Green Orthodontics


April is upon us, and for Dr. Nettles Green and our team at Green Orthodontics, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. April is National Facial Protection Month. During this time Dr. Green and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field.

We thought we'd pass along a few tips to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator


We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact the staff at Green Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Get to know our staff, part three!

Meet Claire and Erin!

Claire
Clinical Assistant


I have been a part of Dr. Green’s team since 2005 as a clinical orthodontic assistant. Recently, my husband, Robert and I welcomed a new addition to our family. Bobby joins his big sister Caroline. I enjoy play Wii, Carolina football and spending time with my family. My favorite part of working in the orthodontic field is our patients.







Erin
Lab Technician

I am a former United States Army Specialist and joined Dr. Green in 2007. My husband and I have 2 girls, Bree and Penny. Not only am I an employee, but I am also a patient currently in braces. I make most of the appliances our patients wear, i.e., retainers and expanders. I take pride in my work to make sure the appliances are comfortable and work properly.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Get to know our staff, part two!

Yesterday, you became more familiar with Angela, Jill, Katie and Mairead. Today, we thought we'd introduce you to Julie, Kay, Margaret and Nancy. Part three coming Thursday!


Julie
State Certified Orthodontic Assistant

I am a state certified orthodontic assistant working in this field for 12 years, 6 ½ of those years for Dr. Green. I have a wonderful family including my husband Chico and my two awesome children, Jay and Tori. We live in Lexington and enjoy spending time together as a family. I enjoy listening to music. I love the technical part of orthodontics and the technology we use in our office.







Kay
Office Manager/Treatment Coordinator

I have been in the orthodontic field for 18 years, 10 of those years with Dr. Green. My husband and I enjoy traveling and spending time with our daughter and son-in law. My main objective is to acquaint our patients with our office and orthodontics making sure they have a complete understanding of the orthodontic treatment recommendations presented by Dr. Green. If you have any questions regarding our office contact me at 787-1601 or email ktimms@greenorthodontics.com.




Margaret
Appointment Coordinator

I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BA in Early Childhood Education. I have been Dr. Green’s appointment coordinator since 2008. I enjoy going out for a fun night with family and friends. My joy of being around people makes my job fun and I enjoy welcoming our new patients as well as the existing ones helping them with their appointments.







Nancy
National Board Certified Orthodontic Assistant

I have been in the dental field for over 30 years and involved with orthodontics for close to 26 years and with Dr. Green for the last 10 years. Eight years ago I became National board certified in orthodontics. I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren, exercising and being outdoors. It’s so much fun to watch the children grow up in the office and then finally to see them finish with beautiful smiles. Also, our adult patients are the best.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Get to know the staff at Green Orthodontics!

You see us all the time, but perhaps you’ve wondered, “Hmm, I’d like to get to know Dr. Green’s staff a little better.” Well, today is your lucky day. Below you’ll find staff bios for Angela, Jill, Katie and Mairead. Tomorrow, we'll introduce you to more of our great staffers!


Angela
Clinical Assistant

I have worked in the orthodontic field for 7 years and with Dr. Green for 6 ½ of those years. My husband John and I have 2 boys, JJ age 4 and Logan age 3. I enjoy shopping, scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends. I love getting to know our patients and watch them become more confident and excited when the braces come off.







Jill
Clinical Assistant

I joined Dr. Green’s team in 2008 as a clinical orthodontic assistant. I enjoy hiking, playing sports and volunteering at my church. My favorite part of orthodontics is getting to know our patients and helping Dr. Green create beautiful smiles that last a lifetime.










Katie
Financial Coordinator

I am a graduate of the College of Charleston and joined Dr. Green in 2008 as financial coordinator. I currently oversee all financial contracts, insurance and flexible spending accounts. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. If you have any questions throughout your treatment regarding your account contact me at 787-1601 or email kmorse@greenorthodontics.com.







Mairead
Clinical Assistant

I graduated from Greenville Tech in May 2008 as a dental assistant. After graduation I worked for a general dentist. My desire to work in the orthodontic field became a reality when I joined Dr. Green’s office in 2009. I enjoy watching the Carolina Gamecocks, going to the beach and working with Dr. Green to help our patients achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Green Orthodontics team at the 9th annual Damon Forum!

