Here comes the Braces Brigade!

At Cottingham Orthodontics, we know 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. Check out this week’s post from Whitney!

Our team at Cottingham 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 at our Indianapolis or Avon office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Cottingham!

SMILE, and you might live longer! From Cottingham Orthodontics

Great news! Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a 2010 study at Wayne State University in Michigan. Dr. Karen Cottingham and our staff have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950, and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile).

The players’ smile ratings were then compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and, yes, even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren’t smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old!

Our take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Cottingham Orthodontics at our Indianapolis or Avon office on a regular basis during your orthodontic treatment?

Make 2011 the year to improve your oral health, from Cottingham Orthodontics

Many of our patients and folks here in Indianapolis consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Karen Cottingham and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It’s important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum disease during your orthodontic treatment? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry. After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

If your resolution is to attain a great-looking smile, we’d love to help! Please contact Cottingham Orthodontics at (317) 202-1873 and schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to working with you, your family and all of your wonderful smiles!

Happy New Year from all of us at Cottingham Orthodontics!