How important is your smile to the team at Wilson Orthodontics? It's our top priority and we are so excited about all the beautiful smiles from our patients, we put together this latest video!

If you have other favorite pictures of your new smile from Drs. Wilson and Lekht share them with us on our Facebook page!

The bottom line is, we know having a beautiful smile is important to you. Take the next step toward a healthier, brighter smile and contact our office soon to schedule an appointment.

Great question!

If you are brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht, we think that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Wilson Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.

If you have any questions, please be sure to keep ask Drs. Wilson & Lekht or our team during your next adjustment appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know image is everything. For many people, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for two or more years may be more than enough to delay orthodontic treatment.

If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at Wilson Orthodontics may be a great solution. Invisalign, which straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht.

Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Wilson Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Even if you brush and floss daily, as well as maintain your braces and visit our office during your orthodontic treatment it is still important to visit your local dentist every 6 months, or as recommended.

Why?

• Your dentist can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow your dentist to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.

If you have not visited a dentist in the past six months, please let us know! Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht will be happy to provide a few great references here in the area!

-- The team at Wilson Orthodontics

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth and between your braces. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, try fudgy cocoa bites, marvelous molasses cookies, wonderful waffles or other braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman.

If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats. Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

Happy Holidays!

"I think our website is very fun and informative. It lets everyone know about the events that are going on at Wilson Orthodontics, and it also tells them about the latest information in orthodontics. We do a lot in our community, and our social networks help to inform everyone about our activities in the local community. They inform our patients and their families of any games or contests that are going on, and also gets everyone involved.

We are constantly updating our social networks to keep patients in the loop about what is going on in and around our office.

We also love hearing from our patients. We take their opinions to heart and try to address things when needed. It is a great way to communicate! We encourage our patients to ask us questions on our social networks.

We love that our patients and their families visit our website and social networks. We look forward to continuing the social networking experience with all of you!"

~ Si Morris, Treatment Coordinator

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did prior to your orthodontic treatment.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht and our team at Wilson Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; just ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Drs. Wilson and Lekht and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Wilson Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below or on our Facebook page. You may also give us a call!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to learn how you may be able to solve the problem yourself, or, if you cannot, how to contact Drs. Wilson and Lekht and team.

Common issues include:

*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht and our entire staff at Wilson Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them on our Facebook page.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

"The holidays are quickly approaching, and it's our favorite time of the year here at Wilson Orthodontics! We just finished up our Halloween Candy Buy Back Program, which was a huge success. All of the candy that we received was sent to our soldiers overseas. Thank you to everyone who helped us collect these sweet treats for our troops. We also just completed the fundraiser for The Susan G. Koman Foundation through our Facebook contest, which was also a huge success thanks to our wonderful patients!

We are currently giving away an iPod Nano with the iWatch Q Wrist Band to 3 winning patients in our current contest. You can enter by visiting us on Facebook, or by submitting a review on our Google Places page! We are so thankful for ALL of our awesome patients and look forward to a busy, and fun, holiday season!"

~ Diannah Wilson, Observation Treatment Coordinator

"I feel very fortunate to be in the wonderful field of orthodontics! I am able to change not only smiles, but also lives. I love meeting people and getting to know them as they go through their orthodontic treatment. I strive to make patients to feel comfortable at their appointments. It's great to know that we not only have patients, but new friends as well! Building a report with them is just an awesome feeling!

When we begin treatment with patients, they are sometimes embarrassed by their smiles. A patient could have spacing issues or just simply need rotations. Whatever the reason, I really try to build their confidence so that they feel better about themselves. That is very important to me, as it is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. The most rewarding thing to me is seeing a patient's end result... a beautiful smile which he or she absolutely loves and is so thankful for! This makes my job so rewarding! I'm so glad to be a part of their lives.

Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we give our patients more than straight teeth, we give them a smile and confidence that lasts a lifetime!"

~ Shannon Couch, Chairside Assistant

"October is National Orthodontic Health and Halloween Month, and we all know what is in abundance at Halloween....CANDY!! We always stress a good brushing and flossing routine all year round, but it is especially important during the fall season because of the availibility of Halloween candy. We want you to enjoy your candy while keeping your smiles clean and healthy! During your orthodontic treatment we caution you to stay away from very sticky, chewy, hard, and crunchy candy and food because they can loosen or break your orthodontic appliances, which can add to your treatment time.

Additionally, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7 in order to see if preventative treatment is needed. We want them to avoid larger orthodontic issues when they are older. If you are an adult, you should call and set up an orthodontic evaluation for yourself as soon as possible to address any problem you may have!"

~ Kelley Moore, Chairside Assistant

"Over the years technology has evolved more than ever and it allows us here at Wilson Orthodontics to connect with our patients on a whole other level. The internet has changed our practice by being able to advertise everything we have to offer in a more efficient way. Patients can go to our website to be more informed about us before they even come in. We also now have ways to connect with everyone through social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more. Technology has advanced in so many ways and it will continue to help us expand our office."

~ Flavius Ticarat

All of us at Wilson Orthodontics would like to congratulate Bailey A.! She is the lucky winner of our iPad Giveaway-Getaway Contest. Bailey won a week-long family vacation to Panama City and and an iPad 2. We hope that she has a wonderful vacation!

Thanks so much to all of our patients who entered our iPad Giveaway-Getaway. Dr. Wilson, Dr. Lekht and our team were overwhelmed by the number of entries that our office received! If you haven't already, we encourage everyone to "like" us on Facebook to receive all of the latest information about upcoming contests, events and exciting office news.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Wilson Orthodontics a call. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

-Dr. Wilson, Dr. Lekht and team

As social media is constantly changing, Dr. Ron Wilson and Dr. Svetlana Lekht are always looking for new ways to connect with our patients and community. We love sharing office news on our blog and posting pictures, videos and interesting articles on our Facebook page. This summer, we're very excited to host a Family Beach Vacation & iPad Giveaway on Facebook. One of our lucky patients will receive a one week family vacation at the Tidewater Resort in Panama City Beach, FL AND an iPad 2! One non-patient will also win an iPad 2, so don't forget to share our contest with your friends and family in Gainesville, Cleveland, Hoschton/Braselton, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Dahlonega and surrounding areas.

To enter our summer giveaway, be sure to check out the iPad Giveaway Getaway tab on our Facebook page. We look forward to receiving your contest entries!

Good luck!

Our team at Wilson Orthodontics strives to make our orthodontic office your home away from home. With everything from coffee and freshly baked cookies to wi-fi internet, a theater, and game room, we offer patients the ultimate orthodontic experience while delivering the very best orthodontic treatment. Our office is designed with your family's best interests in mind, and we take every opportunity to exceed your expectations! This week, our front desk receptionist Angie would like to share her a few of the ways that she thinks Wilson Orthodontics goes "the extra mile" for our patients.

Charity Spa
Did you know that we have a Charity Spa? That's right, parents can enjoy manicures, pedicures, massage chairs, acrylics and paraffin treatments while giving back to our local charities and schools. 100% of our spa proceeds are donated to charity. You can even choose if you would like to support the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, Good News Clinics, Family, Ties or CASA of Hall & Dawson County.

BRACE BUS
While you recognize that our office has unsurpassed amenities and offers exceptional orthodontic care, what if you simply can't take the time off work for your child's orthodontist appointment? Now, thanks to our BRACE BUS, you can relax knowing that this is no longer an issue! Our office realizes that today's parents are constantly challenged to find the time to fit sports, after-school activities, and other appointments into their busy schedule. We now offer a BRACE BUS, so that your kids can make it to their appointments on time while riding in style. To help you feel at ease, we even offer parents the option of watching their child's trip to Wilson Orthodontics through our 4 video camera DVR system.

Dr. Wilson, Dr. Lekht and our team serve patients in the Gainesville, Cleveland, Hoschton/Braselton, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Dahlonega, and surrounding Georgia areas. Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything that our orthodontic team can do to better serve your family.

There are so many neat things happening this fall at Wilson Orthodontics and we are so excited to share them with you!

1. Our new BRACE BUS! Our office has purchased a cool Hummer and painted it up. It's ready to pick up our patients at school, bring them to their appointments, and then drop them back off. It makes going to the orthodontist easy. Check it out by visiting our website, or visit us on Facebook!

2. We are still giving away a iPad 2 twice a year! There are so many ways you can enter to win! There is always an office contest happening in the office. Ask us about it at your next appointment!

3. This month we will be opening up an office in Cleveland, Georgia! Hopefully by December we will be able to move into our new Hoschton/Braselton location on Spout Springs Rd. in Flowery Branch.

Our office is always trying to find ways to make things more exciting and fun for our patients and parents! Our goal is to make things as easy, efficient, and FUN as possible. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!

Summer is the perfect time to get braces! School is out and schedules can be more flexible. Summer vacation allows for you to get used to new braces, so that you can feel confident when returning to school.

Wilson Orthodontics is the only place to go for your orthodontic treatment. Our doctors and team are extensively trained in the latest technology. We always host games and contests that are awesome and fun for everyone. Where else can you go to the orthodontist AND enter a contest to win an iPad or a Florida vacation for your family? All of this and we offer affordable payment plans to fit any budget. Check us out today!

~Sue Gerado, Financial Coordinator

Dr. Ron Wilson, your hometown orthodontist, is excited to soon serve yet another Georgia community with our Cleveland, GA orthodontic office. We love that each of our offices has it's own personality, which is created by our amazing patients that live within that area.

Today, Dr. Wilson and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about our community? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway in Georgia?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” in Georgia.

If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call! Have a great week!

Our very first Hall Country, GA Smile for a Lifetime recipient recently began her orthodontic treatment at Wilson Orthodontics. We're so excited to have Margarita as a patient at our office!

The Wilson Orthodontic Team will be awarding 10 of these orthodontic scholarships this year. It is our goal to give away $50,000 worth of orthodontic care to individuals in our local community through this charitable non-profit organization. We encourage you to fill out one of our online applications if you or someone you know would like to be considered for the Smile for a Lifetime program. Award recipients will be selected on a quarterly basis by the Board of Directors.

From the moment you enter Wilson Orthodontics, Dr. Wilson and our orthodontic team strive to provide you with individual care in a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. Our team will always explain the details of what you can expect during your appointments, so there are never any surprises. You will always have the opportunity to ask questions and have your concerns addressed. There are no silly questions! Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's ever anything that we can do to better serve you on a more personal level. It is our goal for patients to feel as comfortable as possible during their experience at Wilson Orthodontics.

With summer in full swing, some of us at Wilson Orthodontics wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide.” Plus, it's fun!

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Dr. Wilson would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Summer is here! Kids and adults alike will now be spending more time outside being active and enjoying the hotter temperatures. And what’s better on a hot summer day than a delicious treat that will cool you down after doing something active in the summer sun? Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have just the thing, Watermelon Sorbet! You can find the complete recipe below:
Watermelon Sorbet
Ingredients
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 2 to 3 cups watermelon, diced, no seeds or rind
Directions
In a small saucepan, heat the water, sugar, and lime juice on medium high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Chill this “syrup” at least 20 minutes. In the meantime, place the watermelon chunks in a food processor or blender and liquefy them. Add the chilled syrup to the watermelon puree and blend. Freeze sorbet in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve immediately.

Happy Summer from Dr. Wilson & Team

The entire team at Wilson Orthodontics is dedicated to providing the finest in service to our patients. We are pleased to announce the addition of our new associate in smile perfection, Dr. Svetlana Lekht. We are proud to have her join the Wilson Orthodontics’ team!

Dr. Lekht attended Rutgers State University where she graduated with highest honors. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2007 graduating #1 in her class. After completing a general practice residency in 2007-2008 at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ, Dr. Lekht earned her Certificate in Orthodontics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in their 3-year program. It is here that she obtained her Masters of Dental Science Degree. In addition to her educational accomplishments, Dr. Lekht has had the privilege to work with Dr. Frank Bogdan over the past 3 years who is one of leading Damon System Braces lecturers/teachers in the world. It was this extensive Damon System training, and her director of orthodontics’ recommendation as “one of the top residents to graduate from our program in the last 10 years” that confirmed Dr. Lekht was the perfect fit for our orthodontic team. Yes, Dr. Lekht is a knowledgeable doctor whose passion is making smiles, and she is looking forward to seeing those smiles right here in our offices at Wilson Orthodontics!

In order to provide our patients with even greater flexibility in scheduling their appointments, Dr. Lekht will be working primarily in our Hoschton/ Braselton/ Flowery Branch office. With Dr. Lekht on-board, we have one more way to serve you better and another reason to be thankful!

We invite you to send your friends and family over for their complimentary orthodontic evaluation and the opportunity to meet the newest member of our team. As always, our entire team strives to provide you with the highest in quality orthodontic care and service, and Dr. Lekht is no exception! We now look forward to creating beautiful smiles together for our wonderful patients and we will see you in our office soon!

We have been excited ever since the ground breaking ceremony of our new Flowery Branch/ Hoschton/ Braselton office (Our existing Hoschton office is moving 1/2 a mile down the road , next to Publix). Check out the progress on our Facebook page as we post our pictures.

With our new office, we are not only bringing the latest in technology with our Damon System braces and Damon Clear Braces, but we are also offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. Our new office will have a game room, internet cafe, our charity spa, theater, refreshment/coffee bar, and much more.

Wait...is this really an orthodontist office?

YES, our goal is to give our patients the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE while delivering the best quality orthodontic treatment around. So come experience what everyone else is talking about and be a part of our wonderful orthodontic family. We look forward to seeing you!

