“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Hablinski started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Hablinski decided to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn’t it nice to know there’s a complete dental expert here at Dr. Hablinski’s office to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?
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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!
One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That’s why Dr. Hablinski and team at Dr. Hablinski’s office thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:
- Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
- Wear a helmet
- Wear protective eyewear
- Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
- Be alert, even as a spectator
We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Dr. Hablinski’s office . Stay safe and have fun!
Three-Cheese Macaroni Extravaganza, a hearty and braces-friendly winter recipe
It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the team here at Dr. Hablinski’s office more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.
• 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
• Water for boiling noodles
• (optional: 1 or 2 onions, chopped)
• (optional: 1 to 2 Tablespoons margarine for sautéing onions)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh is best, but the canned type works too)
• ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ cup bread crumbs or dry stove-top stuffing
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium pot, boil macaroni in water until you can just cut it with the side of a fork; drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onions in the margarine until they are clear and tender. In a 3-quart greased casserole, stir together the macaroni and milk. Sprinkle with the cheeses and onion, then stir it all together. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Cover and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves six to eight.
The benefits of a beautiful smile
Dr. Mark Hablinski 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 Dr. Hablinski’s office. 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.
Dr. Hablinski’s office, reminding you to protect your mouth this winter
With winter sports under way for a lot of our patients, Dr. Hablinski’s office thought it would be a good time to remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this winter.
More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.
Many people think a mouth guard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions. Our staff at Dr. Hablinski’s office encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists’ website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.
We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in winter sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!
Happy New Year from Dr. Hablinski’s office
The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2011 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2012? Do you have a new year’s resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?
Have a safe and happy New Year, from Dr. Hablinski’s office !
Happy Holidays from Dr. Hablinski & team
The holidays are here, and as Dr. Hablinski and our team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?
We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays on our Facebook page. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!
Share your winter break plans with us!
Dr. Mark Hablinski and our team at Dr. Hablinski’s office want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!
Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!