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At Pack Orthodontics we are so excited that summer has finally begun. For me, summer brings back many beloved travel memories. As a child, my favorite memory was going to Florida to see my grandmother, who lived on a canal with fish and alligators that I’d often try to catch. Now that I have children of my own, new memories are constantly being made as we travel together; when my three kids were young, we waited in the rain for the taping of Good Morning America in New York. Due to my youngest daughter having a doll with her, the weatherman chose us to do his segment!

With the schedules of most families packed with activities, travel is one instance when extended quality time can be spent with everyone. This time is usually free of the stresses and interruptions of normal life so travel always feels rejuvenating. Travel also gives us the opportunity to do activities we can’t typically fit into our schedules. I personally love that it gives me the ability to read for pleasure!

The travel destination is just as important as what you pack for the trip. With this in mind, my five travel essentials are a toothbrush (of course!), phone, camera, comfortable hat, and tennis shoes. What are five travel essentials for you?

Most recently my daughter Laney and I traveled to Costa Rica for a mission trip with Middle Tennessee Christian School. It was an amazing opportunity for us! Next time you’re in our office ask me about it and I will share our story with you.

The furthest place I’ve ever traveled is Rome, Italy. I hope to one day head back to Europe and play golf at St. Andrew’s in Scotland. My travel bucket list also includes Hawaii, to see beautiful beaches and volcanoes, and Alaska, to see the glaciers and wildlife.

Our family at Pack Orthodontics wish you a happy summer filled with family, friends and summer treats. Don’t forget to brush and floss, and as always, we urge you to participate in our patient contest to get points on your Reward Card!

Straighter teeth is something many people desire. A nice smile is one of the most attractive things about a person. However, wearing a mouth full of braces for two, three, or more years can be a major pain, both literally and figuratively.

Luckily, there is another option. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Learn more about the benefits Invisalign offers and why you should consider this exciting method of straightening teeth.

• When you have straight teeth, your mouth is healthier in general and there is less chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign makes it possible for more people to straighten their teeth.
• Invisalign is essentially invisible. You can straighten your teeth without unsightly metal in your mouth.
• The average cost is similar to that of traditional braces, which makes it affordable for many families.
• With Invisalign, the aligner trays are smooth and comfortable to wear. Traditional metal braces can be uncomfortable and cause irritation to the mouth.
• Invisalign is removable, so you do not have to wear the system during special occasions, or when you’re eating. With normal metal braces, you are stuck with them for the entire straightening process.
• Brushing and flossing are simple. Since the system is removable, you can brush and floss just like normal.

As you can see, Invisalign is an exciting option we provide at Pack Orthodontics for those who want straighter teeth. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, talk to Dr. Pack and find out if it would work for your particular situation. Get started today, and before you know it you will be enjoying your straighter teeth.

For more information about Invisalign, or to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Pack, please give us a call at our convenient Murfreesboro, TN office today!

Happy Independence Day from Dr. Pack and team! The Fourth of July celebrations in America may have changed a lot over the years, but there is no doubt that we Americans love to celebrate the anniversary of our country's independence! Today we're devoting the Pack Orthodontics blog to some fun facts about the Fourth!

• My, how we have grown! This year the United States Census Bureau estimates that our country has 313.9 million residents celebrating the Fourth of July this year, but back in 1776 there were just 2.5 million members of the country.
• Our country loves to show how proud that we are of our independence. Did you know that there are 31 United States places with the word “Liberty” in their names? The state of Iowa actually has four towns with the word Liberty in the name: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty, and West Liberty.
• The United States loves Fourth of July food! It is expected that around 150 million hot dogs are eaten on the Fourth each year. One of the Fourth's most popular sides, potato salad, goes just perfectly with the hotdogs and hamburgers that are standard Fourth of July fare. Some people choose potato chips instead, but we wouldn't have such a plethora of potatoes if not for the prodigious production of the states of Idaho and Washington -- they provide about half of all the potatoes in the United States today!
• Americans love celebrating the Fourth outdoors: About 74 million Americans fire up their BBQ grill every Fourth of July.
• The Chinese contribution: Did you know that Americans have spent more than $211 million on fireworks that were imported from China?

No matter how your family chooses to celebrate the Fourth, stay safe, take precautions, and don't forget to brush after your fabulous Fourth feast!

By now, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard. To give you a better idea of how smoking can affect your oral health, Dr. Pack and our team have listed some issues that can arise.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can have steep ramifications for anyone that gets it. Surgery can be required to eliminate the cancer before it spreads to more vital parts of your body. Any type of cancer is about the worst health effect you can get, and this especially holds true to the affects that smoking has on your mouth. The type of mouth surgery required with oral cancer can leave your face deconstructed in certain areas, and it is all due to smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Tooth Discoloration and Bad Breath

At the very least, it is fair to say that as a smoker you will often have bad breath, and while you may try to cover it up with gum or mints, tooth discoloration is a whole other story. The chemicals and substances in cigarettes stick to your teeth staining them brown and yellow colors that are increasingly difficult to disguise.

Gum Disease and Loss of Bone

Another effect of smoking is the increased risk of gum disease. Your gums may start to recede, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Smoking can also increase bone loss and density in your jaw which is vital to the health of your mouth. Gum disease and bone loss are two signs that smoking is definitely bad for your mouth.

When it comes to the health of your mouth, the question is not whether smoking affects your health, it's how does it affect your health and to what degree. If for no other reason than because smoking involves your mouth as its entry point, it is safe to say that it can have long-lasting and detrimental consequences on your oral health.

To learn more about smoking and your oral health, contact our Murfreesboro, TN office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pack.