Ask Dr. Martin: Why are retainers so important, anyway?

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.

Happy Holidays!

Season’s Greetings from Crofton Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Crofton Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Martin & all of us at Crofton Orthodontics!

Ask Dr. Martin: “I’m 51 – am I too old for braces?”

Thanks for the question – at Crofton Orthodontics, NOBODY is “too old” for braces!

In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Martin can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

In fact, we are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

Contact our office to schedule an initial FREE consultation, and start your journey to a beautiful, new smile. We look forward to working with you!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Crofton Orthodontics!

Love your new smile? Tell the world about it!

At Crofton Orthodontic Associates, we believe in giving patients more than just a great smile; we strive to give our patients a life-changing experience.

Whether you've visited Dr. Robert Martin for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. After all, your generous reviews help Dr. Martin and team create more beautiful smiles!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and enjoy the rest of your weekend! Dr. Martin, as well as our entire team, look forward to reading your reviews!

What's the deal with cavities?

At Crofton Orthodontics, we know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit their dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? Well, a cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic, and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your general dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces:

· Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily

· Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)

· Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth and braces where your toothbrush can’t reach

· Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat or drink

· Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Martin

We hope that helps! Give us a call to learn more about keeping your braces and oral health in tip-top shape!

Giving thanks this holiday season

All of us at Crofton Orthodontics extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We appreciate the opportunity to work together with you in the creation of your ideal smile and look forward to the day when your treatment is completed and you join our family of beautiful smiles, which we create daily at our Crofton office. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat, especially with those braces!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Are you wearing your mouth guard?

With fall sports close to wrapping up and winter sports right around the corner, many patients here at Crofton Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Dr. Robert Martin and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this fall and winter, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps! Dr. Martin and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook.
Stay safe!