Holiday Treats that are not Braces Friendly

The holidays are here and whether you are cozying up with hot chocolate or baking cookies, you may be wondering if there are any types of treats you should steer clear from, especially if you have braces. The answer is yes! Here are a few holiday treats that are not braces-friendly.

• Candy Canes
• Fudge
• Popcorn 
• Peanut Brittle 
• Anything with nuts or crunchy crusts
• Caramel - avoid this sticky treat that can easily get caught up in your braces

Steer Clear of Candy Canes

The holidays are just around the corner and Christmas is less than a month away! Certain holiday treats can damage braces and cause wires to come loose. It's best to stay away from, candy canes. Whether you love them or don’t, candy canes are everywhere during the holidays. However you feel about candy canes, if you have braces, you may want to avoid candy canes this holiday season.

Candy canes are one of the worst foods for teeth. Candy canes, are 100% sugar. Sugar can lead to cavities, tooth decay and loss. Candy canes are also one of the hardest treats to eat. One of the types of foods you should stay away from if you have braces (during orthodontic treatment) are hard foods and candies and candy canes fit the criteria perfectly.

Candy canes also take a while to eat, which give the sugar a reason to linger around longer and form into bacteria, leading to cavities. Here are other treats to stay away from this holiday season that are harmful to our teeth.

Importance of Retainers

Congratulations! You are near the end of your smile journey and your braces are about to be off! Nothing like that feeling. Even long after our braces are off, teeth shift and it is natural as we grow older. There is one thing you can do to ensure your smile remains the best it can be and that is wearing retainers.

No matter your situation, it’s almost a guarantee you will be wearing some form of a retainer after having your braces are removed. It might be a removable retainer, which is removed for eating and cleaning or a bonded retainer, placed discreetly behind your teeth.

There might be a minor adjustment period when you first put your retainer on. Don’t worry, this is completely normal and will pass soon enough.

Retainers are essential for helping your teeth stay in place in their new positions after wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great time for family, reflecting on what we are thankful for and of course, celebrating around food. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for those who come to us for their orthodontic health care. Whether it is braces, Invisalign or preventive care, you should always take care of your smile.

If you have braces, there are a few foods you may want to stay away from during Thanksgiving.

1. Uncooked Vegetables - uncooked vegetables, in their raw form are too hard to bite and chew and may damage braces. Instead, cook or steam your vegetables, which will be much softer for your teeth.

2. Corn on the Cob - on the cob, corn can do some damage to braces, but there is no problem if it is cut off. Just be sure to floss, so it does not get stuck to your teeth.

3. Nuts - nuts is an obvious food to avoid because it can damage brackets and cause wires to come loose. Watch out for nuts, often found in pies and other desserts.

4. Caramel - caramel is another obvious dessert to stay away from on Thanksgiving (and beyond during the holidays). It is sticky and can get easily stuck to your braces.

Thankful for our Mooresville Community

Thankful for our Mooresville community and all of our patients. We are incredibly grateful for the kind words and reviews. Welcome to the office of Drs. William J. Quest and Diane Johnson, a respected provider of orthodontic care in the communities of Mooresville, Plainfield/Avon, Camby, Monrovia, Martinsville, and Danville.

What Does Two Phase Treatment Fix?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment can be used to: Help the jaws develop to ensure adequate space for all of the permanent teeth, especially the permanent canines.

• May reduce the need to pull permanent teeth in the future. 
• Some problems that can be treated quite well in a growing child but may require corrective surgery if treatment occurs after growth ends. 
• Normalize the relationship of the upper jaw to the lower jaw, especially in the case of an underbite. 
• Intervene in a child’s prolonged sucking or abnormal swallowing. 
• Damaging pressure can move teeth in the wrong directions and/or change the shape of the bone that supports teeth. 
• Tuck in upper front teeth that stick out to reduce the risk of those teeth being broken or knocked out.

