5 Excuses to Show Off Your Pearly Whites This Summer!

Source: Pixabay 

School’s out! It’s so easy to lay on the couch and let the summer pass you by.  But it’s time to get up, head out, and enjoy the ‘Burgh! Not only is Pittsburgh home to the Stanley Cup this summer, it’s also full of summer activities to try out. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to begin. For some extra help, we have come up with a list of things to put on your calendar so that you can show off your gorgeous smile!

1. Kennywood-

Whether you get a season pass, a one day ticket, or a night rider pass, Kennywood is always a good idea! Start the day off with a ride on the Sky Rocket. You can throw your arms up and say cheese as you show off your brand new smile for the roller coaster photo. At lunchtime eat at the Potato Patch, of course! You can even pair it with some gummies and sweets to enjoy since you don’t have braces anymore. End the night with a relaxing ride on the swings in Lost Kennywood.

2. Ducky Tours-

Explore the city like you never have before! The Just Ducky Tour goes through, not only the streets of downtown but also travels through the famous three rivers of Pittsburgh. It is the perfect activity for the family to enjoy and get some photos along the way.

3. Farmer’s Markets-

Sometimes you really just need a day to relax, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay at home. Head to one of the many Farmer's Markets in Pittsburgh and pick up some fresh produce to add to dinner tonight. You may even run into some of your neighbors to show off your awesome new smile!

4. Movies in the Park-

Enjoy the warm summer nights at a movie in the park. It is a free and fun nighttime activity that’s a perfect excuse to catch up with your friends from school...just make sure to remind them you got your braces off so they recognize you!

5. Water Fun-

Keeping cool during the summer in Pittsburgh is sometimes tough but there’s no need to frown! We’ve got you covered. Head to the sidewalk fountains in either Southside Works or Market Square to beat the heat. If you want a view while you cool off, try the North Shore water steps. Last but not least, try out the ‘Cloud Arbor’ near the Children’s Museum. You can enjoy the cloud as you learn about science.

Makeup and Braces

No matter what age you are when get your braces on, it will surely affect your makeup routine. At first, you may be hesitant to draw attention to your mouth because you are self-conscious about your braces. It can be hard to know what beauty look will work best when you aren’t used to braces, so here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Bright lips-

It may seem counter-intuitive to put a bright color on your lips while wearing braces, but it will make your smile look brighter. The right shade of hot pink or true red for your skin tone may take a few tries to find, but it will be worth it when you walk out of the house feeling as confident as ever.

You want to make sure the colors go on smooth and don’t bleed to create a sleek and put together look. Mac Pink Pigeon and NYX Pink Lust are both good pinks to try out while Melted Ruby and Wet n Wild Hot Red are a good starting point for reds.

2. Smoky Eye

To add some drama to your beauty look, try a smoky eye. This will draw attention away from your mouth if you’re feeling self conscious and bring it to your eyes instead. Pinterest is the perfect place to find the smoky eye that works for you. There are tutorials for hooded eyes, blue eyes, brown eyes, and more.

3. Glossed lips with colorful bands-

For more of an everyday style that enhances your braces in a different way, try out a glossy look. This look on Polyvore is the perfect example of using a gloss to put the focus on your colorful bands.To achieve this look, fill in your entire lip with nude liner to prevent bleeding and keep your color in place all day. Two glosses to try are Kylie Cosmetics So Cute and Urban Decay Liar.

All in all, these tips are just to help you have fun with your makeup routine while you’re experiencing a big change like braces. You’ll have to get comfortable and used to the temporary change to your appearance, and that comes from experimenting with new techniques and colors.

Five Ideas to Make Your Time with Braces Fly by:

Getting braces is a different experience for every person. Some people, like our patient Chris, think that it is a quick process from the start. He says, “follow the plan that Dr. Reed gives to you so you'll have a smooth ride through your treatment and your braces will be off before you know it.” Others are nervous when they think about having braces for anywhere from 18 months to 2 years. It feels like a big time commitment and can seem like an eternity. We are here to tell you that isn’t true! If you still don’t believe us or Chris, we’ve gathered some ideas to make the time fly and remind you why you got braces in the first place.

