Access your account—any day, any time, anywhere!

At Cottingham Orthodontics we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Indianapolis and Avon.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email, text messages and more!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Cottingham: Which toothbrush should my child use?

Dr. Cottingham will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call or ask us on Facebook, and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind .... grind.

If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, especially recently. A 2009 study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem, says Dr. Cottingham. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Dr. Cottingham and our team at Cottingham Orthodontics can help determine the cause of the problem.

Featured patient review for Cottingham Orthodontics!

Check out what one of our wonderful patients, Sarah, wrote recently about Dr. Cottingham and our office! Thanks for writing in and for the kind words, Sarah! You have a wonderful smile!

I used to be self conscious about my smile. My two front teeth imitated the image of a beaver, and were largely proportional to my other facial features. Since the time I began being a patient in Dr. Cottingham’s office, I have gone through; two sets of braces, headgear, and a herpst appliance. Although it was a long process, the final product made everything worth it! I am currently a senior at Tri-West High School, and was voted “Best Smile” from my class. To me, this award is more than just a senior tradition. To me, this award illustrates how much Dr. Cottingham has really helped me transform into the person I am today. When I started high school I was self conscious about the train tracks on my teeth. Next fall, when I attend Purdue University, I will walk around campus with a confident smile. I will never be able to put in words how much I appreciate Dr. Cottingham’s work. She’s a great orthodontist, and her staff is equally fantastic.

Love your smile? Tell the world all about it!

At Cottingham Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! Dr. Karen Cottingham and our staff are committed to making your orthodontic experience a positive one.

Whether you've visited our Indianapolis or Avon offices for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

If you wish, you may also review Dr. Cottingham and team on our Yelp page.

Thank you in advance, and we hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! We look forward to reading your reviews!

Ask Dr. Cottingham: What’s the deal with retainers?

If you've recently completed treatment at Cottingham Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you, again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Cottingham will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized.

Retainers, you see, provide that stabilization, and 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 our staff at Cottingham Orthodontics 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 here at Cottingham Orthodontics, please read this helpful article about retainers or give us a call!

Flossing with Braces, from Cottingham Orthodontics

Dr. Cottingham will always 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 us a call at Cottingham Orthodontics if you have more questions about flossing. Or, we invite you to ask Dr. Cottingham on our Facebook page!