-Dr. Wilson & Ortho Team

With summer just around the corner, there are many questions that patients have about preventing facial injuries. Summer is a very active time for many of us, whether that means sports or just fun in the sun. Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we offer mouth guards to all of our patients that play sports. We have several colors to choose from, which makes it fun during school because patients like to choose their school colors. These mouth guards are very easy to insert. They are designed to fit over your braces, and are very comfortable. We recommend these over the mouth guards you find in a retail store, as those tend to be the "boil and bite" variety, which can damage or break your brackets.

We recommend mouth guards even for patients who are using the Invisalign trays. This is because the trays do not offer as effective of protection as a mouth guard does. If you have a removable retainer that you wear full time, we recommend that you remove it when playing sports as well. This way, if you are hit in the mouth, your retainer won't be damaged.

If you should get into an accident and a tooth is knocked out, you should call your general dentist right away. The tooth should be rinsed off immediately with water , but never scrubbed. It should be held by the crown and not the root to avoid damage the ligaments. If you are comfortable with placing the tooth in the socket, do so. If not, you can place between the cheek and gumline. This provides protection against bacteria. If you need to transport the tooth, place it in a glass of milk. This also protects the tooth be keeping it moist until you can receive medical attention. You should place a tissue or a gauze in the socket to stop any bleeding.

If you should chip or break a tooth, you should call your general dentist or get to the hospital for medical attention. Your dentist can use some bonding material that is tooth colored to repair the broken tooth. You can also call us here at Wilson Orthodontics even at night or on the weekend and someone will call you back as soon as possible to assist in helping you.

Play it safe this summer, and have fun!

Memorial Day weekend is a time when Americans everywhere stop and remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives for our country.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2011, and for many folks in Gainesville, Hoschton, Braselton, and Oakwood, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom means sweet, sweet relief. At Wilson Orthodontics, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting the great open roads or hanging out in your backyard this weekend, we want to know about it!

Have a nice and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more physical activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant in this day and age, as kids everywhere are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games. Kids living an active lifestyle can improve their health, productivity and overall well-being, and best of all? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At Wilson Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is today, April 22nd, and we thought this would be a great time to discuss everything that Wilson Orthodontics does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that our office has been paperless since 2008? We offer convenient and secure online services with our patient login system. You can view all of your account information, and even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the need for paper communications. We are also providing digital X-rays that don't require chemicals to produce.

We're also always looking for new ways to go green- currently we are exploring new  non-toxic cleaning supplies for use in the office.  Dr. Wilson and our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall. Happy Earth Day!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we work with patients of all ages and needs. These include patients with special needs, conditions, and disabilities. Our team is experienced and willing to work with these patients, and strive to help create a comfortable, relaxing environment.

Just last week, we saw a child with autism. We sat down with her mother beforehand to discuss the environment in which her daughter feels most comfortable in. She mentioned that she preferred closed doors, quiet voices, and a minimal amount of excitement around her. We informed the team of these requests, and we believe this patient's visit was a success! At Wilson Orthodontics, we do our part to accommodate all our patients' needs.

~Si Morris, Treatment Coordijnator

This week, Kelley, Chairside Assistant and Lab Coordinator at Wilson Orthodontics, describes her experience with braces when she was a teen, take a look!

When I was a teenager I was uncomfortable with my smile so I told my family I wanted to get braces. I was worried of how the braces would look as a teenager in high school but I knew that in the end my smile would be corrected and I would feel much better about it. I was scheduled for an orthodontic examination and at the appointment the doctor and all the assistants were very comforting, they answered all my questions and they made the process very easy.

Having straight teeth gives you more confidence and self-esteem. Not only are we straightening teeth for people to look good visually on the outside, but we are changing our patients on the inside too. If you have always been self-conscious about your smile...you have come to the right place. Whether you are 10 years old or 50 years old, it is never too late to have that smile you have always dreamed of. Call us today for your complimentary orthodontic examination and come experience what everyone else is talking about here at Wilson Orthodontics!
~Kelley Moore, Chairside Assistant/Lab Coordinator

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. The spring and summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Dr. Wilson and our team 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 hurt while playing sports. Another 67 percent admitted their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when playing sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

That’s why we are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards.

In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. 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 Dr. Wilson is trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment.

We are excited to announce the latest contest here at Wilson Orthodontics- Our "Great Smiles" Contest. Upload a photo and submit a short essay, then earn votes from friends and family for a chance to win one of two $150 visa gift cards. Learn more about this exciting contest on our contest page, we look forward to seeing your entries!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we understand it can be a bit trickier to properly clean around your teeth during orthodontic treatment. With wires and brackets to negotiate around, it is easier to miss areas that could lead to gum disease and cavities. However, with the proper tools and knowledge, you can ensure you maintain a healthy smile throughout orthodontic treatment.

Besides normal brushing and flossing, patients are encouraged to use proxy brushes to make sure to get all food remains out of their braces. There are also some wonderful new products on the market to help patients practice good oral hygiene. The new Oral B electric tooth brush is said to be a "smart tooth brush", it is different than other electric tooth brushes on the market. This tooth brush comes with a special head for people with braces, the head is designed to fit around the brackets to ensure that the tooth is getting properly cleaned instead of just the front of the brackets. It also comes with a display that mounts in the bathroom, which keeps time you while you brush to ensure that you brush long enough but not too hard. When you apply more than 220 grams of pressure the display will flash to let you know that you are applying too much pressure so you do not damage your gums. Give us a call if you have any questions about oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment- we are exited to be able to offer these advancements in our office!

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. We love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Using the tool will also earn you a free orthodontic consultation coupon, which can be redeemed at Wilson Orthodontics by yourself, a family member or friend.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!

We are celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month with our patients throughout Febuary. We thought this is a perfect time to allow you to give a big "SHOUT OUT" about your dentist and what makes him/her the greatest. The person who writes the most convincing statement about their dentist will win a $25 cash prize and a restaurant gift certificate for their dentist. We'll make the presentation to the dentist with a certificate telling them what a nice thing you said about them!

You have until 2/25, and the winning doctor will be announced on 2/28. Who are you shouting out to?

Join us at the brand new charity spa at Wilson Orthodontics where you can receive a top of the the line spa atmosphere. Refreshments are available while you enjoy your service, and enjoy warm towels, soothing music,
& a relaxing atmosphere. We've designed our charity spa for patients, parents, team members, and supporters.

100% of proceeds are donated to your choice of a local charity below:

• Smile for a Lifetime Foundation
• Good News Clinic
• Family Ties
• CASA of Hall & Dawson County

You may also decide to donate your contribution back to our local schools. The whole idea is to give back to the community which has been so gracious to us. Learn more on our Charity Spa page, or stop by and see for yourself!

This is a new year and our office is off and running providing many exciting events and games for our patients across Gainesville, Oakwood, and surrounding areas. Let me update you on some of our changes. First of all, we welcomed a new employee, Si Morris. Si is our new patient coordinator. We are excited about Si joining our team and truly feel she will be a great asset to our office.

It will definitely be a year of changes and new events. We look forward to seeing all our patients and hope everyone has a wonderful,safe and happy year!!

~Linda Boss Financial Coordinator

Check out our patients as they enjoy a week off of school/work! We enjoyed seeing everyone's photos they submitted on Facebook and we complied them into one video for your viewing pleasure! Check out the "got tin" shirts & our patients shinny braces as they show them off. We had fun, but are sure glad the office is back open!

With the snow we got across the Gainesville area, we've been asking patients to submit their photos and videos on our Facebook page. If you haven't yet checked them out, be sure to head over and check them out, or submit an entry of your own! Hope you've enjoyed the snow this past week!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Wilson Orthodontics believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health, especially while in braces! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

Straightening your smile through orthodontics can also play a big role in your overall oral health. If you have been considering orthodontic treatment, give us a call to schedule a free consultation, and learn how we can help you achieve your goals of a healthier, more beautiful smile!

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from Dr. Wilson and team!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Wilson Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

There are many ways to communicate and connect with Dr. Wilson and team online. Even when you've finished treatment, we invite you to keep in touch with us on our social networks! For example, our Facebook page is updated daily with new information, including contests and special event info! We invite patients to check this page often in order to stay up to date with the latest and greatest at Wilson Orthodontics!

For example, we just "wrapped up" our candy buyback program from Halloween, and as the holidays approach, our Toys for Tots program is in full swing. Besides all the fun events and contests going on, our Facebook page also features photos of patients who've just gotten braces, or have recently finished treatment. We invite you to explore all the content we share on these networks, as well as sharing your experience too! Join the conversation online with Wilson Orthodontics today!

Help us Make a Child Smile this Holiday- contribute to Toys for Tots!

Wilson Orthodontics is excited to be collecting toys for the Toys-for-Tots campaign this year. Nothing is more rewarding than helping an unfortunate child experience the joy of Christmas. Please share your blessings and bring a new and unwrapped toy to our office no later than next Thursday, 12/16 to support our efforts. All the toys will go to children in need in our area. We appreciate your contributions- they make all the difference to a child in need!

With Christmas right around the corner, can you think of a better gift to give than a beautiful smile? Whether it is a gift for a child or you just want to treat yourself...nothing is more lasting than a beautiful smile! We just had one of our patients husbands surprise her with a set of braces for Christmas. What a great idea! Just hear what our patients are saying and why they sought after the latest technology (The Damon System Braces) in a fun, relaxing and friendly environment. We encourage those out there who have been embarrassed to smile to come experience a Damon Smile...it's like no other! Call us today to schedule your FREE consultation at our Gainesville or Hoschton/Braselton/Flowery Branch offices!

At Wilson Orthodontics we give our patients and future patients a reason to smile all year round. We have monthly contests giving our patients as well as future patients that visit our Web page or Facebook page a chance to win awesome prizes. We currently have an opportunity to win an iPad in our December drawing and we're giving away 4, lower level, 40 yard line tickets to a Falcons game with parking pass, a football and jersey signed by Matt Ryan.

We also have a quarterly drawing for our Referring Doctors staff and have given away a One hour message, a huge grocery themed gift basket with a voice recording grocery list machine, a wonderful Spa themed gift basket, and coming up a great GPS system. In December we surprise our Referring Doctors and their Staff with awesome gifts, this year will be extra special. We have a monthly mailer with Discount coupons for future patients.

We also do events throughout the year and several Fall Festivals at area schools. Where we have a booth we set up with a ton of information, great little give aways and special discounts to all who come by during the event. We always have an awesome turn out.

All of these things we do have created a wonderful Buzz about our office. The positive feed back is non-stop. As we all know word of mouth is an Awesome tool and with every thing we do the words are "Go see Dr.Wilson and his staff you'll be a great hands their the Best!!"

~ Pam

To me Thanksgiving is a time of reflections and to count our many blessings. I am most thankful to God, family, friends, good health and my job. There is nothing sweeter than the smells of our Thanksgiving dinner, the sharing of our family and friends. Fall is such a wonderful time of year, the crisp air and the beautiful changes of color in our land. This brings renewal to the spirit of life. Here at Wilson Orthodontics we are particularly thankful for our wonderful and dedicated patients. You are a blessing to our office of employees. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a safe and healthy holiday.

This year brings new additions to our family and office. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson welcome their brand new baby daughter, Lilly-Kate! She is absolutely beautiful and such a joyous blessing to our family. Secondly we have renovated our office with a new waiting room area, web cafe and charity spa along with many other surprises. The changes can be viewed on our website at www.WilsonBraces.com. It is Awesome! We are very proud of our new additions and invite you to visit with us.

Finally, but not least we welcome our newest employee, Debbie Brown! Debbie will be our new patient coordinator and will enjoy working in her new surroundings. We offer the latest technology in our new patient rooms. Dr. Wilson and Debbie will enjoy meeting you and making your new patient visit pleasant and informative.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving,

Linda Boss and the entire Wilson Orthodontics team

Oral hygiene is very important for everyone but sometimes it is difficult to younger children to understand the importance of keeping their teeth and gums clean. In our office we reward good oral hygiene with our tooth token program. When patients come into our office on their appointment and their hygiene is good we give them tooth tokens. After the patient has collected 10 tokens they can cash them in and spin our wheel for great prizes!

In addition to good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment, regular checkups with the general dentist are important too! Don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course).

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, schedule an appointment!

Fall is such a wonderful time of year for all kinds of festivals, delicious food, and family gatherings.

We hope everyone has a fun, safe, and Happy Fall.

From Sarah Smith, clinical technician

We love to keep our patients smiling. Patients love coming to our office because we are very cheerful, friendly and have lots of fun along the way! We pride ourselves in offering a very relaxed, fun atmosphere. For example, our Georgia Bulldog game room has several different video games patients can play while waiting for their appointment.

We also want to ensure our patients feel comfortable while they are in the chair being seen for their appointment. We enjoy talking with them about their hobbies and interests. Also, we have PSP games at each chair that they can play while they are waiting on Dr. Wilson if they want to. We have a large TV in the clinic that is always on for them to watch if they don't want to play the games. There are also TV's out in the lobby for the parents to watch while their children are in for their exam.

We have contests for our patients as well! Our currently contest is all about the Atlanta Falcons. When the patient answers a set of questions about the team, we place them into our drawing. We will be drawing our winner later on this month. If the answers are all correct , the winner will receive 4 Falcon VS Packers lower level 40 yard line tickets with a parking pass, a NFL football signed by Matt Ryan and Coach Smith, AND a Matt Ryan signed #2 Falcons Jersey! WOW!

These are just a few of the reasons why our patients love our office and staff!!

From Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant

As you know, this is our second year holding our Candy Buyback program, and to help spread the word, Dr. Wilson was invited to an interview on the local radios to describe how our Buy Back works, and how it benefits Operation Gratitude. Last year, we had close to 300 pounds of candy, and we hope this year will be even bigger!  The video above describes a bit more about how the Operation Gratitude program works. Click the link below to listen to Dr. Wilson's radio interview.
Dr. Wilson radio interview

Our candy buyback is set to kick off at the Gainesville office on Monday, November 1st from 2-6 p.m. We will also collect candy on Tuesday, November 2nd from 2-6 p.m. at our Hoschton/Braselton Office. You can RSVP to our event on Facebook for more details. Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, we wish you all a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween celebration!