1. Calendar Countdown- Every house needs a calendar, so make your’s personal and use it to countdown to the day you get your braces off. This idea of using a simple binder and turning it into a fully customizable calendar seems like an affordable and perfect way to get you excited for the big day. If you like more color, check out this crafty idea using paint chip samples to make your countdown calendar.
2. Paper Chain- You may be reminded of your first grade art class with these paper chains, but they’re really effective. Everyday you have your braces you should add another ring to your chain. You can use this practice to help you remember why you got braces in the first place. Before you seal each strip of paper into a ring, write a reason why you are getting your teeth straightened, or a future event that you imagine yourself having straight teeth for.
3. Reward Coupons- Positive encouragement is one of the best ways to push through the braces process. For each month you have your braces on, reward yourself with a coupon. The coupon could be for extra TV time, or a trip to the ice cream parlor, whatever makes you excited and reminds you that you are on track to a better smile!
4. Find a buddy- Everything is more fun with a friend. Find someone that you know got their braces on close to the time you did that way you can talk with them as the months go by. Having someone to talk to about what you’re going through will not only help you, but keep you excited for the end results.

We hope these techniques help the time go by and get you to that perfect smile before you know it!

5 Reasons to Smile This Spring!

Now that you’ve finished your spring cleaning, it’s time to get out and show off your pearly whites! Spring is a special time of year when the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and everyone heads outside. As most of you know, Pittsburgh is on the rise and that means that there is always something to do in the city. To make things a little easier for you, we have gathered the top five events going on around The ‘Burgh for you to smile about this spring.

1. Phipps Conservatory annual Spring Flower Show--

Celebrate the season by heading over to the conservatory! Not only will you get to see the gorgeous plants that are there year round, but you will also get to see the “Masterpieces in Bloom” show. This year, works by Van Gogh, Monet, and other famous artists will be featured among nature to represent renewal and regrowth.

2. Pirates Season--

Head over to PNC Park to enjoy a day of sports, fun, food, and friends! This season is sure to be a good one. Andrew McCutchen has got his power back and he’s ready to use it! We can’t wait to see where we go this season. Opening day is April 3rd!

3. The Pittsburgh Wine Festival--

For the 14th year in a row, the Pittsburgh Wine Festival is giving all Pittsburghers the chance to travel the world in just one night. There will be wine from California, Italy, South Africa, and more! Our protip is to plan which wines you want to hit first and make a list so you maximize your experience. Also, check out our tips on how to make sure your teeth don’t stain after all of the delicious reds you’ll be tasting!

4. Patio Dining--

Being a city filled with foodies, Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene is amongst the best in the country. The only thing that could make eating out in the city more enjoyable is to eat outside! Here are some of the best rated spots with outdoor patios for you to check out this spring. Some of our favorites are Murray Ave Grille and Pusadee’s Garden.

5. The Pittsburgh Marathon--

Whether you participate in one of the various race options, you volunteer to keep participants on track, or you simply cheer on the runners, The Pittsburgh Marathon is a must-go spring event in the city. The marathon’s course crosses over all three rivers and five of our bridges. It goes through 13 of Pittsburgh’s amazing neighborhoods and has incredible views throughout the whole city.

So what are you waiting for? Go out, explore, and keep smiling!

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Smile

Winter is on its way out and spring is upon us, which means a healthy dose of spring cleaning to kickstart the much-anticipated season. Whether or not you have a plan in place to execute your spring cleaning, it’s not too late to make dental care part of that plan. With the holidays behind us and our bellies full of sweets and treats, it’s the perfect time to refresh your oral hygiene routine.

Here are 5 tips to spring clean those pearly whites of yours:

1. Ditch your old toothbrush

Out with the old and in with the new, right? If your toothbrush is looking a little too loved (aka frayed bristles) then it’s time to get a new one. The general rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or anytime after you’ve been sick. Brushing with a used and abused toothbrush doesn’t effectively reach all of your teeth’s nooks and crannies for a proper cleaning. Have a little fun upgrading your toothbrush and keep the old one for cleaning tough spots around the house!

2. Take advantage of seasonal produce

With all of the desserts that are a special part of Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine’s Day, it’s time to take advantage of the fresh produce spring brings. The season’s favorites include strawberries, asparagus, and spinach, all of which are both nutritionally beneficial and tooth-healthy. For instance, strawberries contain malic acid, an ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpastes that stimulate saliva production and reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth. So whenever you are at the grocery store next, make sure to pick up an extra batch of strawberries, because the tasty fruit plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy!