3 Summer Health Tips for Your Smile

Summer is officially here! That means summer vacation, kids are at home and some free time for your family. Summer is the perfect time to schedule orthodontic appointments or to begin treatment. Summer can also be a hard time to keep up with oral hygiene routines. According to a nationwide survey by Delta Dental, nearly 30% of parents say summer vacation is the most difficult time to get their children to keep up good oral health.

Here are three tips to help keep your smile and teeth healthy all summer long.

• Replace Your Toothbrush - Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months, so summer is the perfect opportunity to get a new one. A new toothbrush will help you ensure your teeth are being brushed and cleaned properly. 
• Stock Healthy Snacks - With kids at home and some free time, sugary treats are bound to end up in our diet. Stay ahead of the curve and stock some healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables already cut up and within reach. Additionally, avoid sugary drinks such as soda, lemonade and sports drinks which can damage your teeth. 
• Travel Set: Grab a travel size toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to keep handy for vacations, slumber parties and day trips.

Protect Your Smile

April is National Facial Protection Month! National Facial Protection Month serves as a reminder over the importance of wearing mouth guards during sports, protecting your beautiful smile.

67% of parents surveyed by the American Association of Orthodontists said their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet 70% said their biggest fear is their child getting hurt when playing sports. The most effective way to protect your childs teeth and prevent injuries is to wear a mouthguard.

About 80% of traumatic dental injuries occur to the two front teeth. Injuries can happen at any age and any skill level. So when should you wear a mouth guard? Here are just a few.

• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Soccer
• Skiing
• Rugby
• Softball
• Tennis 

Check-in 4 Charity: UNICEF

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics, we believe in a world where kindness can impact lives and change futures. We are part of the Check-in 4 Charity program where every month, we feature a charity either locally or nationally to support.

All you have to do is check-in with an image or status update on Facebook and a donation is made on your behalf from us. This month were donating to UNICEF.

5 Foods for Dental Health

Excellent oral health is the foundation for a healthy beautiful smile and can make a big difference before you visit us. At Quest Johnson Orthodontics, we want to give you simple tips that will make a lasting impact on your smile and oral health.


Share this infographic and remind someone of these simple healthy tips. To learn more about us visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Giving Back for the World and our Community

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics, we believe giving back is essential for the world and our community. This month, we are supporting our American heroes! Every time you Check-in on Facebook from our office, a donation is made towards the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. 

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fun is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing critically-needed medical facilities for treating United States military personnel suffering the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health issues.

About Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund:

• “The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF) is helping military personnel suffering the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) by building a series of facilities, called “Intrepid Spirit Centers” in which these injuries can be diagnosed and treated.”
• The mission of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is to support our military community, now specifically those who are suffering from traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions.
• 100% of the proceeds donated, go directly to helping service members by building Intrepid Spirit centers

How can you join us in supporting Intrepid Fallen Hereoes?

Because we are a check-in 4 charity member, you can show support for service members by checking-in on Facebook at our office. Each time you check-in, you participate in our donation to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund in May. 

Learn more about the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund by visiting their website and social media at https://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

Spotlight on This Months Check-In 4 Charity: Smile for a Lifetime

Just like that the warm summer months are winding down and September is here! For all of us at Quest Johnson Orthodontics, this also means a new charity of the month! With your help we will be supporting Smile for a Lifetime.

ABOUT THE CHARITY
The Smile for a Lifetime Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontics to individuals, ages 11-18, who may not have the opportunity to acquire assistance any other way. Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations, and orthodontic needs. The Foundation sponsors the orthodontic care of hundreds of patients each year through local chapters. To date, they have donated services totaling more than $35 million dollars.

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING SMILE FOR A LIFETIME
Quest Johnson Orthodontics takes part in the Check-In 4 Charity program. Whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Be sure to check-in at your next appointment and together we can give back to this amazing charity during the month of September.

