Ask Dr. Whitlock: What's the deal with all those Halloween treats?

With Halloween arriving tomorrow, our staff at Whitlock Orthodontics know a lot parents here in northwestern Arkansas are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this weekend.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Dr. Whitlock as soon as possible.

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Whitlock Orthodontics, supporting Smile for a Lifetime

Dr. Boyd Whitlock and Whitlock Orthodontics are proud partners with Smile for a Lifetime, an outstanding program that changes lives every single day by providing free braces for children whose families could otherwise not afford them. Dr. Whitlock is one of three doctors in Northwest Arkansas who is involved with the Smile for a Lifetime program.

If you're interested in becoming a candidate for Smile for a Lifetime at Whitlock Orthodontics, please complete a one-page application for your child. The applications can be picked up at our Springdale location or by calling Vanessa, our treatment coordinator, at (479) 751-1103. Interested patients and their families must be at or below poverty level.

We look forward to working with your child!

Patriotic fun facts with Whitlock Orthodontics!

On Sunday, our staff at Whitlock Orthodontics will be celebrating our America's 234th birthday. And because we know our patients love fun facts, we thought we'd provide you with some fun facts about Independence Day! Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!!

- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

- An estimated 2.5 million people lived in America in July 1776. Today, an estimated 309 million people reside in the United States.

- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn't want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.

- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

- America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.

- The American flag patch is backwards on U.S. Army uniforms. The reason? The blue field on the flag (the part with the stars) faces forward to symbolize carrying the American flag into battle.

- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.

- The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’

- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.

- Speaking of food, there's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is America's leader in the production of cattle and calves.

What are our patients saying about Whitlock Orthodontics?

Whitlock Orthodontics, serving Springdale and surrounding communities here in northwestern Arkansas, are always glad to hear from current and former patients of ours. Check out what some of our patients have said about our office and service!

"I was cared for with such dignity and care. Coming into the process at age 40+, I was less than enthusiastic. However, Dr. Whitlock and his capable staff continually cheered me on with enthusiasm. They are truly professionals that believe in the difference that is made with the art and science of smile creation. I’ll be continuing this relationship with Whitlock Orthodontics as I bring my children in." ~ Susan N.

"I absolutely had a wonderful experience here at Whitlock Orthodontics! I always felt comfortable and welcome in their office. Great doctor and great staff, I will recommend this office to anyone needing treatment! Thanks for everything you guys, my teeth look great!" ~ Kim B.

"Dr. Whitlock is the best! You can’t get any better than this! The employees rock and are so awesome to be around. I’m so satisfied with the outcome of my smile, that I’ll be showing it off to everyone I know, and even those I don’t!" ~ Kevin B.

"You are never too old for a Whitlock makeover. The process is smooth and the results are great." ~ Judith V.

Tell Dr. Whitlock and team: What are your summer plans?

At Whitlock Orthodontics, we can't believe it's already June. As the school year comes to an end for a lot of Dr. Whitlock's patients, the days get longer and the temperatures in northwest Arkansas begin to climb a bit, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool and cool off under the shade. For a lot of people here in our area, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life, if only for a week or two - or three. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned? Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Enjoy your weekend!

Smile for a Lifetime in the news! From Dr. Boyd Whitlock

You may remember our post from last week, when we discussed our involvement in Smile for a Lifetime, the outstanding program that is changing lives every day. Yesterday, we found a great article in DentistryIQ about Smile for a Lifetime, and thought we'd share this well-written piece with you.

Dr. Boyd Whitlock and Whitlock Orthodontics are proud partners with Smile for a Lifetime. Remember, to become a candidate at Whitlock Orthodontics, interested patients and their families must be at or below poverty level and must complete a one-page application for their child. The applications can be picked up at our Springdale location or by calling Vanessa, our treatment coordinator, at (479) 751-1103.

To learn more about Smile for a Lifetime, please visit www.S4L.org.

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!

At Whitlock Orthodontics, access to your account any day, any time!

Access to your account, any day, any time. Sounds perfect and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Whitlock Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this innovative service:

"Already, I have quickly checked our payment & account info...as well as schedule for appointment reminders to be sent to our cell phones." ~ Judy E.

