Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Alton Bishop

You may remember that last month, Dr. Bishop and our staff discussed the importance of wearing a mouth guard. Today, we thought we'd follow-up and share a video (courtesy of our friends at the AAO) that explains five helpful tips to protect your mouth this spring. After all, April is National Facial Protection Month, and a good time to remind our young athletes that each year, more than 5,000,000 teeth are knocked out due to little or no facial protection.

We hope the above video helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact Bishop Orthodontics. And remember to have fun and stay safe this April and spring!

Gummy Tummy and YOU, from Bishop Orthodontics

Our staff at Bishop Orthodontics know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing, from Dr. Bishop

Bishop Orthodontics, partnering with Smile for a Lifetime

Dr. Alton Bishop and our entire team at Bishop Orthodontics are proud to partner with a nonprofit organization called Smile for a Lifetime. The organization helps under-privileged kids in Frisco and Edwards who can't afford to have a not only a great-looking smile, but a smile that will be healthy and last a lifetime! To become a candidate at Bishop Orthodontics, interested families must be at or below poverty level and must complete a one-page application for their child or candidate. Smile for a Lifetime Foundation applications can be picked up at school guidance offices, local YMCA branches, or downloaded online from our web site.

You can learn more by giving us a call or visiting www.s4L.org.

Sleep disorders and treatment options in Frisco and Edwards, Co.

Dr. Bishop knows sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, and some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:

• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.
• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping
• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.

If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, give us a call at our Edwards or Frisco office. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that Dr. Bishop can custom-create for you.

Ask Dr. Bishop: Who really benefits from braces?

Don't be fooled: braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teens anymore! Dr. Alton Bishop will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment at Bishop Orthodontics, whether it’s 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, or AAO, 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. Set up an appointment today for a consultation at Bishop Orthodontics and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!