The Schmidt Orthodontics Blog

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:35:53 +0000

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Ask Dr. Schmidt: “What should I expect during my initial consultation?”

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:31 +0000

Great question! Your initial consultation with Dr. Schmidt will give you the opportunity to meet our team, learn more about orthodontics, receive a complete initial exam, and find out which treatment options will best meet your needs. During your initial consultation, we will:

Review your dental and medical history forms
Provide a complete oral exam, with X-rays, to determine whether treatment is necessary
Help you create a customized treatment plan
Discuss all financial information, insurance options, and payment plans

During your initial consultation, you’ll probably also have a lot of questions. Dr. Schmidt wants you to be prepared for your appointment and feel in charge of your orthodontic treatment decisions. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have, and we will provide all of the information that you need to determine which treatment is right for you.

We invite you to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation with Dr. Schmidt at our Rhinelander orthodontic office, our Woodruff orthodontic office or our Eagle River orthodontic office to learn more about braces and the treatments we provide. We look forward to meeting you, and working with you throughout your orthodontic treatment. Get ready to start smiling!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, from Dr. Schmidt

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:15 +0000

At Schmidt Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation with Dr. Schmidt. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood?

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Going Mobile with Dr. Schmidt

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Dr. Schmidt and the Team at Schmidt Orthodontics have some exciting news for you. We have a new mobile site for our patients on-the-go! No matter where you are…work, school, traveling or shopping at the mall, you will be able to access our website with speed and ease to request or change an appointment, make a payment, refer a patient or simply connect with us on social media. You will even be able to dial the office right from the site on your phone, all with a single touch.

The next time you are on-the-go, we don’t want you to feel disconnected. Access Schmidt Orthodontics with your iPhone, iPad, Droid, or the smart phone of your choice and see how we look, and most of all to stay connected!

Ask Dr. Schmidt: “When should my child visit for an orthodontic consultation?”

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:58:07 +0000

Thanks for the question! Dr. Darrell Schmidt will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened at our convenient offices in Woodruff, Rhinelander or Eagle River no later than age seven for Dr. Schmidt to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! We invite you to give us a call at (715) 365-1777 if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

You may also ask Dr. Schmidt on Facebook!

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:45:57 +0000

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:13:50 +0000

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Patient question: “Why do I need a braces adjustment so often?”

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:25:15 +0000

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!

Am I Too Old for Braces?

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:43:28 +0000

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Like us on Facebook!

mynetworks0697@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:51:54 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!