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October brings lots of changes and new experiences…cooler weather, crackling leaves, cozy fires, and Halloween! For orthodontists across the country, October also brings National Orthodontic Health Month. This is a great opportunity for us here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics to remind patients of some care and safety basics for their braces.

We have provided these 4 ways to protect your braces, aligners (Invisalign), and other orthodontic appliances for our patients to keep in mind all year round.

Avoid Sticky Snacks
This includes hard candy, sticky foods, crunchy or chewy snacks, and candy.  Bubblegum, taffy, caramel, gummies, and jelly beans can all become stuck in appliances and cause damage to your braces.  Instead, opt for a healthier alternative, such as fruit cut into bite- size pieces.

Hard Treats are a No No
Crunchy treats, such as the -itos family (Doritos, Fritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos), nuts, popcorn, and even ice are all foods that can cause braces, even adult braces, to break. Breaking the brackets or wires on braces causes damage to the appliances and requires a visit to us to fix them.

Make Sure to Brush
All the extra sweet stuff can cause cavities, so make sure to brush and floss regularly. When wearing braces, be especially careful about brushing and flossing after every meal and after having a sweet treat.  You can ask us about the right tools for caring for and cleaning your braces.

Find an Alternative to the Sticky Stuff
Not all treats are off limits to orthodontic patients.  Soft chocolates, peanut butter cups, and candies that don’t contain nuts are a good alternative for a sweet treat. Just make sure to follow the guidelines we give you when you get your braces on!

Mack and Hansen Orthodontics wants our patients to have a fun and healthy Halloween!  If you forget any of these tips and tricks and need to see us for any reason, contact us at 903-212-7737 for an appointment. See you soon!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Are you on the path to a straighter, healthier smile? Every patient has a different timeline, but typically it takes up to a little over a year to refine. That’s 12+ months of perfecting tricks, hacks, and all the tips in between. Here’s a list of our best hacks from Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen:

1. Waterpiks are lifesavers. We recommend them over dental floss for everyone, especially when you have braces.
2. Download a mirror app. Food can get stuck in both your teeth and braces. But having a mirror always on hand — or on your phone — makes it easy for you to check for left-behind crumbs.
3. Fix wires with a tweezer. Wires can slip out of place very easily. Instead of swinging by to visit us, you can just slide the wire back into place with a tweezer.
4. Consume non-staining foods and drinks. Even healthy foods like berries can stain your teeth, and the seeds can get stuck in your brackets. Steer clear of stain-causing, acidic foods for more confidence while you’re at work or out with friends.
5. Have warm water and salt ready. If your mouth is every sore, rinse with 2 tablespoons of warm, salt water.

12+ months with braces can seem like a lifetime for both teens and adults. However, keep in mind that orthodontic treatment is often the best way to fine-tune your smile!

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

Dirt Pudding Pumpkin Patch

Ingredients:

• 2 (14 ounce) packages chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreo®)

• 1 (8 ounce) package of softened cream cheese

• 1/2 cup softened butter

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (YUM)

• 3 1/2 cups milk (choose your type)

• 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix

• 1 (12 ounce) container thawed frozen whipped topping

• 1 (5 ounce) bag gummy worm candies (just for fun)

• 40 candy (mellocreme) pumpkins

• 1/2 cup vanilla frosting (optional)

• 1 drop green food coloring

1. Crush cookies in 2 or 3 batches in a food processor. Pulse until you get fine crumbs, about 30 seconds per batch. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Place cream cheese, butter, and confectioner's sugar in food processor; mix until smooth, about 30 seconds.

3. Whisk milk and pudding mixes together in a bowl until pudding is thickened; fold in whipped topping. Stir in cream cheese-butter mixture.

4. Press 1/3 of the cookie crumbs onto the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle half of the gummy worms on the crumb layer. Spread half of the pudding mixture over the crumbs and candy. Carefully layer another 1/3 of the crumbs over the pudding mixture and sprinkle on more gummy worms. Add the last layer of cookie crumbs and smooth them out for your "pumpkin patch."

5. Place pumpkin candy in rows with enough room to for frosting "vines" and "leaves."

6. Tint frosting with green food coloring and transfer to piping bag. Connect pumpkins with "vines" and add swirling tendrils. Switch to a leaf tip and create some leaves.

   That's it! Check back regularly for our Recipe of the Month. Happy October!

   If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain a straighter, healthier smile, please contact us today! Visit www.etxortho.com to learn more, or call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.

We had the best time this past weekend at the Buddy Walk with family & friends! Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a wonderful cause.

For those of you who don't know, the Buddy Walk is an event held every October to promote awareness and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome and is put on locally by the East Texas Down Syndrome Group.

The Buddy Walk is especially close to our hearts because of our cousin, Alex, who was born with Down syndrome. She is the light of our family, and we love her dearly.

For more information about the East Texas Down Syndrome Group, please visit http://www.etdsg.org/

If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain a straighter, healthier smile, please contact us today! Visit www.etxortho.com to learn more, or call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.