Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Cottingham

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s already springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Cottingham for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Cottingham Orthodontics. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Cottingham will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Cottingham Orthodontics.

How important is your smile? From Cottingham Orthodontics

At Cottingham Orthodontics, we strive to give you and your family the total orthodontic experience you expect, with the amazing smiles you deserve!

And, speaking of smiles, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were recently asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing 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 a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please contact Cottingham Orthodontics at (317) 299-0576 and schedule your complimentary initial consultation. We look forward to working with you, your family, and all of your wonderful smiles!

"Celebration of Caring" Fundraising Gala

Last Friday, Dr. Cottingham attended the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent "Celebration of Caring" Fundraising Gala on March 4th. In its fourth year, the event helped benefit programs and services at Peyton Manning's Children's Hospital at St. Vincent here in Indianapolis.

Check out more photos from the event on Dr. Cottingham's official Facebook page!

Invisalign Tips from Dr. Cottingham

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don’t want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces.

What few people know, however, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Dr. Karen Cottingham will always tell you good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It’s still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Cottingham and team want you to ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? – These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? – Though it’s not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? – The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you’ve brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about the benefits of Invisalign, we invite you to give us a call. Or, you may ask Dr. Cottingham on Facebook!