Our Blog

Happy National Dog Day to all you dog lovers out there. Here at Pack Orthodontics, we love our animals; they are such a special part of life. That’s why today we celebrate our staff member’s pets (cats included)! We are pleased to introduce you to the pets of Pack Orthodontics: Nina has three adorable 5-year-old dogs named Ellie, Duke, and Diesel, Megan has a three-year-old named Chewie, Laurie owns Izzy (10.5 years) and Sophie (7.5 years), Hope owns a lovely 4-year-old pup named Baxter, Ashley owned Maggie for 7 years until she passed away in November. Last but not at least here are the cat owners: Denise has Cali and Kiki and Morgan has a little kitten named Rowdy.

There’s a reason the phrase “Man’s best friend” resonates with so many people. Dogs are loyal and constant companions through life’s high and lows. Megan and Nina would agree and said that many times they prefer the company of animals to people. Laurie says that dogs make perfect best friends because they don’t argue. Hope and Ashley find a dog’s love completely unconditional and are by your side through thick and thin. Morgan entirely disagrees with this sentiment and says her cat is her best friend!

There are so many reasons why pets are so wonderful and the team of Pack Ortho wanted to share a few of their favorite personality traits of their pets. Nina gets all the cuddles from her three pooches! Megan adores Chewie’s underbite and that he gets along so well with her children. For Laurie, it’s their constant excitement each and every day that makes her feel good. Hope admires Baxter’s patience with her children, he has a high tolerance with her two 2-year-old children. For Ashley, not only did her wonderful dog Maggie protect her and her children, but Maggie was always easy and content. Denise’s favorite things about her kitties is that Cali brings socks from around the house and puts them by Denise’s bed when she’s gone or asleep, and Kiki will start to purr as soon as you start to pet her. For Morgan every little thing about her cat is lovable.
For Nina, Megan, Hope, and Ashley having a dog as part of their life was something they always knew they wanted one day. For Laurie however, her first one was a spur of the moment decision, but the second was planned because the first one needed a "sister". Denise never really had thought about owning a cat before but her husband is a cat person. Morgan had always wanted a furry friend companion!

Dogs always have people laughing with the silly antics they get up to. Nina says that Duke likes to snuggle and roll on top of her head even though he’s an 80-pound dog! Megan’s dog Chewie ran away from her house when a co-worker came over--may have been because she kept calling him Toto. Laurie’s dog Izzy pees out of excitement when he meets new people. Ashley says that Maggie was so well behaved, unless there was food at eye-level. One time Ashley was looking forward to these amazing steaks she had just grilled and had turned her back for just a few minutes, and Maggie took off with them! Even when Ashley took them away, you could tell Maggie was grinning ear to ear. Morgan’s cat peed in her bed the first night he came home.

If you are thinking about introducing a cat or dog into your family soon the team of Pack Ortho has some helpful advice for you. Nina urges you to consider that adding a pet into your life is a long term commitment. Megan, Ashley, and Hope add that owning a pet takes a lot of time and dedication but it’s worth it.

We hope all you pet lovers out there have a great National Dog Day!

Orthodontic treatment should begin earlier than most parents are apt to assume. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment should start at around seven years of age.

Dr. Pack can evaluate your child’s existing and incoming teeth early on to determine whether treatment might be necessary or not.

What is early orthodontic treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment usually begins when a child is eight or nine years old. In stage one, bite problems such as underbites and the jaw’s growth pattern are corrected. It can also help to make room in the mouth for the permanent teeth to take their proper places as they come in, which reduces the chance that the patient will require extractions later, due to overcrowding.

Does your child need early orthodontic treatment?

If you notice any of the following characteristics in your son or daughter, you may want to have a chat with Dr. Pack.

• Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
• Late loss of baby teeth (after age five or six)
• Your child’s teeth do not meet properly or at all
• Your child is a mouth breather
• Front teeth are crowded (you probably wouldn’t see this until your child is about seven or eight)
• Protruding teeth, typically in the front
• Biting or chewing difficulties
• A speech impediment
• Your child’s jaw shifts when he or she opens or closes the mouth
• Your child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb

What are the benefits of seeking orthodontic treatment early?

There are many benefits to early orthodontic treatment. One of the biggest is that, because a child’s jaw and bones are soft and pliable, corrective procedures such as braces can work much faster than they do for adults.