"I like doing as much as I can online. Ortho Sesame is much better than the previous website. Ortho Sesame is very easy to navigate and aesthetically pleasing as well." ~ Mary K.

"I reviewed pictures and verified next appointments. I signed up for text alerts." ~ Robert A.

"Very detailed, very helpful." ~ Andrea P.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the team at Whitlock Orthodontics if you have any questions!

SureSmile goes on ABC’s “The Doctors” -- Dr. Whitlock

SureSmile goes on ABC’s “The Doctors”


On a recent episode of ABC's "The Doctors," Dr. Thomas Lee of Oxnard, California, was interviewed in front of a live audience and demonstrated SureSmile technology and discussed treatment benefits for orthodontists and their patients. Dr. Lee's 14-year-old patient, Nina, who had just completed SureSmile treatment, was part of the segment as well, and spoke positively about her SureSmile treatment experience.

SureSmile is a software program that facilitates the precise positioning of a patient’s teeth placement for orthodontic braces. Did you know Dr. Whitlock is a certified SureSmile provider? Give us a call and ask for more information!

Toothbrush Trivia From Whitlock Orthodontics

People have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush (and toothpaste):

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

-Whitlock Orthodontics

Parsley and Other Ways To Brighten Your Smile from Whitlock Orthodontics

At Whitlock Orthodontics we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first set. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, you should see us at Whitlock Orthodontics. It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Whitlock Orthodontics.

--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
--Don’t forget the tongue
Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
--Watch your drinking habits
The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.
--Frequent brushing
Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
--Make your own Gargle
Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.
--Parsley’s there for a reason
Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
--Sugarless Gum
Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.
--Don’t cut that cheese
The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!

A Sour Smile Is Not A Happy Smile -- Whitlock Orthodontics

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Whitlock Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Whitlock Orthodontics(even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From Whitlock Orthodontics.

Congratulations to Tanner from Whitlock Orthodontics!

At Whitlock Orthodontics, we understand that going through orthodontic treatment is a big deal! Part of that is keeping consistent appointments and keeping your appliances clean. To reward you for all of your hard work, we hold contests with exciting prizes. For our last contest, we had a referral contest. Every time you referred someone to our office, we entered your name in a drawing. This time around the prize was a BRAND NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE!

The lucky winner? Tanner L!
Congratulations Tanner, we hope you enjoy your new bike.

--Whitlock Orthodontics

Why Is It So Important to Have Straight Teeth? - Whitlock Orthodontics

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at (479) 751-1103 to set up a consultation. Dr. Whitlock can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

SureSmile® is a Sure Thing for Your Teeth

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? Ever shudder at the thought of having to wear braces for years before your teeth are straight? Braces are a very real part of many teens and adults’ lives – a part that many wish would be over sooner rather than later! If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, and braces are on the horizon, don’t fret, you’re in luck!

New state-of-the-art software, SureSmile®, is sure to make patients smile! With SureSmile braces are no longer fitted by an orthodontist, but cut and bent by a robot. The orthodontist is able to use the SureSmile software to create a 3-D image of the patient’s mouth giving orthodontists a clearer view of the patient’s teeth and jaw structure. On the computer the orthodontist is able to rearrange the teeth and assemble them in the correct position. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time.

To learn more about SureSmile technology please feel free to contact our office.

Check out what other people have to say about SureSmile!

SureSmile featured in USA Today
SureSmile featured on ABC News

We Appreciate Our Patients - All Year Long!

Last year we held our annual patient appreciation day and invited patients to a super fun ice-cream social! We hired the popular Shakes ice-cream parlor to bring in delicious ice-cream and toppings and serve our patients a variety of decadent treats. Our practice did face painting, gave away door prizes including an iPod, and of course, had tons of fun!

This year we hosted another patient appreciation day that took us out to the ballgame for some peanuts and Cracker Jacks®! We bought several tickets for an Arkansas Naturals game and their mascot hand-delivered the tickets to our office. We gave away door prizes, another iPod, and above all, had another great time!

Thank you to all our wonderful patients! You are appreciated every day of the year!