Dr. Herbert Hughes and staff, supporting National Orthodontic Health Month!

This weekend marks the official start of National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have created a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Dr. Herbert Hughes and our staff recommend you check out the AAO's website as well for helpful tips on keeping your braces in tip-top shape. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to give us a call at 703.360.8660, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Hughes during your next visit!

Fun facts with Hughes Orthodontics!

Everyone loves fun facts. Really, who doesn't? Our good friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Herbert Hughes and our team at Hughes Orthodontics thought you might enjoy. Have a GREAT Labor Day weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Ask Dr. Hughes: At what age should my child visit for a consultation?

Many parents in Alexandria and surrounding areas believe they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Herbert Hughes for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. When, exactly? Age seven, according to our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, who recommend that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

That’s right—seven.

You might be thinking: "What’s so great about age seven?" Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Hughes to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Hughes Orthodontics to schedule a consultation! End of the summer is a great time to come in!

Hughes Orthodontics, encouraging you to join the Braces Brigade!

Have you ever thought about sharing your experience in braces in writing, but just didn't know how? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists are proud to offer the Braces Brigade campaign, where not only you can share your experience with millions of people, but you can come away with a $100 American Express gift card as well.

All applicants must either be an orthodontic patient here at Hughes Orthodontics or the parent of a patient (pre- and post- treatment stages are fine).

To complete your Braces Brigade application, you'll need to provide:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100 word minimum)

In your blog, we encourage you to answer the following questions:

• Why did you decide to get orthodontic treatment?
• What advice would you share with other orthodontic patients?
• What does it feel like to get braces on?
• What foods do you miss the most?
• What new foods have you discovered?
• Do your friends have braces or retainers?
• Where is the first place you’re going to show off your new, beautiful smile?
• How has your new smile changed your life?

If you're under 18, your parents must fill out this form along with your official entry, giving you permission to enter the contest.

Dr. Hughes and team encourage you to apply today! GOOD LUCK!!

Dr. Hughes at the 110th AAO Annual Session

It's no wonder folks in Alexandria and surrounding communities trust Dr. Herbert Hughes with their smiles. Besides creating healthy smiles and balanced faces that will last a lifetime, Dr. Hughes is also passionate about continuing education, and that includes attending important orthodontic-related seminars and conferences. This weekend, Dr. Hughes attended the AAO Annual Session in Washington D.C. The AAO is always an educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It's also a time for Dr. Hughes to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available.

In addition to being a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Hughes is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, the current president of the Northern Virginia Orthodontic Study Club and the past president of the Alexandria Dental Society.

He is also an active member of the following organizations:

**Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
**Diplomate of the National Board of Orthodontics
**American Association of Orthodontists
**Southern Association of Orthodontists
**Virginia Association of Orthodontists
**World Federation of Orthodontists
**Virginia Dental Association
**Northern Virginia Dental Association
**Alexandria Dental Association
**Northern Virginia Orthodontic Study Club
**International Brotherhood of Magicians
**Media (TV & radio) spokesperson for Colgate Oral Pharmaceutical

If you've got an appointment scheduled with Hughes Orthodontics in the coming weeks, we invite you to ask Dr. Hughes about his visit to the AAO Annual Session, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us at Hughes Orthodontics treat you more effectively!

Hughes Orthodontics, reminding you to play it safe this spring

April, also known as National Facial Protection Month, is upon us, and for Dr. Hughes and our team at Hughes Orthodontics, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. Above is a helpful video from our friends at the AAO about staying safe on the ball field this spring.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. For our team at Hughes Orthodontics, that's just not acceptable.

We hope the above video helps. Dr. Hughes will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact Hughes Orthodontics. And remember to have fun and stay safe!