Ask Dr. Ehrmantrout: How do my gums affect my heart?

Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease, infection leads to chronic inflammation—gums are swollen, red, and sometimes bleeding. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

We know that gum disease is a threat to your oral health, but research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. Recently, our staff at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics read an article that reported a study that indicated an association between gum disease and heart disease.

In a recent report published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, researchers found that the more severe the gum disease, the thicker and harder the walls of your arteries. We encourage you to check out the article for tips on how to improve your overall oral health. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we'll answer any concerns you may have!

Talking retainers with Dr. Ehrmantrout

If you recently completed treatment at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, our entire staff would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Ehrmantrout will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Ehrmantrout is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ehrmantrout, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Your turn! From Hawks Prairie Orthodontics

You know the drill: Week after week, Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout and our staff blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques offered at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics.

This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

So… give us your best shot and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

Ask Dr. Ehrmantrout: Am I too old to get braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: cosmetics. 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. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

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

Getting social with Dr. Ehrmantrout

At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we love and embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative orthodontic treatments we offer, our high-tech and patient-friendly web site or our Facebook fan page. Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout and team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page.

For social media to work, Dr. Ehrmantrout understands that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Ehrmantrout and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

Orthodontic fun facts with Dr. Ehrmantrout!

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Ehrmantrout and our team at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Dr. Ehrmantrout wants to know: What do you love about your community?

Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, with offices in Lacey and Olympia, and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty special neighborhoods here in Washington. Each community is unique with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing young patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Ehrmantrout and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Lacey or Olympia? Is there a local event you like to attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite Washington getaway?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Lacey or Olympia, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, Dr. Ehrmantrout and team just might post your response on our social networks! Enjoy your weekend!