Van Vliet Orthodontics, helping you save face this spring

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. At Van Vliet Orthodontics, we want our patients (and their pearly whites) to stay safe this spring. Wearing a mouth guard and other facial protection is one of the easiest and least expensive forms of facial protection and helps prevent potential lifelong jaw and mouth problems!

This year, the American Association of Orthodontists teamed up with football legend Emmitt Smith to remind young athletes with and without braces that mouth guards and other forms of facial protection help avoid serious injuries. To learn more and to see pictures of the football great showcasing his smile, visit the AAO’s Sports Safety Page or contact our staff if you have any questions about protecting your mouth. And remember, Dr. Van Vliet will provide a mouth guard for anyone in treatment.

Dr. Van Vliet, helping distinguish the myths and facts about orthodontics

Dr. Van Vliet and our professional team know there are many myths circulating about orthodontists these days. But, before you buy into these myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our staff came across a great site that helps set the record straight. The American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics, and we encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Van Vliet Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call at our Ramsey or Highland offices.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, from Van Vliet Orthodontics

Did you remember to wear green when you stepped out the door this morning? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with parades, toasts and "the wearing of the green." Here are some fun facts about St. Patrick's Day Dr. Van Vliet and team know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia; Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio.

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

Ask Dr. Van Vliet: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

You may remember our post from a couple of weeks back, when we posted a blog on the benefits of braces. This week, our staff at Van Vliet Orthodontics thought we'd get a little more specific and delve into adult braces. Recently, we read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent since 1996! In fact, did you know one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21?

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. While orthodontic treatment is often associated with teens, adult orthodontics and braces at our Highland and Ramsey offices can achieve amazing results for adult patients. With treatments such as Invisalign®, you can have your teeth straightened less noticeably. Orthodontic treatment at Van Vliet Orthodontics can be successful at any age, and Dr. Van Vliet knows adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Van Vliet and our entire team would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!

Van Vliet Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in March?

With the unusual winter we've had in the Northeast, it's hard to believe spring is right around the corner. But it is. The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, the sun is warming up and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from a baseball field nearby. Dr. Martin Van Vliet and our office staff 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? 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 fan page or by giving us a call!