Fun facts with Drs. Cliff and Moody Alexander!

At Alexander & Alexander Orthodontics, we know our patients love fun facts - LOVE THEM. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team and Drs. Cliff and Moody thought you might enjoy. Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

This Earth Day, what are you up to?

Earth Day, designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment, marks its 40th anniversary today. Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970 and is observed every April 22nd on virtually every country on Earth.

Whether lending a helping hand to plant trees or getting out to volunteer in the Dallas or Coppell community, today is your opportunity to get started in making your impact year-round. Tell us, what are you up to? Are you making a difference today? How long have you participated in helping our planet? You may reply here or on our Facebook fan page!

Happy Earth Day!

Enjoy 'Mr. Bean goes to the dentist'!

Week after week, our staff here at Alexander & Alexander Orthodontics blog about topics pertinent to your orthodontic care. Today, however, we thought we'd lighten the mood with a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling yet lovable British spy, Mr. Bean. We loved it, and know you'll get a laugh as well. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

If you have any other suggestions you think we should share with other patients, please let us know!

Drs. Alexander want to know: are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind … grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, especially recently. New research published in the journal Head & Face Medicine in March suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the prolonged economic depression.

Teeth grinding can be a temporary nuisance during stressful times that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem, say Drs. Cliff and Moody Alexander. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Drs. Alexander and our team at Alexander and Alexander Orthodontics can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.