August is National Eye Exam Month

August is National Eye Exam Month, which seems timely as we tackle our to-do lists before the kids go back to school and the lazy days of summer come to an end. August is also Cataract Awareness Month; Children's Eye Health and Safety Month; and Children's Vision and Learning Month. Even if you think your eyes are healthy, it's important to get regular check-ups to prevent any issues. Eye exams for children are extremely important, because 5 to 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems. So, make your families’ appointments today!

WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY – August 26TH

Girl! Women's Equality Day commemorates the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. In 1971, after much work, and at the urging of U.S. Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY), Congress designated August 26 each year as “Women’s Equality Day.” This day was selected to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution on August 26, 1920. This amendment granted women the right to vote. What next – a female President!

Baker Orthodontics presents: A braces-friendly recipe

LEMON PUDDING YUMMIES: So very moist, these are especially nice for those first few tender days after braces go on or after an adjustment appointment.

Ingredients:
¾ cup shortening
½ cup sugar
2 (3 ¾ oz.) package of instant lemon pudding (dry)
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the shortening, sugar and dry pudding mix, using an electric mixer and blending until creamy. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add flour, baking soda, salt and milk, and mix until well blended. Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. This recipe makes about 4 dozen.

Recipe from The Braces Cookbook – Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love by Pamela Waterman and Brenda Waterman.

Today is National Book Lovers Day

Book Lovers Day encourages you to find a place in the shade to relax with a good book. Book reading is a great hobby. It's an important one, too. Employers look for it on resumes. Reading is educational, informative, and relaxing. It makes us both smarter and happier people. Book Lovers Day is a great day to celebrate. Please feel free to share your favorite books with everyone on the Baker Orthodontics Facebook page. Happy reading!

Hello August!

What’s not to love about August? School is still out, pools are open, and baseball is still being played. It’s a great month. We’ll be sharing some special holidays, some great puzzles and brain teasers and more with you throughout the month so be sure to visit the Baker Orthodontics social networks often!

Now here are just a few facts you might not know about the great month of August: August birthstone is the peridot or onyx. Its birth flower is the gladiolus or poppy, meaning beauty, strength of character, love, marriage and family. In common years no other month starts on the same day of the week as August, except in leap years when February starts on the same day. August ends on the same day of the week as November every year. Now, you know the rest of the story about August!

Braces 101 with Dr. Baker

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Baker Orthodontics, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.

Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

You're never too old to treat yourself to a new smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Baker Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Baker. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.