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Sports Injuries…What sport do you think causes the most dental injuries with kids? If you guessed football…you are right.

The ADA estimated that faceguards and mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and college football alone. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states the children between the ages of 7-11 are the most susceptible to injury. When all is said and done, it is up to parents to ensure their kids are protected during their practices and games at a younger age and train their kids of the importance of wearing mouth guards when they are older and on their own.

At the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS our goal is to ensure parents and patients are well informed when it comes to the importance of wearing a mouth guard during any type of contact sport to protect their beautiful smile over a lifetime. Once adult teeth erupt, there are no second chances. Wearing a mouth guard can make the difference between losing or fracturing a tooth which requires a lifetime of dental repair or owning your own pearly white smile.Read More

Having “ugly” teeth may significantly contribute to the problem of bullying, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. According to the study, teeth were the No. 1-targeted physical feature to increase a child’s chance of being bullied, followed by the child’s strength and weight.

Do you think Tom Cruise was a victim of teasing and bullying as a kid that created his tough guy attitude he projects today? He actually went through orthodontic treatment twice, in his teens to straighten his teeth and broaden his smile and again as an adult to correct a midline discrepancy that was still apparent in photographs. His smile is obviously something he is very aware of and very important to him.

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After orthodontic treatment is completed at the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS, retainers are the finishing touch to maintain your beautiful new smile while the teeth stabilize and over a lifetime of good oral health.

An orthodontic retainer is a custom-fit device that is removable or bonded depending upon the patient’s individual needs. It is your insurance policy your teeth stay put in their new positions if worn as instructed. Read More

As Independence Day, July 4th rapidly approaches, it’s clear we are already more than halfway into the year and more importantly … summer has arrived. Our team recently researched some fun facts about our nation’s favorite holiday to showcase why we love celebrating the day which hallmarks our nation’s independence.

Did you know July 4th, or as it is commonly referred to, Independence Day, has only been a federal holiday since 1941? The tradition still has roots though going all the way back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775 – 1783). July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence since then and is often celebrated with fireworks, parades, concerts and of course, barbecues. Read More

TMJ jaw pain can be a mouthful. Living with aching or clicking jaws can be hard to swallow! Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also commonly known as TMJ or TMD, is a joint disorder that affects the opening and closing of the jaw, and can have many side effects that relate to the teeth, head and neck.

Like other joints, the relationship between the bone and disk will affect how well the joint works. The jaw is used thousands of times a day for talking, eating and laughing. When a disorder is present in the joint, your lifestyle can be dramatically changed. Read More

Father’s Day is certainly not the oldest holiday in the World or even in America. Usually, Dads are celebrated by getting a day to do whatever they want…which most Dads believe to be a great idea. You will see Dads playing golf, fishing, bowling, working on their Model-T-Bucket hot rod or just plain napping in front of the TV.

Now Dads may not be quite as busy as many Moms regarding the chauffeuring aspect, but we must admit most do their part in driving the kids to camp, to soccer, to baseball and yes…even to the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS.Read More