Kids getting braces at a younger age

Drs. Ahman, Janowski and Mayers will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for our doctors to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Don't forget about your oral health!

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment at Orthodontic Associates? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

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 in the greater Ottawa, Lima, and Celina, OH areas!

Orthodontic Associates welcomes the new school year with extended hours!

Here in Lima, Celina, and Ottawa, OH, kids and parents are beginning to stock up on pencils, spiral notebooks, and binders because it’s back to school time! To better accommodate the changing schedules of our patients, our team at Orthodontic Associates will be introducing extended hours at our office. Once a month, Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers will be hosting Saturday hours from 8am to 12pm this fall and winter. Because it is more challenging to work around school, sports, and after school activities, we want to remind our patients about how important it is to plan in advance for your orthodontic appointments!

Next time you're visiting our Lima, OH office, be sure to check out our new interior remodeling! If you take a look around you may notice the fresh coat of paint, new flooring, and decor changes. Let us know what you think! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your next appointment.

Tell Orthodontic Associates what’s on your mind!

Week after week, our creative staff at Orthodontic Associates blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative techniques we offer at our convenient offices in Lima, Celina and Ottawa.

Today, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and our doctors & staff will try to answer any questions you may have! We hope you're having a stress-free and relaxing summer!