3. Brush twice, floss once

We hear this rule all too often, but it really is a vital dental care regimen to maintain. If you need to be reminded of the risks of forgetting to brush before bedtime, check out our recent blog on the topic. This is also a good time to replenish your floss supply, because if you’re flossing daily and using 18 inches of floss every time as recommended, that’s roughly 45 feet of floss a month.

4. Check the expiration date on your mouthwash

Most mouthwash has a shelf life indicated on the bottle. Although using it past the expiration date won’t cause any real harm, it will be doing less of what it is supposed to do. It is highly recommended to follow the date on your bottle to get the best benefits.

5. Schedule a professional cleaning

No matter if you’re the world’s best brusher and flosser, the fact of the matter is there are certain areas we just can’t reach on our own that require a professional. Patients should get their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to help clean those neglected, hard-to-reach places and to prevent bigger issues that could require an expensive fix down the line.

Are you ready to get your dental spring cleaning on? Contact us today if you’re looking for ways to improve your smile during the happy, flowery season.

(Image Credit: Gabriel Rocha, Flickr)

5 Tricks to Get Kids Excited about Brushing

Just like eating greens and veggies, brushing isn’t always an activity children greet with excitement. In their eyes it’s considered a chore, and what kid wants to do a chore every morning and evening? If you’re worried about your children’s resistance to brushing twice a day, here’s a couple tricks to put the fun into a solid tooth-brushing regimen:

1. Get a fun toothbrush.

Getting your child a toothbrush he or she is excited about can make all the difference. There are plenty of children’s toothbrushes out there made to look like Disney characters, race cars, dinosaurs, and anything your child fancies. Shop together with your child and have him or her pick out their favorite one. This also applies to toothpaste, too!

2. Brush together.

Make brushing a family affair and lead by example. Kids naturally want to be just like mom and dad so show them that brushing twice a day is an important habit to develop healthy teeth and a bright smile.

3. Create a reward system.

Incentivizing your child in a small way could encourage them to brush his or her teeth to help establish good oral habits. Creating a sticker chart for the entire month is a great way to track progress. After a month of stickers and constant brushing, allow your child to pick  a prize of their choice.

4. Make a game out of it.

Kids love a good game. Have them sing a song for the recommended two minutes of brushing. Or, better yet, give them a timer to countdown and watch the time. Last, but certainly not least, create a story. “The plaque monsters and sugar bugs will make holes in our teeth if we don’t brush them away!” Create a story, make a countdown, sing a song - find the right combination that works for your child.

5. Compliment your kids.

As with any task you want your child to accomplish, compliment them when they brush well. Praise can go a long way to help a child think positively and develop a good attitude towards a specific task such brushing your teeth.

What other fun tactics have you used to put the excitement into teeth-brushing? We’d love to hear from the momma’s out there! If you have any questions about children orthodontics treatment, contact us today.

(Image Credit: makelessnoise, Flickr)

Celebrating February with Red Color Ties

Roses are red, violets are blue. We’re celebrating February with red color ties, how about you? Poems may not be our forte, but celebrating the month of love in true orthodontic fashion is! This February, for every child who chooses red color ties around their braces, we will donate $1 to the American Heart Association.  

The Idea:

The Red Color Tie campaign came about in a very organic way; a couple of employees chatting over coffee realized that kids love to change the color of their braces for seasonal holidays. So, why not take the opportunity to turn the holiday cheer into a giving back opportunity? The patients get to show off their red smiles, while we make a charitable donation to an organization close to our hearts, the American Heart Association. A win-win for everyone!

What are color ties?

The part of the braces that come in different colors is the elastic tie. The elastic tie, officially called an elastic ligature, is a tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket and holds the archwire in place. Changing the colors of your elastic ties is a fun way for children to give their braces a fresh new look.

The color red:

Choosing the color of your braces is one way to express your personality! So what does the color red have to say about you? You are extroverted, optimistic, brave, and confident. You find a sense of excitement in everyday situations. You have a passion and enthusiasm for life and are not afraid to pursue your dreams and goals. In February especially, it is also a sign of love and compassion.

Red smiles:

Our February campaign has kicked off with a bang! It is so nice to see so many children choosing red color ties in honor of our pledge to donate to the American Heart Association. Love is in the air at our two office locations in the North Hills and Squirrel Hill and here are some happy smiles to prove it:

Thank you to every child so far who has chosen the color red for February! Whether you have an appointment booked or need to schedule one for February, make sure to hop on the red color tie bandwagon! You’re heart and smile will thank you.