Best of the Best 2012!

Dr. C  did it again!  Congratulations on being voted “Best of the Best” for the 12^th year in a row.   A BIG THANKS from all of us at Parker Orthodontics for taking the time to vote.   We have the best patients and families and look forward to making your experience with us exceptional. 

How did you celebrate your 4th of July?

In Honor of America's birthday, we'd like to hear about how you spent The 4th of July. We'd love to see your fun photos and how you spent the day. Our team thought it would be fun to share some facts about the history of our Independence Day.
Fun Facts: • Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee. • The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament. • The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’ • The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.

Stay Cool with a Braces-Friendly Summer Treat!

Summer is here! Kids and adults alike will now be spending more time outside being active and enjoying the hotter temperatures. What’s better on a hot summer day than a delicious treat that will cool you down after doing something active in the summer sun? Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have just the thing, Watermelon Sorbet! You can find the complete recipe below: Watermelon Sorbet Ingredients • ¾ cup water • ¼ cup sugar • 1 teaspoon lime juice • 2 to 3 cups watermelon, diced, no seeds or rind Directions In a small saucepan, heat the water, sugar, and lime juice on medium high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Chill this “syrup” at least 20 minutes. In the meantime, place the watermelon chunks in a food processor or blender and liquefy them. Add the chilled syrup to the watermelon puree and blend. Freeze sorbet in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve immediately. Happy Summer!

Orthodontic Emergency? We can help!

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment with our office.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you get in to see us…
The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:
Poking Wire: Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Loose Bracket or Band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.
Loose Wire: Using a tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.
Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.
Headgear Does Not Fit: Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it's worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.
General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.
Remember, after alleviating your discomfort, it is still very important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem.

Making Your Life Better with Orthodontics

The number one goal of orthodontic treatment is to give you or your child a good bite, meaning straight teeth that work well with the teeth in the opposite jaw. A good bite makes it easier for you to eat, chew and speak. It can enhance your dental health and your overall health, and may well improve your self-esteem. As a part of your comprehensive dental health care plan, orthodontic treatment can help you retain your teeth—and your smile—for a lifetime.

Let your smile express yourself! Nothing can show the world how happy you are quite like a beautiful smile. In fact, it’s one of the first things others notice about you, too. With orthodontics, you can be proud to flash your smile, because you’ll know that your smile truly represents your positive attitude.

Make your mouth healthy! Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean, reducing the amount of plaque buildup and risk for gingivitis. The cleaner you keep your teeth, the longer they’ll last!

Feel free to live your life! Orthodontics is easier today than ever before, with treatment options that fit your lifestyle and schedule. We can personalize your treatment to suit all of your needs!

June marks National Dairy Month!

In honor of June Dairy Month, our team would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. In fact, dairy is important to your overall health! Regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, have been found to lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Questions about which foods you should steer clear of and which you should enjoy during orthodontic treatment? Give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Am I Too Old for Braces?

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.
Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.
As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.
If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

How important is your smile? From Parker Orthodontics

With state-of-the-art technology in a comfortable, friendly environment, Dr. Jeff Collins and our team at Parker Orthodontics are committed to providing you with an outstanding orthodontic experience. The bottom line is, we know having a beautiful smile is important to you. It’s important to us, too.

And speaking of smiling, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine earlier this year, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?”

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of one’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Take the next step toward a healthier, brighter smile! Please contact our Parker, Castle Rock or Elizabeth orthodontic office and schedule a complimentary initial consultation. See you soon!

Giving thanks this holiday season

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

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

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

Do we have your current contact info?

There is nasty weather ahead this fall and winter here in Colorado! Please help us get prepared by calling us and letting us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

At times of power outages and bad weather, we need to be able to get a hold of you. Please contact us at (303) 841-5500 with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you and Happy Holidays from Dr. Collins and our entire team at Parker Orthodontics!

"Hey Dr. Collins! What's the deal with retainers?"

If you recently completed treatment at Parker Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Jeff Collins will provide—or has provided you at this point—with your own set of retainers.

