A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics, from The Dischinger Team

Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger and The Dischinger Team would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube channel of the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at The Dischinger Team, please give us a call.

Tell Dischinger Orthodontics: What should we blog about this summer?

As the summer rapidly approaches, our team at Dischinger Team Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the summer, however, we'd like your help: We thought we’d step back a bit today and ask you, our patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Bill or Terry Dischinger for a while and just haven't had the chance? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

We hope you have a great weekend!

Happy Mother's Day, from Dischinger Team Orthodontics

Mother's Day - which, of course, falls on Sunday - is special to all of us, isn't it? Everyone looks forward to this day to let our mom know how special she is to us. At Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we appreciate all the moms who come to our office on a daily basis!

What about you? How are you planning on spending mom's special day on Sunday?

Out of ideas? Then check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of a recent segment on Good Morning America. We're sure mom will love whatever you come up with!

The importance of retainers, from Dischinger Team Orthodontics

Now that you've completed treatment at Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! After your braces were removed, Drs. Bill or Terry have probably provided you with retainers. The reason retainers are important is that after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization and are the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Drs. Terry or Bill instruct otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Drs. Terry and Bill on Fox 12 News!

Drs. Bill and Terry were recently featured on Portland's Fox 12 News! Check out this clip where Dr. Terry talks about his basketball career and Dischinger Team Orthodontics. Plus, you get a little tour of our office!

Did you know we have a variety of interesting videos on our YouTube channel? Head on over and take a look!

Play it safe this spring, from Dischinger Team Orthodontics

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the 7 million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by people between ages 5 and 24. At Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we want our patients to stay safe this spring. Wearing a mouth guard is one of the easiest and least expensive forms of facial protection and helps prevent potential lifelong jaw and mouth problems!

This year, the American Association of Orthodontists has teamed up with sports legend Emmitt Smith to remind athletes with and without braces that mouth guards and other forms of facial protection help avoid serious injuries. To learn more and to see pictures of the football great showcasing his smile, visit the AAO’s Sports Safety Page or contact any Dischinger Team staff member if you have any questions.

Talking mouth guards with Drs. Terry and Bill Dischinger

Spring may be a time for sports, sun and fun, but it's also a time when you have to be careful if you play sports. At Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we know how important it is to protect your face and pearly whites while participating in sports activities. With spring around the corner, Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger know the spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities—and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Our dedicated team at Family Orthodontics also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get injured while playing sports.

That’s why our team is doing its part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

And, ask us—Drs. Dischinger will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. The AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them 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

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger are trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Dischinger Team Orthodontics.

Ask Drs. Bill & Terry Dischinger: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

People wonder why the Dischinger Team works tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! Located in Lake Oswego and serving the greater Portland metropolitan area, the team at Dischinger Orthodontics are focused on providing gentle, effective and family-friendly orthodontic care for patients of all ages.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Bill & Terry Dischinger can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.