Crofton Orthodontics, helping you save face this fall

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens undergoing orthodontic treatment. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why our team at Crofton Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards.

When on the field this fall, please remember to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

Lastly, remember to ask us—Dr. Robert Martin will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Invisalign and your oral health, from Dr. Robert Martin

When considering treatment options in Maryland, patients often ask Dr. Robert Martin how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Crofton Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

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 even 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. Martin the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Celebrities and braces, from Crofton Orthodontics

Did you know that, back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? Yes, THE Tom Cruise. During this time, Cruise 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 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. Robert Martin.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Crofton Orthodontics a call at (410) 721-3403.

Happy Wednesday!

"Hey Dr. Martin! What's the deal with retainers?"

Have you recently completed treatment at Crofton Orthodontics? Our staff would like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Robert Martin will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. You see, after braces come off, your teeth may shift out of position if they're not stabilized.

Retainers, however, provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold your teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until your bones and gums adapt to treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Martin and our staff is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for your lifetime!

It is absolutely crucial that you wear your retainer at all times. The only time you should remove your retainer should be when you're eating or brushing/flossing. Your retainer will not work as well as it should if it is not worn consistently. If you have additional questions about retainers or your treatment at Crofton Orthodontics, please give us a call at (410) 774-4809 and we'll try to answer any question you may have.

Have a great upcoming week!

At Crofton Orthodontics, access your account—any day, any time, anywhere

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Crofton Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. 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!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

- Dr. Martin and team

Welcome to the Crofton Orthodontics blog!

For those who are new to our social networks, Dr. Robert Martin and our staff would like to welcome you to the official Crofton Orthodontic Associates blog! We've recently installed new ways to stay connected to our patients, including our Facebook page, YouTube channel and our very own blog, which we’ll be updating every week!

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!

We hope you're having a fantastic rest of the summer!

Summer fun with Crofton Orthodontics!

It's still officially summer here at Crofton Orthodontics, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is here for another six weeks. Whether you're headed to a barbecue, an Orioles game, a camping trip, hitting the great American open road or just having fun in the sun, Dr. Robert Martin and our staff want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy and safe travels. Enjoy summer while it's still here!