Fluoride, your buddy during orthodontic treatment

There are many ways you protect your teeth throughout your treatment at Adams Orthodontics: You brush your pearly whites twice a day, floss often and protect your appliances from being damaged. But did you know there's another way to keep your teeth sparkling and healthy during your treatment?

Fluoride's your friend. Yes, the mineral that helps your mouth avoid cavities and tooth decay, can also help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement. Dentists and orthodontists use in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental/orthodontic procedures.

Fluoride used in Dr. Adams' office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Dr. Adams may also prescribe a fluoride product such as a mouthwash, gel or an antibacterial rinse for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness.

"How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest at Adams Orthodontics!

Dr. Blair Adams and staff have some exciting news to share this Sunday night! The American Association of Orthodontists, which Dr. Adams is a proud member of, is offering a $2,500 academic scholarship to two lucky winners of their "How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest.

All patients at Adams Orthodontics 18 years of age or younger are eligible to enter, and entries are due by June 1st! You can learn more about the contest on the AAO's web site, but here are a few subjects to think about while making your short video:

• What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment at Adams Orthodontics? How have you changed?

• How proud are you of your new smile?

• When did you notice changes in yourself? What kinds of changes have you noticed?

• What would you say to others whose smiles make them self-conscious?

• What does your new smile mean to you?

We think this is a great opportunity and our entire staff at Adams Orthodontics encourage you to enter. If you have additional questions, please give us a call! GOOD LUCK!

Write a review of Adams Orthodontics!

Whether you have visited Adams Orthodontics for a week, month or for years, we’d love to hear your feedback about your experience with Dr. Blair Adams! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. Our staff would like to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review on our Google Local page.

Thank you! And Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Dr. Adams at the AAO Annual Session in Washington D.C.!

To better serve our patients at Adams Orthodontics with highest quality orthodontic care available, Dr. Blair Adams continues to pursue a very active interest in orthodontic advances and always strives to bring his patients the “best of the newest” technologies.

One of the ways Dr. Adams improves our service is by attending important conferences, meetings and seminars, and this past weekend, he was in Washington D.C. attending the 110th AAO Annual Session, an educational event that is one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world - and one that allows him to consult with orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, in turn, allows Dr. Adams to give you, our wonderful patients, the best treatment experience possible.

Besides being a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Adams is a member of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, the Canadian Orthodontic Association, Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, Ontario Association of Orthodontists, Ontario Dental Association, Ottawa Dental Society, Progressive Orthodontic Study Group and the Ottawa Orthodontic Study Group.

If you've got an appointment scheduled with Dr. Adams soon, we encourage you to ask him about his trip, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively at Adams Orthodontics.

Get those checkups! From Adams Orthodontics

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s fantastic! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day and flossing (and visiting Adams Orthodontics, of course). Dr. Adams will tell you that regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. He or she will also screen you for oral cancer. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment - there are some terrific dentists here in Ottawa!

Don't forget about those retainers, from Dr. Adams

If you've recently completed your treatment at Adams Orthodontics, our staff would like to take this time to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Adams will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

Retainers are important because after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes.

Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

Give us a call if you have any questions and again, congratulations on being braces-free!

Ask Dr. Adams: What can I expect during my consultation?

At your initial consultation, Dr. Blair Adams will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable him and our staff to determine the best treatment method for you.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. Dr. Adams will have you take intraoral and facial photographs and some X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. An impression of your teeth and bite will also be taken to construct a model of your mouth.

At your second appointment, Dr. Adams will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Adams can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Dr. Adams. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand Dr. Adams' recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!