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!