Our Blog
Tubing @ Gunstock March 10, 2013
February 28th, 2013
Dr. Alan Kennell and his team will be hosting
“Brace Yourself”
A Patient Appreciation Tubing Party at Gunstock Resort tubing hill!
If you are a current patient or recent patient in a retainer we encourage you to join us!
Sunday March 10, 2013
4-7 p.m.
Stop in and hit the hill, mingle, and allow us to show you our appreciation for choosing Kennell Orthodontics as your ortho provider!
Warm up with some hot cocoa, enjoy a nice warm fire along with s’mores and some great music.
We will even have some AWESOME raffle prizes – like a 2013/14 SEASON PASS to GUNSTOCK!…and so much more… for those who join us! Come for an hour or stay the whole time.
Please RSVP to the Facebook Event.
Everyone will be meeting just under the bridge by the welcome center. You will see the Kennell Orthodontics tent setup, check in for your tubing pass and a small gift.
Spring Sports Sign Ups! Don’t forget new mouth guards!
February 20th, 2013
Like you, we are seeing and hearing a lot of promotion for the 2013 Spring Sports season that is about to begin. Registration sign ups for lacrosse, baseball, softball and more are posted all around the Lakes Region. This means we need to do our job to remind our valued patients that proper mouth protection is recommended when you participate in any sports activities. If you wear braces, this protection becomes essential. Injuries to your mouth can not only damage your teeth, but your braces could break and cut open your lip.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guardsreferred to as boil-and-bites can be purchased at many retail stores. As the name implies, these guards are boiled in water to heat and soften the material. While the guard is still warm, you place it in your mouth and bite down gently. This causes the guard to form to the shape of your mouth. Unfortunately, these guards do not necessarily offer the best protection or fit.
The custom fitting of a mouth guard ensures you of better protection and a comfortable fit. Custom guards are also built in layers for durability. The American Dental Association recommends custom guards for orthodontic patients. Your mouth guard will be designed to provide proper protection for both your teeth and your braces.
No matter what type of sport you participate in, a mouth guard can protect your braces. Even an activity as seemingly harmless as table tennis can result in a contact injury. The Academy for Sports Dentistry states that a properly fitted mouth guard should not interfere with any athletic activity.
Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist’s instructions. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, this custom-made mouth guard is more expensive than the other types, but it provides the most comfort and best fit and protection.
Who Needs a Mouth Guard?
Mouth guards should be used by anyone — both children and adults — who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in non-contact sports (for example, gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example, skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.
Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.
Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?
Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss.
Our office will be glad to answer any questions you have so you can continue the activities you enjoy with little concern. If you do suffer any injuries to your mouth or braces during sporting activities, please contact us immediately. The sooner we can care for your mouth, the better the results will be.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th, 2013
Happy Valentine’s Day to you from US!
We LOVE that you chose Kennell Ortho for your ortho treatments!
So…for you, we have found some fun links that may highlight some of your interests…
How are the STARS celebrating Valentine’s Day this year?
ADA National Children’s Dental Health Month, February 2013
February 7th, 2013
Although National Orthodontics Month is in October each year, each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.
Dr. Kennell and his team want to remind parents that their children can avoid cavities. A balanced diet, limiting snacks, brushing and flossing each day and regular dental check-ups are the keys to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Cleaning Your Teeth & Gums
Taking care of your mouth is simple. The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an inter dental cleaner. Tooth decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove the sticky film on teeth called plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
