"Text 2 Like" on FaceBook!

Be sure to become a fan on our Orthodontic Specialists of New England Facebook Fanpage!!! To become a fan, simply Text like newengland4braces to 32665 or log onto our website at www.NewEngland4Braces.com and click on the Facebook icon link. Then click on the “Like” button on our Fanpage and you will instantly become a fan!  This is an easy way to stay up to date on all of the new and exciting features that Orthodontic Specialists of New England has to offer!

Insurance Benefits Reminder

The holiday season is fast approaching and the 2012 year is quickly coming to an end, so we would like to take this opportunity to address some insurance related issues that a new calendar year always brings up. Whether you have an individual or employer sponsored Health Insurance plan, a Life insurance policy, Dental and Vision plan, or some combination thereof, here are a few things to keep in mind as we close out 2012 and usher in 2013.

Now is the time to be thinking about using your flex spend, health savings and/or insurance benefits before they may expire at the end of the year, so before the end of the year be sure to take advantage of your remaining insurance benefits. If you have Dental insurance, your deductible and annual benefit maximum(s) will most likely reset January 1, 2013. These are some things you may want to keep in mind as appointment times are limited around the holidays, so don’t wait to give us a call to utilize those benefits or to get a jump start on starting treatment for the new year!

Fun Fall Outdoor Activities!

The Fun Harvest Dash

Set up a fall relay with the kids. Fill large containers with sunflower seed bird feed. Have smaller, clear containers at the opposite end. Kids fill up a cup with seed and race to dump it in the empty container. They sprint back to the start and hand-off the cup to the teammates. Goal of the race is to be the first team to fill up the small container with the seeds. As an extra challenge, give the kids an over-sized soup ladle instead of a cup. Don't worry if the seeds spill; that's part of the fun! The birds will easily find them later. Try a dollar store for inexpensive clear containers. They usually stock plastic ones in apple or pumpkin shapes in the fall. Popcorn or candy corn also can be used in place of seeds!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS OF NEW ENGLAND WISHES YOU A SAFE HALLOWEEN!

Afraid of the Dark:

A Halloween Poem by Miss MerFaery 2010

A Halloween Rhyme.... Eeepity, creepity, oh what a fright! 

Hiding from things that go BUMP in the night. 

Eeekity, squeakity, oh such a lark! 

I wish I wasn't afraid of the dark. 

Jack O'Lantern, trick or treat. 

Scary costumes out on the street. 

Ghosts and ghoulies in the air. 

Stay inside, beware, beware! 

Eeepity, creepity, oh what a scare! 

Constantly wondering "who goes there?" 

Eeekity, squeakity, turn on the light. 

I don't like the dark on Halloween night!

Pumpkin Poptarts

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 package refrigerated pie crust

Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and egg. Unroll pie crusts, cut the edges off to make a large square, then cut the pie crust into three equal rectangles (about 2″ x 3″). Spoon a small amount of pumpkin mixture into the center of one of the rectangles, taking care to not let the filling ooze near the edges. Use a small paring knife to carve jack-o-lantern faces into a second rectangle. Gently lay the carved piece over the pumpkin filling, then press the edges firmly together with a fork. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges of the poptart begin to turn golden brown.

In a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla. Drizzle glaze over hot pumpkin poptarts. Allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Bracket Friendly Halloween Candies

During the Halloween season, the most frequently asked question of people in braces is, “What candy am I allowed to eat at Halloween?” To avoid breaking the braces, steer clear of the following treats, or recipes  with these ingredients, as they could lengthen treatment time: Hard candies, Chewy candies, Caramel, Nuts, Licorice, Taffy, Jelly beans, Hard pretzels, Bubblegum and Popcorn.

For alternatives, look for foods that are softer, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups.  Candies that are not sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy are generally OK. Of course, as usual, it is vital to keep your teeth, gums, and braces clean in order to maintain good oral hygiene. Remember to floss and brush after any Halloween treats!

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Softies

Nothing says October like PUMPKIN....and chocolate! 

Here is a braces-friendly treat that will bring the fragrance of Fall into your kitchen with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger by combining the moisture of PUMPKIN and the fun of CHOCOLATE chips!

Don't forget to share with your family & friends!

Recipe courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman.