This Spring, what are you up to?

It’s nearly springtime. The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, fresh rhubarb is ready to be picked, the birds are chirping, the sun is warming up and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from a baseball field nearby. Dr. Carlson and team thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for Spring?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports this year? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all!

You may share your stories or plans with our team here, on our Facebook fan page or by giving us a call!

P.S. While you’re on our Facebook page, become a fan of Carlson Orthodontics!

Your turn! From Carlson Orthodontics

Week after week, Dr. Carlson and team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques we offer. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

Contests and Events on our Facebook Fan Page!

If you haven't already, be sure to head to our Facebook Fan Page to connect with our office and other patients! We host a variety of fun contests and events, and our Facebook page is a great way to stay up to date! Become a fan today!

What’s so special about an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Carlson started out in dental school and earned a DMD (dental degree). After dental school however, Dr. Carlson decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

The importance of wearing a mouth guard when playing sports, with Dr. Carlson

At Carlson Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. The spring and summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Dr. Carlson and our dedicated team also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

That’s why Carlson Orthodontics are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Carlson will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Carlson is trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Carlson Orthodontics.

Olympics trivia at Carlson Orthodontics!

Think you know Olympics trivia? Then we have a challenge for you! Head over to our web site, find the newest trivia question about the Olympics, be the first to answer the trivia question and win a prize! Contest runs through the end of the month, so be sure to join and be a part of our web-based contest! We look forward to hearing from you!

In addition, our team at Carlson Orthodontics is collecting Olympic-themed memorabilia and hanging various items in our office. We all have Olympic spirit! If you have an Olympic-themed item you'd like to share, feel free to drop it off at one of our offices! Or, if you have any questions about the contest, you may give us a call.

Ask Dr. Carlson: When should my child come in for a check-up?

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Carlson Orthodontics, only to discover that 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.

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

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, 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 age seven, give us a call at Carlson Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.