This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Weiss Orthodontics believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Weiss Orthodontics

A great braces-friendly winter recipe! From Dr. Weiss

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the staff here at Weiss Orthodontics more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
• ½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and Happy Holidays!!

--From Dr. Weiss and staff

Carmel, Chocolate, and Candy Canes..Oh MY! Keep your BRACES Sparklin’ Clean this Holiday Season

It's the holiday season, that means there are holiday treats and candies everywhere you look. Weiss Orthodontics understands that this will pose a problem for our patients with braces. But we want to remind 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 shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

Dr. Weiss and Team

Braces, all the cool kids do it!

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 like 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 Dr. Weiss, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

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

Staying connected with Weiss Orthodontics

If you know Dr. Weiss and team, you know we embrace anything technology-related. That includes the innovative treatments we offer and the social networks which we are a part of. That includes our Facebook fan page, where we're currently focusing most of our new media efforts.

For social media to work, however, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks such as Facebook and Twitter are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Weiss and team take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or post them on our Facebook wall!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving from Weiss Orthodontics!

All of us at Weiss Orthodontics extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We appreciate the opportunity to work together with you in the creation of your ideal smile and look forward to the day when your treatment is completed and you join our family of beautiful smiles, which we create daily at our offices. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat, especially with those braces!

Besides turkey, here are a few foods you can enjoy at Thanksgiving dinner:

• Mashed potatoes or other cooked potatoes
• Corn (if cut off the cob)
• Stuffing
• Yams
• Pumpkin pie and other desserts such as cake and ice cream (but make sure to brush afterward!)

If you are still in search of some wonderful recipes, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have lots of delicious recipes that will satisfy both your sugar craving and hunger now that the weather is cold. We hope you have a safe and fun Thanksgiving this year with your friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Weiss Orthodontics!

Does Dr. Weiss have your current contact info?

There is a nasty weather ahead this fall and winter! Please help Dr. Weiss and our staff get prepared by calling us and letting us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

At times of power outages and inclement weather, we need to be able to get a hold of you. Please contact us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you and Happy Holidays from Dr. Weiss and staff!

Ask Dr. Weiss: Do cold germs live on toothbrushes?

Fall is here, and with it the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Danny Weiss will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us at Weiss Orthodontics if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Weiss Orthodontics want to know: How was your Halloween?

November is here, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or feel free to post them on our Facebook page! We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it.

Before you go: Have you been in for a dental checkup lately? It’s important that you see your general dentist as well as visiting Weiss Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment. If you have questions about your treatment or just want some general information, give us a call or stop by for a visit at our Memphis or Millington office!

Tell Weiss Orthodontics what’s on your mind!

By now, you probably know how our blog-writing process works: Week after week, our creative team at Weiss Orthodontics write about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques Dr. Weiss offers. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our great 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? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Weiss for a while now? Let us know by posting on our Facebook page, and have a great rest of the week!

-- Dr. Weiss and team

A few tips to stay healthy this cold season, from Weiss Orthodontics

We hope you're enjoying your weekend! It's officially cold and flu season, and once again time to remind our patients at Weiss Orthodontics to try and steer clear of that cold that's been going around lately.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Memphis and Millington offices at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients, Dr. Danny Weiss and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps! Stay healthy!

- Dr. Weiss and the Weiss Orthodontics team

October is National Orthodontic Health Month! From Weiss Orthodontics

Dr. Weiss and our staff can't believe it's already October! For us, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month, and we thought we'd remind all our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time with Dr. Danny Weiss!

Also, in honor of “Orthodontic Health Month,” we’d thought we’d ask: What do you love about your braces? Share your story on our Facebook page!

Enjoy the weekend!

What are happy patients saying about Weiss Orthodontics lately?

Weiss Orthodontics, serving Memphis, Millington and surrounding communities, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Danny Weiss and team!

"My kids and I love Dr. Weiss and the "girls"! They all make it fun!" ~ Anna H.

"I enjoy the fact that the staff and Dr. Weiss are knowledgeable and care for each of their patients. I look forward to the end result."
-Ansley C.

"Dr. Weiss is great and the staff are very professional and courteous. We enjoy going there -you guys are a Godsend and blessing." ~ Tevin G.

"Dr. Weiss is friendly and easy to talk to. He has a very clean office, professional staff, prompt service, is attentive to details, and treats children with respect."
-Dalton D.

"Dr. Weiss and his staff are very friendly!! I can't wait to see the finished product of my new smile. As soon as I walked out of the office, I believe Dr. Weiss sent my mom a gift for referring me. Awesome! I look forward to working with him and his staff!!!!"
-Erica G.