Treatment at our Murfreesboro, TN office can enable your child to avoid lengthy procedures, extraction, or surgery in adulthood. Early orthodontic care will give your son or daughter a healthy, stable smile.

Congratulations! You have made the decision to get orthodontic treatment at our Murfreesboro, TN office. Now it’s time to choose among your various appliance options. Traditional metal brackets and wires, lingual braces, a series of aligners—they all have positives to recommend them. And for some people, ceramic braces are the clear favorite.

Ceramic braces work like regular metal braces. Brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth, and rubber bands surrounding the brackets hold the arch wire that gradually moves the teeth into alignment.

Ceramic braces, however, use brackets made of clear or tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain which blend beautifully with the color of your tooth. The elastic ligatures, or rubber bands, can be chosen to match the brackets or your enamel. There are self-ligating ceramic brackets which don’t use bands at all. Technology is even working on ways to make the arch wire less visible! The end result is braces that are almost undetectable.

If you want a less obvious appliance for professional or personal reasons, talk to us about ceramic braces. As always, there are other factors to consider before you decide, which we will be happy to discuss with you.

• Ceramic brackets are very strong, but they are still more brittle than the metal model. If you play a contact sport, these might not be for you. (But whatever braces you choose, please wear a mouthguard when playing sports.)
• Ceramic braces might not be ideal depending on the amount of alignment and bite correction that is needed. They might also take a bit more time to bring your teeth into alignment. We will be able to tell you if ceramic braces will work for you and if they might require a longer period to move your teeth to their perfect position.
• Brackets can sometimes be somewhat larger (though this isn’t always the case), and, because they can be abrasive, are often recommended for upper teeth only. This way, the lower teeth will not impact, or be impacted by, contact with the upper teeth.
• Oral hygiene can trickier with ceramic braces. Although today’s brackets aren’t as prone to staining, you still need to be careful to brush away the plaque that can accumulate around the brackets. And the bands are susceptible to staining by the usual suspects—coffee, tea, colas, blueberries, or any strongly colored food or beverage.
• Costs will differ depending on the treatment method you choose. Talk to us about cost comparisons with other orthodontic treatments.

Ceramic braces, because they are so much less visible, are a popular orthodontic option, especially for older teenagers and adults. If you are interested, talk to Dr. Pack about this effective way to straighten your teeth—discreetly. Ceramic might be the clear solution for creating your lasting, beautiful smile.

A bright, beautiful smile is often achieved with braces. The time you spend wearing braces is an investment in the good health and appearance of your smile. However, Dr. Pack and our staff know that having braces on your teeth can pose challenges. Many of these challenges are commonly faced by all who wear braces, such as flossing, getting food stuck in your braces, and bad breath.

Today, let’s address bad breath and what to do about it. There’s no reason you have to shy away from conversation for fear that you’ve got bad breath.

Fresh Breath Tips for Braces Wearers

• Eat a Healthy Diet. Unhealthy foods that are laden with sugar can contribute to bad breath. Stick with healthy produce, protein, grains, and dairy found on the list of foods your orthodontist says are safe to eat with braces.
• Drink Non-Sugary Beverages. Likewise, steer clear of sugary sodas and juices for the same reason. They contribute to bad breath.
• Stay Hydrated. A mouth that’s continually dry can lead to bad breath by inhibiting your production of saliva. Regular production of saliva removes bacteria and excess food from your mouth, both of which cause bad breath.
• Brush Often. Brush your teeth and tongue first thing in the morning, after each meal and snack, and before you go to bed, to remove food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath.
• Don’t Forget to Floss. Flossing with braces might seem tricky, but it is a necessity. Ask Dr. Pack to show you the best way to floss effectively with braces.
• Mouthwash Use. Use the mouthwash recommended by Dr. Pack. For the best results, swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 seconds.
• Get Regular Cleanings. Regular dental exams and cleanings are more important when you have braces. Cavities can delay your treatment progress, so be sure to visit your dentist every six months.

Practice Good Hygiene Daily

Good oral hygiene practices are important every day, whether you wear braces or not. But they become even more important during the months you wear braces. In addition to your regular orthodontic checkups, see your general dentist for cleanings and exams.

Together, you and our Murfreesboro, TN team will keep your mouth healthy and fresh during and after your orthodontic treatment.