Halloween Patient Photo Fun

Happy Halloween from Spannhake Orthodontics!

The ULTIMATE BRACES Food List

Here is the ultimate list you need to have if you are a patient at Spannhake Orthodontics. Remember to stick to this as best you can throughout Halloween and the holiday seasons ahead!

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
•  French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

Minimize Sugary Foods like:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy

Only Once a Day:

• Soda
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Drinks with sugar

We've Got A Treat For You

The Halloween spirit has arrived at Spannhake Orthodontics. To celebrate the spooktacular events that October brings, we decided to share a recipe for you to make for your Halloween festivities! Do you like the popular cheesecake desert? Then you have to try this Bloody Good Cheesecake recipe this month.

BLOODY GOOD CHEESECAKE

INGREDIENTS
For the Crust:

• 8 whole chocolate graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• For the Cake:
• 3 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs, at rook temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• red icing color (from Wilton)

For the Gel Frosting:

• ¼ cup COLD water
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch 
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• red icing color

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper or foil, letting the paper cover the edges of the bottom of the pan and closing the springform edge around it (this makes for easy removal later on).
2. Combine the crushed chocolate grahams and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press into the prepared pan.
3. Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add the unsweetened cocoa and mix until combined, making sure to scrape down the sides and the bottom at least once.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. The mix in the vanilla, salt and heavy cream.
5. Add the red icing color until the batter is a deep red color. ½ - ¾ teaspoon total.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it over the crust.
7. Bake for 20 minutes ate 325F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 225F and bake for 30 more minutes. Turn the oven off and DO NOT open the oven door. Just let the cheesecake stay in there until the oven cools to room temperature. This prevents cracking.
8. Use a knife to gently loosen the sides of the cake from the pan before popping the springform sides open.
9. To make the gel frosting, stir together the cold water and cornstarch until smooth. Pour it into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Pour in the corn syrup and stir until the mixture is heated through and smooth. You will need to stir frequently; you can watch it thicken as it cooks.
10. Remove the mixture from the burner after 1-2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and red icing color. I used about ½ teaspoon of color to achieve the look here. Let the gel cool before spooning it over the cake.
11. Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.

It's National Orthodontic Health Month

For so many people the month of October brings to mind pumpkins, the color orange, Halloween and spooktacular festivities, but to us at Spannhake Orthodontics it means a little more. October has been designated as National Orthodontic Health Month. This means, officially, October is a month that orthodontists promote orthodontic services, exams, and encourage current patients to practice healthy habits when wearing braces and orthodontic appliances.

National Orthodontic Health Month was organized to help raise awareness about taking care of your teeth beyond your general dentist, as well as emphasizing the importance of taking care of your teeth properly when being treated for braces. If you have any questions regarding orthodontics that you have yet to find answers for, we are here for you! This is a great time to get your questions answered by the Spannhake Orthodontics team of professionals. Also, if you have never been to an orthodontist before, now would be a great time to have an orthodontic evaluation exam. Children age 7 and up are encouraged to do so, as well as adults. 

For questions regarding orthodontic health, or how to care for braces, give us a call or post them on our Facebook wall.