"I hold medical/dental care offices to a high standard. I have medical/dental professionals in my family, and I worked at a hospital in Boston for three years. I have found this office to be organized and pleasant. A welcome change from my usual experience during the last 20 years. I was VERY impressed when Dr. Weiss called in the evening after he had put the braces on my daughter. I was unable to take the call, but he left a message inquiring about her and leaving his number. A VERY high standard of care and customer service." -- Halle B.

What made you choose Weiss Orthodontics?

At Weiss Orthodontics, we treat each patient that we see as an individual with unique orthodontic needs and goals. A beautiful, healthy smile improves confidence and self-esteem. Dr. Danny Weiss and our friendly staff strive to create amazing smiles that last a lifetime in an environment that is fun and comfortable.

But we wonder: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment?

Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or on our Google page.

Thanks in advance!

Ask Dr. Weiss: What foods should I avoid?

There are a variety of foods Dr. Danny Weiss wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Most foods can damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or break the brackets on your braces. If you have braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch causes plaque, cavities and tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask Dr. Weiss or our staff during your next visit! Happy Monday!

Dr. Danny Weiss, reminding you September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month

This month, our staff at Weiss Orthodontics want you to be extra careful with your braces and appliances. After all, September marks the start of fall sports and an increased risk to mouth injuries. September also happens to be National Childhood Injury Prevention Month, and Dr. Danny Weiss thought it’d be a good idea to share a few sobering facts about sports and facial injuries, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Injuries can happen at any age: More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Collision and contact sports have higher injury rates—baseball, soccer, basketball and football account for about 80% of all sports-related emergency room visits for children between 5 and 14 years of age. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Mouth guards are not being used: Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70% say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. And here’s a chilling stat: One out of every four (27 percent) parents say their child has sustained an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the AAO.

Not enough support for mouth guards: Of the parents whose children do not wear a mouth guard, 84 percent say it's because the league or coach does not require it, the AAO says.

Hard hits occur in every sport: The average high school baseball pitcher can throw a fast ball between 75-to-85 miles per hour. This compares to being hit in the mouth by a speeding car! Cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports, accounting for 65% of all injuries in high school girls' athletics, according to MSNBC.com.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions!

Are you visiting your dentist regularly?

Dr. Danny Weiss wants to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? If the answer happens to be yes, we think that’s great! But, it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist in Memphis or Millington every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Weiss Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

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 Dr. Weiss or one of staff members know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Memphis or Millington area! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend! :)

Write a Google review for Dr. Weiss or Weiss Orthodontics!

Happy Friday! Whether you've visited Weiss Orthodontics for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office has fared during your orthodontic treatment! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review of Dr. Weiss there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Weiss create more beautiful smiles in Memphis, Millington and surrounding communities Thanks in advance, and we hope you have a splendid weekend!

You may write your review here.

National Smile Week at Weiss Orthodontics

It’s National Smile Week, and a good time to remind our patients at Weiss Orthodontics to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining during your orthodontic treatment! This includes brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding foods that can stain your teeth such as tea and coffee and visiting your general dentist as recommended.

There are two main reasons to maintain good oral hygiene during your treatment with Dr. Weiss:

• To keep the teeth and gums clean so the teeth won't rot and the gums won't recede away (you'd want to keep your teeth clean for this reason whether or not you are having orthodontic treatment).

• Clean teeth and healthy gums will promote better tooth movement with a healthier result. It may sound absurd, but your body has only so much energy to spend on your mouth so when it is busy fighting decay and periodontal disease, tooth movement slows down considerably.

Perhaps another great reason to smile is this: smiling can actually help you live longer according to a new study! So keep smiling and have a great rest of the summer!

Weiss Orthodontics, reminding you to protect your mouth this summer

With summer here for another two months, Dr. Danny Weiss and our staff would like to take this time to remind our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) as well. Remember, 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 with Dr. Weiss, be sure to ask us for a mouth guard, and we will provide one for you! Have a great weekend! We hope you're enjoying your summer thus far!

Invisalign and your oral health, from Dr. Danny Weiss

OK, so we've blogged about Invisalign in the past, but today thought we'd share the health benefits of this remarkable treatment that we offer at Weiss Orthodontics. Besides straightening your teeth, did you know that Invisalign can improve your oral health? Here are three ways Invisalign can help improve your health, all while shaping your beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Danny Weiss the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

We hope you're all having a great summer!

Summer traveling tips from Weiss Orthodontics

At Weiss Orthodontics, we know most folks - and most of our patients - take a vacation during the summer, and often forget to pack the most important of things. Recently, our staff came across an article from ParentsAsk.com that outlined five important tips for summer travel with children. We strongly encourage you to give this article a read if you’re heading out with the family this summer. Here are even more tips you can use to ensure your vacation packing – and the vacation itself – goes as smooth as possible this summer!

