A great braces-friendly winter recipe, from Baker Orthodontics

Winter is here, and sometimes we here at Baker Orthodontics just feel like a hot delicious meal is in order. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) dish that is sure to delight. Dr. Baker would like to remind you that a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Pasta Pomodorini

Ingredients:

• ¾ pound spaghetti or spaghetti
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ¼ cup sliced garlic
• ½ teaspoon finely minced Calabrian chilies, or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pint small cherry tomatoes, stems removed, crushed between your thumb and forefinger
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, each torn into 2 or 3 pieces
• Wedge of Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook until the slivers are golden brown and crisp, then add the chilies and cook for about 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Simmer briskly to soften the tomatoes and thicken the juices, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the warm pot off the heat. Add the sauce and the basil and mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and grate Parmesan over the top to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and have a great week!
--From Dr. Baker and staff

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Each February for the past 61 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored 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, which is removable, make it easier 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. Baker 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 us lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Famous Couples at Baker Orthodontics

Do you know the name of Bart Simpson's lady, or Minnie's sweetheart? Don't forget to enter the Baker Orthodontics Famous Animated & Cartoon Couples contest the next time you're in the office! As always, please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Baker. Happy Valentines Day!

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!

One patient's experience with Dr. Baker and team!

"Wow, I look good!" says Laney after she sees her new smile for the first time. She just got her braces off at Baker Orthodontics. See for yourself in this short video!

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

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Baker Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the Escondido and San Diego, CA areas!