Dr Hughes braces

Creating a fun environment while creating a beautiful, healthy smile!

June 16th, 2016

Dr. Hughes and the entire staff at Lakewood Park Orthodontics believe that creating a beautiful smile should be a fun and joyful experience! Ongoing contests and theme days at the office along with festive holiday decor make the office a truly warm, inviting and fun place to visit. Check out some of our recent theme day photos and ongoing contests on FB or our website contest page. Every Saturday is a theme day so there are plenty of opportunities to participate (Halloween, Easter, Red Sox Opening Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Pajama Day, St. Patty's, Red Nose Day, Flag Day and our favorite....National Chicken Dance Day)!

Contest Winner

November 15th, 2015

Ben was the winner of our Count the Candy Corn contest. Congratulations, great guessin'  and enjoy the gift card!

Halloween

November 1st, 2015

Halloween week was so much fun! The office dressed up as different eras....40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. We are already trying to figure out what we are going to do for next year!

Braces and Halloween

October 22nd, 2015

Just because it is Halloween doesn't mean you can't enjoy some tasty treats! Try out some of these yummy recipes!

https://mylifemysmile.org/recipes

Halloween Contest

October 21st, 2015

Don't forget to come in and participate in our "count the number of candy corn in the jar " contest. The prize is a $25 Target gift card!

The Dangers of Teeth Clecnhing and Grinding

June 3rd, 2015

Teeth are designed to fit together with the top and bottom teeth touching only when chewing and very briefly during swallowing. This actually only adds up to about 6 minutes a day! So, you can imagine if your teeth are clenched together or grinding against each other all day, your jaw joint (the TMJ) and teeth are doing the equivalent of a super marathon each day! Clenching and grinding puts a lot of stress on your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joint which can cause eventual fractures of teeth, recession of gums, TMJ symptoms and headaches. Frequent grinders can also expect their tooth enamel to wear away 6 times faster thann those who don't grind.

Possible treatment options include custom made night guards by your dentist, special exercises or medications in some cases. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth or clenching excessively, it is best to seek the opinion of your general dentist or Dr. Hughes to customize a treatment plan right for you.

Adult Orthodontic Patients Would Recommend Treatment to Others

October 23rd, 2013

Adult Orthodontic Patients Highly Satisfied with Treatment Outcomes: A survey of adult orthodontic patients, conducted recently for the AAO in conjunction with National Orthodontic Health Month, indicates high satisfaction with treatment results. Seventy-five percent of adults surveyed reported improvements in career or personal relationships, which they attributed to their improved post-orthodontic treatment smiles. Citing newfound self-confidence, 92 percent of survey respondents say they would recommend orthodontic treatment to other adults. To read more, visit the AAO site below!
http://www.mylifemysmile.org/sites/default/files/APPROVED

National Orthodontic Health Month

October 13th, 2013

October is National Orthodontic Health Month! In a month full of hard, sticky and chewy treats, it’s more important than ever to encourage patients to be kind to their teeth during treatment. If you have braces, avoid caramel, taffy, bubblegum, and candy with nuts. If you can’t keep yourself away from the sugar, opt for softer candy such as peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth treats.

Summer Contest Winner

September 8th, 2013

Vincent was the winner of our Summer "Count the seashells in the jar" contest. He won a $25 Visa gift card. Congratulations Vincent!!

Electric Toothbrush

August 2nd, 2013

Keeping your teeth sparkling clean with braces is not easy! At Lakewood Park Orthodontics, we stress the importance of excellent brushing habits and agree with the recent studies done by the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics that electronic toothbrushes (particularly the Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean + Floss Action Electric Toothbrush with SmartGuide) do a better job than regular toothbrushes. They are expensive at stores, but you get a discount of 40% by buying through your dentist or orthodontist. Next time you are in the office, just ask any of the staff members for more information.

Here's some more information about electric toothbrushes in case you are considering purchasing one. In any case....just keep brushing!

Features of A Power Toothbrush: Simply stated, rechargeable electric toothbrushes (or “power” toothbrushes) provide superior plaque removal to regular manual toothbrushes. And because they provide the brushing action for you, many people find using power toothbrushes easier than using regular manual ones. Additionally, with so many different types and features available, it’s easy to find one that suits your specific oral health needs.

Superior Plaque Removal: According to a 2005 independent study, “Brushes that worked with a rotation oscillation action removed more plaque and reduced gingivitis more effectively than manual brushes in the short and long-term...

Ease of Use: Whereas you have to move a regular manual toothbrush back and forth along your teeth, power toothbrushes provide the cleaning action for you. That means you need only guide it along the surfaces of your teeth. Once they get the hang of it, many people find this method of brushing easier. Likewise, people with arthritis or other similar conditions may find using a power toothbrush less painful. Power toothbrushes may also help kids brush their teeth more effectively, but sure to check the age recommendations on an electric toothbrush before letting your child use it.

Technology and Features: Generally rich in technology and features, some power toothbrushes can even enable you to improve your brushing habits. And most come with convenient features like a brush head or toothbrush holder, bathroom-counter storage units and travel toothbrush chargers. Hi-tech features may include:

•Numerous brushing modes specialized for sensitive teeth, whitening benefits or gum-massaging action

•Pressure sensors to signal when you’re brushing too hard

•Timers to help you keep track of how long you’re brushing each quadrant of your mouth

•Digital reminders to replace your brush head

•Oscillating-pulsating and cupping, oscillating-rotating or sonic technology

•Multiple brush head compatibility so you can choose which kind of bristle design you prefer

"Am I Too Old For Braces?"

January 1st, 2013

Many adults ask the question, "Am I too old for braces?" and the answer is absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed since the '90s and many offices now have 25% adults receiving orthodontic treatment! Adults are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the esthetics of the smile and health of the mouth at any age. In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart

•Teeth have shifted over the years because a retainer was not worn

• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit us for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, therefore our office offers evening and Saturday appointments in order to find a time that is convenient for you. Please give our office a call to schedule your appointment with Dr. Hughes today! Make 2013 a better, brighter, healthier New Year.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

October 11th, 2012

October is National Orthodontic Health Month
Dr. Hughes wants you to Share Our “FLOSSOPHY”
Halloween With Braces Can Be Sweet
Avoid the Treats that Can Play Tricks on Your Braces
Anything that is hard, sticky or chewy — like these:

Hard nuts, hard pretzels, caramel, ice, taffy, popcorn

Enjoy braces-friendly treats —and be sure to brush and floss after indulging.
Find braces-safe recipes on www.braces.org or check out our facebook page where we will be sure to have a couple fun recipes for you too!