Ask Dr. Ehrmantrout: “I got my braces. Now what?

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before before orthodontic treatment began.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout and our team recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; ask Dr. Ehrmantrout for a recommendation.

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Our team at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Lacey or Olympia office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Remember to schedule your adjustment visits!

Please be aware that wearing orthodontic appliances or braces without regular supervision can permanently damage teeth and gums with possible loss of teeth

If you have moved and do not plan on returning to our office, your records can be transferred to another orthodontist if we have a written request from you.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,

Dr.Ehrmantrout and staff.

Damon system animation - Hawks Prairie Orthodontics

Here is a cool animation about the Damon system that we proudly offer at our Lacey and Olympia office.

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout and our team at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics can often cut months off of the total treatment time for patients using the Damon System, and less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.

Dr. Ehrmantrout is a leading specialist in this system! Give us a call to learn more!

What's your New Year's resolution?

2010 has come and gone, so Dr. Ehrmantrout and our team thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family, and all our dental and medical colleagues in Lacey, Olympia, University Place and surrounding communities.

Also, for those patients who have appointments we will be open in the Hawks Prairie office today (Monday) and Tuesday, the 27th and 28th of December from 8:30 am- 4 pm. The West Olympia Office will be CLOSED until Monday January 10th. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at (360) 491-4884.

Otherwise, see you in 2011!

Dr. Ehrmantrout and team, wishing you a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to the servicemen and women who died protecting our country. It’s also the unofficial start of summer, and for many kids in Olympia and Lacey, getting out of town for three days with parents after being in school for nine months spells sweet, sweet relief.

At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s unofficially the start of summer 2010 and time for a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories with parents or friends. What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? What will you be doing on your day off from school or work?

Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or hitting the open road with your family, we’d like to hear all about it! Enjoy the long weekend if you're not scheduled for an appointment this week!!

Regular Checkups Are important!

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to your orthodontic visits. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

Damon Braces in Olympia, WA - Some Visuals

I've had a lot of patients ask me for more information about getting Damon System Braces in Olympia, WA. For the most part, they see before and after pictures and realize that Damon braces are the way to go. Still, to help my patients better understand Damon, I like to use relevant video along with pictures and other detail. Here is a video to help explain what Damon braces are all about!

Not smiling?

Start Smiling Today!

There are many concerns patients face when thinking about orthodontic treatments. The look of traditional braces, discomfort, marks left on teeth, length of treatment, not being able to eat their favorite foods, the cost the list goes on.

At our practice Dr. Ehrmantrout has a legacy of not only providing excellent results to meet your smiling goals, he also takes special care to make sure each step of the way your treatment is comfortable, suitable for you Hawks Prairie Ortho also provides flexible payment terms.

Whether you have a common problem like an overbite, underbite or crooked teeth, or maybe you want to work towards the beautiful smile for your wedding. As a bride or groom having a beautiful smile is essential as your dress and tux.

Why not have your beautiful smile work done in one of Washington's most beautiful areas in Olympia?

Shorter Treatment Time:

Using the newest technology and Damon system treatment, the number of office visits, level of discomfort, and overall treatment time can be reduced significantly, offering patients flexibility, convenience, and hassle-free treatment involving less pain with use of light
active forces.

Non-Extraction Philosophy:

Dr. Ehrmantrout believes in preserving the integrity of each smile through a concerted effort to retain all teeth. He has had tremendous success in producing full smiles and profiles through non-extraction.

Treatment Options:

Dr. Ehrmantrout offers Damon metal and hybrid braces, ceramic braces, gold braces, lingual braces, as well as Invisalign.

So call today 360-491-4884 or visit our website for more information about Dr. Ehrmantrout and Hawks Prairie Ortho.