Halloween is only a week away, and we hope you are getting excited about donning your costume and heading out trick-or-treating once again. While no Halloween celebration is complete without a little candy, its important to stay away from any braces-unfriendly varieties- damaging your braces can delay your orthodontic treatment!

For all that extra candy that you'll inevitably find yourself with, why not earn a little cash in the process? We are pleased to be offering our annual candy buy back program at our Gainesville and Hoschton offices on November 1st and 2nd, respectively, and open to all children in the area. We will be accepting all types of candy including chocolate as long as it is wrapped! Your Halloween candy will be bought for 2 tooth tokens per pound (maximum of 10 pounds per person). 10 tooth tokens (or 5 pounds of candy) will let you spin our “Wheel of Fun” for gift certificates!

All that pesky unwanted yumminess will be sent to our troops in harm’s way to put a smile on their faces! To create an even bigger smile, write a letter of thanks and bring it with your candy to tell our military heroes how much you appreciate them. Your note could mean the world to a lonely soldier far make from home and we’ll sure they get it and your candy!

We thank you ahead of time for helping us make a difference for our troops. For more information on our Candy Buy Back program and information about our office, give us a call!

Be sure to RSVP to our event on Facebook, and stay tuned on our official Facebook page for more news and events!

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Wilson and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

To help celebrate the National Orthodontic Health Month, Jessica Albritton, our Records Coordinator at Wilson Orthodontics, shares a few tips about orthodontics and proper diet with braces:

You should call our office to schedule a consultation when your child is around the age of 7. New patient consultations are always complimentary, and give you a chance to meet Dr. Wilson and discover how you can improve your smile!. Having straight teeth is important in many ways, with one of the most important being a boost in self confidence, and having a great smile!

Since Halloween is nearly around the corner, we wanted to remind all patients currently with braces to stay away from anything sticky, chewy, or gooey. For example: Starburst, bubblegum, Taffy, Carmel, Tootsie Rolls and any kind of hard candies. In addition, when eating hard or chewy foods like apples, corn on the cob or even big chunks of meat, be sure to cut these into smaller pieces. Following these simple steps will help your braces avoid unnecessary pressure or damage, and minimizes potential problems in the future!

Every city, town, and neighborhood is special with its own personality, created by the people and places living within. Gainesville is no exception, partly because we have Dr. Ron D. Wilson, our hometown orthodontist making a difference with orthodontics for children, teens and adults! Gainesville also has several places that help to make our community stand out.

For example, In 1996, Gainesville had the honor of being chosen for the World Olympic Canoe and Kayaking event held on Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge. Everything that was built for the special event is still there and it is still used for special events. People come from other cities to many of the parks on Lake Lanier to have a picnic, water sports and just to spend time with their families. Finally, places to eat, shop, and plan a special an event are just a few of aspects of the Gainesville Community that make us special and unique. If you want to experience something different, visit our community! I can assure you, you will not regret it.

From Margie Boyd, Front Desk Receptionist at Wilson Orthodontics

We truly feel blessed for the great team environment that our office has. Our staff is amazing to work with! Everyone plays a huge part in how the office runs day by day but there is one person in particular,  that is always on top of everything from the front office to the clinic. That person is Mrs. Tracey Taylor!  Tracey has over 20 years of experience and takes part in everything in the office from greeting patients when they arrive, working in the clinic, or helping to promote our office in her personal time.

She is a wonderful person and we would like to give a special thanks to Tracy for all of her hard work!

From Kelley Moore, Orthodontic Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

Here at Wilson Orthodontics we are always holding contests for our patients.  Every month we have a new contest going on, and this month is no exception! For September,  we are holding our "Icon Search" Contest,  where we give our patients a sheet to match the icon to the image. If you match all the icons correctly, your name will be put in a drawing for a $50 visa gift card, which will be drawn in October.

As always, we also have a token rewards program that consists of tooth tokens you get at every appointment. Every time you visit for an appointment with good oral hygiene and no loose brackets and or broken wires, you will receive a tooth token. You will receive an additional token every time you have on your got tin t-shirt we provided for you, and finally a bonus 5 tokens for having a professional dental cleaning! Once you reach 10 tokens or more, you get to spin our wheel for fun fabulous prizes. This token reward program is designed to encourage our patients to maintain strong oral hygiene habits. Our goal is to always create a wonderful experience for our patients from the time they walk in the door to when they leave. Everything we do is with patients and the communities we serve in mind.  All of you have helped us be the best orthodontic office in town!

Fall is nearly here, and with it, the school year! Previously, we had mentioned some of the benefits of getting started with your orthodontic treatment early, and adjust to your braces before the busy, hectic schedule of the school year begins. On the other hand, besides missing a little school, there aren't any inconveniences to getting braces during the school year. The initial appointment to place your braces usually occurs during school hours, but 90% of the time the appointments after are much shorter and can be scheduled after school if needed. We do our best to be as flexible and accommodating with your schedule as possible.  Really anytime is a great time to get braces, whether its spring, summer, fall or winter!  The Wilson Orthodontics team is always ready to help you create a beautiful smile!

From Lisa Bellew, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

Summer vacation is nearly over for our teachers and school age patients. If you have not been to see us since the end of June, then you are in for a “big surprise”!

We have started on the second phase of remodeling our Gainesville office. The temporary wall of our waiting area has been a big hit with all of our patients. It has been turned into a huge chalkboard and everyone has been able to write their name on it. This is the one time we have encouraged everyone to “write on the wall”!

We are also excited to tell everyone what is in store for them once it has been completed. Besides the new media café, fireplace, water wall and day spa, our UGA Room will still be here too! So stop on by and see whats new from your friends at Wilson Orthodontics!

People ask us all the time what foods are good or bad for their teeth, what will cause them to go crooked or discolor them?  We thought it would be smart to answer some of these frequently asked questions of orthodontics on this week's blog.

Foods
Biting or chewing on hard things like ice, hard candies or mints can actually crack a tooth. This can cause considerable pain and cause you the expense of root canals and crowns to repair the broken tooth.  We also advise patients to be careful with soft drinks.  Drinks like "cola" are very acidic and if not neutralized can damage your teeth.  Most patients are good brushers and don't live on a diet of soda and sugary foods.  The best thing to do is drink your soda with a meal then brush or rinse well with water after you are done.

People with braces on want to know why they shouldn't chew gum, even sugar free.  The reason is that the stickiness and chewiness can cause the brackets or bands to come loose.   This in turn will cause the patient to be in treatment longer than expected.   Having loose and broken things will cause us to slow down or even drop back and not be able to go on to the next step. That's the reason we don't want you to eat things like caramels and other sticky things.  We want you to finish your treatment in the shortest time possible.

Fingernail Biting
If you have a habit of biting you fingernails,  and have been doing it for very long periods of time, this can cause the roots of your teeth to become shorter.  This could potentially be a problem  later in life since the longer the roots, the more stability the tooth has in the jaw bone.

Oral Hygiene Habits

We are also asked what kind of toothbrush is best to use, a soft one or a medium one.  A soft toothbrush is the best to use because it causes less friction on the gums and teeth reducing the chance for gum recession and erosion  of the enamel of your teeth.  People who have had enamel erosion generally will have a problem with sensitivity.

Wisdom Teeth
If your wisdom teeth have come in straight, there is not really a need for them to be removed.  If they are functional, there should be no problem to keep them as long as you can keep them clean.  If they are impacted and are not going to come in, it is usually recommend that they be removed.  Typically they will not have any impact on orthodontic treatment.

We are always happy to inform and educate our patients with any questions they may have, feel free to give us a call!

Word of mouth can have a big impact on any product or business. At Wilson Orthodontics we take this very seriously and appreciate any and all feedback from our patients. We have an entire page of our web site devoted to testimonials, check it out! There, you can also see a variety of video testimonials . Do you want to share your experience with Dr. Wilson & the team? Fill out a satisfaction survey, or write a review on Google!

Four of our lucky patients are going to win big this summer. The Wilson Orthodontics' "Summer Photo Contest" is still running, but you only have 2 weeks left to enter! Submit your best summer photo on our web site at contest.wilsonbraces.com

The fabulous prizes include:

• An Apple iPad

• A Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer

• A Sony Digital Picture Frame

• A Be Digital Pocket Pix digital picture storage and viewing device

Submit your entry today, we want you all to have a chance at winning!

Good luck and best summer wishes!

-Dr. Wilson and Ortho Team!

Each orthodontic patient has unique needs and wants for the treatment customized for them. There are many questions that new patients ask such as, "What is involved in fixing my teeth?,  How much is this going to cost?,  Do you accept insurance?, and most importantly, How long will I have to wear my braces?  We have a complementary exam available to all patients. We will go over all of these answers with you and answer any additional questions you may have. We are very thorough and will be happy to  take the time it takes to make you feel comfortable. There is no such thing as a dumb question, so ask away!
Current patients  have many questions as well. Some of them are, "What are we going to do today?,  Is this going to hurt?  How do you put the braces on?  How long will this appointment going to take? " I always take the time to talk to the patients and make them feel welcome. I like to greet them with a smile and ask them how they re doing.  After I seat them, I then will ask them about school, sports,  work, hobbies etc., just to make them feel more comfortable if they are nervous or feeling anxious.  I also explain to them exactly what we will be doing step by step so they know what to expect.
No matter what , we will always treat our patients with  the kindness and respect they deserve and have come to expect.

--Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

With school out and warm weather to enjoy, keeping your teeth and braces clean may not be the first thing on your mind. However, we want to remind all of our patients how important it is to keep up their daily oral hygiene habits, and Jessica, records coordinator here at Wilson Orthodontics, had a few tips to share!

The best advice I can think of would be to brush after every time you eat. The more you brush the more routine it will become. Floss at least once a day, and  carry floss in your purse, pocket or wallet.  There is even a product called the "floss card" that is the size of a credit card making it easy to store in a billfold.

One element that patients often forget is to brush in all spots. We know it is vacation time, but you shouldn't slack off on brushing, daily flossing, and wearing your rubber bands! The best advice: brush after you eat and try to floss at least once a day. For patients having trouble getting to all the nooks and crannies, a  Water Pik can help!
~ Jessica Albritton, Records Coordinator

Though school may be out, summer is a great time for kids to catch up on their reading. Reading is a great way to keep minds strong and healthy all summer long, but choosing what to read can sometimes be overwhelming! Our very own Betty Lopez, chairside assistant here Wilson Orthodontics,  had a few tips to share on finding that perfect summer read!

According to the YALSA (young adult library services association) here are some of the top ten books for young adults: Demon's Lexicon,The Orange Houses,The Great Wide Sea,and The Reformed Vampire Support Group. If you are interested in reading the best of the best, check award winning book lists, or just simply browse the shelves at a local bookstore, get a cup of coffee and read a few pages from books that grab your attention. For parents of patients at Wilson Orthodontics, here are some of my favorite books when I was growing up that your kids might enjoy too: Where The Wild Things Are, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Corduroy. If you are interested in reading programs they are some in our Local Libraries such as the Blackshear Library and the Gainesville Library. Always keep an open mind when looking for a book, and never judge a book by it's cover because you might just be missing out on your new favorite!

Happy Reading!

--Betty Lopez, Chairside Assistant

Using floss is essential in preventing gum disease and in daily maintaining oral health at large. Using a toothbrush to clean teeth is a wonderful first step in caring for your mouth, but toothbrush bristles cannot reach in between the tight spaces of teeth to effectively remove trapped food and bacteria film. Oral bacteria, left untouched will harden into tartar, a substance that can only be removed by dental professionals.

As these severe (and largely preventable) conditions take place, the early stage of gum disease know as gingivitis can manifest itself in the form of swollen bleeding gum tissue. The decay-causing plaque will not only continue to attach the tooth enamel, but it can also continue to irritate the gums causing them to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets filled with more bacteria and destroying the bone around the teeth altogether. Now there's a lovely image! And to think, effective flossing could have removed that plaque in the beginning.

I recommend Oral-B Floss threaders or Crest Glide. You can use the floss threaders to help you guide your floss, which makes things easier, especially when you are in orthodontic treatment. Using a Water Pic or a Bryton Pic can also be very helpful. While flossing may be a nuisance, Try to at least floss once a day. It's better than the alternative: losing your teeth!

--Michele Bellew, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics
　

With warm weather and longer days, many of our patients will be involved in summertime sports and activities. Knowing how to keep your teeth safe if very important while participating in these things.

If you should get hit in the mouth and a tooth gets knocked out, the first thing you want to do is either put it back in place, put in under your tongue, or put it in a glass of milk. Call your dentist or go to the emergency room.

Protecting your teeth with a mouth guard is highly recommended while playing any sports. Should I wear one if I have braces or any type of appliance on? Absolutely! Not only will it help protect your appliance, but the inside of your mouth as well.

Be sure to drink plenty of water so you will stay hydrated, and try to stay away from sports drinks due to the sugar content.

Have fun and play safe!

-Margie Boyd, Receptionist at Wilson Orthodontics

We have so much in the way of fun for our patients as well as some extras for parents. In the very near future we are going to began the second phase of remodeling our Gainesville office. We are adding a internet cafe, larger game room, and also a day spa for Mom's to have a manicure or pedicure while the child is here for their appointment or they are also welcome to use the service at anytime...all the proceeds will go directly to a charity or school of their choice!

We still have the token awards program which encourages the patient to keep their teeth clean and appliances intact. We have a contest of some sort going on at all times. At this time we have a summer photo contest "Where in the world are our patients?" in order to win the GRAND PRIZE!! which is a iPAD!! you upload your best summer vacation smile photo to contest.wilsonbraces.com and have all your friends and family vote for you! We have just completed our video contest and gave away Flip Mino video camera. We enjoy giving and making SMILES!