Meet The Charity Of The Month

August is here! For many, this means the end of summer vacation and back to school, but for Quest Johnson Orthodontics, this means a new charity of the month. This month, with your help, we will be supporting Doctors Without Borders.

ABOUT THE CHARITY
Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian organization founded in 1971. This charity is known to respond to emergencies around the world, saving and impacting lives daily. The funds allow the organization to impact those in need of help; they go where patients are. They generally work in conflict zones after natural disasters, epidemics, long-term care settings, and more. Funding is a crucial part of this charity as the crew works on so many projects worldwide, we want to help.

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Quest Johnson Orthodontics is a Check-in 4 Charity Member. That means, whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Check-in at your next appointment and together we can join forces to give back to this amazing charity during the month of August.

Back to School With Braces Tips

Caring for braces especially for students in school can be quiet hectic due to the restrictive devotions to maintain the braces and for this reason, Quest Johnson Orthodontics has decided to put up an article which will make caring for orthodontic braces easy in school. As a student who just had an orthodontic treatment, you should be rest assured that it is the best that can happen to give you the perfect smile again but the care for your teeth and gums help make it very effective. Take a look at your new braces, you can notice a lot of nooks and crannies that can trap food and plaque and that means a great risk of tooth decay is imminent if not properly cared for, therefore you need to pay special attention to cleaning your teeth. This might look hectic but right here the team of Quest Johnson Orthodontics has few great tips to keep your braces in top condition.

1. WATCH YOUR DIET
As an orthodontic patient with braces, it is very important for you to select your diet with caution. We know that there are several foods in school which tastes great but don't look great in your braces. Certain foods can either break a bracket or some foods are sugary and can have negative effects on the natural ability to brush behind the bracket. Be sure to make decisions on foods based on what is healthy, tasty, and won't harm your brackets.

Food to avoid: As an orthodontic patient we would advise that you desist from:

• Sticky or gooey foods 
• Hard foods 
• Sugary foods 
• Acidic drinks 

2. WEAR A MOUTHGUARD
With braces on your teeth, you might be wondering if you should desist from sports or retire from being the captain of your favorite sports team, but the truth is orthodontics does not affect your ability to play sports. You can keep on with your braces and sports if and only if you have your mouth guard on. Mouth guards are safety measures that can mean the difference between just a bruised, fat lips and thousands spent in orthodontics repair work. While you are in any kind of physical activity (including gym classes), it is advisable that you wear a mouth guard which can protect your teeth and braces from flying sports balls, swinging elbows or an accidental fall or hit.

3. BRUSH AND FLOSS REGULARLY
Braces can easily trap food, and this trapped food can lead to other inimical dental problems. Because of this, it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal and to floss at least once a day.

4. DON'T CHEW ON PENCILS
Pencils, pen, and rulers are all hard objects and most times when you get bored, anxious or plainly destructive you are tempted to chew on them in class. Obviously, this can be destructive in the moment and can be grossly inimical over time. It is important that you don't practice these habits while wearing braces.

We know that maintaining braces in school is can be tough. That is why we ensure to give you the best plans of action to help you out.

For more questions and inquiries that you may have, we are always at your service. You can always contact Quest Johnson Orthodontics.

July Charity of the Month

Each month, Quest Johnson Orthodontics gives back to different charities with our Check-in 4 Charity membership. We believe strongly in supporting meaningful causes in our community and worldwide to help raise awareness and work together with our patients to donate funds monthly. This month, we are excited to announce our efforts are going to benefit July’s featured charity, the SPCA International.

Learn More About the SPCA International
Quest Johnson Orthodontics is excited to encourage patients to check-in at our office this month to support the SPCA International. This charity has a mission to improve the lives of animals around the world and advance the safety and well-being of animals. With generous donations the SPCA International works to save animals from cruelty and neglect. Won’t you check-in to help us support this cause?

Need Help Checking-In?
If you have any questions about checking-in on Facebook at Quest Johnson Orthodontics, please ask us at your next orthodontic appointment. Also, don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook, and follow @questjohnsonorthodontics on Instagram.

