Blog

Mother’s Day – The office of orthodontist Lisa P. Howard DDS MS wants to shout out a great big, huge, humongous THANK YOU to Moms everywhere. Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 14th this year. So Dads…do not plan any golf that day and kids…do not plan a movie with your friends. Plan on spending the day doing whatever it is that Mom wants to do. Serving her breakfast in bed is always nice but wait until she is awake first. Flowers and homemade cards are also always a big hit so do not forget those.Read More

Preventing Braces – Most parents today are well informed when it comes to stopping adverse habits that effects tooth and jaw development in infants and toddlers. Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifiers, and use of bottles past the age of three are reported to cause problems with teeth and impact early jaw development.

However, did you know that poor bites and abnormal jaw growth is mostly hereditary and not caused by habits? Even if you stop bad habits before the age of three or breastfeed your child, it is likely they still may develop a malocclusion requiring orthodontic treatment.Read More

Easter is not just about egg hunts, candy, Cadbury eggs and chocolate rabbits. For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ. It is a moveable holiday or feast since it does not occur on the same exact day every year. Most Christian churches in the Western part of the globe celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21st. Thus it usually falls between March 22nd and April 25th each year.

The exact origins for the name of this celebration are complex and there are many theories. Some think it is named after a Teutonic goddess of Spring Eostre. Still others believe it comes from a Latin term hebdomada alba or white week to celebrate the white clothing of those that were baptized during that time.

Although Easter is a religious event, it has also become a commercial holiday with marshmallow chicks, jelly beans and all kinds of chocolate bunnies. Even the White House has an annual Easter egg hunt for hundreds of children in the area. It is also the time for “Mardi Gras” in New Orleans.Read More

Smiles change lives! A healthy perfect smile is why many children and adults choose to undergo orthodontic treatment. Around friends and family, a less than attractive smile is not as noticeable. However, when meeting new people, making new friends, and in the workplace, your smile is more obvious to those who don’t know you.Read More

As kids we all remember hearing our parents or grandparents remind us that dairy products help build strong bones and teeth. But did you also know that milk and dairy products in general help can assist in improving your oral health and lowering your risk for gum disease?

A Winning Combination: Nutrition and Dental Health

Brushing and flossing in combination with regular visits to your dentist are all effective ways to prevent cavities. But a healthy mouth also requires a balanced diet, especially during orthodontic treatment!. The recommended daily serving of 2 – 4 servings of milk or dairy products per day provides a continuous supply of calcium and other bone building nutrients that aid in protecting tooth enamel and also the prevention of bone and tooth loss.Read More

Any child active in contact sports should think about using a mouth guard to protect their teeth, mouth and jaw. The use of a mouth guard is very similar to the use of orthodontic technology as they both share the ideas of keeping someone’s smile safe and intact.

At the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS we use these same ideas to keep our patients healthy and happy!Read More