January 13th, 2012
With winter sports under way for a lot of our patients, Dr. Edward Altherr thought it would be a good time to remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this winter.
More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.
Many people think a mouth guard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions and other dental injuries. Our staff at Altherr Orthodontics encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists’ website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.
We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!
January 5th, 2012
Even if you brush and floss daily, as well as maintain your braces and visit our office during your orthodontic treatment it is still important to visit your local dentist every 6 months, or as recommended.
Why?
- Your dentist can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
- Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
- Frequent visits can allow your dentist to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.
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 visited a dentist in the past six months, please let us know! Dr. Edward Altherr. will be happy to provide a few great references here in the area!
-- Dr. Edward Altherr. & Team
December 9th, 2011
Dr. Edward Altherr. and our team at Altherr Orthodontics want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!
Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!
November 11th, 2011
From Altherr Orthodontics, thank you so very much for our freedom! The picture is Dr. Altherr's father who served our country in the 82nd Airborne.
November 10th, 2011
Believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Dr. Edward Altherr and our team want to know: What are your plans for November? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning a winter vacation? If so, we’d love to hear all about it!
You may share your stories with us below, or by posting on our Facebook page!
October 31st, 2011
Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of today's sweet and spooky holiday, Dr. Altherr and team would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family tonight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists were kind enough to provide trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.
A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in
Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give us a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.
We wish you all a safe, fun and happy Halloween!
October 17th, 2011
Recently, Dr. Altherr was asked, "What does your job mean to you—and what makes it so special day after day?"
Here is his response!
"I truly love what I do, and am passionate about orthodontics and my practice. I enjoy seeing the positive changes (physically and emotionally) that orthodontics does for people and our patients in particular. I enjoy seeing my patients around town and love seeing subsequent family members become patients because it tells me that we're probably doing a lot of things right for a lot of folks in the surrounding Apex, NC area. Dr. Altherr."
October 13th, 2011
Great question! Dr. Altherr 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 the 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 no later than age seven for Dr. Altherr to assess what the best age for treatment is.
Hope this helps! Give Altherr Orthodontics a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!
October 4th, 2011
For our team at Altherr Orthodontics, it’s hard to believe October is already upon us! October marks National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.
We know there are many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through treatment at Altherr Orthodontics, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time with Dr. Altherr. The AAO recommends our patients avoid the following Halloween treats:
• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice
If you damage your braces, please give Dr. Altherr and our team a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved by giving us a call. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until you are able to come into our Apex orthodontic office.
See you soon!
September 26th, 2011
Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Edward Altherr will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.
To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.
If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation at Altherr Orthodontics and find out how braces will transform your smile, as well as your life!
