5 Myths about Orthodontic Treatment

One of the goals at Kemp and Rice Orthodontics is for our patients to feel that their experiences at our office are remarkable, unique, and pleasurable. We find it so rewarding to be a positive factor in the lives of our patients as they gain confidence, self-esteem, and happiness by improving their smiles.

Every day potential patients ask us questions about what is true and what is false about orthodontic treatment. Here are 5 myths about orthodontic treatment that will help you understand what we do.

Myth #1. Anyone who provides braces or aligners is an orthodontist.
False! Only doctors who have taken the additional years of advanced training at an accredited residency can call themselves an orthodontic specialist. Dr. Kemp and Dr. Rice are both accredited orthodontists who not only achieved their dental degrees but also completed several years of specialized residency focused on orthodontics. Dr. Kemp has been practicing orthodontics in Franklin and Brentwood since 1986 when he completed his orthodontic residency at The University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. Dr. Rice completed his orthodontic residency at one of the top orthodontic residency programs in the country at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry located in Dallas, Texas, where he spent three years as an orthodontic resident treating orthodontic patients to earn his Master of Science degree in Oral Biology and Certificate in Orthodontics.

Myth #2. Office visits are not necessary to get straight teeth.
The reality is that the health of your gums, teeth, and jaws cannot be monitored during treatment if you are never seen by a qualified orthodontist. Your treatment needs to be monitored by a trained orthodontist to ensure your orthodontic treatment is progressing on schedule toward your treatment goal.

Myth #3. Orthodontic treatment takes several years.
Orthodontic treatment requires carefully controlled movements of the teeth to ensure they are moving into proper positions. From simple cases (which may only take a few months to treat) to the most complex cases (which may take longer), an orthodontist has the training, experience, and skill to deliver an excellent result in the shortest amount of time. It all depends on your orthodontic needs to achieve your perfect smile.

Myth #4. Orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic.
At Kemp and Rice Orthodontics, our mission is creating beautiful smiles. The most obvious result of orthodontic treatment is your smile. The other benefit of orthodontic treatment is to your teeth and jaws. When teeth, jaw, and lips are in their perfect positions, then movements like biting, chewing, and speaking are also improved.

Myth #5. Orthodontists only offer metal braces.
False! We offer a wide range of services that will best suit each patient according to that person’s orthodontic treatment needs, lifestyle, and long term goals. From Invisalign to Clarity Advanced Braces, which are made from ceramic material which blends with your teeth to make the braces virtually invisible, Kemp and Rice Orthodontics offers our patients a wide range of services. Learn more about each treatment option. 

Sources: https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/post/7-myths-about-orthodontic-treatment

#KempRiceOrtho Smiles

Our mission at Kemp and Rice Orthodontics is to create beautiful smiles!  Our team is excited about how we are able to transform problem smiles into perfect smiles that last a lifetime by paying attention to details in our comfortable, caring environment.

When choosing an orthodontist, you need someone who has the ability to create the most beautiful smiles possible as well as possess the vision to use the most aesthetic systems to achieve your beautiful smile. Here are some of our amazing patients who have that beautiful summer smile:

Dinette's smile is so awesome!  

Caleb's smile is amazing! 

Go Taylor! What a great smile! 

Helen's smile is radiant! We love what we do at Kemp and Rice Orthodontics. 

2 Minutes 2 Times a Day

Image provided by ada.org

Seeking orthodontic treatment is a great way to make sure your oral health is in good shape. However, there are other factors that affect the status of healthy teeth. Brushing, flossing and eating habits are just as important. 

When treating your teeth Dr. Kemp, Dr. Rice, and the entire Kemp & Rice Orthodontics Team want to be sure they are working with healthy teeth...and developing healthy habits start at a young age. 

Did you know that the baby teeth that appear in the first 3 years of a child's life have been there since birth? Those baby teeth are key for chewing, speaking, and appearance. They also hold space in the jaws for upcoming adult teeth. Even though they fall out, baby teeth are important and you need to take good care of them. 

In an effort to help Keep Kids’ Mouths Healthy, The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives started the 2min2xChildren's Oral Health Campaign. For healthier teeth, good breath, and fewer cavities, kids need to remember to brush their teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day. Adopting these healthy brushing habits can help save children from a lifetime of tooth pain. 

