Happy Mother's Day from Kemp and Rice Orthodontics

Dr. Kemp and Dr. Rice love this time of year because it gives them the opportunity to shout from the rooftops about how much they love and admire their mothers.

Dr. Kemp is fortunate that his mother lives nearby him here in Williamson County. He has such love and respect for her.

Their lives have had their share of hard times since his mom became a single parent when he was a little boy. Often she worked several jobs to make ends meet. They were so blessed to have grandparents who took him, his mom, and his baby sister in and gave them a place to live during these hard times. Dr. Kemp learned a lot about hard work and perseverance from his mom.

A surprising fact about both Dr. Kemp's mom and his mother-in-law is that they have been patients of his during their older adult years. In fact, Dr. Kemp’s mother has worn her braces in her 80s! She is now 88 years old and regularly holds the title of Bridge Champion in her community. She and her husband Tom are enjoying this season of life to its fullest. She is a great mom, and Dr. Kemp is blessed by her role in his life.

Happy Mother’s Day to Wilma Mabrey!

Dr. Rice’s mom, Lyndell Rice, lives with most of his extended family in a small community in southeastern Illinois. Mrs. Rice is a real estate agent, and Dr. Rice attributes his work ethic and communication skills to his mother. 

Growing up in a very small town made everyday tasks a little more challenging as Dr. Rice’s mother had to drive over an hour each direction to take Dr. Rice to his orthodontic appointments. During one of those long car drives to and from the orthodontist, Mrs. Rice jokingly stated that he should become an orthodontist. Little did she know, that off-hand comment is what started his path toward Kemp & Rice Orthodontics! 

Dr. Rice loves his mother very much and is thankful for such a caring, compassionate, and strong role model in his life.   

Happy Mother's Day, Lyndell Rice!

National Facial Protection Month

Photo provided by aaoms.org

Spring break has passed and once again our patients are ready to begin the spring sports season! April is National Facial Protection month and because many of our Brentwood and Spring Hill area patients are active athletes, the staff at Kemp & Rice Orthodontics encourages spring sports safety. 

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent we want to remind everyone to play it safe during organized sports to help prevent serious facial injuries that can take the fun out of the game. Here are 4 pieces of equipment you should add to your sports bag to stay safe during the sports season.  

1. Remember to wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard is less expensive than an injury, and not painful to your mouth or wallet. Keep your smile safe and prevent your orthodontic appliances from injury by habitually wearing a mouth guard during sports.  
2. Wear a helmet when needed. Helmets can greatly prevent damage to the head so be sure to always wear one when necessary. 
3. Protective eyewear can make a difference. Keep your 20/20 vision with sports eyewear that will keep your vision clear and your game at its best.  
4. Face shields may be necessary. If you are a hockey, football, or baseball player face shields can prevent severe damage to your face. 

These are all great accessories to have when playing sports. This equipment can prevent impact and damage to your head and mouth, all while not interfering with your MVP skills on the field. 

2 Minutes 2 Times a Day

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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

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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. 

Thanksgiving Countdown!

It seems like the month of November has really flown by! Thanksgiving is just a week away and we’re all looking forward to time with family and friends – not to mention all of the delicious food! While some holidays spotlight foods that might traditionally be a challenge to manage when you have braces, Thanksgiving is typically filled with foods that are braces approved!

If you’re looking to add a new side dish or two to your Thanksgiving table this year, we’ve found two contenders that will not only look spectacular but might also become a new favorite for your family. Both of these would be perfect to bring to a potluck meal since they can both be assembled in advance and each takes less than 30 minutes to heat.  

Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes

• 4 lbs. sweet potatoes
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 1 ½ tsp. salt

Place whole sweet potatoes in a large pot with just enough water to cover and one teaspoon of salt. Heat to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 30 minutes or just until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat maple syrup to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium, and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir in cranberries, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook just until cranberries pop, typically about 5 minutes.

When ready to bake:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cooled sweet potatoes into 1-inch-thick slices and arrange in shallow 3-quart ceramic or glass baking dish, overlapping slices if necessary. Spoon maple-cranberry syrup evenly over potatoes and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until hot.

Green Bean Cheddar Casserole

• 3 lbs. green beans
• 2 cups stale bread
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 ½ cups milk
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Bring a large saucepot of salted water to boil. Add green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

In a food processor, pulse bread into coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add olive oil and sliced green onions. Toss to combine and set aside.

In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch and 1/2 cup milk until all cornstarch is dissolved. Add nutmeg and a little salt and pepper. Heat slowly over medium heat, and slowly whisk in remaining 2 cups of milk. Allow sauce to boil for 2 minutes, keep whisking! Reduce heat to low, and add in cheeses one handful at a time, waiting until cheese melts before adding the next handful. Once all cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth, remove from heat. Toss with green beans until well coated with sauce. Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish until ready to bake.

When ready to bake:

Sprinkle reserved breadcrumb mixture over green beans. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Recipe Swaps:

·         To save time, purchase fresh green beans in a microwaveable bag and skip the boiling all together!

·         Use your favorite store-bought breadcrumbs to save additional time in lieu of making them yourself. Panko breadcrumbs are also an excellent substitution, adding even more crunch to the topping of this dish.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! All of us at Kemp Orthodontics are thankful for each and every patient we’ve had the pleasure of serving. Now, what are you going to make with all of the leftovers?

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!