Smile for a Lifetime - Deadline - 1 May

We are pleased to announce the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have partnered with the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation.

Now we have entered the final week of the current round of applications and all nominees will be sent to our board of directors on May 1st to vote. So now deserving club members have opportunity to receive free orthodontic care too.

The Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (S4L), an international nonprofit organization that provides orthodontic care and free braces to underserved children with financial challenges and special orthodontic needs, announced today that it has partnered with Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) to help S4L chapters throughout North America find qualified applicants for their local orthodontic scholarship programs. Through S4L’s partnership with BGCA, young people who are served by some 4,000 community-based Clubs across the country will have the opportunity to learn about S4L and apply for its orthodontic treatment scholarships.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is dedicated to introducing the young people we serve to life-enhancing programs to help them develop self-confidence and reach their full potential as productive, responsible citizens,” said Sharon Hemphill, senior director of health and life skills for BGCA. “The gift of a smile can transform a child’s life. By working with Smile for a Lifetime, we will be able to offer Club members the opportunity to receive free braces and most importantly, a beautiful, long-lasting smile.”

S4L was founded in 2008 by Dr. Benjamin Burris in an effort to link children and teens of low-income families with pro-bono orthodontic scholarships. Since its inception, the foundation has treated more than 800 children who could not afford braces and has grown to an international nonprofit organization that currently serves more than 108 chapters in 38 states and Canada. Local orthodontists form S4L chapters in the communities they serve and individually treat six or more young people annually. Local BGCA staff members are encouraged to nominate members ages 11-18 who would benefit from the S4L program by visiting www.s4l.org.

“Finances should never stop a child from achieving the dream of a straight smile and S4L is committed to touching the lives of our youth by awarding thousands of orthodontic scholarships to deserving kids,” said S4L National Board President Dr. Ronald Redmond. “Given our shared goal of fostering self-confidence among our nation’s youth, we believe our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the perfect union for providing our nation’s young people with a brighter future.”

S4L scholarships are funded through local orthodontists like Dr. Wilson in Gainesville and primary sponsor Ormco Corporation—a leading manufacturer and provider of advanced orthodontic technology and services. Ormco provides the orthodontist with the braces used for treating each S4L scholarship recipient.

If you have any questions about S4L and orthodontic scholarships, please e-mail Trey Taylor, Executive Director at: trey@wilsonbraces.com - Wilson Orthodontics.

PLEASE NOTE: All correspondence will be via e-mail, and we will reply to your questions within 48 hours during normal business hours.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Sign up to BGCA on Facebook.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

The mission of S4L is to create self-confidence, inspire hope and change the lives of children in their communities in a dramatic way. The gift of a smile can do all this for a deserving, underserved individual who, in turn, can use this gift to better themselves and their community. During treatment, many S4L local chapters also encourage scholarship recipients to participate in community service through a “pay it forward” program inspiring young people to participate in lifelong giving.

Currently, there are 108 chapters serving 38 states across North America with movement to increase those numbers to more than 200 chapters, covering 50 states and Canada in the next five years. Each chapter commits to serve at least six or more young people annually. By the end of 2012, some 800 to 1,000 young people will have received the gift of a smile with $4 million to $6 million of orthodontic services donated.

Wilson Orthodontics 1220 Sherwood Park Drive, NE Gainesville, GA 30501

Tel: 770-536-0882

Wilson Orthodontics offer orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults in Gainesville GA 30501, Cleveland GA 30528, Dahlonega GA 30533, Dawsonville 30534 Flowery Branch GA 30542, Buford GA 30518 30519, Braselton GA 30517 & Hoschton GA 30548.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

We are SO excited to be FINALLY opening in our new office in Flowery Branch on February 29th! This has been about 2 1/2 years of planning, developing, and building to bring our patients the next level in orthodontic care. We will have more space to accommodate our wonderful patients in South Hall.

Come out and see us on our first day and experience what everyone else is talking about! We will not only be bringing the latest technology with the Damon System and Invisalign...but we will also have the latest in diagnostic care with our new 3D cone beam x-ray machine which is like no other around. Also, can you say NO MORE IMPRESSIONS??? That's right, we will have the latest digital scanner that will capture the anatomy of your teeth even more accurately WITHOUT impression material. This will especially be great for our INVISALIGN patients who want to have the latest in technology and NO MORE SLIMY IMPRESSIONS!

We can't wait to see what you guys think of our new facility. Just like the Gainesville office...we will have our Wilson Orthodontics' Charity Spa. "Get Pampered, & Give Back" That is our mission...all services will be donated directly to local charities and schools. So what are you waiting for??? It's time to get that smile you have always dreamed of! We can't wait to see you in our office soon! Dr. Wilson, Dr. Lekht and the Wilson Orthodontic Team!

With summer almost over we receive a great amount of calls from parents who are in a panic, telling us "We have to start before the school year starts!" We wanted to express the importance to give your orthodontist a call even before summer break begins. We try to accommodate everyone's needs, and offer special days worked into our schedule at the end of summer break to place the braces. We also offer free consultations where you are given the fees and breakdown of the treatment, so that you are able to plan for orthodontics in your budget ahead of time! If we see you in May we can schedule you to begin in August, but we don't have to place the orthodontic appliances within any certain time. So call early get started and started back to school with a new "TIN GRIN".

From Cheryl Poole, Front Office Coordinator 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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.