Happy (and safe) traveling everyone!

- Dr. Danny Weiss and team

Weiss Orthodontics, wishing you a Happy Fourth!

For many of our past patients, the Fourth of July is a day of fireworks, picnics, playing at the lake or spending quality time with family. Most folks recognize Independence Day as a time to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. It's also a time to pay homage to all our soldiers - past and present - who continue to place themselves in danger every day so that Americans everywhere may celebrate our freedom.

What about you? What are your Fourth of July plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the open road with family? Are you planning on using fireworks?

Share your July 4th adventures with us on our Facebook page! Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Invisalign treatment at Weiss Orthodontics: How does it work? [Video]

Have you ever thought about Invisalign treatment and how it manages to straighten teeth without using braces at all? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we at Weiss Orthodontics proudly offer at our convenient Memphis and Millington offices. Dr. Danny Weiss offers Invisalign for teens and adults, and has plenty of resources on our website for you to check out about Invisalign. You may also give our office a call to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Ask Dr. Weiss: what, exactly, is a Temporomandibular Disorder?

At Weiss Orthodontics, we know thousands of folks in Memphis suffer from chronic facial and neck pain, as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases the pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow and yawn. Pain in and around these joints are very unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Should you notice any of these symptoms - pain in the jaw, constant headaches, muscle spasms, locked jaw or clicking/popping in the jaw - let us know by giving us a call! Dr. Danny Weiss and team can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

We hope you're having a relaxing weekend!

Dr. Weiss wants to know: What are your summer plans?

As the school year comes to a close for a lot of Dr. Weiss' patients, the days get longer and the temperatures climb here in Memphis, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool and cool off. For a lot of our patients and their families, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned? Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Have an enjoyable weekend everyone!

Weiss Orthodontics has a new website!

If you happened to be browsing through our web site today, you might have noticed our new design!

What's so new, you ask? The layout is patient-focused with a beautiful contemporary design. You'll also see we have before and after photos of past patients, an office tour and in-depth explanations of the treatment options available to you at Weiss Orthodontics. In addition, we have an entirely new "Meet Dr. Weiss" and "Meet the Team" feature, which contain mini-biographies, where you can get to know a little more about us and much, much more!

What do you, our amazing patients, think about the new look and feel of the site? You may post your thoughts here, or tell us by giving us a call!

We invite you to stop by our site, browse around and give us some feedback here or on our Facebook page! Enjoy the rest of your week!

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

You might not have known that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and at Weiss Orthodontics, we know that kids who live an active lifestyle can - and do - improve their health, productivity and overall well-being.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At Weiss Orthodontics, our team and Dr. Weiss always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

Patient reviews for Weiss Orthodontics

At Weiss Orthodontics, our goal is to make you feel comfortable and confident that you have made an excellent choice in your orthodontic care. Whether you are ready to explore braces, Invisalign® or just want to learn more about orthodontic treatment, Dr. Danny Weiss and team enjoy as many people in Memphis and Millington as possible.

Whether you have visited Weiss Orthodontics for a week, for months or for years, we love to hear your feedback about Dr. Weiss or our staff! Now with the Internet, it's easier than ever to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us - it only takes a moment!

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the week!

Weiss Orthodontics, reminding you Mother's Day is coming up!

Mother's Day -- which falls next Sunday, May 9 -- is special to all of us, isn't it. Everyone looks forward to this day to let our mom know how special she is to us. As you know, the day is observed by giving gifts, visiting our moms or taking them out to celebrate. Tell Weiss Orthodontics, what are you planning on you mom's special day on Sunday?

Out of ideas? Then check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas. Whatever you come up with, we're sure mom is going to love it!

Get social with Weiss Orthodontics!

If you know Dr. Weiss and team, you know we embrace anything technology-related. That includes the innovative treatments we offer and the social networks which we are a part of. That includes our Facebook fan page, where we're currently focusing most of our new media efforts.

For social media to work, however, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks such as Facebook are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Weiss and team take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or post them on our Facebook page!

Have a great weekend!

Did you make a difference today? From Dr. Weiss

Whether lending your helping hand to plant trees or grasses or getting out to volunteer in various projects in Memphis or Millington, today was our opportunity to get involved in making our year-round impact in the community. Dr. Weiss wants to know: Did you make a difference today? Tell us, what did you accomplish? How long have you participated in helping our community and planet?

