Hope everyone is having a great vacation here in New Hampshire. Be safe and have fun!!! And Brush and Floss everyday!

Talking retainers with Dr. Chelian

If you recently completed treatment at My Orthodontist, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Suren Chelian will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Chelian is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Chelian, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Fun fact Friday with Dr. Chelian and My Orthodontist!

Relax, it's Friday (really)! And you know what that means: Fun fact Friday! Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Chelian and our team at My Orthodontist thought you might enjoy. Have a great weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Mr. Bean goes to the dentist!

Dr. Chelian and team thought we'd give you a little treat today. Here's a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling yet lovable British spy, Mr. Bean. We loved it, and know you'll get a laugh as well. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

The benefits of smiling, from Dr. Chelian

Great news to report this Friday afternoon! People with big, happy smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a recent study conducted at Wayne State University.

Dr. Suren Chelian knows that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something interesting: they used the Baseball Register to review close-up smiles of 230 players who began their baseball careers prior to 1950 by studying their smile intensity (ranging from wide smile, no smile and partial smile).

The researchers then took into account other factors associated with life longevity, such as body mass index, career length and, believe it or not, college attendance. They found that players who weren't smiling died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big, wide smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old!

Our staff's take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you perfected your smile by visiting My Orthodontist lately? If not, give us a call and have a great weekend!

April is National Facial Protection Month! From My Orthodontist

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the balls and baseball bats out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! But, April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Suren Chelian and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our team at My Orthodontist.

What's on your mind? From Dr. Suren Chelian

By now, you're probably familiar with the drill: Week after week, Dr. Suren Chelian and team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques that Dr. Chelian offers.

This week, however, our team thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

What are patients saying about Dr. Chelian?

Dr. Suren Chelian and team have been getting some great patient reviews lately, and thought we'd share a few with you! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Chelian loves getting patient testimonials from his wonderful patients!

"Very personable. Spoke directly to my child with respect." ~ Katherine P.

"He is nice to my children, and he fills us in on my kids' progress." ~ Kellie L.

"Tech-savvy." ~ Michael O.

"Well, I've been going to this orthodontist for at least 5 or 6 years now and they have taken care of me every step of the way. My teeth were in pretty bad shape when I started coming to My Orthodontist. But now I'm at the tail end of braces and they are already starting to look so much better." ~ Andrew P.

Ask Dr. Chelian: Why Damon® braces?

Our team at My Orthodontist are pleased to offer our patients the Damon® System. Damon braces allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. Thanks to these innovative new braces, achieving your perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

After analyzing your specific needs, Dr. Suren Chelian will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon! Because Damon braces are very precise and effective, we can reduce the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces. Because Damon braces work more efficiently, fewer adjustments are required. As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number. Due to the unique design of this new braces system, we can move your teeth into their correct positions with much less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

Dr. Chelian is a certified Damon System provider. To learn more about the Damon System or your treatment here at My Orthodontist, please give us a call.

Dr. Suren Chelian, supporting National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Chelian and thousands of dentists and orthodontists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Chelian and our dedicated team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

We know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and veggies: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in Nashua or Merrimack.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

New Photos on Facebook!!

We have uploaded pictures from our recent photography workshop to our Facebook Fan Page! Please take a look and while you're there ... feel free to become a fan!

Have a great weekend!

Samantha in Forbidden Broadway!

Beginning this upcoming weekend, our very own Samantha Migneault is performing at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre with the Peacock Players in Forbidden Broadway. Her performances are the weekends of February 12 through February 21st! You don't want to miss Samantha's performance! Call the box office for tickets 886-7000 or visit www.peacockplayers.org.

We hope to see you there, and we are very proud of you, Samantha! Photos coming soon.

Photography workshop this Saturday!

Our next workshop is this upcoming Saturday, Feb. 6th, from 10 a.m. to noon. We are doing a photography class, and will have a guest from Camera Land come in and show us a few neat camera tricks.

This class is full. Thank you to all of you who signed up. Don't forget to bring your cameras!! And stay tuned for our next workshop in March - we will be scrapbooking. More details to come.

Ask Dr. Chelian: When should my child come in for a check-up?

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Chelian, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started much sooner. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Chelian to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, give us a call at My Orthodontist to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Chelian wants to know: What do you love about our community?

My Orthodontist, located in Nashua and Merrimack, and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our wonderful patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Suren Chelian and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Nashua or Merrimack? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Favorite getaway?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Nashua or Merrimack, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks! Or, you may give us a call!

Happy Tuesday!

Ask Dr. Chelian: When are two phases of treatment necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Dr. Chelian calls this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
• An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
• A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
• A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner. Give us a call if you have any questions!

Invisalign® Tips, from Dr. Suren Chelian

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Chelian wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at My Orthodontist, please don't hesitate to give us a call!

What puts you at ease at My Orthodontist?

Dr. Chelian and our team understand not everyone is thrilled to see their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about My Orthodontist that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Chelian himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call! And Happy New Year, we are glad to be back!