The importance of mouth guards, from Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Davis for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball and soccer. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

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 with Davis & Davis Orthodontics. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Davis will 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 if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Davis & Davis Orthodontics.

Orthodontic fun facts, from the team at Davis & Davis Orthodontics

Everyone loves facts. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Davis and Davis Orthodontics thought you might enjoy. Have a great rest of the week!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Facebook Fan Page for Davis & Davis Orthodontics!

Did you know Davis & Davis Orthodontics is on Facebook? Our fan page provides you the latest news from Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis, our staff and our practice. We invite you to connect with us and be "in the loop" for all things Davis & Davis Orthodontics.

Become a "fan" today and have a great rest of the week! From Drs. Davis and the entire team at Davis & Davis Orthodontics!

As always, let us know if you have any questions by giving us a call!

Drs. Dale & Lisa Davis want to know: What do you love about our community?

Davis & Davis Orthodontics, located in Midland, and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our wonderful patients) living within.

Today, Drs. Dale & Lisa Davis and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Midland? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway here in Michigan?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Midland, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks!

What helps you relax at Davis & Davis Orthodontics?

Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis understand not everyone is excited to visit their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit because we are devoted to making certain our patients find their orthodontic experience to be enjoyable and rewarding.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about Davis & Davis Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment or our friendly and professional staff? Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up, from Davis & Davis Orthodontics

Many parents assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

What’s so great about age seven? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for an orthodontist 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.

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, Drs. Davis say. 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 detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age 7, give us a call at Davis & Davis Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Invisalign Tips, from Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. The team at Davis & Davis Orthodontics would like to remind you that good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Drs. Davis want you to ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Davis & Davis Orthodontics, please give us a call!