--From Cheryl Poole, Front Desk Receptionist at Wilson Orthodontics

Dr. Wilson and his staff are big advocates of going green. We recycle, reduce and reuse everything we can. Check out what Linda, our Financial Coordinator, had to say about the sustainable and green practices here at Wilson Orthodontics:

Dr. Wilson started his practice January 2006 and by January 2007 we were on our way to being a paperless office. We scanned all charts and continue to scan and shred all paperwork. As the financial coordinator for Dr. Wilson I file our insurance electronically which saves quite a bit of paper and time. As I mentioned before after scanning we shred all material and information. We abide by HIPPA regulations and confidentiality is of up most importance.

We practice recycling as well by using all non-patient and non-confidential papers for scratch paper. It really is amazing how much paper is used in a single work day for any office!

Did someone ask if we offer digital x-rays? Yes, in fact we do. They are much clearer and can be emailed to your general dentist or oral surgeon's office within minutes. By using digital x-ray there is no paper or chemicals used for developing.

Thanks to Dr. Wilson our office is more environmentally friendly and Yes, Going Green!

-Linda Boss, Financial Coordinator

Summer is finally here! So, pack your bags & your CAMERA for your vacation destination. While you are there, be sure to take a picture in your vacation spot (with a big smile of course!) and then upload it on our site (contest.wilsonbraces.com) for a chance to win some cool prizes! Dr. Wilson and our Ortho Team encourage everyone to HAVE FUN this summer and upload your favorite picture!

Here's how it works:

1. Upload your best summer smile photo - be creative! The location must be added to the title to qualify for the furthest location prize
2. Get everyone you know to vote for you!
3. The most votes wins the Grand Prize! All others will be picked by a panel of judges.

Take Your Best Picture to Win One of These Great Prizes!

Most Votes: Apple iPad 16gb

Most Creative: Sony Dash

Most Adventurous: Digital Photo Frame

Furthest Location: Digital Photo Viewer

Visit contest.wilsonbraces.com for more information, and GOOD LUCK!

Congratulations to the winners for the Wilson Orthodontics' Video Contest, and thank you to everyone for their participation:
1st place (Flip Mino HD): If You Choose Wilson Orthodontics You Won't Be Sorry by Claire Stephens

2nd place ($100 Best Buy Gift Certificate): How to Take Care of Your Braces by Morgan Helton

3rd place (...$50 Best Buy Gift Certificate): Dr. Wilson is the Bomb Diggedy, Yo! by Maggie Reeves and kids

While the video contest is over, we are excited to announce our next contest, the "Where in the World Are Our Patients?" Photo Contest. We are asking patients to submit their best summer photo for a chance to win one of four amazing prizes, including the grand prize: a 16gb Apple iPad! You can enter on our contest page, and stay tuned for more details and announcements on our Facebook page as well!

Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics wanted to share her personal experience with braces as a child, check them out below!

I remember when I was told I needed braces, I was 11 years old. I was so excited because many of my friends had them. I only had to wear them for 1 year. I did not mind them at all . I did not have any trouble with them and was not too sore either. The orthodontic assistants were very informative and explained everything to me before they started. This made me very comfortable and eager to go to my appointments.

My advice to anyone who is contemplating starting their treatment in braces is simply GO FOR IT . YOU WILL BE SO GLAD YOU DID ! There is no need to feel uneasy and nervous. It's really not bad. To go through treatment and see the changes are absolutely amazing! It happens so fast and believe me, the end result is awesome!!! You will be smiling forever! I promise!

Tell us about your experience with braces, and how they have changed your life...leave a comment on our blog or our Facebook page!

Our office is currently holding a couple of great contests for all our patients, and Jessica, Records Coordinator here at Wilson Orthodontics, wanted to share the details with you:

Our first contest is " Wilson Orthodontics' Create-A-Video Contest". Create a 30 seconds - 2 minutes long video on caring for your braces, favorite thing about visiting Wilson Orthodontics and their favorite friendly food. The patient with the most votes and most creative will a Flip Mino HD video camera. most informative- $ 50.00 Gift card. Best mention Damon system- $ 100.00 Gift card. There are only two days left to enter this contest, so be sure to check out the details and enter soon!

Our other contest is " Wilson Orthodontics American Idol". We give out a questionnaire with some American Idol questions. If the patient answers all questions correctly they are entered into a drawing where they can win a iPod shuffle & $25.00 gift card to iTunes.

For more information about these exciting contests and other news in the office, visit our Facebook page, or stop by the office!

In our office, not only do we want to create a great smile for our patients, but we also want to give a great chair-side manner as well. We want patients to feel like they personally matter.

As professionals, we expect certain things out of our patients such as maintaining good oral hygiene throughout treatment as well as compliance. These things are essential for a spectacular end result. There are certain qualities that make for a great patient, and they include being excited about treatment, getting regular cleanings with their general Dentist, having good hygiene at each visit and being compliant with elastic wear if needed to complete treatment. Also, taking care of their braces and only eating braces friendly food makes for a great orthodontic experience.

Patients can improve the way they approach treatment by having a good attitude about starting their journey in braces and continuing the excitement during treatment. If we can educate patients in orthodontics and why we are treating them, they will have more of an understanding and will hopefully be just a excited about it as we are.

As for doctor-patient relationships, I think they can improve by making sure they have an understanding about their treatment. When we approach the patients, we greet them by calling them by their first name and simply talking to them just a few minutes during their appointment by asking them what their hobbies and interests are. When we are on a personal level, the patient feels very comfortable and they leave by feeling they were truly treated at a full 100% and had a great experience.

--Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

We have been receiving some great video contest entries, and we wanted to remind everyone that the contest ends in one week, so there is not much time left to enter! We are offering some very cool prizes, including a Flip Mino HD camera, and gift cards to Best Buy! Check out the latest entries below, and then head to our Contest page to learn how to make your own video entry! Good luck!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we see patients of all ages for their orthodontic care. For either adults, teens or children, the Gainesville and Hoschton communities trust Wilson Orthodontics as their "Hometown Orthodontist"! Check out this video where a few of our teenage patients explain why they enjoy visiting Dr. Wilson and his team. We strive to offer a fun, relaxing environment for our patients and their families, call us today to schedule your free consultation, and see for yourself!

Are braces for me? Why are so many adults getting braces today? The American Association of Orthodontists states that about 20% of the people in braces today are adults. We've made this video to showcase exactly why our adult patients love getting braces!

Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Wilson can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, We would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Hear what our patients are saying about us! We love our patients and we do everything we can to make sure they have a good experience as well as a GREAT smile. Just listen to Rhonda and Dani Lacko as they describe their orthodontic experience with Dr. Wilson and the team!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we offer a variety of different treatment options but our top treatment option is definitely The Damon System. With The Damon System the days of tightening are over, these brackets reduce pressure on your teeth allowing them to move more freely and comfortably. Treatment time with The Damon System is typically shorter which means fewer appointments and a beautiful smile FASTER!

-Kelley, chairside assistant at Wilson Orthodontics in Gainesville & Hoschton, GA

Check out this video we've made to show you exactly what makes the Damon System so effective:

See how braces are removed! Watch Brittani Hill as she gets her braces removed. What an exciting day for Brittani and when she left our office...she couldn't stop smiling. She has an AMAZING smile!

--Wilson Orthodontics

Now that we are into the month of March, all three of the clues to our Video Contest have been revealed on our Facebook Fan Page. If you haven't yet checked them out, head to our fan page now to get all the details. The contest ends on April 30th, and there are some fabulous prizes to win, so get started soon!

-Wilson Orthodontics

TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) are now being used in orthodontics to help us close space where teeth are missing. This is just another HUGH advancement in orthodontics that we here at Wilson Orthodontics are glad to bring to our community. Check out our video and listen to Margaret as she describes her experience...

Dr. Wilson is returning home from the Damon Forum from this past weekend. This is an annual conference where all the Damon bracket users get together and talk about the latest advancements in orthodontics. This year, Dwight Damon (the inventor of the Damon Bracket System), has released the NEW Damon Clear Bracket. Head to our Facebook Fan Page to check out the photos (Damon Clear Photo Album) of patients with these new brackets, and see if you can tell if they are wearing braces!

Finally, we have the same high level of quality orthodontic treatment in a bracket that you can't even see. This is truly one of the biggest advancements in orthodontic technology that has really started to take our practice over. We have just received this technology in our office and we have already given 8 of our patients the "Damon Clear" smile!...and we have dozens of more signed up. Call us today to find out how you can receive the smile you have always wanted....NOW WITHOUT ANYONE EVER KNOWING!!!

-Dr. Wilson and Ortho Team

The Damon System! See why we use the Damon System in our practice and why it provides "More than straight teeth". Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we are always on the cutting edge of technology and we try to bring the best orthodontic treatment options available to our patients. There is no doubt that the Damon System has set the bar for not only self-ligating brackets, but for orthodontic treatment in general. Ask for it by name!...and check out the new Damon Clear brackets that we are now providing out patients as an option. Now you can have the benefits of the Damon System in a completely clear bracket! Call us today at 770-536-0882 or visit us at www.WilsonBraces.com to find out which options are best for you....we look forward to seeing you soon! Dr. Wilson and Ortho Team!

With the Winter Olympics in full force, you see so many teams competing for medals. Each team member is very supportive and ready to celebrate each other accomplishment’s whether it is the bronze, silver or gold medal. The Wilson Orthodontic Team supports each other and we celebrate with our patients when they reach the finish line with their treatment.

Adding a new player to a team is always an adjustment, not just for the new player but for the whole team. The Wilson Orthodontic Team has not made me feel that way. Right from the start, I have been treated like an equal player. Everyone has been very supportive and willing to help me learn the things that goes with the practice.

When you spend as much time as you do with your co-workers, you get to know them and they feel like family. I am glad to say that I have found that with the Wilson Orthodontic Team.

Just a reminder for everyone that our video contest has begun. head to our Facebook fan page to get all the details, and watch for the clues we have been announcing each week. We will be announcing a clue next week and the following week, so become a fan and keep checking back!

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Wilson Orthodontics

Missing teeth? Now we have "TADs (Temporary Anchorage Device) for laterals". Don't want to wear a flipper? Check out a new procedure we are doing at Wilson Orthodontics for our patients who aren't quite ready for implants yet. This also helps maintain the bone width until the patient is done growing and ready for the final implant restoration. Just another advancement in technology that we are glad to bring to the Hall County and surrounding areas.

2010 is here, and we have been hard at work planning an exciting new contest for all our patients! If you want to know how to win, head over to our Facebook Fan Page where we have posted all the details. Becoming a fan means you automatically be notified with news and updates for this contest and future events too!

www.facebook.com/WilsonOrthodontics

Brushing your teeth and flossing daily are important to keep your teeth healthy during orthodontic care, so we asked a few of our patients how they keep their braces clean.

Abby S.

I brush morning and night with Crest Pro-Health and a electric toothbrush. I use toothpicks when something is caught in my braces. It isn't hard keeping my braces clean, especially not as hard as everyone said it was going to be.

Keri M.

Having braces is more complex than it sounds but you need to keep them clean. Even though I've had braces a while it's not as bad as it sounds. I've kept them clean and they will straighten my smile.

Courtney N.

Brushing with braces is pretty easy. I just always take special time to focus on the brackets. Also another thing is that my dentist told me to do is brush my gums along with my teeth. Flossing sometimes proves tricky but you get the hang of it.

Kayla W.

I brush and floss my teeth 3 times a day. It is very important to keep my teeth clean because I don't want to have spots on my teeth when I get them off and the assistants are very good at telling me everytime to wear my rubber bands and to keep my teeth clean because I want to have a picture perfect smile! "It's real easy!"

-The Wilson Orthodontics Team

Have you ever seen laser tissue removal in orthodontics? Now you can! Check out the latest advancement in orthodontic technology that allows us to treat our patients faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Watch as Dr. Wilson removes the gingival tissue off of two lateral incisors so he can add brackets to these teeth to speed up treatment. In the past, orthodontists would sometimes wait 6 months - 1 year for these teeth to fully erupt before placing brackets....Now we can drastically speed up treatment with the pain-free laser tissue removal! You can learn more about this process by giving us a call at 678-971-2461 today!

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.
It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.
The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.
Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.
Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.
Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.
Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.
Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.
Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.
Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide.

Hope this helps!

-Dr. Wilson

Check out Sarah Hoover as she gets her braces put on! A lot of people wonder how the process really works, so we made this video to show you how easy and painless it is for the patient. Our Damon Braces are quick and easy to apply to the teeth and they are one of the most advanced orthodontic technologies available! Now we even offer the more discrete Damon Clear brackets!

The Damon System provides the patient the best orthodontic treatment available with less discomfort, fewer appointments, and shorter overall treatment time! Check out more information about the Damon System on our web site, and schedule your free consultation with Dr. Wilson to discuss this amazing new system!

Dust off those video cameras, and keep a close eye on our Facebook Fan page in the coming weeks, as we are planning another exciting new contest! We will be providing more information soon, but for now, head over to our fan page, become a fan, and post your best guess of what our new contest will be!

If you become a fan of our page on Facebook, you can easily check for updates on this contest and future events, and will get updates automatically! If you don't already have Facebook, create a profile today! its easy, and it is one of the best ways to connect with Dr. Wilson and team online!

All of us at Wilson Orthodontics want to wish you a safe and happy new year!

The holiday season is upon us, and as our team reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What’s your favorite part about
the holidays? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for the new year? Opening presents? All the delicious food?

