Posts

Eating with Braces

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Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, d on't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. Foods to AVOID with braces: Chewy foods — bagels, licorice Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum Hard foods — nuts, hard candies Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots Foods you CAN eat with braces: Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice Treats — ice cream without nuts, ...

Do You Have Loose Wires or Bands?

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We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact  Burch Orthodontics  as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. In an emergency, you can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain until your appointment. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at ( 850) 877-1692 immediately if you experience any issue with your braces. 

Braces Friendly Game Day Snacks

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If you're still searching for a few more snacks to add to your Super Bowl menu, we've got two that will be sure to score with your friends & family. Hot Ham & Cheese Party Rolls 1 can refrigerated pizza crust 1 lb. deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved) 12 slices Swiss cheese Glaze: 1/2 cup butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon poppy seeds Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board. Press into an approximately 13x18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face side down. Cut into 12 slices. Arrange in the prepared baking dish.  Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and popp...

Benefits Beyond Your Smile

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Dr. Burch and all the Burch Orthodontics team want to remind you that orthodontic health is much more than straight teeth. When Dr. Burch creates beautiful smiles for our patients, she places all the elements of the face into their perfect alignment for a healthy as well as beautiful smile. Orthodontic treatment at Burch Orthodontics also provides many additional health benefits. Here are just a few you might not realize: Prevent TMJ: TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders occur from stress on the jaw joint. Often, people who suffer from TMJ have an incorrect bite pattern or a misalignment of their bite. Orthodontic treatment can align the teeth and bite to remove the stress on the joints that causes TMJ Disorder. Aid Digestive Health: Perfectly aligned teeth help you chew your food more effectively, which helps your digestive health. Avoid Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Crowded and misaligned teeth make it difficult to clean your teeth and gums, which can le...

Avoiding Orthodontic Emergencies

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At  Burch Orthodontics  we know that even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. This soreness is the way your body reacts to your teeth as they begin to move. Your braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile but you may experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated. Canker Sores Canker sores are a common occurrence when braces rub inside the mouth. There are ointments available to reduce the pain and irritation associated with mouth sores. We recommend Canker-X gel and we can provide you with a sample to try. Loose Brackets If you have a loose bracket you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the bracket temporarily. You might also apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Please call the office for an appointment. Loose Bands The band will need to be reattached. Please call the office for an appointme...

The Tooth Truth

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Our dedication to providing extraordinary personal service with compassion and consideration to the unique needs of each of our patients is our top priority. We feel open communication is extremely important in creating a positive environment for our patients and ensuring a successful treatment outcome. Here at Burch Orthodontics , we consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. We believe that good dental health can instill a sense of well-being, provide a lifelong smile, and promote good overall health. To that note, let’s talk about the truth about our teeth. Our bone and gum tissues are supported by our teeth. If this support is lost or is poorly aligned, then our bone and gums can begin to erode. If the teeth are properly aligned the bone and gums are less likely to erode. Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before your food ever enters your stomach, it has to be chewed by your teeth. This process is called mastication. The food ...

Thanksgiving Countdown!

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It seems like the month of November has really flown by! Thanksgiving is just a week away and we’re all looking forward to time with family and friends – not to mention all of the delicious food! While some holidays spotlight foods that might traditionally be a challenge to manage when you have braces, Thanksgiving is typically filled with foods that are braces approved! If you’re looking to add a new side dish or two to your Thanksgiving table this year, we’ve found two contenders that will not only look spectacular but might also become a new favorite for your family. Both of these would be perfect to bring to a potluck meal since they can both be assembled in advance and each takes less than 30 minutes to heat.   Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes 4 lbs. sweet potatoes 1 cup maple syrup 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries 3 tbsp. butter 1 ½ tsp. salt Place whole sweet potatoes in a large pot with just enough water to cover and one teaspoon of salt. Heat to a ra...