Ask Dr. White: What makes braces sooooo cool?

Dr. John White will always tell you that braces, are cool, hip and usually pretty fun nowadays. In fact, these were among the findings of a nationwide survey this year of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and SureSmile, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Serena Williams and Dakota Fanning, to name a few—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s kids.

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.

Has your child visited the orthodontic office of John C. White for a complimentary consultation? If not, please give us a call and let Dr. White help your child begin the journey to a beautiful new smile!

Dr. White wants to know: Are you suffering from sleep disorders?

Northfield and Hudson orthodontist Dr. John C. White knows that sleep disorders are fairly common, with approximately 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms of sleep apnea, and as the condition worsens it can lead to airway blockage, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, each time your breathing stops, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don't remember it - and many think they are getting a good night's sleep. However, the constant wake-sleep-wake-sleep cycle precludes the deep sleep that refreshes the body, and sufferers are frequently drowsy during the day.

The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, please give us a call, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.

* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

Dr. White and team want to know: what's on your reading list this summer?

With summer only weeks away, some of us at Braces by White have been thinking more and more about the importance of summer reading. Sure it’s easier for kids to go play ball or kick back and watch television, but our staff will tell you that reading during the summer is a key step in being prepared for classes in the fall.

Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (as well as Dr. White) would be happy to provide a few titles. You may also ask a local librarian here in Hudson or Northfield for some ideas or check out various summer reading lists that we came across this week.

Happy reading everyone!

More happy patients at Braces by White!

Dr. White and team love getting patient testimonials from current and former patients. Here are a few reviews we received recently - our patients like us and we love our patients!

"I like the girls who mainly work on your teeth. They are very nice and sweet. I also like the waiting room. It has magazines for me and toys and games for my little brother and sister. They are usually in the way, but the toys keep them occupied while I get my teeth checked." ~ Brooke S.

"I spoke with john and he said that he like the way that Dr. White spoke to him. It made him feel important. That is awesome! Since our apportionment with Dr. White john has taken the time to brush his teeth with so much more care. I feel like he is really looking forward to getting his braces on, plus to have a much nicer smile. Thank you." ~ Jonathan C.

"I was very impressed by the friendliness of the entire staff. Very down to earth and kid friendly." ~ Colin M.

"How well he makes you feel comfortable and how he listens to you and doesn't just say this is how we are doing it. He takes the time to see what you think and what you want done." ~ Paul W.

"I enjoy that he has state of the art equipment and technology. you feel you are have top notch care in very reliable hands." ~ Jonathan M.

"He is great with the kids and Joshua was very scared and he was able to talk to him and it was much better . I could not calm him down when he got his expander and Dr. White was a great help!!" ~ Joshua W.

June is National Smile Month! From Dr. John C. White

Now that we’re in June, Dr. John White thought this would be a great time to remind our patients that June is National Smile Month, and a great time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office. After all, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, according to our friends at the American Dental Association.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart) in addition to visiting Dr. White.

We hope these tips help! Happy Wednesday!

SureSmile does its magic on CNN!

Does the thought of having braces for two full years bring you down? Dr. John White and team understand that one of the biggest concerns for our patients with braces is the length of their orthodontic treatment.

But you’re in luck, because Dr. White specializes in SureSmile, high-tech braces that have been revolutionizing the industry. SureSmile treatment, which combines digital 3-D imaging, has computer-aided treatment planning and customized archwires to straighten teeth about 40 percent faster than traditional braces. SureSmile calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth, and the bends and cuts the braces wires, with more accuracy than regular braces.

This week, CNN doctor Sanjay Gupta filed a report on SureSmile and profiled a Maryland teenager named Jessica Thompson, who wasn't really excited about getting traditional braces, and chose SureSmile as her treatment instead. Jessica is not alone - SureSmile is becoming quite popular with our patients at Braces by White.

We encourage you to check out the video and let us know what you think! Give us a call to learn more about SureSmile!!