Dr. Green recently took his staff to a continuing education seminar to Phoenix, Arizona to attend the annual Damon Forum. This meeting was designed to further our knowledge on the Damon brace system. We had the privilege of hearing Dr. Dwight Damon, founder of the Damon brace system speak on the mechanics behind the Damon System. During this three day seminar, we also had the opportunity to learn from other prestigious orthodontists from around the world speak about their experiences with the Damon System. The Damon Forum challenged us in our own thought process and to take our patient care to a higher level. We learned many new concepts with emphasis on orthodontics being face driven so that smiles not only look fantastic when treatment is finished but also look fantastic as we get older. We are excited that we can accomplish all of this with more efficiency and greater patient comfort with Damon braces. Our main objective is continuing to create beautiful smiles that last a lifetime.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Invisalign® treatment at Green Orthodontics: What's the advantage?

Part of what makes Invisalign "work," is that the treatment is customizable for some many different kinds of mouths. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Green does is take an impression of your teeth as they are now -- and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Green is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have any questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Ask Dr. Green: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Nettles Green will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation at Green Orthodontics and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Operation Help Haiti update, from Green Orthodontics

We had a fantastic response to our Operation Help Haiti Campaign. Thanks to your generosity to help the Haitians in their time of need. Our patients donated $350!!! With Dr. Green's matching donation, a check was given to the American Red Cross for $700!! Our patients really are the best! Have a great weekend!

-- From Dr. Nettles Green and staff

Friday, February 19, 2010

Why the Damon™ System?

Something big is happening in the orthodontics world, and it’s no other than Damon braces, which allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. With the Damon System, achieving that perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

Here’s why Damon is better:

With the new Damon braces, we can achieve terrific results and finish your treatment faster. Depending on your case, this may mean saving many months of treatment! After analyzing your specific needs, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon! Because Damon braces are very precise and effective, we can reduce the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces. Because Damon braces work more efficiently, fewer adjustments are required. As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number. Due to the unique design of this new braces system, we can move your teeth into their correct positions with much less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

Dr. Nettles Green is a certified Damon System provider
. If you have any questions about the Damon System or your treatment here at Green Orthodontics, please give us a call. 803-462-5533

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

We're Halfway There! Operation Help Haiti at Green Orthodontics



We have reached the $250 mark toward our goal of $500 for the Operation Help Haiti Program at Green Orthodontics! If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, please stop by or call our office! Any donation you make will be matched by our office up to $500 from now until February 26th.

All of us at Green Orthodontics appreciate your donations to help Haiti in their time of need.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Operation Help Haiti at Green Orthodontics

In light of the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Green and our team at Green Orthodontics are collecting donations to send to help the Haitians in their time of need. Here's how it works: Make a donation through us from now until February 26, and we will match your donation up to $500. All contributions will be sent to the American Red Cross and directed to help victims of the Haitian earthquake.

If you have any questions on how to donate, please stop by or call one of our offices.

Dr. Green and our entire team appreciate your kind donation. Together we can reach our goal and make a difference!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tooth retainer specials at Green Orthodontics!



Our retainer deals are awesome! Dr. Green offers half off retainers to his patients who lose them. All we require is for our patients to bring several canned or non-perishable items to our office for the deal. Last year over 600 pounds of goods were donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank. Dr. Green honored our referring doctors by making a donation to Harvest Hope in their name. Dr. Green truly enjoys helping others in our community!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Green Orthodontics, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Harrison R., winner of our "Name that Movie" contest!

Hooray for Harrison R. (pictured on the left with Dr. Green), winner of our "Name that Movie" contest. He guessed all the songs correctly and won a portable DVD player! Make sure you check out our latest contest the next time you come to Green Orthodontics!

Have a great weekend!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Top Ten Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.
It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.
The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.
Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.
Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.
Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.
Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.
Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.
Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.
Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide.

Hope this helps!

-Dr. Green

Friday, January 8, 2010

A patient thank-you letter for Green Orthodontics!

Dr. Green and our team just love giving our patients new and beautiful smiles! Recently, our office received a thank you letter from Jon R., one of our patients from last year.

Here is what he wrote:

"Dear Nettles,

I wanted to send my heartfelt gratitude to you and your caring staff for the wonderful gift that you provided me this year.

Not only did you give me back my smile confidence and dental health, your generosity gave me the push to quit smoking. My family and I can't thank you enough for the gift of health! That is just one way that can show you how much your gift touched me.

Please pass on to your staff a BIG thank you for the time and attention that was shown to me and wish them a very HAPPY HOLIDAY season.

Sincerely,

Jon R."