When Should Treatment Start?

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7. This is the recommended age because typically the first of the adult teeth appear, and when some of the more important problems of dental development can require treatment. Treatment for young children is usually aimed at dealing with functional problems that immediately threaten the health of the teeth. The conditions that we treat in early childhood are problems of tooth eruption, crossbite, overcrowding, jaw growth problems, snoring, thumb sucking, tongue thrust and open bite.

Orthodontic issues can develop very early in childhood, which is why early treatment is important for a number of specific conditions to prevent damage to the adult teeth or to limit the effects of a developing growth problem. One of our guiding principles at Bailey Orthodontics is to keep the amount of treatment required to produce a great smile to an absolute minimum. For more information on orthodontic treatment for children, click here to visit our website or give us a call.

New Summer Recipe | Strawberry Dole Whip

At Bailey Orthodontics we believe nutrition and a healthy smile go hand in hand. From snacking and eating on the go, to making sure kids have access to healthy snacks at home, Bailey Orthodontics wants to help you keep your snack choices healthy this summer with braces-friendly healthy summer snack recipes.

By avoiding sticky sweets and sugary beverages, we will provide you with snack choices that are fit for orthodontic patients and promote overall wellness and health! All summer long, check here for healthy new summer snack recipes! 

Learn how to make STRAWBERRY DOLE WHIPS

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced frozen strawberries 
• 1 cup frozen raspberries or more strawberries 
• 1/4 cup milk of choice or canned coconut milk 
• Pinch stevia OR 1 1/2 tsp sugar or sweetener of choice
• 2 tsp lemon juice (lemon might sound strange, but it really makes the recipe!)
• 1/16 tsp salt

Strawberry Dole Whip Recipe: 

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 
2. Scoop out and eat OR put in a plastic bag and freeze ten minutes, then cut a hole in the bag’s edge and squeeze out in a swirl.

For more braces-friendly recipes, tips, and tricks LIKE Bailey Orthodontics on Facebook and follow @baileyorthoaz on Instagram. 

4 Easy Smoothies For New Braces

One of the most common questions we get from new patients is “what can I eat after I get my braces?”  Aside from the typical checklist of approved and nonapproved foods to eat during your orthodontic treatment at Bailey Orthodontics, we like to go above and beyond and provide you with recipe ideas, too.  We want to show you that eating healthy, delicious food is still possible after you’ve started your braces journey.  Yes, there are certain points in your treatment process when your mouth might be more sensitive than usual, but that doesn't mean you don't get to enjoy a delicious meal or snack. Smoothies are the perfect solution for when chewing just doesn’t sound all that fun!

Here are 4 office-approved smoothie recipes that taste great and help you get the nutrients you need. You can prep and freeze these 4 super quick and easy smoothie recipes. Choose your own base of yogurt, juice, milk, tea, or water and some ice to blend these ingredients up into something spectacular for your tastebuds!

BERRY BLAST

1C Raspberries

1C Blueberries

1C Strawberries

1C Spinach

SWEET SUNRISE

1C Raspberries

1 Orange

1/2 Banana

1C Mango

KIWI REFRESH

1 Kiwi

1& 1/2C Watermelon

1 &1/2C Grapes

GREEN MONSTER

1 Grapefruit

1 Banana

1C Pineapple

1C Spinach

Spring Recipe Alert: Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizzas

Sugar cookie fruit pizzas are delicious and fun to make. Start with a soft sugar cookie and top it with a cheesecake layer! Finish with some fresh fruit of your choice.

SUGAR COOKIE FRUIT PIZZAS

Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 3 egg yolks
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour

For the Cheesecake Spread

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Fresh fruit for topping the cookies. Anything you like, we recommend raspberries, blueberries, kiwi and mango.

Directions

1. To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 300 F. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and shorting. Cream in the sugar, baking powder and salt until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat in well. Stir in the flour.
2. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 min. Do not let them brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Remove from the tray and let cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, make the cheesecake spread. Beat the cream cheese with the sugar until light and smooth. Pour in the heavy cream. Beginning with the mixer on slow speed, start to beat in the cream. Increase the speed of the mixer gradually until the mixture thickens.
4. Spread the cookies with a bit of the cream cheese and top with fresh fruit. These are best within a day or two of making them.

5 Fun Spring Activities

Spring is in the air! As the flower buds are peeking out and birds are starting to chirp, it's time to leave those thoughts of snowstorms behind. Spring can be a wonderful time in Surprise, Arizona to explore the outdoors or go for a walk around town. Get your family moving together and establish some healthy habits, away from the electronics indoors.

We have 5 fun ideas to get you in the mood for the loveliest season of the year.