All You Need To Know About Mouthwash

Mouthwash is an essential part of your oral hygiene routine, especially when being treated by an orthodontist. The process of using mouthwash seems pretty simple: swig, swish, gargle and spit. But, what most people misunderstand is not all mouthwash is created equal. In fact, do you know if you’re using the right kind of mouthwash while being treated at Quest Johnson Orthodontics?

Mouthwash Differences
The next time you’re ready to buy mouthwash, make sure you know your mouthwash and the differences between cosmetic mouthwashes and therapeutic mouthwashes. Just like toothpaste, there are different types of mouthwashes to do different things for your mouth. This is why it’s important to know the key differences between cosmetic & therapeutic mouthwashes.

Cosmetic mouthwashes act as a mask for bad breath or help whiten teeth. Similar to a mint, cosmetic mouthwashes will merely cover your bad breath and give you a more agreeable taste in your mouth. Aside from that, there are also some cosmetic mouthwashes that help give you a brighter whiter smile.

Therapeutic mouthwashes, however, have clinical purposes for oral hygiene that go beyond masking the smell of your breath. Therapeutic mouthwashes serve to fight plaque, attack bacteria, and strengthen teeth with fluoride making them a better choice for our patients at Quest Johnson Orthodontics.

What to Look For
When buying therapeutic mouthwash, be sure to look for the American Dental Association “Seal of Acceptance” logo on the bottle. All products that feature this logo have been evaluated by experts and approved to meet the safety and standards of effectiveness. Also, be sure to read the instructions very thoroughly and choose the best one for your specific needs.

Fluoride-based mouthwash: Fluoride exists in most toothpaste and in some tap water. For this reason, it is usually an unnecessary ingredient. Nevertheless, it protects against cavities and strengthens enamel.

Alcohol–based mouthwash: Alcohol kills bacteria and viruses harshly. It dries out the mouth, aggravates cuts or burns, and exacerbates inflammation. Anyone with sensitivities should avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes and seek natural ingredients like aloe.

Antibacterial mouthwash: Without alcohol—or with a smaller quantity—antibacterial mouthwash fights infections and minimizes the risk of gum disease. Some patients will receive a prescription for such rinses after surgery.

If you are uncertain what therapeutic mouthwash applies to your needs, ask Dr. Quest or Dr. Johnson for help at your next appointment and they will give you a recommendation. Making sure you gargle and rinse with mouthwash as an additional part of your oral hygiene routine is an essential step to getting the smile of your dreams.

Dentist VS Orthodontist

Recently there has been a lack of understanding about who should be providing your orthodontic care. Most patients contemplate on whether they should seek treatment for braces or clear aligners from their general family dentist, or a certified orthodontic specialist. Making the decision to get orthodontic treatment is an important one that will affect your dental health for a lifetime, so it’s important that consumers are informed of the significant differences in care between a certified orthodontist and a general dentist.

In reality, just like not all doctors are the same, the same fact is true when it comes to dentistry. Did you know that all orthodontists are dentists, but only 7% of dentists are orthodontists? This is determined by training, as all general dentists complete 8,000 hours of dental training for their dental degrees, orthodontists start with this same training and continue on with over 4,000-6,000 hours in an accredited residency program to learn orthodontic basics. A general dentist is wonderful for routine dental work, but the scope of their practice is preventive, cosmetic, and restorative. Orthodontists, on the other hand, are trained specialist and have the expertise in smile and facial esthetics, jaw function, facial growth and development, tooth movement, alignment of teeth and jaws, and straightening of teeth. Thus, orthodontists have the best experience, judgment, and certifications to give the best orthodontic treatment for all patients with braces.

You will notice today several general dentists are advertising orthodontic care such as Invisalign, as well as offering special discounts for these treatments. We urge you to recognize that these general dentists are not orthodontic specialists recognized by the American Dental Association.