Helpful Tips:  

• Brush with a Fluoride Toothpaste. Place the toothbrush at an angle against the gums. Make sure to move the toothbrush back and forth, gently, in short strokes.  
• Get the Right Toothbrush. Kids should use a soft toothbrush. The size and shape of the brush should allow them to reach all areas of their mouth. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months, sooner if the bristles are worn out or if your children have been sick. 
• Attack Plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of germs that forms on teeth and gums after eating. Plaque that’s not removed by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can lead to cavities.    

At Kemp & Rice Orthodontics we care about the overall oral health of all of our patients. If you have any questions about your oral health, please contact our office today.

Be My Snickerdoodle

Anyone can make a heart shape cut out cookie...but it takes a Cupid of massive proportion to make a Snickerdoodle Cookie Bar! 

Photo provided by averiecooks.com

Thick, chewy, and frosted with a cream cheese Valentine’s Day treats are sure to be a hit! 

Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars with Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Snickerdoodle Bar Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups all-purpose flour

Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 1/2+ cups powdered sugar

splash of milk or water, if needed

(pink) food coloring, optional

Directions:

Bars – Preheat oven to 375F and prepare a 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan by lining it with foil and then spraying it with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and mix until combined. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter will be very thick and sticky, like cookie dough. Use your hands if necessary to spread it evenly. Bake at 375F for 19 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean. While the bars are baking, prepare the frosting.  

Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting – In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese until combined and it begins to fluff. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar (one-half cup at a time after 3 cups) and mix until desired frosting consistency is reached. I like very thick frosting and used 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar with a splash of half and half. Carefully add the food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired color is reached. After the bars have cooled, frost them. Optionally, garnish with sprinkles, candy bits, sanding sugar, or any optional garnish of your choice. 

These bar cookies are Cupid approved...because even he knows that everything tastes better when it’s pink and has candy bits and sprinkles on top.

Happy Valentine's Day from your friends at Kemp & Rice Orthodontics.

The Smile You Have Always Dreamed Of

Photo provided by carecredit.com

Quality orthodontic care is about more than just aesthetics, a mouth that is crowded or contains crooked teeth can hamper your overall dental health. And let’s face it…most people aren’t born with straight teeth and a perfect bite.

Braces can correct moderately to severely crooked teeth, as well as underbites and overbites. Having crowded or crooked teeth can inhibit good brushing and flossing, making it harder to keep teeth and gums healthy. Furthermore, severe overbites or underbites left uncorrected can cause jaw pain. Proper orthodontic treatment can prevent you and/or your child from experiencing mouth pain or discomfort later in life, not to mention, promote better self-confidence.

Some people hesitate to get braces because paying for them can be surprisingly difficult.  For most families, paying for braces can be a significant investment. That investment can become even larger when multiple family members need braces. At Kemp & Rice Orthodontics our goal is to provide you and your family with affordable, high-quality orthodontic treatment that fits your budget. 

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the length and complexity of treatment.  But with some smart planning and budgeting the cost for orthodontic treatment will be easier to manage. 

1. Get Covered - If you don’t have dental insurance, look into plans that include orthodontics. 
2. Know Your Insurance Policy - If you have health insurance, it may include dental treatment, and possibly, orthodontic treatment. So contact your insurance company to check your benefits. 
3. Consider Credit – In many cases, the fee for orthodontic treatment can be paid via Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You may also want to look into getting a Healthcare specific Credit Card.

While braces can be a significant investment, understanding the various payment options available can help families to finance orthodontic treatment while looking forward to a bright future with a beautiful smile. 

Out With The Old & In With The New

With cold and flu season starting, germs seem to be lurking everywhere! While it’s difficult to avoid catching the office cold or flu bug, you can help keep your number one oral hygiene accessory in great shape simply by replacing your toothbrush regularly. Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months, and directly after any cold or flu. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn, that is a clear sign that you need a new toothbrush. People who wear braces will likely need to replace their toothbrushes frequently, as braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness.

It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. You may be thinking "my toothbrush is fine, I have it broken in just the way I like it”. While that might very well be true, did you know that your old toothbrush could actually be harming your mouth?

3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush

1.     Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing. This isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck!

2.     Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that - an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque.

3.     Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to replace your toothbrush. Germs and bacteria in your mouth require you to brush twice a day, every day.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution! Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning around facet fixtures and tackling tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes! Make sure to mark your calendar as a reminder to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. If you need a few tips on keeping your smile in tip-top shape, make sure to ask at your next appointment with one of our knowledgeable staff members at Kemp Orthodontics. We’re here to help!