April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

600!

Great news! We have 600 Facebook fans and counting! Dr. Hughes and team can't wait to get to 1,000 ... thanks to all of our patients and friends for connecting with us on Facebook!

At Hughes Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site (coming soon!) and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Alexandria.

Braces off song!

At Hughes Orthodontics, we love serenading our patients when they get their braces off, and hey, look! Another patient gets her new, gorgeous smile from Dr. Hughes! Congrats - your teeth look perfect!

For more videos, please head to our YouTube page!

Invisalign® promotion through December 31st!

The holidays are a great time to have the smile you deserve. We have an Invisalign promotion running through the end of the year.

Call our office today to schedule your complimentary Invisalign consultation with Dr. Herbert Hughes. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that Dr. Hughes uses as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Aside from being invisible, Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to eat and drink what you want while in treatment. They are cosmetically superior to other orthodontic appliances and more comfortable because they have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.

You can learn more about Invisalign on their web site at www.invisalign.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Is your contact information at Hughes Orthodontics current?

Are you having a great week so far? Well, if you've seen the news, you probably know there is nasty weather ahead this fall and winter in Alexandria and across the entire eastern seaboard.

Please help Dr. Herbert Hughes and our staff at Hughes Orthodontics get prepared by calling us and letting us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

At times of power outages and inclement weather, we need to be able to get a hold of you. Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you and Happy Holidays from Dr. Hughes and our entire staff!

Happy Birthday, Thuy!

Congratulations to Thuy, who turned the BIG 30 today! Thuy has been an integral part of Hughes Orthodontics for the past 8 years.

Enjoy your day!

Candy Buy Back at Hughes Orthodontics!

Be a part of our annual Candy Buy Back Program! Bring your unwanted Halloween candy to our office this week and we’ll weigh it and pay it! Dr. Hughes gives $5 per pound ($2 goes to the patient and $3 donation to the Carpenter’s Shelter to help feed the homeless for a Thanksgiving feast) Last year we collected over 300 pounds and we want to beat last year’s record! Thanks for you help.

The 411 on Halloween candy, from Dr. Hughes

For moms and dads worried about kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities!

Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, give Dr. Hughes a call as soon as possible.

We hope that everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

Hughes Orthodontics visits Cookology!

Last Wednesday, our staff at Hughes Orthodontics enjoyed a team building experience at Cookology. It was a lot of fun and our lunch was surprisingly delicious!

Featured patient review for Dr. Hughes!

One of Dr. Hughes' patients, Richard, recently wrote a nice testimonial for our office! Thanks for writing in and for your kind words!!


"WOW - Bottom Braces on!!!"

The Bottom Braces are on and it is amazing! I absolutely LOVE Dr. Hughes and his entire staff! It is such an Ohana (Hawaiian for Family) feeling office. Mahalo (Thank you) for making this experience fabulous.

Jerry celebrates the removal of his braces!

Check out Jerry and his new smile! Great job!!

What helps you relax at Hughes Orthodontics?

Dr. Herbert Hughes understands not everyone is always thrilled to see their orthodontist. But we wants you to know that Dr. Hughes and our team strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. So, we’d like to know: What is it about Hughes Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Hughes himself?

Let us know by posting on our Facebook page! Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

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!

Back to school with Hughes Orthodontics

Now that many of our fantastic patients are back in school (or are getting ready to head back), Dr. Hughes and our team want to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family functions to consider in the fall, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Hughes Orthodontics. In order to accommodate all of our patients' busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give Dr. Hughes and our team advance notice if you are unable to make an appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call at 703.360.8660 if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

Happy learning,

Dr. Hughes and staff

Don't forget that mouth guard this summer! From Dr. Hughes

Would you believe we're already halfway through summer? As the weather gets - and stays - hot, the chances for you athletes to sustain a mouth injury gets likelier and likelier (because most of you are spending so much time outdoors or participating in more sporting events). Dr. Herb Hughes and our staff at Hughes Orthodontics would like to remind our young athletes in treatment to always take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports.

That includes wearing a mouth guard at all times when you're out on the field. Only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - Dr. Hughes will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment! We hope you're having a terrific summer!