At Quest Johnson Orthodontics we understand that your smile is priceless and want you to be confident in knowing that our orthodontic office is the clear choice for braces.

Tips To Avoid Crooked Teeth

There are a number of reasons that cause crooked teeth, ranging from genetics to mouth deformities and serious oral diseases. When extra teeth or abnormally large teeth create a malocclusion (crookedness), it’s usually genetic in nature. Other inherited traits involve jaws that are too small to accommodate a full set of teeth and misaligned jaws that did not form properly in the womb.

Can crooked teeth be prevented?
In most cases, underbites, overbites, and crooked teeth are genetically derived and can’t be avoided. Orthodontic treatment with braces will be necessary to correct the condition once the child is old enough to wear them. However, certain early childhood behaviors may also contribute to the development of crooked teeth that can be avoided.

These include:

Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
Losing baby teeth to decay before permanent teeth have naturally pushed them out of their sockets
Allowing pacifier use to continue after front teeth have erupted.  Permanent teeth underneath baby teeth are directly affected by the health of baby teeth. If baby teeth are prematurely lost due to decay or trauma, permanent teeth will shift when they start moving upward. Baby teeth are like anchors for permanent teeth that help guide them as they erupt through the gums.

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment for Crooked Teeth

Our team suggests that parents bring their child to Quest Johnson Orthodontics around age seven to rule out potential issues with permanent teeth eruption. If problems are discovered, it is not unusual to begin orthodontic treatment at that age. In fact, specific conditions such as crowding and gaps between teeth are easier to correct at an early age.

Early treatment also benefits from the growth process of the jaw, which helps move teeth to normal positions. For more information or to schedule your first visit, give us a call at our Mooresville location 317-834-4933 or our Elwood location 765-552-5461. 

SAVE FACE! Get The Word Out

It’s still National Facial Protection Month so we’re spreading the word to our patients to remind everyone to protect faces this spring. As many children and adults gear up to start a new sports season, it’s important to keep faces and heads protected from injuries that can potentially be deadly. 

Did you know spring is one of the busiest times in emergency rooms for mouth and facial injuries? Several of these injuries happen in the spring because they are sports-related accidents that can be easily prevented with the use of sports safety equipment. By utilizing equipment like helmets and mouth guards, children and adults can avoid serious facial injuries.

Just by wearing a mouth guard or helmet, patients can reduce the risk of concussions, knocking out teeth, or breaking jaw bones. Most coaches recommend a mouth guard or helmet, but unfortunately, several athletes stay away from these two very important pieces of equipment because they don’t comprehend the importance of wearing them.

Facial injuries aren’t just painful for patients, they’re also costly. Repairs for injuries can cost up to thousands of dollars, which we understand many people don’t have. As so many of these injuries can be easily prevented, we can’t stress enough the importance of simply wearing a mouth guard or helmet during organized sports and activities. Lastly, this is a good rule of thumb to abide by all year long, and not just in the springtime. If you have any questions regarding facial protection, please contact Quest Johnson Orthodontics at our Mooresville office or our Elwood office.

What is Autism Speaks? | CHARITY OF THE MONTH

Quest Johnson Orthodontics is taking part in the worldwide support for Autism this month! If you’re unaware, April is WOLRD AUTISM MONTH, so we want to go full force with our patients to support the amazing charity Autism Speaks.

What is Autism Speaks?
Autism Speaks is a charity with the goal to increase the public understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder. Aside from the amazing outcome of this charity, they are famous for their “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Wear blue to your appointments in April to show your support for Autism Speaks.

What is Autism?The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional.

Autism is defined as, "a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts."

How can you join us in supporting Autism Speaks?
Because Quest Johnson Orthodontics is a check-in 4 charity member, you can show support for Autism speaks by checking-in on Facebook at our office. Each time you check-in participate in our donation to Autism Speaks in April. Another fun way to get involved is to wear blue at your April appointments!