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February is National Children's Dental Health Month.  This is an annual event sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) to raise awareness for the importance of oral health.  It began as a one day event in Cleveland, Ohio back in 1941.  It was declared a month long celebration in 1981.  Events now include contests, dental office tours, free dental screenings and classroom presentations, among others.

A large nationwide event is Give Kids a Smile Day (GKAS) which began in 2003.  The purpose of this program is to provide free dental services including educational, preventative and restorative services to children from low income families.  This year, Forcier Orthodontics has joined the Give Kids a Smile Day event at Just4Me Pediatric Dentistry in Getzville, on February 6th.  We really enjoy being part of a such a rewarding program in the community.

Also during the month of February, our team visits local elementary schools to provide presentations on the importance of regular dental visits, learning good brushing habits at an early age and healthy snacks.  The kids really enjoy these visits as much as we do!

At Forcier Orthodontics, we cannot overemphasize how important good oral hygiene is while you are going though orthodontic treatment.  We evaluate hygiene at each and every visit and have a protocol in place to help you should we notice you could be brushing a bit better.  Consequences of poor brushing include decalcification (white spots on the teeth), cavities, swollen red gums, and bad breath.

For more information on oral hygiene please visit our website, http://www.smilewny.com/orthodontic-faqs or ask our in-house registered dental hygienist, Kim, at your next visit!

For more information about Give Kids a Smile Day, go to http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/give-kids-a-smile/about-give-kids-a-smile

We can help you "DEFEAT MONSTER MOUTH"

Children's Dental Health Month is celebrated each February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at a young age along with regular dental visits will help children to have lifelong healthy teeth and gums.  This is important for every child from the first tooth to a full set of adult teeth.  The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist, but usually twice a year.

Oral hygiene is especially important during orthodontic treatment!  At your first appointment, our dental assistants go over hygiene instructions with you and your parents.  Be sure to review the instructions and feel free to ask questions or talk to us about your concerns at your next visit.  We know you get a lot of information at that first visit and it can be hard to concentrate on these instructions when you have a mouth full of new hardware!  We understand this and will go over instructions with you again at your next appointment if needed.

It's that time of year again, that strikes fear in orthodontic offices around the country...HALLOWEEN!! We understand you can't (and shouldn't!) miss out on the trick-or-treating fun, but we do ask that you watch what kinds of candy you are putting in your mouth...
Here is a short list of braces-friendly treats for you to enjoy:

GOOD TREATS:

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Dr. Forcier's personal favorite...)
Kit Kats
Plain M&M’s
3 Musketeers
Oreo’s & Soft Cookies
Hershey Bars & Hershey Kisses
Candy bars without caramel or nuts

BAD TREATS: these are the hard, sticky, chewy, crunchy candies

Caramel
Bubblegum
Hard candy (Jolly Ranchers)
Taffy
Licorice
Nuts
Hard pretzels
Jelly beans
Candy Corn
Popcorn
Chewy Candy (Tootsie Rolls)
Caramel/Candy Apples

Keep in mind, if in doubt...go without! It's not worth breaking a bracket and prolonging your treatment for that piece of candy.

And as always, brush and floss after any sugary treat! Have a spook-tactular Halloween!!

-From your ghoulish friends at Forcier Orthodontics-