At Weiss Orthodontics, we support Earth Day, which marks its 40th anniversary today and is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our environment and ecosystem. If you’d like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain our ecosystem, try these helpful environmental tips, courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Celebrities and braces, from Weiss Orthodontics

You may not know it, but back in 2002, Tom Cruise - yes, Tom Cruise - had braces. At the time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Just check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise dazzling smile in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Danny Weiss.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this list of Hollywood names. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Weiss Orthodontics a call at 901-767-7370.

Retainers, retainers, retainers...

If you recently completed treatment at Weiss Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Weiss will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They 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 Dr. Weiss is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

April is National Facial Protection Month! From Dr. Danny Weiss

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month. During this time Dr. Weiss and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. The video above from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists demonstrates a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring.

We hope this video helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact Weiss Orthodontics. And remember to have fun and stay safe!

Your turn! From Weiss Orthodontics

By now, you're probably familiar with the drill: Week after week, our team at Weiss Orthodontics write about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques Dr. Weiss offers. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our great 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? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Weiss for a while now? Let us know by posting here, and have a great rest of the week!

-- Dr. Weiss and team

A great braces-friendly spring recipe! From Dr. Weiss and Weiss Orthodontics

Winter is almost over (really!), and the weather is finally starting to get warmer. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) spring dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Soy Simmered Chicken Wraps
Ingredients:
• 3 boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 large onions, chunked
• Small flour tortillas (pkg. of ten) wheat or white
• (optional: 10-16 oz. of cooked chopped broccoli)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 2 Tablespoons peach or apricot jam
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

In a slow cooker, or a large pan on the stove, layer the onions and the chicken breast. Allow at least three hours in the slow cooker on medium, or at least one hour on the stove—the longer the better, but you don’t have to do anything to it while it cooks. Spoon out the chicken onto a cutting board, and with a knife and fork, shred the chicken as finely as you’d like. In a small saucepan, stir all sauce ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, then let it simmer for five minutes on low heat to thicken. In a serving bowl, stir sauce and onion into chicken; if you’d like, add cooked chopped broccoli. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great spring dish and have a great rest of the week!

-- Dr. Weiss and team

Ask Dr. Weiss: Am I too old for treatment?

Who’s afraid of being spotted in braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Weiss Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Danny Weiss can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Weiss would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Weiss Orthodontics, supporting National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Danny Weiss and thousands of orthodontists and dentists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Weiss and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

Dr. Weiss and team know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in Memphis and Millington.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

What puts you at ease at Danny Weiss DDS?

Dr. Danny Weiss understands not everyone is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But at Weiss Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Danny Weiss DDS that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly professional staff? Do you love Dr. Weiss?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Weiss

Everyone loves facts. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.


--Dr. Danny Weiss

Access your account anytime at Danny Weiss, DDS

Access to your account any day, any time. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Patients of Dr. Weiss enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of Dr. Weiss‘s patients are saying about this innovative service:

"Wow! Am I impressed! Very user friendly! Thanks!" ~ Andy S.

"I considered this to be a very helpful "tool" in accessing my personal information and it is very convenient, so that I am able to access the site at anytime of day. Cutting Edge Technology you might say. Thanks!" ~ Joyce R.

"First and most importantly, it provided a detailed statement of my account. I liked the before pictures and I hope once the braces come off the after pics will be posted as well. Keeping up with her appointments is great too. The whole website is wonderful!" ~ Antwanae B.

"I like being able to get an overview of my treatment and my account." ~ Stacey G.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call our office if you have any questions!

Sports and mouth guards, with Weiss Orthodontics

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring and summer months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. If you play sports, it's important that you consult Dr. White and our team for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports such as basketball, football and soccer. 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 Weiss Orthodontics.

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 Weiss Orthodontics.

Dr. Weiss wants to know: What do you love about Memphis?

Weiss Orthodontics, located in Memphis and Millington, and serving surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Weiss and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Memphis or Millington? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite Tennessee getaway?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Memphis or Millington, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks!

It's January! Dr. Weiss wants to know what you're up to!

Your calendar may still say January, but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Dr. Weiss and team at Weiss Orthodontics want to know: What are you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how! Have a great rest of the week!

When should you and your child visit Weiss Orthodontics?

Dr. Weiss knows many parents assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit our office, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for an orthodontist to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age 7, give us a call at Weiss Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Weiss Orthodontics

Dr. Weiss knows image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! The team at Weiss Orthodontics thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

For many teens, Invisalign Teen offers a trouble-free, clear alternative to traditional braces; and not only that, but it offers them the chance to have straight teeth without losing self-confidence!

So how does Invisalign Teen work? Invisalign Teen works in the same way as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.