Don't skip on those regular checkups, especially in October!

Dr. Cottingham wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Cottingham Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

It's the perfect time for a visit to the dentist. Why? Because not only is October National Orthodontic Health Month, it's also National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references here in Indianapolis, Avon or surrounding areas!

At Cottingham Orthodontics, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy Monday! October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at Cottingham Orthodontics wanted to remind our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this Halloween season. Dr. Cottingham wants you to remember that caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers (among others) are some of the foods you should be avoiding while you’re wearing braces! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, National Orthodontic Health Month and the Halloween season don’t have to be completely treat-less. Check out these delicious braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Cottingham during your next visit at our convenient offices in Indianapolis or Avon!

BOO! Check out our fall discount!

BOO! For those patients who begin their orthodontic treatment between October 1st and November 15th, Dr. Cottingham & team are proud to offer a $250 discount, which will be applied to the overall cost of your treatment. It’s a great way to get started toward a beautiful new smile before all the ghosts and goblins come out! Be sure to mention you have this spooky savings when you call to schedule your start appointment. See you soon!

Breaking bad habits with Dr. Cottingham

At Cottingham Orthodontics, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Dr. Cottingham.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Cottingham if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Cottingham Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Mouthguards & fall sports, from Cottingham Orthodontics

With fall sports almost here for a lot of our patients at Cottingham Orthodontics, we thought today would be a great time to remind all our young athletes in treatment to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in sports – especially contact sports such as soccer and football – this fall.

One of the most important pieces of sports equipment you can wear on the field is a mouthguard. A well-fitted mouthguard, which we’re happy to provide, allows you to breathe and speak more clearly, in addition to protecting your mouth and braces. Only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you’re in for a visit at our Indianapolis or Avon office, we encourage you to ask us for a mouthguard! In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists has five quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities this fall.

• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant, even as a spectator

We hope you all had a wonderful summer, and invite you all to share your summer photos on our Facebook page!

September is Self-Improvement Month! From Cottingham Orthodontics

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Cottingham Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as clear braces and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, 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!

Back to school with Dr. Cottingham

Now that many of the schools are back in session in the Indianapolis area, Dr. Cottingham would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Cottingham Orthodontics this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients’ busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you’re unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We’ll see you soon and hope summer is winding down nicely for all our patients!