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Each year, Operation Gratitude sends hundreds of thousands of care packages to those who serve our country. Since 2003, Operation Gratitude has sent over 2,000,000 care packages to Troops, First Responders, Veterans, and their families.  Each of those care packages include a handful of candy, the majority of which comes from donations made by groups and drives such as this held in October and November where children donate their Halloween candy as a way of showing gratitude to those who serve.

This year, we are offering an extra incentive to children to give back their candy. The first 500 children who bring in and donate over a pound of Halloween candy to our Give-Back Drive will receive a Mack and Hansen Orthodontics toothbrush kit filled with gift cards and coupons to local restaurants including Menchie’s, Bubba’s 33, Raising Cane’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Slim Chickens and more!

All of the candy collected will then be sent off to Operation Gratitude’s packaging center where the care packages are put together and shipped all over the world.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, November 3^rd from 11 am to 2 pm in the parking lot at Menchie’s at Hawkins Pkwy Center. There will be fun and games for the whole family so be sure to come out, bring your candy, and have some fun while giving back to those who serve our country!

If you are interested in scheduling a FREE Consultation for braces or invisalign with Dr. Spencer Mack or Dr. Andrew Hansen you can do so here. We are your in-network orthodontic provider and treat children, teenagers, and adults of all ages, offer low down payments and affordable payment plans. Come see why we give East Texas a reason to smile!

Investing in your smile is a decision you’ll never regret. Orthodontic treatment at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics located in Longview and just a quick drive from Marshall, Mount Pleasant, and Carthage Texas, will allow you to have the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

Throughout your smile journey you will be required to attend visits at our Longview office where your orthodontist, either Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen, will make sure your braces are continually moving your teeth into the optimal position. Depending on your stage of orthodontic treatment, your wires may be replaced or adjusted to ensure proper alignment. These adjustments may cause you some temporary discomfort as your teeth move and your bite changed. Be sure to consult with your orthodontist, Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen in Longview about the different ways to manage the soreness and irritation that can arise from orthodontic treatment.   But start with these easy, at-home tips to get comfortable right away.

Ice Water or Soft Cold Treats

Just as ice or cold packs can be used to help soothe sore muscles or joints on your body, drinking ice water or snacking on cold treats can help reduce the soreness that may occur with orthodontic treatment. Initially after a wire adjustment or other orthodontic procedure is when soreness can be experienced.   Ice cream, milkshakes, and smoothies are great examples of braces friendly cold treats that you can indulge in to help alleviate the discomfort!

Swish warm salt water

Your cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums may become irritated. Things that can cause this are new brackets, wires, attachments, aligners, or other orthodontic appliances placed at your appointment.  Rinsing with warm salt water for 60 seconds can help provide relief.

Use your orthodontic wax

In addition to the warm salt water rinse, use the orthodontic wax that we give you to smooth any part that is bothersome. Orthodontic wax is easy to apply and will act as a physical barrier between your cheek and your braces allowing the sore to heal.

Eat softer foods

If you are experiencing any discomfort after your orthodontic appointment, avoid foods that require a lot of chewing.  Instead, search for a softer food option, such as yogurt, soup, pasta, mashed potatoes, smoothies, or even ice cream.

Take over-the-counter pain reliever

If orthodontic discomfort persists, over—the—counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate soreness. These include Advil and Tylenol. Be sure to consult with your orthodontist, Dr. Mack or Dr. Hansen, about their recommendations of pain relievers for you or your child.

Be patient

The discomfort that arises from braces eventually will resolve as your teeth adapt to each adjustment. Your orthodontic journey might not always be pain free, but it will all be worth it when you achieve your healthy, beautifully aligned smile in the end.

For additional tips on how to relieve braces pain, consult Dr. Mack and Dr. Hansen.

Fun Times at the Orthodontist in Longview Texas

It’s only been a few months since Laney started her braces smile transformation and she already wants to be an orthodontist ?. We are here to support you in any way we can Laney!! ??? Thanks for being so awesome ?

You have to look ?? really close to see Jaydin’s Clear Braces she got yesterday ?. Congratulations Jaydin and welcome to the MH Ortho Family!! ???

We just wanted to give a big shout out and congratulations to one of our awesome patients and Kiki dancers, Bryce, for being recognized as Panther of the Month by Spring Hill ISD!! We are so proud of you and are grateful to have you as part of not only our MH Ortho family but also our community ?#heevenwearshisrubberbandstoo

More Trivia Tuesday Questions from your neighborhood Orthodontist

Happy Trivia Tuesday ??? !! Here are this week’s questions?. Let us know your thoughts!!
1️⃣ Does a palatal expander have the potential to help a child with breathing or snoring issues? Yes or No
2️⃣ What should you do if you get a tooth knocked out of the mouth? Put in a glass of water? Put it in a glass of milk?
3️⃣ Do braces attract lighting? ⚡️⚡️

It’s that time of the week again ???? #triviatuesday
1️⃣ Is it ok to bleach your teeth while you have #braces, or should you wait until you get them off?
2️⃣ True or False: Braces will set off a metal detector
3️⃣ What are the shapes of the wires orthodontists use with braces?
Round, square, and rectangular?
Round, square, and triangular?

And a Trivia Tuesday Answer Explained:

One of our #triviatuesday questions from last week came to us because a patient of ours had an adult tooth knocked out while riding bikes. Fortunately their parents did the right thing and placed the tooth back in the mouth within 30 minutes ??. Doing this significantly improves the chances of saving the tooth.

If this ever happens to you, pick the adult tooth up by the crown ? (not the root) and wash it briefly under cold water (do not wipe it off), and place it back in its socket in the mouth. Bite on a cloth or napkin to help keep it in place, and see your dentist as soon as possible.

If you are unable to put the tooth back in the mouth right away, place the tooth in a glass of #milk and head to an emergency clinic or dental office so a dentist can place it back in the mouth. They may also place a splint or wire to help hold the tooth in a passive position. The prognosis is always guarded with a tooth that is knocked out, but the sooner you can get it back in the mouth, the better ??#spreadtheword #saveatooth #nowyouknow #dentaltrauma

Please let us know if you have any questions about orthodontic treatment. If you are looking for a Longview orthodontist and would like to learn how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you get the smile you have always wanted with metal braces, clear braces, or invisalign please contact us. Our free consultation will allow you to discover what our orthodontists can do for you. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX next to Longview Regional Hospital and are just a quick drive from Kilgore, Marshall, Gilmer, Henderson, Mount Pleasant and Carthage Texas.