1. Dust off the sports gear. Find a kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, shoot hoops, whatever sports activity that you and your family enjoy doing.

2. Get dirty in the yard. Mow the grass. Pull weeds. Till flower beds. Replant. Cut back. Find the fun in getting sweaty, and teach your kids how to manage the landscaping while you do it.

3. Explore the outdoors. Hike a trail and check out the plants budding out of the ground.

4. Go to a baseball game. The beginning baseball season is one of the annual markers that warm weather is just around the corner. If you don't have it in your budget for pricey pro tickets, look into local league games, college, or even high school games to watch.

5. Make Something. Whether you're experimenting with a new recipe or creating a new craft, making something new will give your kids a sense of satisfaction.

After being cooped up all winter, everyone's ready for some fresh Spring air. Bailey Orthodontics hopes you will step into the warm weather with suggestions of fun activities for the entire family.

Play It Safe, Protect Your Face

A mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth

Contact and collision sports such as boxing and martial arts are higher-risk sports for the mouth. Any athlete can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguards

Mouthguards can be custom made for your mouth by your dentist or orthodontist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore.

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

If you're an athlete and a patient at Bailey Orthodontics, talk to Dr. Bailey about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection for you. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, Dr. Bailey may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.

Also, be sure to remember if you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports. For more information give us a call at 623-977-0707 or visit our website.

STAY FLOSSY with braces

Similar to several oral hygiene products, choosing the best dental floss to use is dependent on the consumer's preference. The fact is there is a ton of different floss options on the market with a variety of flavors, coatings, and other variations. Essentially, they all do the same thing and the most important thing to remember is to buy the most functional floss for your teeth, and use it daily. If you want to know what the best dental floss is, the answer is the kind that enables you to successfully and regularly clean the areas between your teeth. To help you find the right type of floss for you, here are some options.

Flossers
Flossers usually consist of a plastic instrument with a floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers also come flavored in mint and various other varieties.

Gentle Dental Floss
Some people will find that dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, some companies make floss with soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, these types of floss are just as effective as regular floss and ideal for those looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing.

Flavored Dental Floss
Most regular flossers buy a flavored dental floss because it will freshen their breath even more than unscented floss. The latter can also take on the smells associated with bacteria in your mouth which can be pretty bad from case to case. We suggest if flavored dental floss is what you prefer, and it allows you to floss your teeth regularly, then it is automatically best for your mouth.

Of the options, it is difficult to name an absolute best type of floss because the answer varies from patient to patient. However, Dr. Bailey, and our team say that the type of floss that works best for you, giving you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing, is the best choice. For more information on floss, or flossing with braces, contact Bailey Orthodontics located in Surprise, AZ.

Meet Alyssa!

We asked our Bailey Orthodontics team some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes you smile. Meet Alyssa, our treatment coordinator! ‪#‎baileyorthoaz‬

Spinach Apple Smoothie | NEW RECIPE

Your kid’s diet should have fruits and veggies for complete nutrition. But when he does not eat them in their solid form, you might want to consider smoothies. Smoothies are great for both kids and adults, and even better for new patients being treated at Bailey Orthodontics as they are braces friendly. The trick is to make the idea of smoothies exciting – get your children involved in the process. Let them make smoothies with fruits of their choice, on the condition that they will drink it.

To help get you started on your smoothie journey, we're sharing a delicious recipe with you below! Try it out this weekend and let us know how you liked it! 

Spinach Apple Smoothie
If someone in your household hates spinach, disguise its flavor with apple and banana with this recipe.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup chopped spinach leaves
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup grapes, preferably seedless
• 1 tub vanilla yogurt

How To:

• Slice the banana (without peel) and remove the seeds from the grapes, if any.
• Put the banana, chopped spinach leaves, grapes, yogurt, and apple in a blender and blend for two minutes, or until you achieve a smooth mixture.
• Serve fresh.

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Servings: 2
Nutritional Value: calories – 205, carbohydrates – 45g, protein – 6.1mg, fat – 1.9g, cholesterol -4mg

Find Out Why Adults Are Getting Braces In 2017

Orthodontics has evolved enormously in the last two decades and there is now less pain, time and cosmetic detriment when having orthodontic treatment. This is one reason we are seeing so many adult patients getting braces. Are you considering orthodontic treatment as an adult? If so, keep reading to find out why your timing is right.

Why do adults choose to get braces?

• Overcrowding of teeth
• Shifting of teeth
• Poor bite
• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• Self-consciousness
• Align teeth before crown and bridge work
• Improve gum and teeth health
• A beautiful smile they have always dreamed of

What are the benefits of having braces in your adult years?