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

--Dr. Wilson and the ortho team

Our office loves this time of year for so many reasons. We are all reminded of the importance of friends and family both personal and professional. We love to make someone smile just because of something we said, did, or gave. Here are just a few of the things we do this time of year that have come to mean so much to us at Wilson Orthodontics. We host a yearly Christmas party and invite all dental offices in the area along with other local businesses. This is a great way to see each other face to face. During the party we have giveaways along with good food and great conversation.

Before the holiday seasons started we sent to patients a “Wilson Stimulus Check” , offering a $350.00 discount toward the treatment fee. We sent them out to patients that had come in our office before and were waiting for one reason or another to start treatment. This gave them a great opportunity to get started now, and we had a GREAT response to them.

Several of the Gainesville/Hoschton area’s largest subdivisions hosted “Health Fairs” in their club houses. Practices in the area had booths set up with information about their offices and some goodies to give away too. We had a bright, inviting booth with balloons, and offered a free first time visit with x-rays to attendees. We also gave away free Wilson Orthodontic goodies, including cozies, cups, mouse pads and t-shirts. This was a great way to get to know the businesses in the area and do some great networking.

Our practice is known for being very generous, especially during this time of year. We feel that bringing a smile to someone’s face before we even start orthodontic treatment on is a fantastic start to a great experience here at Wilson Orthodontics.

At Wilson Orthodontics, we are always on the cutting edge of technology! We now have a conservative option available for our patients who are congenitally missing lateral incisors....NO MORE "FLIPPERS"!!! Here is the way we would traditionally treat our patients with a flipper...notice the wires and acrylic in the roof of the mouth:

Traditionally when our patients are missing 1 or 2 lateral incisors, the braces would be removed in their early teens and they can't get an implant until late teens. This is because the upper bone structures are still growing and an implant fuses to the bone and doesn't grow with it. NOW, we have a TAD (Temporary Anchorage Device) called the VectorTAS system that we can put in the space of the missing tooth until the patient is ready for the final implant restoration. This TAD doesn't fuse to the bone allowing normal bone growth. The best part about it is that the patient doesn't have to wear a "flipper" or removable retainer with a false tooth on it through their high school years...and a removable tooth can be devastating to a high-schooler! Check out the pictures below with the TAD in place and it restored with a professionally made temporary:

WHY ARE THE DENTISTS LOVING THIS???...

The best part about this temporary and the MAIN reason we are offering these now as an option is that the TAD maintains the bone width. So when it is time for the final implant restoration, there is solid, healthy bone available for the implant. So many times before, we have seen that are patients are ready for the implant and there is not enough bone available. This gets into thousands of dollars for a bone graft that should not be necessary. Also, the gingival margins (gums, papilla, etc.) look great once the final implant crown has been restored!

For more information on this latest technology or to see if this is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation to find out your options.

Dr. Ron Wilson and Ortho Team!

The whole team at Wilson Orthodontics wanted to wish our orthodontist, Dr. Ron Wilson, a very happy birthday today, and to thank everyone for the birthday wishes on Facebook too!

Have a great weekend!

We are excited to announce that new Damon Clear brackets and Invisalign Teen are now available at Wilson Orthodontics! Have you ever wanted to improve your smile, but don't want everyone to know you are in braces? Now you can, with Damon Clear and Invisalign Teen!

Call our office today at 678-971-2461 to learn more!

That’s right, It’s that time of year for lots of home cooked food, family and friends! It seems we wait all year long to stuff ourselves on Thanksgiving Day. As we feast, there are foods that aren’t what we call “braces-friendly”. Some of those particular foods are: corn on the cob, fresh fruits and veggies such as, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and apples. These can be eaten mind you, if the corn is cut off the cob, and apples and veggies are cooked so they become soft. Let’s not forget the yummy desserts, brownies , cookies and pies which contain nuts or caramel should be avoided.

This still leaves a lot of foods that are “braces-friendly”, so feel free to load up! Such foods are: turkey and dressing of course, (as long as it is pulled off the bone), all the “fixins” to go along with this like, green beans , creamed corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes , deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, lima or butter beans and potato salad. Casseroles are always good, such as, broccoli, squash and green bean. Homemade biscuits or rolls are great too. After the main course, if you have room in your tummy to tame your sweet tooth, fill your plate with some of my favorites like, fudge brownies, homemade chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and cakes too.

Try not to stuff yourselves too much and “Happy Thanksgiving” from all of us at Wilson Orthodontics!

-Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant

Some financial relief just in time for that Christmas Shopping! Dr. Wilson and his Ortho Team have decided to give away a $500 Target gift card on December 22, 2009 to one lucky winner for this holiday season....So how do you win???

CLICK HERE to find out....Have Fun!!!

Congratulations to our "Name That Tune" contest winner, Ashley Goddard. She was the proud winner of a Karaoke Machine with iPod dock and monitor. She was able to match the name of our 6 songs to the artist or group that sings them.

We had a fun time "rockin" with our patients the past few months and now it's time for our "Famous Holiday Movie Contest”. The winner of this contest will receive a Sony 7” 16:9 Widescreen portable DVD player! As always, see our bulletin board in our office for the latest contest and rules to play and remember.....HAVE FUN!

-Dr. Wilson and Ortho Team!

Halloween may be long gone, but we wanted to share a few fun photos with you from our Halloween celebrations! Check out all the fun costumes that the Wilson Orthodontics team by heading over to the Wilson Orthodontics Facebook Fan Page.

How was your Halloween? What was your costume? Share a photo or a story by becoming a "fan" and leaving a comment!

We recently had a new video made about Wilson Orthodontics, and we wanted to share it with you all! Press the "Play" button to watch the video above, post your comments or share it with a friend!

Have a great weekend,

--Wilson Orthodontics

Come see The Jesters this Friday night at Chattahoochee Country Club...all for a great cause. Glory, Hope & Life is the charity and all the proceeds from this event will be used to improve the lives of individuals in our community who have been touched by cancer. This will be a great time all for a good cause. A limited number of sponsorships are available, so act quickly.

You can download and print the sign-up form here

Thanks and we hope to see you there!

--Dr. Ron Wilson

October at Wilson Orthodontics is especially fun! Our staff are all about dressing up and competing to be the first place winner for the Halloween season. Every one of our staff members will be dressing up for one day in each office right before Halloween and our patients will get to vote on who has the best costume and who they like the most! The winner will receive a great gift!

We are having a contest or two and a wonderful donation program for our patients to interact with us on. One of our contests is guessing how many Candy Corn are in our Pumpkin shaped jar. The prize for this fun contest is a spin of our “Wheel-of-Fun.” Patients love the wheel along with its cool prizes!

Finally this Halloween we are having a Candy Buy Back program, where patients can bring in their hard, crunchy, chewy, and gooey candies back, and we will give them 2 tokens per pound! We will be donating the candy to our soldiers and to a local homeless shelter. We want this month to be full of fun, and to give our patients plenty of incentives to take extra good care of their teeth!

Have a spooky and safe Halloween,

-The Wilson Orthodontics Team

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Wilson is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 678-971-2461.

My daughter and I moved to North Hall a year ago, and we really love the area. Amber is in the 4th grade at Mount Vernon Elementary School, we have both have been pleased with the teachers and have made many new friends. Recently, we were involved in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the playground restoration and memorial garden at Mount Vernon Elementary in which trees were planted, a bench and plaque were placed on the grounds. The “peace garden” was especially significant to us because, it was dedicated to my step sister, Jessi Hawkins who passed away in September of 2000. Jessi’s senior year at North Hall High School, she was a YMCA counselor for the after school program at Mount Vernon Elementary. She loved children and loved helping them. She was always happy and made everyone smile. We love and miss her dearly.

One of the things my daughter and I love to do is shop! With only a 15 minute drive, we have all kinds of shopping access. I would have to say that Old Navy, Marshall’s, Kohl’s, Belk, and Wal-Mart are our favorite stores. Needless to say, we take care of all our shopping needs right here in Gainesville. After a long day of shopping we then like to go to our favorite place to eat, which is Longstreet Cafe. We love the variety , the food is delicious, and the people are wonderful! (Not to mention it is very reasonable). As for entertainment, we enjoyed visiting the new Francis Meadows Aquatic Center this summer. We had fun going down the water slides, and relaxing in the lazy river. The big indoor pool was great too! We also enjoy cooking out with friends and family and playing volleyball in our own pool.

Now that fall is here we like going to the fall festival at Mount Vernon Elementary and other small town festivals. There is so much for the kids to do. Its fun for the whole family. It is also football season and since we are HUGE Georgia Bulldog fans, we love watching the games and cheering them on to victory. (We sure try anyway) And with that being said…GO DAWGS!!!!!

This Halloween, Dr. Wilson and his ortho team will be fighting back against tooth decay…all for a great cause. We will buy your Halloween candy back from you in exchange for our tooth tokens which can be cashed in for prizes. Half of all the candy will be sent to our troops in harm’s way to put a smile on their faces! The other half will be go to our local Good News at Noon’s homeless shelter. This is part of Operation Gratitude, be sure to check out their website: http://www.opgratitude.com/!

Candy remains a huge part of Halloween for tens of millions of American kids each year. The National Confectioners Association says 93 percent of children in the United States go trick-or-treating, and the group estimates that Halloween candy sales this year will top $2.26 billion. Candy consumption can lead to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, broken or loose appliances/braces, weight gain, etc. Help us help our patients and kids to reduce the amount of candy consumption this Halloween. Candy is not all bad in moderation, but can lead to big problems in excess!

Wilson Orthodontics will host a Candy Buy Back Program for all children in the Gainesville/Hoschton and surrounding areas: Tuesday, November 3rd from 2-6 p.m at our Gainesville Office & Monday, November 2nd from 2-6 p.m. at our Hoschton/Braselton Office. We will be accepting all types of candy including chocolate as long as it is wrapped! Your Halloween candy will be bought for 2 tooth tokens per pound (maximum of 10 pounds per person). *10 tooth tokens (or 5 pounds of candy) will let you spin our “Wheel of Fun” for gift certificates (ex. Blockbuster, iTunes, Starbucks, plus much more!!)

Half of all that pesky unwanted yumminess will be sent to our troops in harm’s way to put a smile on their faces! To create an even bigger smile, write a letter of thanks and bring it with your candy to tell our military heroes how much you appreciate them. Your note could mean the world to a lonely soldier far make from home and we’ll sure they get it and your candy! The other half will go to our local Good News at Noon’s Homeless Shelter.

We thank you ahead of time for helping us make a difference both globally and locally. For more information on our Candy Buy Back program and information about our office…visit us at www.WilsonBraces.com.

This week, Kelly explains a memorable patient at Wilson Orthodontics:

In this field of work you really build a personal relationship with most of your patients because you see them on a regular basis and over a period of a few years. I always will remember this one teenage girl that was a patient in the office, she always had the best time when she came to her appointments and we always look forward to seeing her too.

When it was time to remove her braces she was happy but she cried and just begged me to put them back on, I asked her "why in the world would you want me to do that, you have been waiting for this day for a long time!" She cried and said she wanted them back on because she still wanted to see us! This will always stick with me because we made such a positive impact on her life.

-- Kelly Moore, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

During a trip to your dental office your dentist may suggest an orthodontic evaluation for you or your children. You make a call and schedule a complimentary New Patient appointment with Dr. Wilson.

After your evaluation it is time to discuss your finances and your dental insurance benefits. In our office we make sure to verify and know all details of your insurance coverage. You may ask if we are in your dental insurance network? In my 25 years of experience I have found that in orthodontia it is not necessary to use a provider in network. Unlike medical or dental it will pay your benefits whether the provider is in out of network.

Remember if you have any questions regarding your insurance please feel free to give us a call. We will be more than happy to help and will try to answer all your questions. Call our Gainesville office at (678)971-2461 today!

--Linda Boss, Financial Coordinator at Wilson Orthodontics

Congratulations to Donovan Hunter, the winner of our summer picture contest! The most unique picture won 4 tickets to the Braves vs. Phillies baseball game and a parking pass. Donovan turned in a picture of him laying inside of an alligators mouth (not real, of course). We would like to thank all those who participated and the winner of our next contest will receive a signed Matt Ryan/DJ Shockley football! Stay tuned for details!

--Dr. Wilson

Dr. Wilson's office encourages our patients to develop a daily oral care routine by rewarding our patients with tooth tokens. When our patients have good oral hygiene they receive one token. When they have reached ten tokens We have a large wheel on the wall, the patients get to spin the wheel, and can win prizes ranging from gift cards to Target, Starbucks, Blockbuster, or even a chance to win a Nintendo Wii!

Every time a patient goes to their general dentist for a cleaning, We reward them with five tokens. We also explain it is very important that they have at least three cleanings a year while they have their braces on.

To encourage good oral hygiene, Wilson Orthodontics offers a few tips. We tell patients that they must brush under, above, and behind all surfaces of every tooth and bracket while remembering to brush the inside and the outside of both top & bottom gums. Patients are also advised to rinse their mouths very thoroughly after they have finished brushing. They should be sure to check after rinsing, and if their teeth & brackets are not clean & shining....Brush again! We explain that poor brushing can cause permanent damage to teeth, and that proper brushing is vital to oral health.

Orthodontic Consultations is the description that fits Dr. Ron Wilson's office the best. Our office is always trying to provide the best orthodontic care to Hall County and encouraging people from all around to come and see us for our advanced Damon System.

Our offices is not only one of the most advanced offices, but, to the kids its one of the coolest offices! We have one of the fastest braces systems which is the Damon System. Patients that come and visit our office and see our slide show, instantly see the dramatic changes people have experienced with this product. With the serious aspects of our office also come the fun side. The kids and parents not only feel welcomed as soon as they come through the door, but they always feel comfortable and at home in our relaxed waiting area, which is another very strong point in choosing Wilson Orthodontics as your hometown orthodontist.

