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It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some simple steps you can take to help yourself avoid colds and the flu this season.
• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

To promote a healthy and clean environment, our team gives a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others. We hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions!

Stay healthy this winter!!

At Kennell Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Alan Kennell. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

The year is almost over, and we reflect on the year that was. We are looking forward to serving our amazing patients with even more great care in 2016!

A new year can mean a new you! It is never too late to get that beautiful smile you have always wanted. Nothing is as important as a genuine and heartfelt smile. Whether in your professional life or when you are out socializing, an attractive smile can make you feel happier and more relaxed –as well as making the right impression.

A beautiful smile is an amazing asset. It contributes to self esteem and positive self image – important qualities for any age group. As well as having teeth that look nice, orthodontic treatment can also improve the function of your jaw and aid chewing efficiency of your teeth by enhancing the way your teeth bite together. Crowded teeth can be very difficult to clean. They provide areas for bacteria to grow and food to stagnate and therefore require a rigorous oral hygiene routine. Straight teeth are much easier to clean as there are no awkward gaps to get between and improved accessibility, making oral hygiene routines straight-forward.

So go on... treat yourself this new year with a beautiful, bright, straight smile! Schedule your consultation today!

Have a safe and happy New Year from our family to yours!

You've just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”

Not everyone is born with a perfect smile. So for many teens, wearing braces is inevitable. Don't worry! The good news is that today's image-conscious teens now have a choice for straightening their teeth. Braces aren't nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than ever before. There are proven alternatives such as clear, removable braces, like Invisalign Teen, that meet teens' desire for aesthetic treatment and are a better fit for their busy lifestyles filled with sports, music and other activities.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, patients age 12 to 17 years represent more than half of the over two million orthodontic case starts in the U.S. each year. And that includes your favorite teen celebrities who wear braces! Did you see the cover of People magazine this week? Kate Gosselin's daughters, Mady and Cara, are showing off their great smiles wearing metal braces!

Call us today to schedule your consultation. You, too, can have a beautiful, healthy and straight smile!