Tell Dr. Scott what’s on your mind!

Week after week, Dr. Gregory Scott and our creative team at Scott Orthodontic Associates blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques we offer.

This week, though, we 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 in the coming months? 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!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

Invisalign and your oral health, from Dr. Gregory Scott

When considering treatment options here in Lakeland, patients often ask Dr. Gregory Scott how Invisalign treatment is so different than wearing traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health.

Here's how:

*Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

*Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

*Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, please give us a call at (863) 709-1941. We look forward to hearing from you - have a great weekend.

Connect with us on Facebook!

At Scott Orthodontic Associates, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Lakeland and surrounding communities. Well, hey, we also enjoy connecting with them online. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Scott and staff on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/LakelandOrthodontics. We share office news and updates on our Fan Page, so be sure to check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend!

Dr. Scott and Scott Orthodontic Associates, easing your child's fear of the dentist (and orthodontist)

Lakeland orthodontist Dr. Gregory Scott knows that many children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist or orthodontist. Our staff at Scott Orthodontic Associates found a great article on how to help kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit our office is a priority for us, and our team excels at making children feel comfortable during their treatment. Dr. Scott and our highly trained staff are committed to providing you with the best orthodontic experience in a friendly, fun, and high-tech atmosphere. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!

Fluoride, your buddy throughout orthodontic treatment

There are so many ways you protect your teeth during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Gregory Scott. You brush twice a day, floss regularly and protect your appliances from being damaged. But did you know there's another way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – yes, fluoride - helps prevent cavities and tooth decay and can fight to help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.

Fluoride that we use at Scott Orthodontic Associates is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Dr. Scott how to purchase professional-strength fluoride). He may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness.

Share your experience at Scott Orthodontic Associates with the world!

Whether you've visited Scott Orthodontic Associates for a week, months or even years, you'd probably know Dr. Gregory Scott and our highly-trained staff are committed to providing you with the best orthodontic experience in a friendly, fun, and high-tech atmosphere.

We'd love to hear your feedback about how our team is doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Scott create more beautiful smiles in Lakeland and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the week!

Happy Mother's Day, from Scott Orthodontic Associates

Our entire staff at Scott Orthodontic Associates would like to take this time thank all the wonderful moms out there for being so great during your child's orthodontic treatment. Whether it's driving their kids to regularly scheduled appointments or for "being there" while their child is treatment, the moms who come to our office are all great, and we'd like you to know that we appreciate you all! Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

And kids? If you happen to be out of Mother's Day gift ideas, check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of a recent segment on Good Morning America. Whatever you come up with, Dr. Scott and team know your mom will love it!

A few helpful Invisalign® Tips, from Scott Orthodontic Associates

We've blogged about our Invisalign treatment before, and today thought we'd share a few helpful Invisalign tips.

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. Gregory Scott wants you to ask yourself the following three 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 Scott Orthodontic Associates, please give us a call!

Ask Scott Orthodontic Associates: Which toothbrush should my child use?

Dr. Scott will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should a child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands and one that has large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles have the ability to harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call at Scott Orthodontic Associates and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

What helps you relax at Scott Orthodontic Associates?

Trust us when we say that we completely understand that not everyone always enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But at Scott Orthodontic Associates, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Scott Orthodontic Associates that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff? Perhaps it has something to with Dr. Scott's professionalism or demeanor?

Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page ... or by giving us a call! Have a terrific weekend!