Interesting Leap Year Facts

2012 is a Leap Year, which means we're going to have an extra day in February to enjoy. So why do we need to add this day every four years? Well, when the Earth makes its annual trip around the sun, it doesn't take exactly 365 days. It's a little more like 365 and 1/4 days. Because of this, every four years our calendar falls a day behind the solar year. To remedy this, we catch ourselves up by adding an extra day to the month of February every four years. If we didn't, in 100 years the solar year and calendar year would be 25 days apart. We can't have that, or eventually our seasons would not match up with the months we currently associate them with. Egyptians were the first people to add a leap day every four years. However, the Romans were the first to choose February 29th as the official date. (www.womens-place.com)

Valentine's Facts

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas. Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In fact, women purchase about 85% of all Valentine's cards and gifts. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. There are about 6,000 marriages take place on Valentine's Day in the United States alone. (www.history.com)

WHY YOU SHOULD SEE AN ORTHODONTIST

The American Association of Orthodontist launched a new website recently, and answered a very important question--WHY YOU SHOULD SEE AN ORTHODONTIST? Below is the list of reasons taken from their website, http://www.mylifemysmile.org/

To have the best and healthiest smile you can have.

Get it by relying on orthodontists’ expertise, which comes from their extensive education. After graduating from dental school, orthodontists go on for another two or more years of education just in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Orthodontists are dedicated to helping your teeth and jaws work in union so that you can speak, bite and chew comfortably and effectively. There’s a bonus. Teeth and jaws that work well tend to look good, too.

To both feel good and look good.

With care from an orthodontist, you have an expert who has been educated to understand how your teeth, your jaws and your facial muscles all work together. A healthy mouth contributes to your overall good health. Your appearance gets a boost, too.

To get the specialized treatment you deserve.

You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your skin to a dermatologist, your knees to an orthopedist. Like these specialists who study their specialty areas after their general medical education, orthodontists devote additional years of study to orthodontics after they graduate from dental school. And like their medical counterparts, orthodontists limit their practices to their specialty area. Orthodontists have in-depth experience in orthodontic care. They use their knowledge and skills to help you get the best results possible.

To get your bite right.

Your bite is a complex biologic system. Its components include up to 32 teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums and facial muscles. Your healthy bite is the orthodontist’s goal. The goal is met by making sure the separate elements are positioned for optimal performance. You enjoy the ability to bite, chew and speak well.

To solve the problem.

You may see six crooked front teeth. The orthodontist sees the cause of crooked teeth in three dimensions. Orthodontists use their education, experience and expertise to delve deep to discover the root of your orthodontic problem. Armed with a diagnosis that takes all factors into account, orthodontists can plan your solution—one that delivers a healthy, attractive smile and a lasting result.

To recommend the right treatment for you.

There are a lot of treatment options these days, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Orthodontists take your unique needs and wishes into consideration, too, when recommending the right treatment option for you. Orthodontists have knowledge of the full range of orthodontic appliance “tools.” They know what to use and when to use it because they work with these tools every day.

To address the big picture.

Sure, you want a dazzling smile. Your orthodontist wants that for you, too—and treatment results that last. You deserve the best—a good bite and a healthy, beautiful smile. Consult an orthodontist for your life, your health, your happiness, your smile.

Retainer Wear is Important!

There is a critical part to orthodontic treatment called retention, where an upper and lower retainer is worn to stabilize the teeth. As a patient you have invested your time, efforts and finances, which is what the retainers are there to protect. To put it simply: the gum tissue has a “strong memory” that, if not stabilized post-treatment, could possibly cause the teeth to shift out of alignment. Many assume after a year or two of consistent retainer wear the teeth are stable enough to discard the retainers and forget about them forever. This is untrue because many things can cause the teeth to shift: a high surface area from a restoration or filling, periodontal issues and as we age in general are all factors that can contribute to misalignment of the teeth. This can be avoided by retention with upper and lower retainers. (www.drcarr.com)

If you have any questions on your retainer, or a general orthodontic question, please give Orthodontic Specialists of New England a call at 1-855-BRACES-4-U (1-855-272-2374) or www.NewEngland4Braces.com.

Enter to win the Orthodontic Word Search Contest!

To enter, submit your completed word search entry form for a chance to win a $50.00 Gift Card!Use the word key on the entry form to find all of the orthodontic hidden words. Words can be listed forward, backward, up, down or diagonal.
Completed entry form must be received by April 30th to qualify. See your local Orthodontic Specialists of New England front desk for full details. 
*Contest open to patients of Orthodontic Specialists of New England. Call 1-855-BRACES-4-U or www.NewEngland4Braces.com to schedule your free exam & consultation. Some exclusions apply.

February Is National Children's Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums."For a Sparkly Smile, Brush & Floss Every Day!" Also, remember to get your dental cleanings every 6 months!

Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

•Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.

• Wear a helmet.

• Wear protective eye wear.

• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin.

• Be alert, even as a spectator

Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth threatening activities. Remember, stay safe and have fun!