Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Reed. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

Dr. Charles Reed

As the holiday season approaches, Dr. Charles Reed and the team at Reed Orthodontics wanted to celebrate the season by supporting our community through a holiday food drive.

Please bring non-perishable food donations to our office from now until December 22. When you drop off your donation, your name will be placed in a drawing to win a SuperTarget gift card!

If you have questions, give us a call at either our Denver or Centennial offices or contact us on Facebook.

Help us put a smile on everyone's face during the upcoming holidays and thank you for your support!

Just a reminder that you can donate your candy to Reed Orthodontics and get some cash in return!

Dr. Charles Reed is working with Cody Dental Group, Channel 9 and Operation Gratitude by offering $1.00 per pound of trick-or-treat candy to local participants. You can donate up to 6 pounds per person.

Through Operation Gratitude, your candies will be sent overseas to bring some holiday cheer to our troops.

Be sure to visit Cody Dental Group or Reed Orthodontics' Aurora office November 2 and 3, from 1pm-5pm and November 4 and 5 from 9am-12pm to exchange your extra candy for cash.

We'll see you soon!

Here at Reed Orthodontics, we know that it can sometimes be difficult for our orthodontic patients to avoid foods that are sticky, crunchy or chewy. That's why we wanted to share a braces-friendly recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, which was submitted to us by Constandina A. These cookies are delicious, and they only take 10-12 minutes to bake. Let us know what you think!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats, soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes until light and golden. Do not over bake. Cool 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.

The weather is warm here in Aurora, Denver and Centennial, CO, and we know that patients don't want to fuss with heating up the oven to bake cookies! That's why our team thought that we'd share this delicious no bake cookies recipe on our blog this week. Thanks to Mary for this wonderful addition to the Reed Orthodontics Cookie Cookbook!

Ingredients
Part A:
2 cups sugar
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
Dash of salt

Part B:
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions
Bring ingredients in Part A to a rapid boil. Boil for 1 minute and then add ingredients in Part B. (Have part B ingredients measured and ready to dash into cooked mixture). Mix well and (working quickly) drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Don't forget that the "Where in the World is Dr. Reed" contest is still going on at Reed Orthodontics! It is the perfect opportunity for anyone traveling outside of Denver and Centennial, CO, to share their vacation with Dr. Reed and our team.

All you have to do is snap a photo with Dr. Reed's photo on your summer vacation. We already have some great pictures on our Facebook page, but there is always room for more! Don't have Dr. Reed's picture? No problem, you can pick up a Dr. Reed on a stick at your next appointment. Our team will be selecting five winners in the following categories: Most Unusual, Closest to Denver, Farthest Away from Denver and Funniest.

The contest winners will be selected at the beginning of September, so don't delay in submitting your entry! Thank you for all of the great pictures already and we look forward to seeing more! Don't forget to have fun and be creative!

We can't wait to see where Dr. Reed ends up next!

Reed Orthodontics has been named a recipient of the 2011 Customer Satisfaction Award for Excellence in Customer Care, presented by Talk of the Town News, Customer Care News and Celebration Media.

The award honors companies and professionals that provide excellent customer service, as reported by their customers through no-cost, user review websites. The reviews are analyzed by a team of researchers who calculate a star rating system based on these data, which determines a business’ award eligibility.

To determine 2011 award recipients, Celebration Media’s dedicated team of researchers spent more than 6,000 hours analyzing data from multiple websites that detailed customer’s experiences at organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Among the types of organizations and professionals eligible to receive these awards are hospitals, dentists, accountants, physical therapists, veterinarians, optometrists, insurance, chiropractors, lawyers, financial planners, restaurants, bakeries, event centers, home improvement companies, florists, spas, salons and mortgage companies, in addition to several other categories.

This is the third year Celebration Media, Talk of the Town and Customer Care News have honored companies with its Customer Satisfaction Award for Excellence in Customer Care.

For more information about the award or its sponsors, please contact CMUS and Talk of the Town News at 877-498-6405.

Would you like to win an iPad from Reed Orthodontics? Our office takes pride in making lasting connections with patients, and we consider it the highest compliment for a patient to refer their friends and family to Dr. Reed. To show our appreciation, Reed Orthodontics will be giving away an iPad to one lucky patient through our iPad Contest.

Here's how to enter our iPad Contest:

2 Contest Entries- Write a favorable review for Reed Orthodontics on our Denver, CO or Centennial, CO Google Place Page!

3 Contest Entries- Email a video testimonial to our office at beg4braces@aol.com.

5 Contest Entries- Refer a friend or neighbor to Reed Orthodontics!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are a family favorite, a delicious treat that will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. The Reed Orthodontics recipe of the week comes from Janet M., and it comes from our Cookie Cookbook. We would love to hear your feedback about these tasty cookies here or as a comment on our Facebook page!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup Crisco
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 12-16 oz. chocolate chips

Directions
Mix all wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients. Mix in chocolate chips. Bake cookies at 375° for 11-13 minutes.

Option: Add 1/2 cup of coconut for a different flavor.

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Reed Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can 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, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Denver and Centennial, CO areas!

The activism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was integral to the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s. As the social justice leader once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” There are many ways that you may answer this question, whether it is by participating in a environmental impact project, volunteering through an education program, or serving veterans and military families. Are you in search of a Day of Service project? You can always ask Dr. Charles Reed, or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website.

All of us here at Reed Orthodontics would love to hear what you’re doing for others in the Centennial, CO and Denver, CO areas. We encourage you to share any pictures, videos, or information about your Day of Service project on our Facebook page. Happy MLK Day!

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Reed Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Reed the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Reed 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.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

From your very first visit to Reed Orthodontics our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Write a Review" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,

The team at Reed Orthodontics

At Reed Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Denver and Centennial, Colorado.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "My Appointments and Payments" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Our team at Reed Orthodontics loves interacting with our patients online through our social networks. This fall, Dr. Reed is excited to announce our Pet Contest. Now through mid-December, we would like to encourage our patients to share their pet photos with our office, their friends, and family, for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

There are three simple ways that you can enter our Pet Contest:

1) "Like" the Reed Orthodontics Facebook page and upload your pet photo onto the Facebook page wall.

2) Email your pet photo to beg4braces@aol.com, and we will share the photo on the Reed Orthodontics Facebook page wall.

3) Stop by one of our offices and drop off your pet photo. We will share the photo on the Reed Orthodontics Facebook page wall.

Now that you've entered your pet photo, invite all of your friends and family to "like" the Reed Orthodontics Facebook page and "like" your pet photo.The pet photo that receives the most "likes" on our Facebook page will win the $100 Visa gift card! This contest is open to all of our patients, as well as those that are not are patients.

Please give us a call if you have any questions about the contest, or if you would like to schedule an appointment.

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Reed.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Reed Orthodontics a call.

Shannon has two children that receive treatment at Reed Orthodontics. Thanks for sharing your family's story, Shannon!

Reed Orthodontics has been serving the Aurora, Littleton, Englewood and Greater Denver area since 1984. Dr. Reed is an orthodontist specializing in braces for adults and children. We offer the state of the art Damon® System and Invisalign, as well as traditional braces. For more information on orthodontic treatment at our office, feel free to give us a call!