Top 10 Reasons To Smile

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness. Smiling is just one way to look younger, and a fun way to live longer.

Top 10 Reasons To Smile

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in (avoid these smile aging habits to keep your smile looking great).

2. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress smiling can reduce stress even if you don't feel like smiling or know you're smiling! When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

3. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

4. Smiling Is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

This is an excellent article by Dr. Mark Stibich, health aging expert.

 

ELASTICS: ORTHODONTIC SUPERCHARGER

Most of our patients at Kemp Orthodontics will need to wear elastics at some point during their orthodontic treatment. The main reason  that Dr. David Kemp will prescribe elastic wear is to correct the bite.  Your braces move your teeth to a point but sometimes we need extra help and that's when elastics come into the treatment plan.  Elastics supercharge your treatment!

Rubber bands are a critical part of your treatment, and wearing them as Dr. David Kemp recommend will help move your teeth into the desired position. Dr. David Kemp may ask you to wear your rubber bands full time, meaning that they should only be taken out when you eat or clean your teeth.  Some patients may only need to wear them part-time, like only during the day or only during sleep.

If you still have any questions about orthodontic rubber bands, we invite you to give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment appointment. Remember, wearing rubber bands as prescribed by Dr. David Kemp is an important step during your treatment, and can reduce the time you have your braces. If you lose your rubber bands or run out, stop by our office to pick up some more or if that isn't convenient we will gladly mail them to you. 

Braces are not forever but your beautiful smile will last a lifetime.

 

Brace Friendly Recipes

At Kemp Orthodontics, Dr. David Kemp and our team understand how hard it can be to get your child to eat the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables. The task of providing fun, nutritious meals becomes even more challenging if he or she wears braces. It's an age-old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. These five braces-friendly recipes are not only nutritious, but will put a smile on your little ones face when they sit down at the kitchen table in the morning.

Scrambled eggs are soft and easy to eat if you have braces. If you drown them in ketchup (which many kids love to do), eggs become even mushier.  The key to a brace- friendly recipe is minimal chewing.

A healthy breakfast provides energy and jump-starts metabolism.  How about a smoothie?  It is not only a good source of fruit, but it's also gentle on braces. More importantly, smoothies are fun to create. You can toss anything in the blender (bananas, mangoes, strawberries, spinach) and create a drink that's loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

If you wear braces, eating crunchy cereals or granola for breakfast is out of the question: Bite down the wrong way and you might snap the wires or dislodge the brackets. However, you can get your grains and oats by substituting oatmeal for cereal. This mushy breakfast treat has a host of health benefits.

Pancakes are not the healthiest breakfast choice. Still, this Sunday morning favorite is braces-friendly. The idea is to make it healthier by hiding blueberries in the pancake batter.

Toast with jam is ok but how about slathering  some peanut butter on the bread to add some protein. The general rule of thumb is to steer clear of foods that are hard or chewy. These types of foods can break wires. Of course, most kids will agree that toast isn't the most exciting breakfast recipe. Make it a Pop-Tart instead!

If you have any favorite brace-friendly recipes we would love to have you share them with us.

WHAT CAN I EAT WITH BRACES?

At Kemp Orthodontics we know that wearing braces may limit some of the snacks you can eat but there is still plenty of choices for fun and healthy foods that will not harm your braces.  

Sweet Treats

Puddings provide a sweet and safe snack while you are wearing braces.  If you are concerned about sugar intact you can choose a reduce sugar.   There are a lot of flavored puddings such as caramel to satisfy the urge for items you should not eat. They can be purchased already made or whipped up at home.  Ice cream and yogurt are also choices; just avoid products with nuts.

Healthy Snacks

Fruits are an excellent choice for a healthy snack. You just need to avoid biting into hard fruits such as whole apples, just cut them into wedges!  Why not try fruit cocktail? It is softer but still has the flavor and nutrition.  You should avoid fruits packed in heavy syrup. 

Crunchy or Salty Snacks

Not all crunchy foods are bad; you just need to limit the crunch. Walnuts are a softer nut that can normally be eaten safely.  Small cheese crackers satisfy the need for crunchy and salty. You can also allow pieces to dissolve slightly in your mouth before chewing, to reduce any risk.

Soft granola bars are also an option. Check the granola ingredients to ensure there are no large nut pieces, and brush your teeth afterwards. Otherwise pieces can become stuck in your braces.

If you have any questions about safe snacks, do not hesitate to ask the staff of Kemp Orthodontics.

Beautiful Smiles

 

At Kemp Orthodontics we know that most people want a naturally aligned and beautiful smile and we know that we can provide that for them. Dr. David Kemp of Kemp Orthodontics has been practicing orthodontics in the Middle TN area since 1986.

Did you know that there is a greater benefit to wearing braces than just straight teeth? You actually gain more oral health benefit than cosmetic ones.