Wilson Orthodontics is very actively involved with the community and our patients. Last summer, for example, the entire office was decorated to the theme of "Summer At The Beach!". This included palm trees, beach buckets and shovels, tiki huts, sunglasses and "straw skirts" decorating the brush up area. There was also a "kid-size" plastic golf putter that the younger siblings of our patients still talk about! We also decorate a huge bulletin board with a summer theme and ask for pictures from our patients' vacations or any fun activity. First place winners get four tickets to a Braves game which includes a parking pass.

We also sponsor a coloring contest during Dental Health Month in February, in which the area elementary schools are invited to participate. First, second and third prize winners receive $100.00, $50.00 and $25.00 gift certificates, respectively.

Dr. Wilson also sponsored a very successful golf tournament for the dentists in the Gainesville and Hoschton-Braselton areas at the Hawks Ridge Golf Club in the North Georgia mountains. A fun-filled day was had by all! (Even though none of the scores were divulged!) At another golf event, Dr. Wilson participated in the Falcon's football team charitable golf tournament, for which all donations went to various community and national organizations.

The entire atmosphere at Wilson Orthodontics is geared to patient comfort and enjoyment. The Georgia Bulldog Room in both our Gainesville and Hoschton-Braselton offices is filled with video games, books, magazines and toys for all to enjoy. WiFi is also available for the patient's convenience, and our website at www.wilsonbraces.com is interesting and informative. In addition, our patients participate in a token program in which good dental and orthodontic practices earn a "spin of the wheel" for prizes and gifts.

Recently, our entire staff took ice cream cakes to all of the area dental offices and interacted with the doctors and their staffs. We also have an annual Christmas Open House with refreshments and appetizers, in order to honor and enjoy the season. So, as you can now tell, we at Wilson Orthodontics enjoy many different activities in order to promote good relationships between ouselves and our patients, as well as the community. Come join us and see for yourselves!

--Debi Gorrell, Front Desk Receptionist

If you've ever visited us at Wilson Orthodontics, you already know that Dr. Wilson and the rest of the team love connecting with their patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Wilson Orthodontics is on many other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Follow our "tweets" on Twitter

* Become a "fan" of Wilson Orthodontics on Facebook

* View and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Wilson Orthodontics

Its summer here at Wilson Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Wilson Orthodontics

In today's world, technology is always changing. From cars to phones to medical procedures and even orthodontics. Because of the ever changing techniques and procedures we experience in our field, Dr. Wilson is always looking for classes and seminars to go to in order to provide the most up to date reatment possible. He also meets with local dentists on a regular basis to let them know about new procedures for specific problems.

The bracket system that Dr. Wilson uses is called the Damon system. These are self ligating brackets athat are not lik any others on the market. This bracket allows the teeth to move with out a lot of friction on the wire. This allows the teeth to move much faster that traditional brackets and with generally less discomfort.

The wires that we use are just as hi-tech. They are nickle-titanium wires. They have a memory to them. You can actually tie these wires in a knot and when you undo it, it goes back to it's original shape. Since these wires don't like to be in a "roller coaster" type position, the teeth move very quickly. Our office is also computerized. We take digital x-rays & pohots, and all of our charting is done on the computer.

Wilson Orthodontics stays up to date on these things so we can give you the best and highest quality orthodontics treatment. You have worked hard and paid for a beautiful smile. You deserve the best, and that is what we provide at Wilson Orthodontics.

-Sarah Smith, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics

Dr. Ron Wilson and Wilson Orthodontics are now on Twitter! We are tweeting under the name Wilson_Ortho. Follow us! We want to keep you updated on all the latest with our practice as we continue to serve the residents of Hoschton and Gainesville, Georgia.

At Wilson Orthodontics, we like to emphasis daily brushing and flossing as essentials to good oral hygiene, especially during orthodontic treatment. Food debris accumulates on teeth and around braces, which turns into plaque( the sticky substance that forms on your teeth-yuck!). Plaque combines with sugars and starches of the foods that we eat producing acids that attack tooth enamel, causing cavities.

Flossing removes food particles and plaque from in between the teeth where a toothbrush just can't reach, and flossing with braces is really easy.

When flossing with braces you need to use a floss threader or stiff ended dental floss, this will help you get the dental floss underneath your archwires. Gently floss up and down between the teeth and around the gum area. Be sure to floss all of your teeth including the back ones.

Now...look in the mirror and smile, because you look GREAT!

--Cheryl, Wilson Orthodontics

Wilson Orthodontics has been receiving some fantastic compliments. Check out some of our favorites!

Brianna and ourselves were very impressed with her visit to Dr. Wilson's office. The staff made us feel very comfortable. Our daughter has had a fear of dentist in the past, and she is just now getting comfortable with going. So our first visit was a great experience for Brianna. Dr. Wilson was great with her also, and made her feel at ease. You all have a beautiful office and a great staff. ~Ricky W.

Easy, convenient, everyone with great customer service skills. In and out very quickly. Even though it was initially a consultation for an old, broken retainer, it was nice to move everything forward and even have the impression done on the 1st visit. Wow things have changed since my last orthodontist appointment in the 80's!! ~ Karen S.

Dr. Wilson took the time to listen and went beyond what was expected in meeting the needs of my children. He and his office staff are very friendly and go the extra mile to welcome you. He also has a fun kid friendly office with a reward system my kids love! ~ Laura B.

The office is very nice and caring. The front staff are very warm and friendly. They make you feel "right at home" when you enter the building. Everyone is genuinely caring and very friendly. Dr. Wilson is also very attentive and demonstrates the same caring attitude that the staff display. Did everyone attend a customer service class? I think you guys should provide customer service classes for other physician offices:) ~ Robert T.

Dr. Wilson is VERY thorough and personable. He reset Taylor's bonded retainers because he was not satisfied with they way the appeared though he said they would have worked just fine. He cares about the quality of his work and that is very important. Thank you! ~ Lynne C.

Have you ever seen anyone with white spots on their teeth? Did you wonder what causes them or how they got there? I know I have and so I decided to do some research on this subject. I found that a number of factors can lead to the development of white spots on teeth. Sometimes they are caused by nutrition and can be genetic. They can also appear in connection with a condition called fluorosis, which is the result of having an excessive intake of fluoride. People who live in areas where drinking water contains a high fluoride level often encounter this problem. To find out how much fluoride is in your water, you can call your city’s water department. Some children also develop white spots on their teeth as they are developing. These spots are called Enamel Hyperplasia or Hypo calcification and can be milky white or even yellow in color.

Working in Dr. Wilson’s office I have had patients ask, will I have white spots on my teeth when my braces are removed? Know that braces do not cause white spots on the teeth, that only happens when oral hygiene during braces wear has been inadequate. People with orthodontic braces often have trouble with brushing and the result is a buildup of plaque. The acids in plaque can severely harm tooth enamel and eventually causes cavities. Bacterial plaque accumulating on the teeth will cause white spots around the brackets and becomes apparent when braces are removed. Proper hygiene, good thorough brushing, usually at least 3 time a day, using a special floss threader like the one Dr. Wilson provides to his patients and following with a .05% sodium fluoride mouth rinse at bedtime are all good habits that will help prevent having white spots on teeth when braces are removed. It is always important to follow up with a thorough cleaning at your dental office. If you find white spots are present, your dentist can recommend treatment options. Remember...Healthy Teeth give you a Beautiful Smile!

Linda Boss, Financial Coordinator – Wilson Orthodontics

Tooth erosion is the loss of tooth structure caused by the weakening of dental enamel. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape. When the enamel weakens, it exposes the tissue that makes up the core of each tooth, causing the teeth to appear yellow. Eating acid-containing foods and drinks such as fruit, pickles, yogurt, honey, and carbonated sodas can cause tooth erosion. Chewing gum can eventually wear down the enamel of the teeth and create cavities. Coffee allows the teeth to slowly thin out, causing those yellow stains. And keep in mind, tooth whitening products with a low overall pH can also put enamel at risk for decay. Eating celery, cheese, onions, mushrooms, and green tea is healthy for your teeth enamel.

Megan
Chairside Assistant
Wilson Orthodontics

Lots of people talk about dental fears, so we asked Kelly from Wilson Orthodontics to talk about her own experiences.

As a child I was very afraid of going to the dentist like most children and some adults. I never had a bad experience as a child or an adult I guess the fear was just the unknown or not knowing what to expect. I have learned, especially since working in the dental field, that if you take the time and go out of your way to make someone as comfortable as possible and explain in detail what you will be doing along with getting the patients to interact with you in every way possible most dental fears are eased. That's what we do at Wilson Orthodontics.

Kelly
Chairside Assistant

Wilson Orthodontics has a new video about the revolutionary Damon System Braces. Damon System allows shorter treatment times with fewer office visits and less discomfort than traditional braces. Dr. Ron Wilson has a non-extraction and non-surgical approach to braces, and the Damon System allows both of these. Damon System focuses on more than just your teeth, it focuses on your whole smile and facial appearance. Just watch this video to see how.

Meet Brody C. Brody is a twelve year old patient at Wilson Orthodontics. Brody's smile was sparkling clean when he came walking through our door, so I decided I would ask him just a few questions about his oral hygiene.

What is your name? Brody C.

How old are you? Twelve

What steps do you take to make sure your teeth stay nice and clean? I brush a few times a day, and I rinse when I can.

What is your favorite toothpaste and mouth wash? Colgate and Scope

What is your favorite thing about your orthodontist office? All of the cool games in the Georgia game room!

Besides taking care of your teeth, what do you do for fun? I like to build cool castles and things with Lego's and I like to play the Drums.

So Brody's a normal young boy and still has time to make sure that his teeth are nice and clean between building cool things and rockin' out on his drums!

Thanks Brody, from Wilson Orthodontics.

I have been fortunate enough to help out at "The Good News Clinic" in Gainesville, Georgia. This is a clinic where dentist volunteer their time to help the less fortunate in our community. The Good News Clinic is a Christian ministry that provides completely FREE medical, dental, and pharmacy services to people who have no other source for Care. Started in 1992, it is the largest free clinic in Georgia and is funded completely by donations and volunteers from the community. It is open 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday. To qualify, a person must not have any type of insurance, not be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and have income no greater than 150% of the federally-defined poverty level.This clinic has a pharmacy and a medical clinic as well.

Recently, most of the general dentists and a few specialists in Hall county have teamed together to raise money for The Good News Clinic by providing professional teeth whitening. The patient simply writes a donation to The Good News Clinic for $250 and we have provided the professional whitening for them. So far we have raised close to $30,000 as a dental community. Another fund raiser that we are doing in August is a concert starring the Kinchafoonee Cowboys (See Event Poster). Tables can be bought for an $800 donation which includes 10 seats. We hope that the Gainesville community and Hall County can come together as a whole and help give to this great cause. Click here to learn more about The Good News Clinic and to become a Good New Clinic fan on facebook.

--Dr. Ron Wilson

Going green is on everyone's mind these days. We all need to really do our part to save this wonderful planet for future generations to enjoy as much as we have. It seems that we have turned into a "disposable" society. Everything we have nowadays is thrown away and replaced instead of being repaired if it breaks. Even cleaning products can be used and thrown away, i.e swiffer. What ever happened to washing the dust rag and using it next time?

Well, here at Dr. Wilson's office we are in the process of doing our part to "GO GREEN". All of our charting is now computerized. Which means we have no paper charts which also requires a lot less space for storage. Our x-rays and photographs are digital and computerized as well eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and paper. When we take your impressions, we send them off to be poured and then they are downloaded on the computer. This allows Dr. Wilson to look at the patients teeth from several different angles. It also eliminates the clutter of model boxes everywhere.
We are working hard on reducing our carbon footprint for future generations. Let's all do our part to save Mother Earth!

Sarah Smith, Chairside Assistant

At Wilson Orthodontics we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first set. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, you should see us at Wilson Orthodontics. It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Wilson Orthodontics.

--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
--Don’t forget the tongue
Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
--Watch your drinking habits
The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.
--Frequent brushing
Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
--Make your own Gargle
Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.
--Parsley’s there for a reason
Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
--Sugarless Gum
Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.
--Don’t cut that cheese
The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Wilson Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Wilson Orthodontics(even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From Wilson Orthodontics.

Wilson Orthodontics wants to know, where does all that soda pop go?

On average, the typical person consumes over 50 gallons of soda pop per year! The amount of acid and sugar found in a can of soda can cause serious tooth decay and lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss!

We at Wilson Orthodontics know that you don’t want to lose your teeth, so take the soda pop quiz, presented by the Minnesota Dental Association, and learn more about how to keep your smile healthy.

It’s a fun interactive quiz, so enjoy! From Wilson Orthodontics.

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

At Wilson Orthodontics, we wanted to share with you a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.

--3 cups flour
--2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
--1 tsp salt
--2 Tbl sugar
--4 cups milk
--4 eggs
--1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy from Wilson Orthodontics!

Summer is just around the corner, Yes that is true...We are getting our office ready for the hot weather with some really "COOL" contest and fun games to play at your visit. Last year we had indoor "Goofy Golf "and ring toss, and plan on that and even more this summer. We are going to have some contest and prizes such as free ice cream and gift cards.

At Wilson Orthodontics, we offer early and late appointments year round to accommodate work and school schedules. But in the summer we have several days to only place braces and get kids started on their "NEW SMILES," so when school starts in the fall they will be well adjusted. We look forward to summer and all the "HOT" fun we will have.....Come by for a visit and join us for some summer fun at Wilson Orthodontics.

--Cheryl Poole, Front Desk Receptionist

As April is National Facial Protection Month, we at Wilson Orthodontics want to share some helpful tips on choosing a mouth guard.

When selecting a mouth guard the most important thing is fit. It should stay securely in place during your activities and you should be able to breath and talk comfortably.

