When should you call Dr. Roos?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Roos Orthodontics. 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. Bryan Roos

Wear those retainers!

If you recently completed treatment at Roos Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Bryan Roos 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. Roos 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. Roos, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Flossing with Braces 101

Dr. Roos will tell you that keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and could possibly reduce your treatment time.

Here is a very concise video explaining the proper way to floss your teeth with braces. Give Roos Orthodontics a call if you have more questions about flossing. Enjoy!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

One in four parents says 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. Roos and team 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 teeth 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 us at Roos Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Finally- don't miss our Valentines Day Contest- Leave us a "♥" all month on Facebook to be entered into a draw to win a box of See's Candy. One ♥ per person per day please :). Share the love!

Avoid the cold and flu this season - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Roos will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Roos Orthodontics if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

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 Roos 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.

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from Roos Orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. Roos and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Roos Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

Annie's Entry to the Roos Orthodontics Mother's Day Contest

My mom is deserving of this opportunity to receive straight teeth because she is the most sincere, giving person I know. She is always willing to give of time, and effort to benefit someone else, including me. This includes volunteer work at school, accounting work for the Issaquah School’s foundation, my church youth group etc. As a mom she makes huge sacrifices for her family and friends. Lately my dad has been out of work due to the fact he is a self employed person and my mom has not complained or been unkind to my dad. Instead she has been supportive and encouraging.

The best thing about my mom is how she radiates love and beauty. Whether her teeth are straight or not, whether she is 10 pounds too heavy or in the best shape ever she always seems to radiate. This is mostly due to that selfless way of life I described earlier but also her personality. My mom is so positive and she teaches me all the things I need to know to be successful. Recently at a high school varsity tennis match I was losing pretty badly but she still stuck by me and encouraged me. She is encouraging of everyone not just me. I always know even if I lose at something or bring home a not so good grade on a test that she loves me! She has never pushed me to be someone I am not and she allows me to be who I am. For example my mom was a drill team person, but naturally I love sports therefore she could have chosen to push me into drill team but instead allowed me to play tennis and soccer. Overall I want my mom to be remembered by three things, loving, radiant, and incredible!

The Roos Orthodontics Great Bike Giveaway!

Congratulations to Ryan and Emma– recent winners of brand new Hardrock Sport Mountain Bikes in the Roos Orthodontics Great Bike Giveaway! Pictured here with Dr Roos, and Vinnie from Gerks Ski and Cycle in Redmond. For more fun contests and events at Roos Orthodontics, check out our Facebook Fan Page, or call the office at 425-968-9247!