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!

Congratulations, Ellie and Kara! They were the August Hygiene Card Contest winners at our Celina office.

Drs. Thomas Ahman, Joseph Janowski, and Matthew Mayers would like to congratulate Ellie and her hygienist, Kara, at Dr. Willmann's office. They were the winners of our August Hygiene Card Contest at our Celina, OH office! Thank you, Ellie, for seeing your family dentist for cleanings and check-ups! Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

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 your area. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Orthodontic Associates. We would love to hear from you!

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!

All the cool kids do it! From Orthodontic Associates

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with our doctors, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Orthodontic Associates for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

What do you love about Orthodontic Associates?

From your very first visit to Orthodontic Associates our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Did Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski and our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you've visited Orthodontic Associates for a week or months, we'd love to hear about your experience with our office! There are many ways you can share your thoughts about your experience with Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski, but we encourage you to visit our Google Places pages to write a review. You can write a review for our Lima, OH office here, our Celina, OH office here, or for our Ottawa, OH office here. You may also connect with us on our Facebook page!

Six reasons to visit Orthodontic Associates this summer!

Our team at Orthodontic Associates knows that summer is a time when folks are putting off visiting the orthodontist due to the nice weather, vacations, and other obligations. However, our team has six good reasons why you should visit one of our Lima, Celina, or Ottawa, OH offices today! Here's why you shouldn't wait to give us a call today to schedule your summer orthodontic checkup:

1) Outstanding customer service is our top priority. We will communicate with you at every level of care.

2) Experienced, knowledgeable, friendly doctors. Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers have over 35 years of experience and all of them complete over 40 hours of continuing education every year.

3) Multiple office locations and convenient office hours. We have three convenient locations, in Lima, Celina, and Ottawa, OH and provide convenient office hours that work with your busy schedule, including limited Saturday hours!

4) Orthodontic Treatment for Adults. As an adult, you want the most aesthetic option to straighten your teeth and enhance your smile. We offer Invisalign and In-Ovation C clear braces for our adult patients.

5) Phase One Orthodontic Treatment for Children. Some orthodontic problems are best treated with early phase treatments, before the age of 10, and can't be treated later. You may be able to shorten your time in braces if these problems are taken care of early.

5) Flexible Financing options. We offer many convenient payment plans, including a low-down-payment option.

Have a great weekend,

-Orthodontic Associates

How to turn an expander in the mouth, from Dr. Janowski

Has your orthodontist said that it's time to turn your palatal expander? Watch this great video to see how Dr. Janowski instructs patients to turn their expander. The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Please give us a call if you have any questions about your palatal expander. Or, ask Dr. Janowski, Dr. Ahman, or Dr. Mayers the next time you're in for an appointment!

Have a great week!

-Orthodontic Associates

Drs. Ahman, Janowski, and Mayers, wishing you a happy Parents' Day!

Our team at Orthodontic Associates wants to know, do you and your family have any plans for this weekend? If you didn't know already, the third Sunday of every July is Parents' Day! According to the Congressional Resolution, this holiday is a time for recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children, similar to Mother's and Father's Day.

Our team at Orthodontic Associates would like to wish you a safe and happy Parents' Day! Thank you to all of the amazing parental role models in our community! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page.

Have a great weekend,

-Orthodontic Associates

Ask Orthodontic Associates: Why are straight teeth so important?

Some people wonder why Drs. Mayers, Ahman and Janowski work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

A smile is very powerful, and Orthodontic Associates has been making smiles beautiful for over 35 years! Drs. Thomas Ahman, Joseph Janowski, and Matthew Mayers offer orthodontic treatment for both children and adults, making you look and feel better at any age! If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Ahman, Janowski and Mayers can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.