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!