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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Everyone has a favorite childhood recipe, or a treat that reminds them of mom, dad or grandma's baking. Peanut butter and jelly are no longer just for sandwiches – today's recipe will redefine your favorite childhood snack. Nikki's recipe for PB&J Cookies is one of the originals from the Reed Orthodontics staff and patient Cookie Cookbook. What great recipes we’ve received from everyone!
Dr. Reed would like to pass on a big thank you to all of you who shared your favorites with us. We also encourage patients and staff to share more of their favorite recipes on our Facebook page. Enjoy this tasty treat!

PB&J Cookies

Mix 3 cups flour, 1 Tbsp. baking soda, a pinch of salt and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl mix 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 Tbsp. Butter and 1 tsp. vanilla.

Mix dry and wet ingredients. Roll dough into a ball and put peanut butter and jelly in the middle of the dough ball.

Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Let cool and serve with milk!

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.

With 101 Facebook "likes," Cherokee Trail senior Jace O. is the winner of the Reed Orthodontics' Senior Photo Contest. He received $100 cash as the first place prize. Erica is our second place contest winner, and she will be receive a great dinner certificate. Congratulations Jace and Erica!

Thank you to all of our patients who participated in the Senior Photo Contest. We enjoyed seeing all of your senior photos, and reading your comments. Stay tuned for another contest soon!

If you recently completed treatment at Reed Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Reed will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always 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. Reed 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. Reed, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

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.

Senior photos are only taken once, and our team at Reed Orthodontics would love to see yours! Dr. Reed invites patients to share their photos on our Facebook page, or by emailing them to beg4braces@aol.com, for a chance to win $100 in our Senior Photo Contest.

The contest ends April 1, 2011, so don't delay in submitting your entry! The more people you invite to "like" your photo on our Facebook page, the better your chances are for winning $100. Say cheese!

One in four parents say their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Reed and our team at Reed Orthodontics thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and pearly whites while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
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. 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 Reed Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Dr. Reed and team, serving Denver and Centennial, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"Great Orthodontist. I had a very complicated case with two jaw surgeries involved. Dr. Reed and his team went out of their way to make my expereince as comfortable as possible. They really do whatever it takes for you!"

"The friendly place of smiles! My experience with Dr. Reed and his staff over the last few years has been wonderful! They are always friendly, compassionate, helpful, and cheerful. I always look forward to going!"

"My daughter started seeing Dr. Reed seven years ago, when we were looking into preventative orthodontics. He is terrific. I would recommend him to anyone."

Would you like to turn your Halloween candy into cash? With Halloween only two weeks away, Dr. Reed knows that there will soon be many tricks and treats! That's why we would like to invite all of our young trick-or-treaters to join us and the Cody Dental Group at our Denver, CO office for our Cash for Candy event.

You're invited:
Who: All of our friends, family, and neighbors
What: Cash for Candy
Where: 4301 E. Amherst Ave., Denver, CO 80222
When: 9am - 1pm on Nov. 6, 2010
Why: To receive $1 per pound of wrapped Halloween candy for up to 10 pounds of candy. All of the candy collected will be sent to our active duty troops by Operation Gratitude.

Don't hesitate to give Dr. Reed or our team a call or visit the Cody Dental Group website if you have any questions about Cash for Candy. We look forward to seeing you there!

Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? Dr. Reed and our team would like to share a braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics and celebrity chef Michael Chiarello. This Green Goo Slimedoo recipe is delicious, and provided that you brush and floss after indulging, it will not damage your beautiful smile.

Green Goo Slimedoo

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream
2 ounces sugar
2 ounces butter
2 pounds white chocolate
6 to 12 drops green food coloring
2 bags of thin pretzel sticks
Strawberries, bananas and thinly sliced apples for dipping
Candy sprinkles

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. In a non-reactive double boiler set over medium-low heat, bring the cream, sugar, and butter to a boil. Meanwhile, chop the chocolate into small chunks - a serrated knife works best for this.
3. Add the chocolate chunks to the cream mixture in the double boiler, whisking, until it is melted and incorporated into the cream. Finally, add the food coloring until it is the desired shade of green.
4. Keep mixture warm in a fondue pot. Set out the fruit and the pretzels for dipping with long wooden skewers next to the fondue pot. Guests can dip their pretzels or fruit into the fondue and then roll them in the candy sprinkles, if desired.

Reed Orthodontics, serving Centennial and Denver, CO and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Reed and team!

"I just love my smile. Dr. Reed fixed by jaw prolems. I had a lot of pain and now I am pretty much pain free. I get some many compliments on my smile, that I have to carry Dr. Reed's buisness cards around. Dr. Reed is awesome. Thank you Dr. Reed and staff.‎"

"Dr. Reed did my orthodontic treatment and the results are amazing. He does beautiful work. And the office is so much fun. They do these theme days where everyone dresses up and it makes it very enjoyable to go to your appointment.‎"

"Reed Orthodontices has a great reputation in the area, and they definitely live up to it. I was so impressed with the service that I received at this office! The staff is very friendly and welcoming, and they were even patient with my baby who got fussy at the end of the appointment. Dr. Reed is genuinely kind and very knowledgeable and took the time to answer all of my questions. I highly recommend them!‎"

This week, our team at Reed Orthodontics is showing our college spirit. The girls have each decorated their units to show their college spirit for "Support Your Favorite College" week at Reed Orthodontics.

Be sure to let Dr. Reed and our staff know what you think of the office decor this week!

Have you seen this great patient testimonial video for Dr. Reed and our team? Kerri, who has been a patient of our office for ten years, shares her story of receiving at our office. Thanks for sharing your experience with the world, Kerri!

Meet Jannae, the newest member of our Reed Orthodontics family! Today, she wanted to share a little bit about herself with all of our wonderful patients.

A few words from Jannae
"I have been in the orthodontic field for a year and a half. I love it because of the personal connections that I get to make with our patients.I was born and raised in Denver, CO, but my husband and I moved to California for three years. We recently moved back, and we plan to never leave again! In my free time I like to spend time with family, friends, and our dog."

Next time you're in for an appointment, be sure to say hello to Jannae!

Thank you,

-Reed Orthodontics

At Reed Orthodontics, serving Denver, Aurora and Centennial, CO, we love sharing braces-friendly recipes with our patients. Our recipe this week is for Twisty Soft Pretzels, which are perfect to pack in kids' lunches or as a yummy snack at home. As always, feel free to share your all-time favorite recipes with us by posting them on our Facebook page.

Twisty Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:

3/4 Cup of warm water
1/2 Envelope yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
Pinches of salt or cinnamon-sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425. In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast & sugar. Mix in salt and flour with a larger spoon. Shape dough into pretzel shapes. Brush them with the beaten egg. Sprinkle salt or cinnamon-sugar. Bake for 12 minutes.

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Reed Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996!

Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Reed 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. Reed would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Dr. Reed, serving Centennial and Denver, CO, often receives questions from patients about the differences between Invisalign and other treatment options. That's why, we wanted to share this great video on Invisalign from a patient's perspective. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Just see what patients have to say!

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!

From your very first visit to Reed Orthodontics, we strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Reed's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,
The team at Reed Orthodontics of Centennial & Denver, CO

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Reed started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Reed decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?