Ask Dr. Fleming: What's the deal with all those Halloween treats?

With Halloween here, our staff at Fleming Orthodontics know a lot parents here in Falls Church, Arlington and Alexandria are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this evening.

For those undergoing orthodontic treatment, you do need to be careful of the types of candies you consume this weekend. We encourage you to watch the video above about which candies you should avoid, but feel free to ask us if you have any questions about what is and isn't braces-friendly!

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Connect with Dr. Fleming & team on Facebook!

At Fleming Orthodontics, we provide the highest quality of orthodontic care with personalized service and a comfortable atmosphere.

Even if you visit our Falls Church office for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook?

There, we share office news and updates, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

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Don't skip those regular checkups, especially in October!

Dr. Fleming wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Fleming Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

It's the perfect time for a visit to the dentist. Why? Because not only is October National Orthodontic Health Month, it's also National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria or surrounding areas!

What’s the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

“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. Harold Fleming started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Fleming decided he wanted 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 dental expert in Dr. Fleming to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

At Fleming Orthodontics, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at Fleming Orthodontics wanted to remind Dr. Harold Fleming's patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have provided a helpful list of tips and braces-friendly recipes for the Halloween Season.

Enjoy and have a wonderful week!