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The alarm sounds in the morning, you hit snooze, then you finally wake up and realize you forgot to wear your retainer

If this only happened once, don't panic. Missing one night with a retainer is unlikely to cause significant teeth movement. However, if it has happened often, give our team a call to make sure your teeth haven’t shifted position.

Here are some tips from Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen to help you remember your retainer:

1. Write down the instructions we give you for wearing the retainer, whether you should wear it all day or at night, or just a few times a week. Writing things out like this helps set the schedule in your memory.
2. Clean the retainer when you take it out each time. If you don’t you may not have time when you’re rushing to get to work or school to clean it properly and may be tempted not to wear it.
3. Put a note on your mirror or in your purse or wallet reminding you to wear your retainer.
4. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you when it’s time to put the retainer in. If you have email with a calendar you can set up daily reminders, too.
5. Always put your retainer in its case when you take it out to eat or sleep. This will reduce the risk of losing it or accidentally throwing it away.
6. If you don’t have to wear the retainer every day, you can use some recurring events to help you remember. With this system for example, watching your favorite weekly TV show, laundry day, or family pizza night can all serve as reminders that you should put in your retainer.
7. Don’t be shy about asking for help if you’re forgetful. Assure everyone around you that you won’t consider it nagging if they remind you to wear your retainer.
8. Ask your friends if they have had any teeth shift when retainers were not properly worn. Those stories can serve as a timely warning not to let the same thing happen to you!

Remember, you can always call our team in Longview if you feel your retainer is uncomfortable or painful. We'll work with you to protect your smile!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Of course you are aware that Halloween is just around the corner. For children, this means trick-or-treating is just around the corner as well. If you're a follower of our blog, you also know October is Orthodontic Health Month.

In terms of braces, this photo should help serve as a reminder of the types of foods that are OK to eat when you have braces on, as well as those we should probably avoid.

Regardless of if you or your child are undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or invisalign, it is important to take care of your teeth and be healthy and safe this Halloween season. The American Dental Association recently published a great article on ways to keep your teeth, mouth, and body healthy this time of year.

The ADA recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time you brush. When you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, brushing more frequently is a great way to help combat any sugar bugs from sticking to your orthodontic appliances (braces or invisalign).

Many of our patients ask what is the best type of toothbrush to use. We will have a post coming soon about the different types of toothbrushes, but as a general rule, an electric toothbrush is going to be more effective than a manual toothbrush. Additionally, most electric toothbrushes have a 2 minute timer that makes it easy to know how long you have brushed for and if you have brushed long enough.

Be sure to check back for our post on toothbrushes, and have a safe and happy Halloween!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Good oral hygiene consists of a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing to prevent tooth decay and other bacterial infections. We often get asked what the best type of toothbrush to use is, but we also get asked about mouthwash as well.

There are many different types of mouthwashes to choose form, and each will have varying effects on your oral health. So which type is best for you?

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes are made to reduce the majority of bacteria on and near the gum line. Using this type of mouthwash can help decrease your chances of getting gingivitis. If possible, look for a mouthwash with antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients.

Fluoride

Fluoride is beneficial for not only oral health but it can help prevent tooth decay as well. If you drink a lot of bottled water without fluoride, we may recommend that you consider a rinse with fluoride in it.

Bad Breath

Although mouthwash is mainly designed to prevent bacterial build-up within the mouth, many people use it to fight bad breath. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate the bacteria causing bad breath, and some are specifically designed to do so.

However, if bad breath is a chronic problem for you, that requires daily treatment with a mouth rinse, let us know if this is that case and we can discuss your symptoms.

American Dental Association Approval

The ADA reviews mouthwashes and rinses for safety and effectiveness. If an item has the ADA Seal of Approval, that means it meets strict criteria, and will have scientific evidence or clinical studies that support the claims of the manufacturer. If possible, select a mouthwash that has the ADA Seal of Approval to ensure you are using a high-quality rinse.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Not sure what to put in those lunch boxes! You will want to add some snacks that your kids will think are yummy, but are also healthy, and tooth-friendly. From salty and sweet to crunchy and chewy, here are some fresh solutions for this school year:

Yogurt
Yogurt is a great substitution for pudding. This yummy snack is loaded with probiotics that can help heal mouth sores and promote healthy gums.

Pita Chips and Hummus
Consider adding whole grain pita or even vegetables with hummus instead of packing buttery popcorn. Popcorn can damage your children’s teeth, with or without braces, and can lead to tooth decay.

Fresh Fruit
Put the dried fruit snacks down! They contain high amounts of sugar which we all know does damage to your child’s teeth. Sugar bugs live on your children’s teeth and erode away their tooth enamel. Fresh fruits that have high water content, like apples and pears, counteracts the sugar in the fruit.

String Cheese
Cheese is great for your child’s teeth. It helps reduce plaque growth, boosts their enamel (making their teeth stronger) and tastes great!

Flavored Water
We know not everyone likes the taste of water, but keep the fruit juice and Gatorade out of their lunch box! It may be their favorite, but it has more sugar than eating fresh fruit. Add a naturally-flavored, sugar-free water alternative — or a packet for them to create their own at the lunch table.

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.