• You are having treatment by your own choice and on your own terms.
• Maximize function and health of your gums and teeth.
• Improve your bite and alleviate issues such as grinding and headaches.
• Straight teeth help to provide a beautiful smile and a boost in confidence.
• Alignment options are vastly improved on what they were when you were a child.

The bottom line is, it is never too late for braces or to achieve the smile you've always wanted. If you are ready to learn more about treatment and live in the Suprise, AZ or surrounding areas, give Bailey Orthodontics a call at 623-977-0707.

ANNUAL Candy Buy-Back TOMORROW

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1st from 9am-5pm for the Annual Candy Buy Back! 

We will be paying $2 per pound with a 5-pound limit! The candy will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, Inc.! #BaileyOrthoAz#CandyBuyBack #SurpriseAz

Learn About Early Orthodontic Treatment

As a father himself, Dr. Bailey understands children can be intimidated by dental environments and believes it's important to make them feel comfortable and safe. Many children end up loving their visits to Bailey Orthodontics!

To help your child achieve a healthy beautiful straight smile for life, it is advised that they visit our practice at around age seven for an orthodontic assessment. By this age, many problems can be identified and dealt with.

Areas of orthodontic treatment for children include:

• Cross bites (reversed bites)
• Missing teeth
• Extra teeth
• Thumb and finger sucking habits
• Crowding
• Spacing
• Ectopic teeth
• More

Is your child a candidate for early orthodontic treatment? If you think so or aren't sure, contact us to schedule an examination at Bailey Orthodontics. We're located in Surprise, Arizona, we treat patients from the Surprise, Waddell, Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, El Mirage, Buckeye, Verrado, Wickenburg, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Wittman and Avondale areas. We strive to help patients of all ages achieve beautiful, healthy, confident smiles! Call 623-977-0707.

Meet Maggie

We asked our Bailey Orthodontics team some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes you smile. Meet Maggie, our sterilization tech! ‪#‎baileyorthoaz‬

DIY Orthodontics? Think Again

Bailey Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists have a prompt announcement for consumers about “DIY” orthodontic treatment. It is with great urgency that we emphasize to you all to be cautious about the trending “DIY” orthodontic treatment because straightening your teeth on your own can lead to lifelong dental problems.

Do-It-Yourself videos and websites are popular among today’s culture, and while so many great ideas come from several of these outlets, there are some things that you just shouldn’t do yourself! Straightening your teeth or attempting to move your teeth as a “DIY” project is definitely one of the things you should not be doing. Moving and straightening teeth is a medical procedure that needs to be supervised by an orthodontist. It’s important for you all to be wary of any videos or websites that advise you to use objects such as rubber bands, dental floss, or anything else in order to get straight teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “Moving teeth without a thorough examination of the overall health of the teeth and gums could result in the permanent loss of teeth, which may result in expensive and lifelong dental problems.”

If you have any further questions regarding “DIY” orthodontics, or are curious about straightening your teeth, please contact us at 623-977-0707.

Tips For Retention

When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. When it comes to caring for your retainer, we're keeping it short, sweet, and simple. The rule of thumb is to wear it at all times, until Dr. Bailey instructs you otherwise. It's important to remember these other tips on retainers too. Check them out now!

• Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
• When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call Bailey Orthodontics immediately.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

For more information, or general questions, call Bailey Orthodontics at 623-977-0707.

Earth Day 2016

Every year on April 22nd, we recognize Mother Nature by celebrating National Earth Day. National Earth Day is held to demonstrate support for our environment and raise awareness about protecting it. Thousands of people organize and promote going “Green” to save the Earth. There are several ways for you to get involved. 

Keep reading to learn about 2 ways you can participate in Earth Day and do your part to protect our Earth.




Donate

The National Forests Foundation plants trees for every single dollar donated. The minimum donation is $15, which means your donation will plant 15 trees on Earth.

Visit this link to donate.
www.nationalforests.org/donate/give-the-gift-of-trees
Recycle

Currently less than 35% of households and less than 10% of businesses in the U.S. recycle. If the US recycling levels can reach 75% it will be the environmental benefit of removing 50 million cars from the road each year and it will generate 1.5 million new jobs. Improving and increasing recycling is one of the greatest opportunities for our environment, our natural resources, and our economy! Start separating plastics, cans, paper, glass, cardboard, food waste, composts, and e-waste.

Learn more about the basics of recycling and start now.

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics

There are so many wonderful opportunities for people of all ages and all backgrounds to participate in saving the Earth. This year, Bailey Orthodontics encourages you to do something that makes a difference and go Green! If we all take a little time out of our day to do something small, it could make a big difference.