Let's talk about tooth decay and gum disease. When your teeth are crowded or crooked they create overlapped and tight spaces that make it hard to brush and floss. If you can not keep the area clean it allows bacteria and plaques to build up which eventually can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. When you teeth are aligned you are able to keep your teeth cleaner.

Do you have difficulties with your speech? The position of your teeth affect speaking and can make it hard to articulate your words causing embarrassment and frustration. Braces can move your teeth in a better alignment and allow for clearer speech.

For more information about how Kemp Orthodontics can help you, please contact our office for a complimentary examination.

Orthodontic Myth Busters!

The stereotypical braces wearer – in middle school, with a mouth full of metal brackets – has led to numerous myths about orthodontics that discourage many people from getting braces. Have you seen the show “The Middle”?

The team at Kemp Orthodontics wants to bust those myths.

Myth 1: Orthodontic treatment is for kids. Although teenagers often visit the orthodontist to get braces, adults represent a growing population of orthodontic patients. 40% of Kemp Orthodontics practice is adult patients. Whether you're eight or 80, a consultation with an orthodontist can identify problems with your teeth, jaws, or bite that can be corrected by orthodontic interventions.

Myth 2: Traditional, metal braces are my only option. With the advances in orthodontic technology we now have clear aligners called Invisalign®. Dr. David Kemp is a premier provider for Invisalign®. We also use an ultra-esthetic brace from 3M Unitek called Clarity Advanced.

Myth 3: Orthodontic treatment is only helpful for crooked teeth. Yes, crowding is a common reason to seek out orthodontics but there are other reasons for orthodontic intervention such as missing teeth, overbite to name a few. Dr. David Kemp of Kemp Orthodontics is trained to help with any orthodontic problem.

Myth 4: Orthodontic treatment is too expensive. With the flexible financing that we offer at Kemp Orthodontics we are sure we can work out a payment plan that will fit your budget.

Now that we have cleared up these myths, give Kemp Orthodontics a call to schedule a complimentary new patient examination.

Two-Phase Orthodontics

At Kemp Orthodontics we believe that in certain cases children benefit from two phases of orthodontic treatment.  The goal of this treatment is to create a better environment for your child's permanent teeth as they begin to replace the baby teeth.

 A first phase of treatment is initiated to:

•  Develop both the upper and lower jaws to accommodate all of the permanent teeth


• Develop the correct alignment and relationship between the upper and lower jaws


• Produce a well- balanced facial profile

A first phase of treatment benefits patients physically, enabling them to bite or chew more effectively.  It may reduce the risk of breaking front teeth that protrude.  And for many patients, there is improvement in self-esteem.  The dental changes that result from a first phase treatment may contribute to long-term stability, meaning that teeth stay where Dr. Kemp has moved them.   By timing orthodontic treatment to predictable stages of development, Dr. Kemp works to take advantage of your child's natural growth and development.

 A second phase of treatment moves permanent teeth into their final position, again working with the child's natural growth and development.

 The goals of two-phase treatment are:

•  A proper relationship of teeth and jaws so that they work correctly


• Correct alignment of the teeth for a beautiful smile


• Positioning of the teeth and jaws for an attractive face and profile

 Orthodontic care is not a “one size fits all” approach at Kemp Orthodontics.  Each patient has a unique problem that requires a unique treatment plan that leads to a Beautiful Smile.

 

 

 

 

Wisdom Teeth

The purpose of braces and other forms of orthodontic treatment at Kemp Orthodontics is to correct malocclusion, also known as crooked or crowded teeth, or “bad bites.” Past orthodontic practice dictated that wisdom teeth be removed, especially in cases of crowding. The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, and are officially known as the third molars. The wisdom teeth typically erupt, or break the surface of the skin, in late teens.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth are impacted. That means they cannot break through the gum tissue. This happens if the mouth or jaw is too small to accommodate the third molars. Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected, and some dentists and orthodontists may want to remove them as prophylaxis to prevent possible future infection. The greatest danger is pericoronitis, a potentially dangerous infection that can occur in the gum area around an impacted wisdom tooth, or around a wisdom tooth that has erupted.

At Kemp Orthodontics we will make a recommendation based on a panorex x-ray. This x-ray will let Dr. Kemp know the position and size of the third molars and he will be able to let the patient know the timing of extractions if needed. If you need any additional information about wisdom teeth please contact Kemp Orthodontics and it would be our pleasure to help you.

Summertime at Kemp Orthodontics

Are you enjoying your summer?  Kemp Orthodontics wishes for you a summer filled with adventures and great memories.

Here are some tips to keep your smile beautiful all summer long!

1. Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken your beautiful smile we are working on!

2. Try and focus on keeping your teeth clean by brushing after eating; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat!

3. Try to rinse your mouth with water after any meal when you can't fully brush your teeth after.

Remember at Kemp Orthodontics whether you are headed to the beach, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! We encourage you to post your pictures to our Facebook page!

Have a safe and memorable summer!