• 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.

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!

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!

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.

Maddy was wonderful patient — wore her rubber bands, brushed her teeth and the best part is she transformed from a cute pre-teen Brace Face into a lovely young lady. Congratulations, Maddy!

Maddy's First Treament

Maddy, her brother Jack and I after I put on her braces in 2007

Maddy got a treatment on my wedding day!

Maddy loved getting treatment photos!

Not the most comfortable treamtent chair.

The final treatment (debanding)...in a real office!

Poolside retainer fitting...not too shabby!

Maddy and I right after debanding.

A Great Smile is Priceless!

We all want the best for our children. To provide our kids with the advantages we didn’t have is every parent’s dream! Achieving the dream can be difficult and even a little overwhelming. There are so many things to consider: time constraints, budget concerns and who to trust just to name a few. All of our endeavors as parents are undertaken in order to raise healthy, happy and confident children who will thrive and contribute to our community. Orthodontics can be an integral piece to this puzzle.

In some respects, getting braces has become a right of passage. For children (and adults) who need braces, it can make a tremendous difference in their outlook on life.  When a person who does not feel good about his or her smile is able to have orthodontic treatment and become comfortable and confident, it is a life-changing experience! Being able to give a person confidence and self-esteem is the most fulfilling and satisfactory part of our job. We love what we do!   We want everyone to experience the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with having a great smile and the confidence to show the world. Nothing warms a room, a relationship or changes attitudes like a great smile!

The great news is that getting braces has become so comfortable, convenient and affordable that virtually everyone can now afford do give the wonderful gift of a great smile to their children (or themselves!). The days of having to see the orthodontist every month, painful bands and separators, headgear and high down payments are in the past! Modern technology, modern convenience and modern financing make braces more attractive and affordable now than ever before. Let’s look at a few of the common questions and explore the latest advances.

When should I take my child to the orthodontist?
This is the most common question by far. In the past, people were told to wait until all the baby teeth are gone and then wait for their dentist to refer them to the orthodontist. These days, however, it is a whole different ballgame. Advances in technology have made it possible to identify and address problems before they turn into a “train wreck” necessitating the removal of adult teeth and braces. If your child sees the orthodontist at age 7 (or at least before age 10) the options and tools available for optimum treatment are greatly increased. In the vast majority of cases, no treatment is necessary on young children, the orthodontist is able to monitor growth and development and then intercede at exactly the right time if necessary. Sometimes having an orthodontist monitor your child from an early age and addressing minor issues through non-orthodontic means can help avoid situations becoming worse over time and even avoid the “need” for braces all together! The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening by age 7 so do yourself and your child a favor and call an orthodontist to set up an appointment.  A dental referral is not necessary to set up a time to see the orthodontist.

How much do braces cost?
This is the second most popular question. Each case is different and no orthodontist can diagnose your child over the phone! Come in to our office (call 703 820-1011 to make an appointment) for a visit and become educated on what is necessary (if anything), how long treatment will take and how much it will cost. Once you have all the information, then you can decide what is best for your family. Financing orthodontic treatment has changed dramatically in the last few years. The days of requiring thousands of dollars as a down payment are long gone. We can help you by accepting insurance, lowering down payments, extending payment times, working with cafeteria plans, automatically drafting your credit card or bank account and many other conveniences.

Will my child have to have braces twice?
One of the great things about the advances in orthodontics is that now we can use orthopedics to address problems with the bones and jaws early in a child’s life to enhance and improve the smile and bite. When necessary, early treatment addresses bite and jaw issues before the adult teeth come in. In these cases, the first phase of orthopedic treatment usually ends before the adult teeth erupt. When that happens, it is usually necessary for the child to have a second phase of treatment to align the adult teeth after they erupt. This two phase treatment is not the norm but it can make tremendous positive changes for a child who has major issues and sees the orthodontist young enough. Many times early treatment can help avoid the removal or extraction of permanent teeth later in life and we are all about avoiding that!

