Blog

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

Whitening teeth…Teeth whitening kits are available everywhere today; online, over the counter, and from your dentist. Studies report that bleaching or whitening products can improve the color of teeth that stain over time. But before you decide to embark on a whitening program, orthodontist Lisa P. Howard DDS MS would like to review some facts about these products and what results you can expect.Read More

Do Wisdom Teeth cause crowding of your front teeth?

Wisdom Teeth…How many times have you heard this? Did you know this all started after a paper was written on by an orthodontist over 50 years ago?

In 1961, orthodontist Dr. Leroy Vego, published an article, “A Longitudinal Study of Mandibular Arch Perimeter” which examined the role of wisdom teeth on lower front tooth crowding. This study was run over six years with patients from ages 13 to 19. He reported that there was a significantly greater degree of crowding in patients with wisdom teeth. Dr. Vego concluded: “that the erupting lower third molar can exert a force on approximating teeth.”

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Orthodontics 2017…The New Year is the perfect time to make changes to improve your life, whether that means a new exercise program, healthier diet, or getting a healthier new smile. What better way to boost your appearance, confidence and achieve better dental health than orthodontics!

Do you have any of these dental problems?
• Crowding of teeth
• Spacing between teeth
• Overbite, crossbite, underbiteRead More

The holiday season is upon us again. Where did the year go? At the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS, we would like to share some stocking stuffer ideas to consider for patients of all ages wearing braces. Instead of candy and sweets that can bend wires and knock off brackets during holiday festivities, give something more suitable to make your season bright.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

1. Colgate Wisps for those on the go. Wisps are disposable mini-toothbrushes with a breath-freshening bead that allows you to have a clean, fresh mouth without water or rinsing.
2. Playing cards and card games
3. Fun pens, markers, and note paper
4. Comic books, puzzle books, or magazines
5. For the ladies – Festive nail polish, or for teens and adults, the latest in jamberry nail or Incoco nail design wraps that are easy to apply, don’t chip easily, and last up to two weeks!
6. Cash or prepaid debit card
7. Movie or concert tickets
8. Scratch off lottery tickets.
9. Gift cards
10. For the kids; include a letter from Santa thanking them for avoiding the hard and sticky foods they love so much throughout the year that damage braces and create extra trips to the orthodontist you like to avoid.

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Orthodontics…A Rite of Passage? Ever thought about why you don’t see many seniors with braces in high school yearbooks today? Look at yearbook or prom pictures from the 1960s or ’70s and you’ll see many “tin grins”. You don’t often see that today. Why? Kids today undergo orthodontic care at a much earlier age in Scarborough ME and treatment is usually completed before their junior year when most yearbook and prom photos are taken. Some patients, with special problems, begin orthodontic treatment as early as age 7 or younger.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This is when the permanent teeth begin to erupt and most orthodontic problems become apparent to general dentists and parents. If orthodontic treatment is indicated, the optimum time to determine the best course of treatment and timing to begin is when the teeth and jaws are still growing.Read More