Helping Out this Holiday Season

McCombs Orthodontics will be placing a box in our waiting room to help collect non-perishable foods throughout November and most of December to donate to Food for Others. If you would like to donate, some of the needed items are:

• Peanut butter
• Canned tuna fish
• Canned fruit
• Macaroni and cheese
• Rice and pasta
• Cereal
• Canned soups, stews, and chili
• Canned vegetables,
• Spaghetti noodles and sauce
• Beans
• Juices

Money donations are also accepted which will then be used by McCombs Orthodontics to buy all the remaining non-perishable foods to donate to Food for Others. Please give money donations to Amy at the front desk. Anything you would like to donate would be a big help to make the holidays a little brighter for families around our areas. We appreciate your help!!!

Last Day for food donations in the office will be Wednesday,  December 21st and Sharon and Amy will deliver food directly to the Food for Others Warehouse in Merrifield on Thursday December 22nd.

Three Tips To Avoid Cavities While in Braces

“How can I prevent cavities while I have braces?” This is a very common question I get from my patients…and one of the more important ones! The issue with braces is there are more nooks and crevices for food to get stuck in and tooth-brushing can be a bit more challenging. But if you follow some simple guidelines, you will come out of your braces cavity free:

1. See your dentist for a thorough exam and cleaning to make sure you do not have any cavities before you come see me to have your braces put on. As I put on your braces, I will not are not check for cavities.
2. Since you were very young, you have been told to brush and floss after every meal, but while wearing braces, you may need to brush and floss even more. I suggest buying a good electric toothbrush and a water pik that will remove food in between teeth and braces. Also, use a plaque-removing mouthwash to loosen any food particles and will also minimize the bacteria that can cause cavities.
3. Avoid certain foods. I know, this can be hard to do…but it is probably the most important tip I can give. Certain foods such as sweets, nuts, popcorn and breads can get stuck in places that may be difficult to reach with your toothbrush, and even flossing can be tricky when food is stuck. There are great foods out there that are just as delicious, but are better to eat while in orthodontic treatment. In fact, I occasionally post recipes here or in my newsletter!

It’s true…we are giving away an iPad!

We are so excited to be giving away an iPad in a fun Facebook contest. Below are the details on the contest which begins this coming Sunday, May 1st. You can also see the information on our website too. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share McCombs Orthodontics with your friends…and win an iPad!

McCombs Orthodontics Making Holidays Bright

This year, we have decided to adopt a local family that needs a little extra help this time of year. The family, a mom and two daughters (ages 10 & 16), was referred to us through Fairfax County’s Our Daily Bread Program.

You can help by donating NEW unwrapped gifts and/or non-perishable foods, the family has even created a wish list (see below). Please place donated Items in the bin in our waiting room by December 22nd and all the Items will be wrapped by our staff and personally delivered before the holidays.

Items on the family’s wish list:

* ANY non-perishable foods
* Gift Cards to Walmart or Target (please don’t place cards in the donation bin, you can hand them to Amy at the front desk)
* Hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters (women’s size XL)
* Child coat (women’s XL)
* Women’s Pants size 7/8 for mom
* Bratz Dolls, clothes and accessories
* Candyland board game
* Various board and card games
* Books
* Nintendo DS-Pink.

We appreciate anything you can do to help this family enjoy a merry and bright holiday!

Operation Smile – Why I love my job!

Most of you know that I’ve done many medical missions with Operation Smile and have lots of stories of the good that we do.

During a mission to the Philippines I examined a 40 year old man with a bi-lateral cleft lip and palate (two splits in his lip and a hole in the roof of his mouth); he was also missing his front teeth. Food and liquid would get up into his nose, he couldn’t speak well and he was embarrassed about his appearance. Mohammed worked as a night janitor.

The plastic surgeons agreed that they could close his cleft lip but there was no way on this mission for them to repair the void in his cleft palate. I made him an obturator with false teeth – much like an orthodontic retainer, an obturator covers the palate.

One week later Mohammed had a repaired smile, a covering over the hole in the roof of his mouth, and new teeth which allowed him to eat and speak normally. When I gave him a mirror to see his new look he smiled wide and said through the interpreter, “Finally, I can get married!”

Mohammed is one reason why I love doing what I do.