At Moles Orthodontics, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

October is 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.

Also, Dr. Moles and our team know there are many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through treatment at Moles Orthodontics, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends our patients avoid the following Halloween treats:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Potato chips
• Ice

If you damage your braces, please give us a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved by calling and alerting us of the problem. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into one of our three offices, located at Milwaukee, Racine or Brookfield.

Dr. Moles, reminding you September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month!

This month, our entire team at Moles Orthodontics want you to be extra careful with your braces and appliances. After all, September marks the start of fall sports and an increased risk to mouth injuries. September also happens to be National Childhood Injury Prevention Month, and Dr. Moles thought it’d be a good idea to share a few sobering facts about sports and facial injuries, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists.

*More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Collision and contact sports have higher injury rates—baseball, soccer, basketball and football account for about 80% of all sports-related emergency room visits.

*Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt.

*Of the parents whose children do not wear a mouth guard, 84 percent say it's because the league or coach does not require it, according to the AAO.

*The average high school baseball pitcher can throw a fast ball between 75-to-85 miles per hour. This compares to being hit in the mouth by a speeding car!

We hope this helps you remember to wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports! We encourage you to give us a call at (414) 377-4106 if you have any questions!

5 reasons to visit Moles Orthodontics this summer for a consultation

With the country still in a recession, many folks are putting off visiting the orthodontist for a consultation. We hear all the reasons - vacations, chores, emergencies, et cetera. Today, Dr. Moles and our staff at Moles Orthodontics thought we'd give our prospective patients five reasons to visit our office this summer for an orthodontic consultation.

1) Tooth damage - Unfortunately due to eruption or the bite, teeth can become permanently damaged without the patient even knowing that it's happening. The sooner it is discovered the sooner it can be stopped.

2) Growth - For some patients that need changes to jaw shape or position there is often a window of opportunity during growth when it is the best time to do that. Once that time has passed the correction becomes harder or even impossible.

3) Scheduling - If teeth need to be removed it's often easier to schedule before school starts.

4) School - Patients don't need to miss school if the examination appointment is done in the summertime.

5) Getting done - The sooner that treatment is started the sooner it is finished.

And here's another reason: did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven? Give us a call at 414-529-4044 to schedule a consultation! Happy Monday!

April is National Facial Protection Month! From Dr. Moles

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Moles and our dedicated team at Moles Orthodontics urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator!

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Moles Orthodontics. Stay safe!