Dr. Hughes wants to know: What are you up to in March?

It's still cold, but it’s almost springtime. The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, the sun is warming up and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from baseball fields nearby. Dr. Hughes and our team thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for March?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all! You may share your stories or plans with our team here, on our social networks or by giving us a call!

Hughes Orthodontics, supporting National Children’s Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign Teen, which is removable, make it easier for kids to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Hughes is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited Hughes Orthodontics lately? Give us a call!

Mouth guards, orthodontics and sports with Dr. Hughes

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring and summer months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Hughes for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball and soccer. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Hughes Orthodontics. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Hughes will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment at no additional charge.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Hughes Orthodontics.

Hughes Orthodontics, reminding you to stay safe during the snow storm

With the intense weather conditions the past week, Dr. Hughes and our team at Hughes Orthodontics thought it would be a good time to remind you, our valued patients (and parents) to be safe when out and about.

If you don't feel safe going out, you can always reschedule your appointment. At Hughes Orthodontics our patients' well-being is our primary concern, and that includes staying safe (and warm) on the roads during this storm! If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!

At Hughes Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Hughes Orthodontics enjoy access to their account, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this innovative service:

"Ortho Sesame enables me to access acount information whenever I need to 24/7. Ortho Sesame also allows me to view my before and after pictures whenever I like and I can share them with an audience." ~ Kathy G.

"It is helpful if you have forgotten your appointment and you would like to check, as well as keeping the total of your account at hand." ~ Melissa B.

"I like having 24 hr access to my account info. Everything is there at your fingertips. I use it most after hours of operation and on the weekends. I really like looking at the photos of the "old me" and thinking about what the "new me" will look like when my treatment is complete. I also like paying my bill online." ~ Carmen H.

"Wonderful advanced service." ~ Micheal H.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the team at Hughes Orthodontics if you have any questions!

Helpful Invisalign® tips from Hughes Orthodontics

In the past, the team at Hughes Orthodontics has blogged about the advantage of Invisalign treatment with Dr. Hughes. Today, however, we thought we'd share a few helpful Invisalign tips with you, our valued patients. Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively.

When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Hughes wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Hughes Orthodontics, give us a call!

Hughes Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRR! It may still be chilly outside, but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. Hughes and our team at Hughes Orthodontics want to know: What are you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how!

Enjoy the rest of your week!