This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Whitlock Orthodontics believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Whitlock Orthodontics!

The importance of retainers, from Dr. Whitlock

If you recently completed treatment at Whitlock Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Whitlock 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. Whitlock is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

This March, what are you up to? From Dr. W and Whitlock Orthodontics

It’s almost springtime. The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, fresh Rhubarb is ready to be picked, the birds are chirping, the sun is warming up (almost) and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from baseball fields nearby. Our team at Whitlock Orthodontics thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for March?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports this year? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all! You may share your stories or plans with our team here, on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Have a great weekend!

Talking sports and orthodontics with Dr. Whitlock

The spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Whitlock for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports such as basketball, football and soccer. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Whitlock Orthodontics.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Whitlock Orthodontics.

Whitlock Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRRR! It may still be chilly outside, but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. W and our team at Whitlock Orthodontics want to know: What are you doing in January? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call one of our offices and ask how! Have a great rest of the week, from the entire team at Whitlock Orthodontics!

A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics, from Whitlock Orthodontics

Dr. Whitlock and his team at Whitlock Orthodontics would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at Whitlock Orthodontics, please give us a call.

Happy New Year from everyone at Whitlock Orthodontics!

Season’s Greetings from Whitlock Orthodontics

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Whitlock and his team at Whitlock Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2010? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--The team at Whitlock Orthodontics

Kids Club at Whitlock Orthodontics!

Did you know Dr. Whitlock and his team have a “Super Cool Kids Club”? It’s designed especially for our younger patients that are not quite ready to get started with braces.

Here's how it works: The kids in the club receive an official kids club membership card. If you earn enough punches on the card, you get a chance to spin our brand new prize wheel! You are also automatically entered into our grand prize drawing at each appointment. Our next drawing will be held in January. Stay tuned for details!

Patient reviews for Whitlock Orthodontics

Dr. Whitlock and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Whitlock Orthodontics, serving Springdale, Fayetteville and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Thursday!

"The friendliness of Dr. Whitlock and the staff. My daughter came in a bit apprehensive, but is quickly put to ease by the empathy and care of the entire office." ~ Sheri D.

"Multiple things....his current orthodontic protocols & resulting beautiful smiles....his knowledge & willingness to discuss topics...his respectfulness toward his patients & parents. While his practice seems very aggressive in orthodontic work & community involvement, as well as very interested in individual patients...he seems so patient & calm in the office. Most appreciated !!" ~ Judy E.

"The fact that all the ladies are so nice and easy to get along with. And the cappuccino machine in the waiting room is a definite plus. Also, I've noticed that i will be getting my braces off much sooner than most of my classmates." ~ Teresa R.

"Dr. Whitlock has been the only orthodontist who has really taken the time to work with me and show me what is involved with the treatment on getting my teeth fixed." ~ Carrie H.

"Dr. Whitlock is extremely professional. He sits down and gets the job done all the while exhibiting a wonderful chair side manner." ~ Mary K.