With winter sports right around the corner, many patients here at Reed Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields and courts for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Dr. Charles Reed and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this fall and winter, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps! Dr. Reed and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook. Stay safe!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, Dr. Charles Reed and our entire staff at Reed Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Our office also wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of our 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!

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

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!

It's getting closer to Halloween and trick-or-treating, and that means lots of CANDY! Dr. Charles Reed and our team at Reed Orthodontics thought that this would be a great time to remind you about our Cash for Candy program with Cody Dental Group.

The Cody Dental Group coordinates with Channel 9 and Operation Gratitude, and they are offering patients $1 per pound of candy (for up to 6 pounds per person)! Be sure to visit Cody Dental Group or Reed Orthodontics' Aurora office from 1pm-5pm on November 2nd and 3rd, and from 9am-12pm on November 4th and 5th to exchange your extra candy for cash.

Happy Haunting!

At Reed Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Charles Reed. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Happy October! For those who don't know, it’s National Orthodontic Health Month. This month-long event is organized by our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Dr. Reed and our team realize that this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Reed and other dental professionals in Colorado.

The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook, or ask Dr. Reed during your visit this month!

Did you know that candy sales in the U.S. for Halloween average $2 billion annually? And over 19% of children ages 2-19 have untreated cavities? This October, Dr. Reed and our team are partnering with the Cody Dental Group to help you exchange your candy for cash! The Cody Dental Group coordinates with Channel 9 and Operation Gratitude, offering patients $1 per pound of candy (for up to 6 pounds per person)!

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

Congratulations to our new iPad winner! We truly appreciate the referral of your friends and family, and we do consider it the highest compliment that our team could receive. All of us at Reed Orthodontics strive to provide you, our wonderful patients, with an experience that you're excited to share with others. Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Reed Orthodontics iPad Contest.

Dr. Reed and our team are thrilled to announce that we've selected the four winners for our "Where in the World is Dr. Reed?" patient contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos - we were overwhelmed by your creativity!

Be sure to check out the Reed Orthodontics Facebook page to view all of the photos from our contest winners.

Thanks again!

-Dr. Reed and team

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Reed Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Reed. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Reed Orthodontics a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

Don't forget- Monday is the last day to submit your photos for our "Where in the World is Dr. Reed?" contest.

To enter, simply snap a photo with 'Dr. Reed'. Our team will be selecting five winners in the following categories: Most Unusual, Closest to Denver, Farthest Away from Denver and Funniest.

We can't wait to see where your summer travels took Dr. Reed this summer! Have a great weekend everyone!

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Reed Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Reed will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this fall. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Reed is trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Reed Orthodontics.

Just a reminder – If you haven’t already, there’s only a little over two weeks left to submit your contest entries for The Reed Orthodontics iPad Contest. The more entries that you submit, the greater your chance is to take home that brand new iPad! Check out this short video to learn more about how you can enter to win.

Would YOU like to win an iPad? If so, don't forget to enter the Reed Orthodontics iPad Contest. There are less than three weeks left to submit your entry, so please don't delay!

Would you benefit from corrective jaw surgery? One of our patients, Blaise, shares her experience completing jaw surgery with Dr. Thomas Stone. She no longer feels pain when waking up, chewing or eating. Please let Dr. Charles Reed and our team know if you have any questions about orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery.

Have you seen this adorable Invisalign Teen video? Dr. Reed and our team recently came across this video, and we thought it was worth sharing with our patients. This video explains a few of the ways that Invisalign Teen is able to straighten teeth without the look and feel of traditional braces. If you have any other video suggestions you think we should share, please let us know!

How many entries have you submitted for the Reed Orthodontics iPad Contest? Don't forget- there is still time to write a review, email a video testimonial or refer a friend to our office! The more entries that you submit, the greater your chance is to take home that brand new iPad. Be sure to check out this great video for all of the contest details. We look forward to receiving your entries!

Dr. Reed and our team at Reed Orthodontics recently returned from the Damon Forum. The conference was held in Orlando, FL this year, so our team was able to learn more about the latest Damon System advances AND visit Disney World!

We encourage everyone to check out our photos from the conference on our Facebook page. If you would like to learn more about the Damon System, or what our team learned at the Damon Forum, please let us know. We always enjoy sharing our passion for orthodontics with our patients.

Is it time for a moist, chewy chocolate cookie sandwich? Luckily for you, Christine has just the recipe! This week's Reed Orthodontics Cookie Cookbook recipe is for chocolate cookie sandwiches. You're going to fall in love with these cookies.

Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions
Beat shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla until lightly fluffy. Stir together flour, cocoa, soda and salt. Add alternately with milk to shortening mixture – beat well. Drop by tsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-11 minutes, just until soft-set. Cool slightly. Remove to wire rack and cool completely. Spread approximately 1 tsp. creme filling and top with 2nd cookie.

Creme Filling
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. shortening
1/2 cup marshmallow creme
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup powdered sugar

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!

Summer is here! Kids and adults alike will now be spending more time outside being active and enjoying the warmer temperatures. And what’s better to snack on at the picnic table than a tangy and sweet lemon square? This week's Reed Orthodontics Cookie Cookbook recipe comes from Jeri, and it is for lemon squares. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon peel, if desired
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Powdered sugar

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, margarine and 1/4 cup powdered sugar thoroughly. Press evenly in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches, building up 1/2 inch edges. Bake 20 minutes. Beat remaining ingredients except powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour over hot crust. Bake just until no indention remains when touched in center, about 25 minutes longer; cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into about 1 1/2 inch squares.

Makes: 25 squares

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.

