MAY CONTEST ALERT | Can You Name That Smile?

Can you name the smiles of each character below? Check out the flyer for details and enter to win a brand new VR headset! Fill out your entry at your next appointment for a chance to win!

Easy Home-Made Pretzel Recipe | Braces Friendly

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package (1/4 oz.) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Coarse salt, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, butter, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water and baking soda to a boil. Punch dough down; divide into 12 portions. Roll each into a log and then make into a regular pretzel shape. Add to boiling water, a few at a time, for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
4. Place on greased baking sheets. Lightly beat egg yolk and cold water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with the salt. Bake 425° for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks.

More On Retainers

Several patients underestimate the importance of wearing their retainers after their braces come off, but it’s actually one of the most critical post care practices to keep your teeth straight. After all the time, money, and energy spent on braces, why spend all that when you don't plan to keep them straightened after treatment?

What is a retainer?
A retainer keeps teeth from moving back to the positions in which they started before you got braces. There are many different types of retainers—some are removable and some are permanent, some retainers are made of plastic and metal, and some are all plastic or all metal.

How long do you need to wear your retainer?
If you've been given a removable retainer by Dr. Spannhake you may be wondering how long you need to wear it. It takes time for your tissues and bones around your teeth to reorganize and set into place after braces treatment.

The amount of time you’ll need to wear your retainer depends on your unique situation, but typically, retainers should be worn at least as long as the time you spent in braces. You might need to wear them full-time for a while, and then transition to wearing them only at night. Dr. Spannhake will have a treatment plan especially for you, and if you stick to it, you'll always have a straight smile.

Learn More On Adjusting To Braces

Are you a new patient at Spannhake Orthodontics? You may or may not be excited about wearing your braces, but regardless we know you will be thrilled with the result of your new smile. As with any change, adjusting to something new can be a little confusing and overwhelming sometimes, so we decided to help you out with a few tips on adjusting to your braces.

The first tip is to give yourself some time. Your braces may not be what you expected or wanted, but after a while when your teeth start shifting you will notice how incredible your teeth and smile alignment look. Pain may occur after your appointments, just give it a few days after each adjustment and you should feel more comfortable.

Another thing to remember is to be confident. Don't worry about how your braces look and don't be afraid or embarrassed to smile with your braces. Depending on the type of braces you're treated with, people may not even know you're wearing braces. Be proud and flash those pearly whites often!

Lastly, be sure you know what to do if you're experiencing pain or problems with your braces. Before you leave checkups, feel for any wires poking out so you can have us correct the agitation and avoid pain. If a problem arises after your appointment, don't be afraid to call us; chances are it's a simple fix. For more information about adjusting to your braces, visit our website or give us a call.

7&Up

New MARCH contest alert! Enter at your next appointment! #SpannhakeOrthodontics

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. An experienced orthodontist can clearly see by age seven whether developmental issues can turn into problems. Early detection of common orthodontic problems such as crowding, premature loss of baby teeth, cross bites or many other unfavorable developmental issues can lead to the implementation of the most appropriate treatment that can result in a shorter course of therapy.

Frequently, early intervention will not be necessary, except for careful monitoring of your child’s dental development. This will give you peace of mind when it is not clear to you whether an issue you see is really a problem or just a stage of development that doesn’t require intervention. For more information about this contact Spannhake Orthodontics.

NEW OFFICE CONTEST!

Valentine's Day may be over, but our contest isn't! Can you guess how many sweethearts are in the jar? Visit Spannhake Orthodontics to see the jar & take your guess for a chance to WIN an amazing prize!#SpannhakeOrthodontics

Stacked Quesadilla Tower For Super Bowl Sunday

In this stacked tower quesadilla recipe, stack tortillas with black beans, squash, and plenty of cheese, and more.

Ingredients (4 SERVINGS)

• 4 8-inch-diameter flour tortillas
• 1 8-ounce package peeled chopped butternut squash, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 cup chopped white onion
• 1 15- to 16-ounce can black beans, rinsed, drained
• 1/2 cup salsa, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup coarsely grated hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Sour cream
• Additional salsa
• Fresh cilantro sprigs (for garnish)
• Choice of Meat (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler. Put tortillas in single layer on baking sheet. Brush with oil. Broil until toasted, about 3 minutes. Turn; set aside.
2. Place squash in microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle water over, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave until just tender, about 3 minutes; drain. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add squash; stir 1 minute. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread out squash in even layer over 1 tortilla. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add beans, 1/4 cup salsa, garlic, and chili powder. Using potato masher, crush until beans are coarsely mashed; season with salt and pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup salsa. Spread over second tortilla. Sprinkle cheese over third tortilla. Leave fourth tortilla plain.
3. Broil tortillas until cheese melts and vegetables are browned in spots, about 3 minutes, watching to prevent burning. Transfer black bean tortilla to plate; sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped cilantro over. Top with cheese tortilla, squash tortilla, then plain tortilla. Cut into 4 wedges. Garnish with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro sprigs.

How To Handle Soreness Caused from Braces

When you first get your braces at Spannhake Orthodontics, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.