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!

This spring, play it safe! From Scott Orthodontic Associates

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Scott and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field.

Above is a helpful video from our friends at the AAO about staying safe on the ball field this spring. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact Scott Orthodontic Associates. And remember to have fun and stay safe!