Earth Day
The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, and a surprising 20 million people participated on that day. Ultimately, it became the largest organized […]
Things You Should Never Use Your Braces For
When you get your braces, Dr. Mark Sundberg and our staff will also give you a list of foods you should not eat and things you should not do. Pay particular attention to these items to keep your teeth and braces safe. Charms belong on bracelets. While you can decorate your braces with colored bands, […]
Play it Safe this Spring
It’s springtime and it’s again time to remind our patients at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics to protect their faces and pearly whites while out on the field playing sports. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events annually. If you are […]
Dangers of DIY Orthodontics on the Internet
All over the Internet you’ll find videos and articles showing how you can close the gap between teeth or space them out. There is a plethora of DIY orthodontic techniques out there — you can even mail order your own impressions to get clear aligners, without even seeing a dentist or orthodontist. Following the instructions […]
Common Issues with Braces: How to avoid bad breath
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. Mark Sundberg and our staff know that having braces on your teeth can pose challenges. Many of these challenges are commonly faced by all who wear […]
St. Patrick’s Day
On March 17, everyone has a little Irish in them. St. Patrick’s Day is a joyous celebration of Irish heritage. The holiday originated as a commemoration of Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland. The saint arrived in Ireland in 432 and earned the reputation of a champion of Irish Christianity. March 17th, the day […]
Foods that are Safe for Braces
Orthodontic braces are used to straighten the teeth, which not only creates a more pleasing appearance, but also helps prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems. Braces are only effective when they are properly cared for, however. Certain foods, for example, are better suited for individuals who have braces, as opposed to hard and […]
Not-So-Sweet Sweets: The five worst candies to eat during orthodontic treatment
Sticky, hard, and gooey: these candies fill your dopamine receptors with spasms of sugar-filled joy, but if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics to straighten your teeth, then these sweets are not so sweet. While you may have a Willy-Wonka-sized sweet tooth, there are some candies you’re going to have to avoid while […]
What is hyperdontia?
When a child is born, he or she will have 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth. But sometimes kids are born with additional teeth, and our team at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics calls this oral condition “hyperdontia.” Primary teeth are the first set of teeth that erupt in your child’s mouth, typically by the time […]
Braces-Friendly Recipe: Dinner
Wearing braces during your treatment at Pacific Northwest Orthodontics presents some unique challenges in the types of food you can safely eat. The wrong items can be difficult to remove from between your teeth and the appliance. Other foods may even break or loosen your braces. Dinner recipe ideas Lasagna is a great dinner choice […]