Candy Alternatives

We love a good Halloween night as much as the next person, but we don’t love all the candy involved. While it may taste like a treat, the real trick will be when your teeth are full of cavities or you have to come in to see us because of damaged braces. Skip the candy, skip the hassle! Fortunately, there are many activities you can enjoy on Halloween without sacrificing your teeth. Need suggestions? Read on!

1. Watch a scary movie. What better way to get in the Halloween spirit than with a spooky film? We recommend going classic with the original Halloween or The Shining. If you’re a scaredy cat, there are options for you too! Pop in Hocus Pocus to watch with little ones.
2. Play dress up. This is the perfect time to have a costume fashion show. Grab a group of friends for a party and host the best costume contest around.
3. Carve a pumpkin together. Nothing brings friends together like getting slimy pumpkin all over everyone’s hands! Stay traditional and carve a jack-o-lantern, or get creative and carve your favorite celebrity! There are thousands of tutorials online.
4. Share ghost stories. Gather everyone around, dim the lights, and give everyone a go at telling their best spooky tale. It will get everyone in the Halloween spirit in no time!

Bonus: Build a campfire outside and make s’mores during story time.

We know that asking everyone to completely lay off the Halloween candy is never going to work, but with these activities, you can skip trick-or-treating and eat candy in moderation. Whatever your plans are for Friday evening, we hope it’s fun, spooky, and most of all, safe! Have a great one and make sure you do as much smiling as you do screaming!

Get to Know: Deyanira Hernandez

We love our Texas Orthodontics family! Get to know more about one of our team members: Deyanira Hernandez!

Favorites -

Color: Yellow

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Movie: Grease

Candy: Reese's

Her bucket list:
1. Visit Tahiti & Greece

2. Become an orthodontist

Who would you choose to play you in a TV Show?

Jennifer Lopez

What is your dream vacation?

Tahiti or Greece!

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with others about life?

Learn from you mistakes!

If you could witness one event (past, present, future) which would you choose?

The 50's - I'm a fan of that era.

A Toothy Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching and if you still don’t have a costume, it’s time to act! While we do not endorse eating candy, we still believe in a rocking costume. If you’re out of ideas, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites!

1. Shark: You have to appreciate those chompers! Sharks have so many teeth and what’s even cooler, is that they are easily replaced. Every time one falls out, another just pops up! Wouldn’t it be fun to pretend to be one for a day?

www.halloweencostumes.com

2. Vampire: Have you ever seen a vampire with bad teeth? We sure haven’t. Whether you go as the infamous Dracula or a member of the Twilight Cullen clan, make sure the teeth are on point! See what we did there?

www.costumecraze.com

 3. Tooth Fairy: Everyone loves the tooth fairy! She’s sweet and brings a consolation prize every time you lose a tooth. Skip the tricks and treat everyone with the sight of you in a tutu and tiara. Don’t forget a tooth shaped wand!

Whatever you decide to dress up as this year, don’t forget to have fun, be safe, and take care of your teeth! Keep the candy to a minimum – moms and dads, we’re counting on you to be our eyes and ears out there! 

Is It Gonna Hurt?

Check out this video featuring our very own Dr. Hurst answering the third most frequently asked question,

"Is it gonna hurt?"

Orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically. As a rule, braces make your teeth tender and sore for a few days. This annoyance can be relieved with an over-the-counter analgesic. Today’s braces are more comfortable and use technology that reduces any irritation!

Appointments don't have to be scary!

Arriving to your orthodontist appointment can cause anxiety and nervousness. As you sit in the waiting room, you may worry that you’ll feel pain or discomfort during your examination. This is completely normal. Orthodontist appointments can be scary! Luckily, there are ways you can lower your anxiety and have a pleasant orthodontic experience.

First, come in with a clear and calm mind. If you arrive to your appointment with a high anxiety level, it will be hard to calm yourself down. The day of your appointment, take deep breaths whenever you feel yourself tense up about the appointment and remind yourself that everything is going to be fine. By taking deep breaths and using positive self-talk, you’ll be ready to go when your name is called.

Second, don’t worry about your appointment. Going to the orthodontist is something you cannot avoid, so what’s the point of worrying about it? Instead, think about all of the positive results that will come from each appointment. Your teeth will be straight and beautiful! Remember this and you may find yourself excited as you come into Texas Orthodontics.

Lastly, if you’re still nervous when you take a seat in your chair, talk to your orthodontist. We’re here not only to make your smile beautiful, but to make the whole experience comfortable. 

Get to Know: Elizabeth Gonzalez

We love our Texas Orthodontics family! Get to know more about one of our team members: Elizabeth Gonzalez!

Favorites -

Color: Purple

Team: San Francisco Giants

Book: Anything by Edgar Allen Poe

Movie: Burlesque

Candy: Snickers

Her bucket list:
1. Travel to Europe

2. Become a vet

3. Go skydiving 

Who would you choose to play you in a TV Show?

Scarlett Johansson

If someone wrote a book about you, what would the title be?

Elizabeth's Odd Life

Who inspires you?

My little brother. He may not know it, but I want to be a great role model, help him be better than me and to accomplish all his goals.

What is your dream vacation?

Europe! I want to enjoy the views and take in all of the history!

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with others about life?

Enjoy everything you, never stop learning and always keep an open mind about learning new things. 

If you could witness one event (past, present, future) which would you choose?

See my brother earn his master's degree.

What is your why?

My passion to help animals helps me know that all of the years of school ahead of me are worth it if it means I get to do what I love.

Les Dents du Bonheur

If you don’t know French, the phrase above translates to “lucky teeth”. It’s what is used to describe the sometimes infamous, sometimes trendy gapped teeth. In recent years, gapped teeth have become quite the fashion statement with models everywhere going as far as having surgery to widen the space between their two front teeth.

There’s actually a word for that space between teeth: diastema. People can develop diastema for a wide range of reasons from periodontal disease to an incorrect swallowing reflex or even just because the teeth are too small for the jaw space.

Unfortunately, we’re not all supermodels and sometimes people aren’t all that comfortable with a gap between their teeth. There’s no shame in owning it or wanting to hide it, but if you fall into the latter category, we can help. Braces can help correct the problem quite easily. If the gap is there because of a missing tooth though, a dental implant may be necessary.

Some people find a gap between teeth completely charming. Others can’t stand them. Just remember that no matter what your opinion is, you always have the option to close it! Our number one goal  is to make you smile – les dents du bonheur or not!

Win FREE braces!

ENTER HERE TO WIN FREE BRACES

In Honor of National Orthodontic Month, Texas Orthodontics is hosting a braces giveaway titled “We’re Gonna Make You Smile® Makeover!”  This social contest is a continuation of its We’re Gonna Make You Smile® campaign.

The contest will be carried out via Texas Orthodontics’ social media channels beginning today, October 1 and ending December 31, 2014. The giveaway is open to individuals 18 years of age and older. The winner will be awarded a free Masters Series braces treatment, a $3,480 value. To participate in the giveaway, individuals are encouraged to interact with Texas Orthodontics social sites which include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Google +.  

While more than 17,000 orthodontists throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month every October, children anticipate the end of the month to celebrate Halloween. This festive holiday filled with scary movies, attire and haunted houses can also be a scary time for teeth, because Halloween candy negatively affects orthodontic treatment and general dental health. In hopes of switching the focus away from the overabundance of candy and sugar, Texas Orthodontics is using the month of October to promote healthy teeth, dental hygiene and braces best practices. Texas Orthodontics wants to give patients and the entire community a few timely tips to protect braces and aligners and other orthodontic appliances while protecting teeth from decay.

To enter, click the photo above!