There are three basic categories of mouth guards.

1. Off the Shelf Guards; these are relatively inexpensive and are preformed and come ready to wear.

2. Boil and Bite Guards; these are a step up from the off the shelf guards because you'll get a better fit by boiling to soften the material and then biting into it to form it around your teeth.

3. Custom Mouth Guards; these are the best and most expensive type and usually come from your Dentist. They require impressions of your teeth and are custom made just for your bite.

People with Braces can only wear one kind of mouth guard it's specially made so that it protects the teeth and mouth from injury that could be caused by the braces if hit, while not forming to the teeth since the teeth are constantly changing while in braces.

Here at Dr. Wilson's office we offer our patients mouth guards free of charge!

Without proper protection you greatly increase your chances of injury, so come visit us at Wilson Orthodontics for your very own mouth guard!

--Pam, Orthodontic Assistant

Yes it's true "April Showers Bring May Flowers;" however, did you know that it also brings "National Facial Protection Month"? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends the "Top 10 ways to Save Face". Notice that the first one is to wear a mouth guard!

Dental injuries are the most common type of injury sustained during sports activities. It is estimated by the American Dental Association that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in High School and College football alone!

Should you experience a facial injury and a permanent tooth is knocked out you can pick the tooth up by the crown of the tooth--not the root--and rinse it clean with water or milk; but do not store it in water store it only in milk!

Recent studies have shown that the best chances of saving the tooth is to have it safely and properly placed back into the socket within a window of time between 5 minutes to 1 hour. So you should see your Dentist as soon as you can!

However, if you should knock out a baby tooth, you can leave it out; oh, but don’t forget to put it under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy!

You get one set of permanent teeth, so take care of them!

Have fun, stay active, but be safe and guard your teeth and protect your Smile; especially the one we at Wilson Orthodontics help you create! And if you need a mouth guard, remember we give them to our Wilson Orthodontics patients for free!

--Pam, Orthodontic Assistant

At Wilson Orthodontics, we know that bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all revealed from Wilson Orthodontics:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!

More questions about your teeth? Let us know from Wilson Orthodontics!

We've got so many questions about our teeth, we asked Kandi, at Dr. Wilson's office, to take some time and explain it all. Here's what she had to say:

The main cause of tooth decay is the sugar that is in the foods and drinks you eat. Water is the best beverage you can drink that is healthiest for your teeth. Anything that has sugar in it, you would want to eat at meal times, that way you can brush your teeth after. If you need a good healthy snack you can have things like whole bread, cheese, crackers, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Avoid mints and hard candies. They tend to be sticky and could get lodged in the grooves of your teeth which can cause cavities. They also could chip your teeth if your not careful biting into them. Any foods with acid such as citric juices or sodas can change the balance of the saliva in the mouth. The acid can attack the enamel structure of the tooth and sugar feeds the cavity-causing bacteria.

Spicy foods and chewing gum can increase the amount of saliva in the mouth.
The increased saliva carries protein that helps break down the sugars that can cause cavities so these can actually be good for your teeth.

After each meal you should brush your teeth and gums with a soft bristle toothbrush. A medium would be OK, but with a soft bristle toothbrush you are less likely to harm your teeth and you can clean them better.

So eat the right foods and always brush and floss to keep your teeth healthy!

Kandi Pope, Treatment Coordinator
Wilson Orthodontics

Here at Dr. Wilson's office, we take x-rays on all of our patients. But instead of the traditional x-rays you are probably familiar with, we use digital imaging. This greatly reduces the amount of radiation that you are exposed to, and allows Dr. Wilson to see the image on the computer within seconds!

Even though digital imaging produces considerably less radiation than traditional machines, and even less than being out in the sun (especially in the summer), we still place a lead shield over our patients to further protect them. The reason that we use a lead shield is because radiation cannot penetrate it. It is, therefore, very important to remove any metal that you may have on your head. Such as earrings, glasses or retainers. Generally, necklaces are okay.

We usually don't take x-rays on women that are or think they may be pregnant. Especially in the first trimester because we don't want to harm the fetus.

Rest assured, when you have you orthodontic treatment done by Dr. Wilson, your "Hometown Orthodontist" you are getting the best quality and highest technology around.

We look forward to giving you a super new smile!

--Sarah S.
Clinical Tech

We always get questions about fluoride at Wilson Orthodontics, so we asked Megan to answer!

Everyone benefits from using fluoride. Fluoride works by preventing the tooth decay process. It keeps the tooth enamel strong and helps prevent the loss of important minerals from the tooth enamel. The frequent use of Fluoride in small amounts will help adults and children live cavity-free. Fluoride works best from toothpaste containing fluoride, fluoride rinses, and/or fluoridated water twice a day. Colgate Fluorigard is one type of over the counter fluoride rinse. Although Fluoride can be very beneficial; it can be harmful with excessive intake. Dental fluorosis can occur if a child over uses fluoride between the ages of 1-4. (Intake of an overload of fluoride supplements, fluoridated drinking water, or possibly fluoride in a child's diet). Dental fluorosis can also leave stains on the teeth that can range in color from white,black,and brown.

--Fluoride is the only chemical added to drinking water for the purpose of medication to prevent tooth decay.
--Fluoride is used to help resist acid, strengthen teeth, and block bacteria from causing decay.
--Dentists can offer fluoride applied to the teeth using a foam,varnish or gel. These treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpastes and mouth rinses.

-Megan E.

Dr. Wilson has two conveniently located offices, one in Gainesville--located at 1220 Sherwood Park Dr. and another located in Hoschton—located at 5415 Thompson Mill Rd., both of our offices offer early morning and late afternoon appointments Monday thru Thursday. This is to accommodate students as well as working adults. We also provide an emergency number to reach Dr. Wilson after hours and weekends.

At both offices we offer Invisalign and the Damon System. Our practice is the only one in our area to offer both forms of treatment. Also, in each office we have new state of the art televisions and video games, which appeal to children as well as adults. Each chair in our clinic area is equipped with new PSP hand held games to give patients something to do while they wait for Dr. Wilson. We at Wilson Orthodontics would like our patients’ visit to be fun and pleasant so they don't dread coming for adjustments. So we offer fun as well as excellent and informative care.

Katie Kelly, Sterilization

Wilson Orthodontics offers a fresh and energetic approach to your orthodontic experience. In our newly renovated office, we use the latest technology with our Damon System. Damon braces use a self-ligating bracket, which has less friction and treatment times are generally shorter than with traditional braces.

We have a new University of Georgia game room complete with x-box, video games, and of course, the bulldog ”Uga”. We also have chair side games for our patients.

It’s fun to see how excited our patients get when they find out about our token program. This program gives our patients incentives for good hygiene, no broken appliances, and wearing their “Got Tin” t-shirts. They earn a token for each great behavior and with 10 tokens they can spin the wheel in the operatory to win prizes. If they land on the prize for a Wii, we add their name to our drawing for a free Wii! This drawing is held every 6 months.

With our new renovations we have several big screen TV’s located in the waiting room, the on deck area, and in the operatory for your viewing pleasure.
At Wilson Orthodontics, we love and enjoy our patients! We look forward to seeing them and learning about any new and exciting events in their lives.

--Linda Boss, Financial Coordinator

The average adult will have 32 teeth. Between six and ten months of age, most infants begin to get their "baby" teeth. "Baby" teeth are important because they hold the place for permanent teeth and help guide them into the correct position. They also play an important role in the development of speech and chewing. Most "baby" teeth are in by the age of three, but at about the age of seven the permanent teeth begin to develop. These teeth are meant to last the rest of your life, so it is very important to take good care of them!

A tooth is made up of two parts: The crown, which sits above the gum line and makes up your smile, and the root, which makes up about 2/3rds of the tooth's total length. Four different tissues make up each tooth. The enamel is the durable, white covering and protects the tooth from the wear and tear of chewing.

--Debi Gorrell, Front Desk Receptionist

Wilson Orthodontics provides innovative orthodontics in a fun and relaxing environment. Just see what our patients are saying!I love my teeth--I was always embarrassed to smile before and to have people see my teeth. Wilson Orthodontics changed all that. They have a very friendly staff who remembered who I was every time I came in -- very personable!
-Margaret M.

Dr. Wilson is young and innovative. The kids like all the cool stuff he has in the office such as an Xbox 360.
-Richard G.

We are so pleased with Dr. Wilson and his staff. His office hours have worked out well for our schedule and anytime we have an emergency, they were able to get us in. He also frequently updates us to progress of my teeth and my orthodontic plan of care.
-Cole H.

Dr. Wilson takes the time to explain everything that is going to be done. The people that work there are friendly and I really like the new changes that have been made.
-Jordan A.

All information is given up front at Wilson Orthodontics. There is no waiting time - records and braces on the same day. The office staff is always helpful and courteous!
-Robin R.

Dr. Wilson is very nice and the office is cool and fun.
-Meagan H.

Dr. Wilson is concerned with doing a detailed job. He provides The Damon system, which is superior to others that pull numerous teeth. - The office staff are courteous and accommodating of schedules
-Paul N.

Good Dental Hygiene
It is important that you take good care of your teeth; after all, you only get one set of permanent teeth in your lifetime. If one falls out, unlike a baby tooth, there’s not another to replace it. (Scary thought, huh?)

So What Do We Know?
It’s best to take 2-3 minutes to brush; any soft bristle toothbrush is fine. The purpose for a power brush is that it’s timed and you know you’re getting at least 2 minutes of brushing. A wise man once said, you only have to floss the teeth you want to keep. (Makes sense!)

* You should change your toothbrush every 3 months or if the bristles look worn (especially w/ braces).

* Mouthwash helps to kill germs & prevent cavities; it also keeps your breath fresh.

* Chewing gum and eating mints does not take the place of brushing and may cause cavities if used in excess, sugar free is better but limit your use.

* If you can not brush after every meal, be sure to at least rinse with water and brush when you can.

To sum it up, remember:
Brushing three times a day + flossing once a day + visiting your dentist every six months = a beautiful and healthy smile!

Any questions? Feel free to leave a comment or contact our office!

-Sharon Kubler, Chairside Assistant

We are known as the “Hometown Orthodontist,” and this title couldn’t be truer! It is not uncommon for us to see our patients outside of the practice at any time of the day. Whether it is performing in a high school play, marching at a football game or all painted up in the student section of a basketball game, our patients shine!

Several times I’ve heard someone shout out “there’s my orthodontist lady,” at which time I turn to see a smiling face of someone who I know is benefiting from our orthodontic care. Taking the time to explain that I’m not the orthodontist, just the assistant, gives me an opportunity to interact with my patients and their friends. Connecting with the outside world allows us as a practice to see the bigger picture of how we fit in the picture of their lives.

Chatting with the five patients who recently returned from the Presidential Inauguration, I was reminded of how exciting life can be for a teenager: new perspectives to explore, important decisions to make, and how hard work pays off. One of the students was invited because he entered an essay contest and won the trip to Washington. The other four students were members of a local
marching band. They attended a festival in honor of the inauguration. Our patients consistently remind us as that while some consider braces just another part of growing up; we consider our work as an investment, an investment in the life of a person who matters.

-Sarah Whiting, Orthodontic Technician

Our wonderful chair side clinical assistant Sonya (above, with her husband) has been working the orthodontic field for over 20 years. She has worked with a ton of different treatments, but says that Damon® System is definitely “tops!” Damon System braces are advertised as “non-extraction, less pain, fewer office visits, no palatal expanders, and beautiful broad smiles.” For Sonya, “it works,” and here’s why:

“My husband is 43 years old and had severe upper and lower crowding. He had wanted to have his teeth straightened, but was very hesitant because he did not want to have extractions. After months of considering and deciding if maybe he should just be okay with the way his teeth were, he finally went with what I knew would be something he would be glad he did. After having the [Damon System] braces for only four months now, you would not believe the change. He has already had fellow employees, family, & friends comment on how straight his teeth are!”

Damon System braces can treat almost any smile! If you’re interested in learning more about the Damon System, please visit our web site, or contact our practice at (770) 536-0882. Have you already had a treatment with Damon System? If so, let us know what you thought! We would love to hear your feedback, and share your experience with others.

Another year has passed and many changes have been made here at Wilson Orthodontics. The 2009 year has started off with a bang! We have finally taken down the caution tape and our remodeling is complete. This year we are introducing a new version of Wilson Orthodontics by replacing our paper charting system with a new technologically advanced paperless digital system. This new system requires a computer at every patient’s chair and in every room; and, with this system all of the information you need is only a few clicks away.

Along with our new “High-Tech” computer systems, we are also rebranding our practice as “Your Hometown Orthodontist!” Our office, though now more modern, still gives off a home-like feel. We have given the office more livelihoods with a little color here and there and a few television sets to make your wait a little more comfortable. To make things even more exciting, we will soon have PSPs for our patients to use at each chair. We’re really thinking of everything to make you feel welcome and right at home!

Looking back at 2008 there are so many things that should be mentioned; we tried out some new ideas to liven up the office and give the staff something to have fun with and enjoy while being at work. We had a Halloween Costume Contest and allowed the patients who came in to vote on the employee with the best costume. Sarah Whiting (dressed as a Rodeo Clown) and Cindy Briscoe (a life-size bag of M&M’s) won the contest and were given a pampering prize at a local spa. We also kept a tradition going with our annual Christmas open house. This past year’s open house was the largest we have had so far and it was a great success.

Our office would not be much without the wonderful patients that we are blessed to work with. In 2008 we had some patients that had great starts and even more with great finishes. Last year we had a local celebrity visit Gainesville, Martha Zoller and her daughter Suzanne both finished treatment with us and they both came out with fantastic smiles. We have had a great 2008 looking back, and we are now looking forward to an even better 2009. Stop by and see your hometown orthodontist!