Do braces hurt?
Just like wearing a new pair of fancy shoes, when you first get braces there is some discomfort and rubbing. However, just as is the case with your new footwear after a few days of breaking them in and getting used to them, things are right as rain. By using the latest low-friction braces and new technology, braces are more comfortable than ever before and treatment times are shorter and shorter (assuming that the patient does what he or she is told, doesn’t break things, wears elastics and keeps the teeth very clean). There is some discomfort. No question. However, it is well worth a little discomfort to earn a lifetime of great smiles.

How do they stick the braces to my teeth?
People are often worried that we drill into teeth to attach the braces. Nothing could be further from the truth!  We simply glue the braces to the teeth. Also, when the braces come off, we have special tools that make this process easy as well.

What happens at the first visit to the orthodontist?
Your first visit to the orthodontist is a fun and exciting time. You will be greeted by our terrific staff behind the counter who will help you sign in. Once that is done, the records expert will come meet the patient and parent and take them to the records area. For me, the doctor,  to have a complete picture of what is going on and what treatment is necessary (if any) photos and X-rays will be necessary. The records process only takes a few minutes and is completely painless. It is fun to see the teeth up close and personal! Once the records are done, you will meet the Treatment Coordinator. The TC will be your liaison with the doctor and help you through the process. After a tour of the office and meeting the team, the TC will discuss in detail what the main concerns of the patient and parent are, take some notes and then bring in the orthodontist to have a look. The orthodontist will look at the patient and records and explain if treatment is necessary. This is when time, cost and the other aspects of treatment are explained. Since you and all of us at McCombs Orthodontics will all essentially be “family” during the year or two of treatment, it is vital that a good relationship is established and everything is explained in great detail before any treatment is started. By the end of your new patient appointment, the patient and parent will be educated about what is going on and what is required to create a great smile. Education is power and we believe it is incredibly important that everyone is clear on the plan before treatment begins.

Can adults have braces?
Absolutely! You are never too old to improve your smile! Metal braces are still the gold standard when it comes to efficacy but there are several other options that are attractive to adults. Clear braces and Invisalign are excellent options in many cases. Many adults have treatment with their children because it is convenient to come to appointments together, the financing is such that it is affordable and it is a great bonding experience!

What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
All orthodontists completed dental school and are dentists. The difference is that orthodontists went a step further and completed 2-3 more years of full time residency. Orthodontists specialize in aligning teeth and jaws. That is all we do! There is something to be said for doing one thing and doing it extremely well.

Orthodontics and the process of getting braces has changed tremendously over the last few years. Forget all the things you had to endure as a child, the lack of affordability and the painful process. Things are different now! Change is good. Call 703-820-1011 and make an appointment to see an us today. It will change your child’s life…

All of us here at the office were touched by the recent devastation experienced by the people of Haiti when it was hit by the terrible earthquake last week.  As a recent Operation Smile participant to Nicaraugua, I can tell you first hand how devastating something like this could be in such an environment.

We were discussing ways in which we could help those in need in Haiti and discovered Heart-to-Heart International.    We’re honored to be a part of the relief effort and for bringing our community together when help is needed.

If you would like to help by creating a Care Kit, you may bring one (or more) to our office and we’ll see to it that any kits received are delivered to the Heart-to-Heart International office.  The requested Care Kit should contain a few specific items that are easy to find in local drugstores or perhaps you have extra in your storage closets:

Care Kit Contents (put these inside one zipper seal bag and then put the top of the filled bag into the bottom of the second bag and seal it – in essence, double-bag your Care Kit):

• One new hand towel & One new washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb
• One small bottle of shampoo
• One individually wrapped bar of soap
• One new individually wrapped toothbrush
• One travel size tube of toothpaste
• Ten(10) Band-aids (adhesive bandages)

Here is a web site for more information:  http://www.hearttoheart.org/PDF/CareKitSheet.pdf

PUMPKIN CAKE

Ingredients

* 1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix
* ½ cup vegetable oil
* 4 eggs
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* ¾ cup sugar
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* Dash of nutmeg
* ¼ cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions
Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer at medium speed, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, then water. Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree oven for 60-70 minutes. Cool before removing from pan. Makes a moist and delicious cake—no frosting required.

For more great recipes, click here.  If you have any recipes of your own, let me know!