Cool kids get braces at Baker Orthodontics!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and In-Ovation, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Baker, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Baker Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

The Baker Orthodontics Valentine's Day Contest

At Baker Orthodontics we enjoy creating an enjoyable atmosphere, through not only providing the highest standard of orthodontic care, but also by offering creative contests and games. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, our office would like to spread the love through our Famous Animated and Cartoon Couples contest.

Match 8 out of 10 animated and cartoon characters with their correct partner, and you could win a shopping spree at the See's Candies store. Patients may either select a Valentine's Day treat to enjoy for themselves, or give the See's Candies gift to that special someone.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Baker Orthodontics believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Baker Orthodontics

Season’s Greetings from Baker Orthodontics

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Baker Orthodontics reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays on our Facebook page.

Happy Holidays!

--The team at Baker Orthodontics

Why do you choose Baker Orthodontics?

Baker Orthodontics, serving Escondido and San Diego, CA, is committed to the health and comfort of each and every one of our patients. We strive to provide our patients with the highest standard of care in a comfortable and kid friendly atmosphere. Have you had a great experience with Dr. Baker and team?

Share your story with the world!

We encourage patients to participate in our YouTube Video Contest. Here are a few ideas for video topics:
• Why I Like My Braces
• The 3 Best Things About Baker Orthodontics
• 3 Great Ways to Use Your Smile
• What I'm Most Looking Forward to When My Braces Come Off
• How My Smile Has Changed My Life

All video entries can be submitted by cd or emailed to drb@bakersmiles.com. Camera shy? You can also write a review for Baker Orthodontics on our Google Place Page.

Thank you!

-Dr. Baker and team

Baker Orthodontics partners with SDSU for the Healthy Smiles program

Dr. Baker and his orthodontic team are currently partnering with the San Diego State University (SDSU) Healthy Smiles program to help educate and promote healthy lifestyles and habits for teens. The two-year program provides positive reinforcement to young kids in effort of increasing their healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco avoidance.

Donna, our registered dental hygienist, was recently quoted in a SDSU article, saying “We have had nothing but positive feedback from both patients and their parents.”

As an orthodontic office, Dr. Baker and our team appreciate the opportunity to talk with our patients about important health issues. For more information on the Healthy Smiles program, and orthodontic treatment options at our office, be sure to give us a call!

Dr. Baker announces our contest winners!

At Baker Orthodontics we are committed to serving each and every one of our patients in a comfortable and kid friendly environment. Today, we would like to announce the winners of our "Know Your Icons" and Halloween contests. Be sure to check our Contest Board at your next appointment to find out about upcoming contests and the cool prizes you can win.


Halloween Contest
Congrats to Navi V.! She made a perfect guess and won a jar full of 72 candy bars in our Halloween contest. Don't forget to share, Navi!


Know Your Icons!
It's not hard to find computer savvy kids these days. Almost all of our patients correctly guessed the contest icons. Hailey S. is the lucky $25 winner of our "Know Your Icons" contest.

Baker Orthodontics wishes you a happy Thanksgiving!

Here at Baker Orthodontics, we are very thankful for all of our amazing patients! Our doctor and team would like to wish everyone a fun and safe Thanksgiving. We also want to remind everyone to brush and floss after indulging in the big meal.

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Gobble Gobble!

Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Baker and team

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Baker Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• 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.

Have you been getting your Baker Bucks?

Baker Orthodontnics, serving Escondido, CA and surrounding areas, strives to provide our patients with the highest standard of care in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. “Baker Bucks” is a program that rewards you, our wonderful patients, for doing your part toward successful and timely treatment.

At each appointment, up to 3 “bucks” can be earned for:
-Being on-time for appointments with teeth brushed
-Good home hygiene and following instructions
-No broken wires or brackets

As you accumulate Baker Bucks, you can use them to “buy” items from our prize case. The prize case is constantly being re-stocked, including items from Claire's, Jamba Juice, Rubio's, In-N-Out, iTunes, Regal Entertainment, and more!

Contact our office today if you have any questions about Baker Bucks, or if you are ready to schedule your next appointment, with Dr. Baker. Have a great weekend!

Dr. Baker thanks all of our patients who supported his Jail Bail for MDA

Dr. Baker would like to thank all of our generous friends who contributed to his Jail Bail for MDA! He made his $800 goal, which will make some special children very happy. Everyone should be proud that together we're providing help and hope to kids and adults served by MDA in our community.

Our team at Baker Orthodontics had a fun time in the lock-up at "On the Border" in Escondido. Good food, good friends, great cause!

Thank you,

-Dr. Baker and team

Baker Orthodontics supports National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

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

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Baker and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until you can come into our office.

Baker Orthodontics announces our YouTube Video Contest

Are you a budding filmmaker? Dr. Baker would like to invite all of our patients to participate in our YouTube Video Contest.

In conjunction with our website launch, we are having a contest of videos created by and starring our fabulous patients.

To enter, just submit a fun and unique home-made video or slideshow addressing one of the following subjects:
• Why I Like My Braces
• The 3 Best Things About Baker Orthodontics
• 3 Great Ways to Use Your Smile
• What I'm Most Looking Forward to When My Braces Come Off
• How My Smile Has Changed My Life

We can't wait to see what our friends come up with! All video entries can be submitted by cd or emailed to drb@bakersmiles.com.

Dr. Baker and team want to get "BOOED!"

This fall, Dr. Baker and team want to see your Halloween spirit! Now through Halloween, we will be hosting a contest on our Facebook page and our Blog, asking our patients to "BOO" us for a chance to win a pair of movie tickets.

There are two ways to enter our BOO! Contest:
1) "Like" the Baker Orthodontics Facebook page and write "BOO" on our Facebook page wall
2) Comment on this, or one of our other Blog entries with "BOO!"

The contest ends Oct. 31, so don't hesitate to enter for your chance to win movie tickets! We will also be celebrating the public launch of our website and social networks this week with balloons and cookies. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about the contest, public launch, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Baker.

Patient spotlight: What is it like to get your braces off?

Every orthodontic patient eagerly awaits the big day when they are finally able to remove their braces and see their new smile. In this short video, Lexi shares her big day at Baker Orthodontics. "It's so weird! It doesn't look like me at all," says Lexi. Thanks to Dr. Baker and team, Lexi has a beautiful new smile that she can share with her friends and family.

For more information on Baker Orthodontics and orthodontic treatment options in Escondido and San Diego, CA, visit our website, or give us a call today!

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Baker for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Baker 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 Baker Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

The importance of retainers, from Baker Orthodontics

If you recently completed treatment at Baker Othodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Baker will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Baker is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Baker, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too! From Baker Orthodontics

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Baker Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

A Pursuit of Excellence at Baker Orthodontics

At Baker Orthodontics we make every effort to provide you with the best orthodontic treatment. For us that means achieving consistently great results. There are many things that help Dr. Baker and team do that. Some of them are:

1) We use state-of-the-art techniques and materials, including self-ligating In-Ovation & reg braces in metal and clear ceramic, invisible lingual braces, and Invisalign treatments.

2) Dr. Baker uses indirect bonding for placement of braces which increases accuracy and patient comfort and shortens appointment times.

3) We offer occasional early (7am) or late (6pm) hours, and Dr. Baker is available for after-hour emergency visits if needed.

4) Baker Orthodontics is a small practice with one doctor. We focus on providing very personalized care for each patient.

Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your consultation.

Thank you,

Baker Orthodontics

How are you spending your San Diego, CA summer?

Summer is finally here in Escondido and San Diego, CA, and the team at Baker Orthodontics thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Dr. Baker and team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!