For eight years now, Kelly and her three children have been visiting Dr. Reed and our team at Reed Orthodontics. Her daughters' jaws have been expanded and their smiles have been widened thanks to two-phase treatment. Thanks for sharing your family's story, Kelly!

If you're in search of a light, tasty spring recipe, the Reed Orthodontics recipe of the week is perfect for you. Lime Tea Cookies are a very tasty, almost gourmet treat to share with friends and family. We would like to thank Jacque for sharing this wonderful dessert with our team!

Lime Tea Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups and 2 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter (softened)
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. finely grated lime peel
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine flour, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking powder. Cream sugar, butter, eggs and lime peel in a large mixing bowl until fluffy and light. Gradually add lime juice. Add flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, blending completely after each addition. Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar mixture. Place on a baking sheet which has been coated with non-stick spray. Flatten cookies with bottom of a glass. Bake until golden brown, 12-18 minutes. Cool. Store in freezer bags or plastic containers.

Reed Orthodontics is excited to announce that we will be hosting our "Where in the World is Dr. Reed?" summer contest. This contest is the perfect opportunity for anyone traveling outside of Denver and Centennial, CO, to share their vacation with Dr. Reed and our team!

To enter, simply snap a photo with Dr. Reed's photo on your spring and summer vacations. 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.

Reed Orthodontics will be selecting our contest winners at the beginning of September, so don't delay in submitting your entry! Have fun and be creative!

Your votes counted! This week, Dr. Reed and our team are excited to feature a recipe that our patients requested on our Facebook page. Snickerdoodle Cookies are obviously already a favorite of our patients! We would like to thank Alyssa K. for sharing this recipe with Reed Orthodontics. Please feel free to share your favorite recipes here or on our Facebook page. We always look forward to receiving your feedback!

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions
Mix sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
Mix rest of ingredients. Roll into balls. Roll in cinnamon/sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

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.

Dr. Charles Reed is excited to announce that we have been awarded the 2011 Top Orthodontist Award by 5280 Magazine, an organization that identifies top dentists as chosen by their peers and through the topDentists' database. 5280’s theory is that medical professionals are best qualified to judge other medical professionals. It is very exciting to have this exclusive honor! Thank you everyone for your confidence and trust.

-The team at Reed Orthodontics

This week, we would like to share a delicious recipe that was submitted for the Reed Orthodontics Cookie Cookbook by Heidi V. If you enjoy maple, then you're going to love these scrumptious maple walnut cookies. They're simply delicious!

Thank you to everyone who has already passed along their favorite recipes for our Cookie Cookbook. If you haven't already, feel free to share recipes with us here or on our Facebook page.

Ingredients
2 sticks butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

Directions
Beat butter with electric mixer until creamy (about 3 minutes). Gradually add sugar until well blended. Add maple syrup, egg and vanilla. Mix in flour and walnuts. Divide dough in half and shape into logs. Wrap in plastic or wax paper. Refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours or overnight).

You have braces, and you’re probably wondering what to eat. You can’t have gum, popcorn or other delicious but braces-unfriendly foods. But fear not! Reed Orthodontics has a delicious spring smoothie recipe that is perfect for those warm, sunny afternoons. Enjoy!

Ingredients
• 2 ½ cups (about 1 pound) strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 1 ½ cups crushed ice
• 1 ½ cups club soda
• 3 Tablespoons vanilla syrup (sold as a coffee flavoring)
• ½ cup sugar or more, to taste
• 1 can whipped cream

Directions
Wash and drain strawberries. Remove stems and slice. Put lime juice in blender, and then add batches of strawberries, about a half-cup at a time, blending until liquefied. Strain the strawberries through a fine sieve to remove most of the seeds and some pulp. Place back in blender, and blend with the crushed ice. Pour into a 2-liter pitcher and stir in club soda, vanilla syrup and sugar. Serve in six tall glasses with a swish of whipped cream on top.

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Reed Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

At Reed Orthodontics, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Reed Orthodontics encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Reed!

There are a variety of foods Dr. Reed wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Reed Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Braces at Reed Orthodontics are more fun than ever! With the Brace Painter, parents and children are able to “paint their braces,” and visualize how teeth will look with different colors of bands.

Would you like to try out green and gold bands this March, without the commitment of an all-out St. Patrick's Day look? The Brace Painter allows for you to select different colors, and then assign those colors of bands to certain teeth. Now, you can visualize your braces before you even come in for your appointment!

As always, please let Dr. Reed know if you have any questions about the Brace Painter, or your orthodontic treatment at Reed Orthodontics. Have a great week!

Dr. Reed wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

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!

Hey Seniors! Are you excited to show off your fabulous smile in senior pictures? Reed Orthodontics invites you to share your senior photo on our Facebook page, or by emailing them to beg4braces@aol.com, for a chance to win $100 in our contest.

Invite your friends to vote for your photo on our Facebook page as the most FABULOUS! The more people you invite to "like" your photo, the better your chances to win $100. Good luck!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Reed Orthodontics believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Reed Orthodontics

Dr. Reed and our team are excited to announce that Jordan is the winner of the Reed Orthodontics Cute Pet Contest. His Chihuahua received 52 Facebook "likes" and 9 comments. Congratulations Jordan!

Jordan said that he would like to use the $100 Visa gift card to buy food, blankets, and toys for the Dumb Friends League. Be sure to visit our Facebook page for pictures in the upcoming weeks!

Happy Holidays, from our entire team at Reed Orthodontics!

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?

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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!

Here at Reed Orthodontics, we are very thankful for all of our amazing patients! Our doctor and team would like to wish everyone a fun and safe Thanksgiving. We also want to remind everyone to brush and floss after indulging in the big meal.

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Gobble Gobble!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and the Damon System, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Reed, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Reed Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!