Check Out The Upcoming Events We'll Be At

Bailey Orthodontics is hitting the town! This month, we will be stepping out of the office and stepping into the schools as we represent the practice at some local events. This is a fun time to chat with our staff about any interest you may have in beginning orthodontic treatment, as well as learn more about our treatments, ask insurance questions, or maybe just get to know us a little better.

Here are the locations of the upcoming events we'll be at:

April 1st: Legacy Traditional School at the Spring Festival.

April 16th: Ashton Ranch Elementary- Farmer’s Market & Family Fun Day.

April 29th: Sonoran Ranch Elementary- Spring Carnival.

Are you unfamiliar with #BaileyOrthoAz? Learn more about us now!

Bailey Orthodontics is located in Surprise, Arizona!  We treat patients from the Surprise, Waddell, Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, El Mirage, Buckeye, Verrado, Wickenburg, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Wittman and Avondale areas. We strive to help patients of all ages achieve beautiful, healthy, confident smiles! 

Spencer S. Bailey, DDS, MSD and the #BaileyOrthoAz team offer the following state-of-the-art appliances and revolutionary services:

• Invisalign 
• Adult Orthodontics
• Early Treatment
• The Damon System
• Retention

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cleaning Your Invisalign Aligners

So you just started Invisalign treatment at Bailey Orthodontics, and it seems like a pretty easy task compared to metal braces. You’re brushing and flossing regularly, wearing your aligners as advised, and keeping them safe when eating. This seems like the perfect routine, but we must inform you that you are missing one very important task when being treated with Invisalign…you need to clean your aligners!

To get that picture perfect smile, you need to remember 2 things: good oral hygiene, and clean aligners. Cleaning your trays and keeping them invisible is essential to getting the results you want and keeping the look you want during treatment. So many are of you may be thinking, “How do I clean my aligners?” Bailey Orthodontics has got your back (and your teeth) and has all the info you need right here.

Check out these 2 methods of cleaning your Invisalign aligners:

Invisalign Cleaning System (http://www.invisalignstore.com)
The cleaning kit comes with a tub and pack of 50 cleaning crystals and costs $75, with refill packs running at $50. To use, you combine a crystal with water and soak your aligners for 15 minutes. 

Antibacterial liquid soap
Brushing your aligners with antibacterial soap is an easy way to get rid of the bacteria that accumulates on your trays. Just make sure to give them a really good rinse before you put them back in your mouth.

For more information on Invisalign, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at Bailey Orthodontics (623)977-0707.

Join Our March Madness Bracket Challenge Now!

It’s almost time to fill out your bracket! Join us on CBSsports.com. It’s free to play so sign up now.

This contest to open to all of Bailey Orthodontics patients; in treatment, in retainers, or in growth and development

Here is how:

1. Click on or copy and paste the link below to be directed to our group through CBS sports
2. Sign in or register for a free account
3. Enter the group password: braces

You will then be directed to our group: BaileyOrthodontics2016 

Next Steps:

1. Create a bracket, using your first and last name as the bracket name
2. Keep picking winners until you reach the Championship game and pick a final score as well

The final score will be used as a tie breaker & the top three points leaders will win!  Patients will receive 10 Rewards points for submitting a completed bracket!

You will play for 3 prizes:

3rd Place: $30 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Place: Whitening Kit

1st Place: FitBit Flex

Your bracket needs to be completed after Selection Sunday, March 13th and prior to the first games Wednesday, March 16th.

If you have any questions, contact the office at 623-977-0707.  Have fun and good luck!

COPY & PASTE THIS LINK OR CLICK TO ENTER:
http://baileyorthoaz.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=BPM16_cpy_invite_new

It's Hug A G.I. Day

Every year on March 4th we recognize National Hug A G.I. Day. G.I. is a well know term referring to those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Sometime during World War 1, the initials G.I. referred to soldiers in short for “Government Issue” or “General Issue;” followed by the birth of the G.I. Joe comic strip issued in Yank magazine on June 17, 1942.

Around 1944 President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill that became known as the G.I. Bill; Servicemen’s Readjustment Act. From there, there was no straying away from the initials as Hasbro trademarked their G.I. Joe action figure based off the comic strip in the 60’s.

To recognize our brave soldiers, National Hug A G.I. Day was created to show thanks for their dedication and bravery. Do you know a G.I. ? If so,  Bailey Orthodontics encourages you to be sure to take a moment to give them a hug and say thank you today! Don’t forget to post a picture & tag us in it if you do! Won’t be able to see the G.I. you know in person? That’s ok! Send him or her a virtual hug via email or text!