-Cindy Briscoe, Records Coordinator

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile, and with new technology like Damon self-ligating braces, treatment has never been faster or more comfortable. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Some people wonder why we work so hard 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!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 678-971-2461 (Gainesville) or 678-866-3295 (Hoschton) to set up a consultation. Dr. Wilson can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

We would like to introduce our “Wii Smile” referral incentive program at Wilson Orthodontics.

Each time a patient referral comes to our office and begins treatment with us your name will be entered into our drawing for a Nintendo Wii System! We will draw names twice a year for our Wii winner!

Names are entered into the drawing on a “first come, first serve basis,” per patient. There is NO limit to the number of patient referrals you can submit. As soon as the referred patient begins treatment, your name will be entered into the drawing.

We would also like to congratulate our December 2008 winner, A.J. Waterer!

The next Wii drawing will be June 15, 2009!! So mark your calendars and start referring other smiles you know to Wilson Orthodontics!

We pride ourselves on receiving referrals from our patients and dental colleagues. The greatest compliment an orthodontic practice can receive is the referral of a friend or family member, and we thank you!

-Dr. Wilson & the Ortho Team

Please note: In order to receive credit for your patient referral, you must submit your “Patient Referral” on our web site under the “Contact Us” tab at: www.wilsonbraces.com. If you have any questions about our Wii Smile program please contact our practice at 678-971-2461.

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while your child still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when your child's permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilson please call 678-971-2461 in Gainesville or 678-866-3295 in Hoschton and visit our web site.

They say you should never judge a “book” by its cover; but, over the last few months I’ve realized that people seem to do just that without even opening the pages to see what’s inside. Our office, similar to an unopened book, was no exception to that rule! When our office in Gainsville was purchased two years ago by Dr. Wilson, we were in need of a major make-over; and, lucky for us, Dr. Wilson made it one of his first priorities. Realizing that our office may be at the mercy of judgmental onlookers, Dr. Wilson began plans for renovation, and now we are proud to say that our great change is almost complete!

Now that we’ve renovated our practice inside and out, Dr. Wilson wanted to make our practice a place worth visiting (or to stick with my original analogy, “a book worth reading”). He created a fun and rewarding patient incentive program that rewards patients for their cooperation and good hygiene. This program allows patients to earn tokens that they can eventually “cash in” for a spin on the mounted prize wheel in our office. The prize wheel is filled with an array of cool prizes. In addition, we’ve also added a UGA-themed game room to make a visit to the orthodontist feel more like home! Many staff members, patients, parents, friends, family members, and other area doctors have all weighed in with supportive, positive feedback; and, here’s what a few of them have to say about our “new look:”

“WOW, when did you guys do this? The last time I was here the office looked old, and now it’s brand new…I love it!”

“The new look if beautiful, so inviting and relaxing…I love it!”

“The office looks awesome; you needed this change, good job!”

“It’s great being able to watch TV while I’m waiting for my daughter.”

“Love the game room; what a great idea, I’m not going to get my son out of there!”

“I know I’m supposed to keep my teeth clean and stuff, but now it’s more fun ‘cause I might win a Wii System.”

“…what a great atmosphere!”

“What a great idea having the tokens for the patients to earn; my son is so excited to come in with clean teeth and wearing his ‘Got Tin?’ t-shirt so he can save up for a chance to spin the wheel.”

I could go on and on about all of the great things people now have to say about Wilson Orthodontics! At a recent open house Christmas party the positive feedback was off the charts! Everyone loved the new look and applauded all the hard work. Throughout this entire renovation I realized just how important it is that as an orthodontic practice we provide people with not only great smiles, but a welcoming, fun, modern office environment that they can feel comfortable spending time in.

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover; but, that doesn’t mean people won’t still pass judgments. In knowing this, we asked ourselves “why not make the ‘cover’ beautiful so that people will want to see what’s on the inside?” We would like to invite you to take a look around during your next office visit and see for yourself what’s new. Your orthodontic treatment is predictable, but the experience you have with us is one-of-a-kind!

If you’ve had a chance to visit our newly remodeled office please leave a comment and let us know what you think! We’d love to know about your experience.

-Pam Cole, Chairside Assistant
Wilson Orthodontics

For orthodontics, fortunately insurance is easy to verify for our patients. Unlike general dentistry and medical benefits, "in" or "out" of network does not apply to orthodontic claims. There is usually a lifetime maximum benefit that can easily be verified by calling the 1-800 number on the back of your card. And, if you would like, our friendly staff will be glad to verify your benefits when you come into our office. We accept most all insurance carriers, and we will make every effort to ensure you recieve your maximum benefit.

We are very excited about the renovation of our Gainesville office. This new renovation will bring our office up to date with the latest technology including everything from digital imaging to chair-side electronic charting. As always, we are striving to bring the latest technology into our office so that we may provide superior orthodontic care in a timely manner to our mutual patients. Our office renovation is taking place in stages so that we won’t interrupt our orthodontic care to our patients. We are on track to complete all stages of our renovation by the end of the year.

A healthy smile will give you a healthy life! Brushing 2 times a day for two minutes each time as well as flossing once daily are the most important things you can do to keep a healthy smile. Orthodontics will give your teeth the proper alignment which will make it easier to clean your teeth on a daily basis. Having straight teeth is kind of like building a foundation for a house. You wouldn't build a nice house without a good, solid foundation. The foundation that you need in order to keep a healthy smile starts with orthodontics. By having braces, it will make sure that your teeth are secured by healthy bone surrounded by healthy gums. Then, the everyday cleaning of your teeth will be a breeze!

A couple of weeks ago, there were 5 patients that got together and made a "skit" and a "rap" about our practice. We were in the middle of seeing patients and they surprised me with their skit. The mother was filming the skit while they were perfoming it in front of all the other patients. Needless to say, I was very surprised! Our whole ortho team loved it and it set a positive tone for the rest of the afternoon. The skit was very touching and it really made us feel great that our patients would take the time to do something like that.

This Halloween at Wilson Orthodontics we had all kinds of characters at our practice! We had a clown, a lady bug, a pumpkin, an Umpa Lumpa, an Indian, and an oversized tourist. The Tooth Fairy was even there with Larry the Cable Guy! It was quite a celebration with lots of tricks and treats!

Our team members had a great time dressing up, really getting into character. Our practice went to lunch at Locos and had a costume contest for the best costume. Our winner was Cindy Brisco who came dressed as a package of peanut M&M’s®. She won a gift certificate for a relaxing day at the spa.

Check out our great pictures to see why Halloween at Wilson Orthodontics was such a blast!!

Be sure to visit our MySpace to see the full photo album!

I am very excited about our new “Tooth Token” reward program. The purpose of our Tooth Token Reward Program is for our younger patients to take “ownership” in the investment of the orthodontic treatment their parents are providing for them. As an incentive for our patients to have routine dental cleanings with you, their general dentist and team, and also for displaying good oral hygiene throughout treatment, we will reward them with our tooth tokens which they cash in for prizes during their orthodontic treatment. Our hope is that this behavioral modification incentive program will help our patients to have clean, healthy, and spot-free teeth upon completion of their orthodontic treatment. As always, we recommend that our mutual patient who are in active orthodontic treatment visit you to have 3 routine dental cleanings a year to insure healthy gums and teeth.

You will soon be receiving our new referral pads with our new practice logo. These new referral pads have both office locations and maps conveniently located on one page as well as an easy checklist to help streamline your referral. I know we all stay very busy, so we tried to do everything we could to simplify this process for you. Please let us know when you need more referral pads or if you would like more in addition to what we have provided.

We would like to thank everyone that participated in our 2nd Annual Wilson Orthodontics Blood Drive! The blood drive was a huge success and we would personally like to thank each and everyone who donated. Each donor was entered in our annual drawing for a "free set of braces." This year's winner was Donna Shewbert. Donna is a dental hygienest at Dr. Kell Gallaher and Dr. Michael Vetters office 3 days a week and works with Dr. Joe Jackson 1 day a week. Congratualtions to Donna from Wilson Orthodontics!

We all expect blood to be there for us, but barely a fraction of those who can give do. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face a time of great vulnerability in which we will need blood. And that time is all too often unexpected.

From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The honor, spirit and resources of the American people comes forth with neighbors helping neighbors in need — during earthquakes, floods, fires, storms — and also for the deeply personal and often quiet disasters that require a gift of blood.

We are also excited to announce our two year anniversary of our satellite office location in the Hoschton/Braselton area. This location allows us to provide further convenience to our patients in that area. Also, our new website is http://www.wilsonbraces.com. We encourage you to visit our website for current updates and programs that we are offering to our patients.

Sonya is one of our chair-side orthodontic assistants and has worked in our office for over 28 years. She is from Gainesville, Georgia, and has lived in the area her whole life. She recently married her husband, Kyle, and has a son named Brandon. Her activities include running, aerobics, reading, shopping, and driving for Meals on Wheels.

• Favorite thing about the practice of orthodontics: Making New Smiles!

• Favorite thing about working with Dr. Wilson: Well, I think he's a pretty awesome boss! Nice, easy-going, and a good orthodontist

• Favorite thing about your job: Bonding 7-7 from the beginning.

Sonya's husband, Kyle, is getting his braces put on next week. He is very excited about taking this next big step and is looking forward to his new smile.

I understand that visiting the dentist or orthodontist may not be what most people would choose to do. In our office, our ortho team will guide you through each step of treatment so that you will know exactly what to expect.

We provide a nice relaxing atmosphere for our patients: From a warm waiting room with flat screen TV's and a game room for the kids, to a treatment area that is full of the latest advancements in orthodontic technology making treatment as comfortable as possible.

A healthy smile will give you a healthy life! Brushing 2 times a day for two minutes each time as well as flossing once daily are the most important things you can do to keep a healthy smile.

Orthodontics will give your teeth the proper alignment which will make it easier to clean your teeth on a daily basis.

The foundation that you need in order to keep a healthy smile starts with orthodontics. By having braces, it will make sure that your teeth are secured by healthy bone surrounded by healthy gums. Then, the everyday cleaning of your teeth will be a breeze!

Introducing "Wii Smile"

Tell your friends about us!

I would like to introduce our new “Wii Smile” referral incentive program at Wilson Orthodontics. Each time a patient referral comes to our office and begins full treatment with us, your name goes into our drawing for a Nintendo Wii System! We will draw twice a year for our Wii winner! NOTE: In order to receive credit for your patient referral, you must submit your referral on our website:

http://www. wilsonbraces. com

Your name will be entered into the drawing on a “first come first serve basis” per patient. There is no limit to the number of patient referrals you can submit to Wilson Orthodontics. Your name will be entered into the drawing as soon as the patient begins full treatment. Just click on our “Token Reward Program” tab at the bottom of our homepage and follow the directions to submit your referral. The next Wii drawing
will be December 15, 2008...Just in time for Christmas!!

Thanks and Good Luck!!!

We pride ourselves on receiving referrals from our patients and dental colleagues. The greatest compliment an orthodontic practice can receive is the referral of a friend or family member, and we thank you!

Dr. Wilson & Ortho Team!

Stumbling upon this toothbrush or rather tooth sponge of the future that Brazilian designer created a tooth sponge... That's right this tooth sponge is supposed to hold water, massage your gums, and polish your teeth!

Just think an electric tooth sponge that is comfortable for all ages, might even be fun!

So I am interested to see if this fancy new device makes it to our markets.

Wilson Orthodontics would like to congratulate Trey Taylor for being nominated as our “employee of the quarter”. Trey is our patient communication coordinator, and she also works as a chair-side orthodontic assistant. She has worked in our practice since 1998 and has over 26 years of orthodontic experience. She is from Dahlonega, Georgia, and has lived in Gainesville since 1998. She is married to Joey and has two sons, Zach and Chase, and a daughter, Ansley. She is very active in the local school system.

• Her favorite thing about the practice of orthodontics: Seeing great smiles and watching children, teens, and adults who would not smile in the beginning, just smile and light up after treatment.

• Her favorite thing about working with Dr. Wilson: He truly cares about his patients and is always interested in what they do.

• Her favorite things about your job: Working with families to help bring great smiles to them and their children.

Again, congratulations to Trey on all her hard work and dedication to our patients!

Practicing orthodontics has been a blessing that I truly feel honored to do on a daily basis. Not only are we able to create beautiful smiles, but we have the opportunity to build self-confidence in our patients. It is absolutely amazing to see someone who is shy and not very outspoken before treatment to become someone who is very outgoing and social in many situations after treatment. It is almost as if we are releasing their "inner beauty" if you will. You know, people are very self-conscious about their smiles...especially when they have alignment issues, missing teeth, "gapped" teeth, etc. In todays society when self-image is ever so important, giving our patients a beautiful and perfect smile gives them reason to smile. Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we are giving our patients just one more tool to take their dreams and aspirations to the next level.
Ron D. Wilson, D.M.D., P.C.

Bonnie-Lynne and I attended the Damon Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was a very beneficial continuing education course where we learned many new techniques that we were able to apply to our practice. One of the lectures that we attended was titled "Torque Selection". This class was basically designed to enable us to have more tools in treatment planning for our patients. Orthodontic brackets have different "torques" in the slots of the brackets that can be used in specific patients depending on their initial malocclusion. These torque selections can be treatment planned before initial bracket placement that will decrease the overall treatment time that a patient is in braces. The Damon Forum began about 5 years ago with around 50 orthodontists and staff members and is an annual meeting that has gained widespread popularity. This year the forum had over 3000 orthodontists and staff members in attendance and next year is expected to have over 5000 in attendance. We are pleased to offer the latest treatment techniques here at Wilson Orthodontics for our patients. I highly recommend the Damon Forum for anyone orthodontist who is looking to advance their treatment efficiency and treatment results for their patients.