After braces are removed, your teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Our team at Parker Orthodontics, however, will always tell you that retainers help 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. Collins 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. Collins, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth. You may also give us a call!

Halloween safety tips from Parker Orthodontics

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of today's sweet and spooky holiday, Dr. Collins and team would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family tonight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists were kind enough to provide trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give us a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

Dr. Collins & our entire team at Parker Orthodontics wish you all a safe, fun and happy Halloween! Don't forget about our our Halloween Candy Buy-Back!

Year-end insurance reminder from Dr. Collins

Now that holiday season is almost upon us, we wanted to send you a friendly reminder to take full advantage of any flex spend, health savings or insurance benefits that you may have before the end of the year. Our team at Parker Orthodontics realize enrollment deadlines are sometimes a concern. If so, please call our office.

And don't forget ... October marks National Orthodontic Health Month! Straight teeth are important because they are functional, letting you chew and digest food that your body can use. Straight teeth are easier to clean and floss, preventing bacteria from collecting in your mouth. Straight teeth look great in addition to these other positive qualities.

We recommend an initial evaluation of patients at age 7. Dr. Collins can evaluate your child's dental growth and follow their development.

Halloween Candy Buy Back at Parker Orthodontics!

This Halloween season, would you like to turn your Halloween candy into cash? Dr. Collins would like to invite our patients to participate in the Parker Orthodontics Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back.

Halloween is just 2 weeks away and Dr. Collins knows lots of treats will be coming your way and he would like to take them off your hands. Bring in your extra candy and Parker Orthodontics will give you $1.00 per pound up to 10 pounds. Your friends and family can join in the fun!

We will be collecting candy in our Parker office starting on November 1st through the 7th, and in our Elizabeth office only on November 7th.

Candy that is collected from the Halloween Candy Buy Back will be donated to the Parker Food Bank.

For more information on the Halloween Candy Buy Back, don't hesitate to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

"I just turned 36 - am I too old for braces?"

At Parker Orthodontics, nobody, and we mean NOBODY, is "too old" for braces! In fact, our staff at Parker Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Of course, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but maybe the 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 teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Jeff Collins 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, we would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call to set one up and have yourself a great rest of the week!

Parker Orthodontics, supporting National Orthodontic Health Month!

For our staff at Parker Orthodontics, it's hard to believe October is already upon us! October marks National Orthodontic Health Month, and while month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, it gives us a chance to remind our patients which foods they should avoid while wearing braces.

We know there are many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through treatment with Dr. Collins, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends our patients avoid the following Halloween treats:

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

If you damage your braces, please give us a call immediately at (303) 841-5500. Typically, minor problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into one of our offices, located in Parker, Castle Rock or Elizabeth.

Happy Monday! Have a wonderful week!

In love with your smile? Tell Dr. Collins & team about it!

With state-of-the-art technology in a comfortable, friendly environment, Dr. Jeff Collins and our team are committed to providing you with an outstanding orthodontic experience. Whether you’ve just come in for a complimentary initial consultation or your family has been visiting our convenient Parker or Castle Rock office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google Places page!

Your generous reviews help Dr. Collins and our team create more and more beautiful smiles!

Thank you in advance! We hope you all had a wonderful rest of the weekend!

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Dr. Jeffrey Collins and team

The Great Social Media Adventure

Isn’t social media great? Dr. Jeffrey Collins and team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, we know it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we’re taking a little time to research and decide how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog or Facebook page? Post your thoughts below, on Facebook, or give us a call!

-The team at Parker Orthodontics

20 things that can ruin your smile

At Parker Orthodontics, we know your smile is important. And we know you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best. Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things can ruin that perfect smile you have.

These include:

- Sports drinks
- Bottled water
- Tobacco
- Wine
- Soft drinks
- Citrus and acidic foods

Dr. Jeffrey Collins and our team encourage you to read the rest of the article and ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our convenient Castle Rock, Parker, or Elizabeth office. For more tips or for general questions about your ongoing dental treatment, we invite you to ask Dr. Collins during your next visit! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!