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Celebrate Orthodontic Health Month in October with a Smile

Orthodontic Health Month 2013You only get one chance to make a first impression, no matter what your age. Whether you are meeting new friends or interviewing for a job, a smile is important to building both personal and business relationships. It is a well-known fact that straight teeth and a great smile builds self-esteem, confidence, and influences how you present yourself to the world. Orthodontic treatment, no matter what age, is an investment in the future.

At Affiliated Orthodontics our goal is to spread the word in Peoria AZ area that October is National Orthodontic Health Month and its purpose is to reinforce the need for an orthodontic evaluation. You are never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs correction.Read More

Is Your Sweet Tooth Worth It?

Sweet ToothSugar in our daily diet will always be an issue for dental and medical professionals, nutritionists, and parents. As long as sugar remains a large part of the American diet, we will continue to hear about all the negative effects sugar can have on the body. But the real question is… will we listen?

Overall, Americans are consuming less sugar than before, but Medical Daily reports we’re still getting about 13 percent of our daily calories from added sugars. A study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey stated that two-thirds of added sugar is found in foods, and the rest in drinks, especially soda.Read More

Orthodontic Tips for Back to School…

72-back to schoolIt’s that time of year again! The temperature is cooling off, fall sports are underway, and all the kids are headed back to school. At Affiliated Orthodontics we want to offer a few helpful tips for going back to school with braces!

  • Make sure to follow the 2×2 brushing rule: brush your teeth for TWO minutes, TWO times each day! This will help keep your teeth and braces clean, which leads to quicker appointments and healthier teeth. If you want to brush after lunch, keep a toothbrush in your backpack.
  • Bring a water bottle to school. Drinking water throughout the day helps to keep your mouth clean, fight cavities, and prevent bad breath. Stick with water and you can’t go wrong.
  • Keep an extra pack of elastics in your backpack. And if you have a locker, it is wise to store some extra rubber bands in there, too. Remember that those elastics help move teeth, so not wearing them could result in longer treatment times.Read More

How Much Water is Enough for You and Your Family?

70-Drinking-waterDid you know that water is one of the most important factors of our daily diet and makes up 60% of your body weight?

At Affiliated Orthodontics we understand that every organ in your body is dependent on water so it can flush out toxins and carry food to your body cells and thought this was a good topic for our blog. Think about how it feels when your nose and throat are dry. This is usually due to dehydration or not enough water in your body. Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine, and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water, especially during the summer months when temperatures rise and you and your family are more active.Read More

What is the most Common Question Asked During Orthodontic Treatment?

Is it what can I eat? How do I brush?

No… When do I get my braces off?

When Do I get my braces off While most patients are always eager to start treatment, they are even more eager to get them off. Even though each patient is given an estimated treatment time wearing braces when they start, patients always hope we can wave our magic wands and complete the process sooner.

It makes sense that a patient may assume they are ahead of schedule when their teeth look straight in a mirror. Unfortunately, orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth. The ultimate goal of good orthodontic treatment result is a beautiful smile as well as a healthy bite that lasts a lifetime.Read More