How important is your smile? From Dr. Brown

For four decades, Brown Family Orthodontics has set the standard of excellence in orthodontic care. Combining a keen eye on technology, a commitment to continuing education, and a steadfast dedication to five-star patient service, Brown Family Orthodontics provides a winning smile and improved self-confidence to every patient.

And speaking of smiling, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine last spring, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Give us a call to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Brown!

When should you call Dr. Brown and BFO?

We hope you're enjoying your weekend! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Brown Family Orthodontics for treatment. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Brown and the BFO team.

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call this week!

Hope this helps!

--The team at BFO

"My son is seven - when should he visit BFO?"

Great question! Our staff at Brown Family Orthodontics will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Ed or Dr. Jessica Brown to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s orthodontic treatment at BFO! We hope you have a WONDERFUL rest of the weekend!

Back to school with Brown Family Orthodontics

Now that many of the schools in Metairie, Mandeville, Covington and Franklinton are back in session, Dr. Brown and our entire staff at BFO would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs and sports to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Brown Family Orthodontics. In order to accommodate all of our patients' busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you're unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

Have a GREAT weekend - we look forward to seeing your smiling faces this fall!

Brown Family Orthodontic present: Fun facts about braces!

Who loves fun facts? Most people. Who loves orthodontic facts? Everyone we know here at BFO! The American Association of Orthodontists has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our BFO staff thought you might enjoy. Have a terrific rest of the week!

• 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 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.

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

• 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.

Dr. Brown wants to know: Are you ready for the Braces Brigade?

Our entire staff at Brown Family Orthodontics are looking for current, former and future orthodontic patients, as well as parents of orthodontic patients, to join the AAO's Braces Brigade and blog about the unique, heartwarming and - let's face it - sometimes hilarious experiences that come with orthodontic treatment. All applicants must either be an orthodontic patient here at BFO or the parent of an orthodontic patient (pre- and post- treatment stages are just fine).

To complete the Braces Brigade application, you'll need to provide:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100 word minimum)

If you're under 18, you must get your parents' permission and have them fill out this form along with your submission.

As a part of the American Association of Orthodontists' Braces Brigade you'll have the chance to share the journey to your healthy, beautiful smile with the world AND receive a $100 American Express gift card for their work! Dr. Ed Brown and our team encourage you to apply! GOOD LUCK!!

What’s on your reading list this summer?

With summer in full swing, some of us at Brown Family Orthodontics have been thinking more and more about the importance of reading for kids and teens. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading and play video games or watch a movie, but our staff will tell you reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development - and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian in Metairie, Covington or Franklinton for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across recently, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us some of your all-time favorite reads on our Facebook page!

Getting social with Brown Family Orthodontics

In honor of Social Media Day, Dr. Ed Brown and our staff would like to take today to discuss our approach to social media and online patient communications. At our convenient offices in Franklinton, Metairie, Mandeville and Covington offices, we embrace technology and the benefits that social media can bring to our team at Brown Family Orthodontics. Our website, innovative orthodontic treatments and social media presence (including our interactive Facebook page), are all examples of ways that our office uses state-of-the-art technology.

We love engaging in conversation with our patients online. It’s great to connect with our patients by sharing news, ideas and upcoming events at our offices. We have found that our Facebook fan page and blog are great tools for making that type of connection.

Dr. Brown and team are interested in hearing your thoughts on social media. How would you prefer we use our social networks this summer? What would you like to see us share on our blog? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

We hope you have a safe, relaxing and FUN Fourth of July weekend!

Enjoy your Fourth of July weekend everybody!

Share your summer adventures with Brown Family Orthodontics!

It's almost summer here at Brown Family Orthodontics, a season full of adventures, vacations and great memories. Whether you're headed to a barbecue, an exotic destination, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, Dr. Brown and team want to hear about it! Share your plans and experiences on our Facebook page all summer long!

Happy travels,

The BFO team

Parents and daughters, from Brown Family Orthodontics

Recently, we came across the AAO's Twitter page, where we found a gem of an article about parenting teenage girls we thought we'd pass along to the moms who come into our office every day. The article, from our friends at momlogic, pointed to a recent survey that involved 2,000 mothers and fathers of children over the age of 18, and noted that teenage girls - specifically 14-year-olds - are the toughest to parent "due to their desire to grow up too quickly, their demands for greater freedom and peer pressure to be thin."

At Brown Family Orthodontics, we know parenting isn't always easy. But we want you to know you're not alone - millions of moms and dads are struggling - or have struggled - with their teenagers' behavior. If you feel your son or daughter is acting out, we encourage you to read "Teen Anger: Techniques to Avoid the Buildup."

Enjoy your weekend everyone!