A great BRACES-FRIENDLY spring recipe! From Parker Orthodontics

Winter is over, and the weather is finally starting to get warmer. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) spring dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Soy Simmered Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:
• 3 boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 large onions, chunked
• Small flour tortillas (pkg. of ten) wheat or white
• (optional: 10-16 oz. of cooked chopped broccoli)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 2 Tablespoons peach or apricot jam
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

In a slow cooker, or a large pan on the stove, layer the onions and the chicken breast. Allow at least three hours in the slow cooker on medium, or at least one hour on the stove—the longer the better, but you don’t have to do anything to it while it cooks. Spoon out the chicken onto a cutting board, and with a knife and fork, shred the chicken as finely as you’d like. In a small saucepan, stir all sauce ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, then let it simmer for five minutes on low heat to thicken. In a serving bowl, stir sauce and onion into chicken; if you’d like, add cooked chopped broccoli. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great spring dish and have a great week!

--From Dr. Jeff Collins and team

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.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ask Dr. Collins: When should my child come in for a consultation?

Many parents here in Parker, Castle Rock, Elizabeth and surrounding communities around Denver assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to come in for a consultation with Dr. Jeff Collins, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That's right - seven.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, Dr. Collins will tell you, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from years of harmful teasing, crooked teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, we invite you to give us a call at Parker Orthodontics to schedule a complimentary initial consultation.

Have a GREAT rest of your weekend everyone!

Dr. Collins, helping you save face this spring

April - which is National Facial Protection Month - is almost gone, but not before Dr. Collins and team remind all our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to play it safe when out on the field. After all, nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while participating in sports activities, and teenagers account for 80 percent of all sports-related trips to the emergency room.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists:

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 these tips help. Dr. Collins 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 Parker Orthodontics. And remember to stay safe and have fun!

Ask Dr. Collins: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Jeff Collins will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

With state-of-the-art technology in a comfortable, friendly environment, we look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful, confident smile you have always wanted. Dr. Collins and our team are committed to providing you with an outstanding orthodontic experience. If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! At Parker Orthodontics, you’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!