Carving For Fun!

Photo Provided by DigsDigs.com

Here at RIO Group we are in the Halloween spirit and we want you to be in it too. Carving Pumpkins is one of the best ways to get into the spirit of Halloween. However, carving a pumpkin could seem like a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time. But the outcomes are definitely worth giving it a try.

Here are 5 tips for Pumpkin Carving

1. Select Your Pumpkin: Pumpkins come in different shapes and size, from small to extra-larger. When shopping for pumpkins keep in mind the shape and what sort of a face you could carve to really bring the pumpkin to life.

2. Open it Up: The traditional way of getting inside of a pumpkin is to cut off the top where the stem is. However, you don't have to take off the top, consider taking out the bottom or even the back of the pumpkin. Regardless of where you choose to make your lid, you just want to be sure you have a big enough space to get in there and remove all of the seeds.
 

3. Scoop the Goop: A large metal spoon or an ice cream scoop works well for this. Forget about purchasing those Pumpkin carving kits that include the plastic scoops. For one thing the, the handle on those are way to small and for another, the thick plastic makes it hard to really get all of the goop out. Also, keep your arms fairly clean by starting the scraping from the lid hole, down the sides and then then bottom.  Then, after all of the walls are scraped, dump the pumpkin goop into the trash.

4. Design the Face: Grab a sharpie or any markers that works best for when drawing on the face. Using a dry erase marker is highly suggested, because if you don't like your work, you can erase it! 

5. Cut it Out: An old kitchen knife with a serrated edge works best. Small, paring knives are great for carving detailed designs into the pumpkin. But for the young carvers in the family, a carving kit knife will do the trick.

Now that you've got an awesome looking pumpkin it times to take it to the next level and bring your creation to life. Remember that you scooped the pumpkins insides clean, you can now place lighting inside to brighten things up. Candle-free options are the safest and are great for showcasing your pumpkin designs. These days you can find color-changing strobe lights, battery-operated tea lights and rainbow LEDs that are made specifically for pumpkins. 

Be sure to place your pumpkin on your porch Halloween night and showoff what you made to “trick or treaters”. Also post pictures on our Facebook and we will share with our friends!

Let's Celebrate Pink

As we celebrate Orthodontic Health Month in the Rhode Island Orthodontic Group offices, we have to take the time to acknowledge another health effort focused on creating health awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness.

Photo Provided by HuffingtonPost.com

Breast Cancer is the most common of cancers affecting women in the US, and second leading cause of death. However, Breast Cancer also affects men. Breast Cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in breast cells. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that have the ability to grow and spread.

Facts about Breast Cancer

• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.

Photo Provided by surfnstream.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is all about making sure the public, because more knowledge about the disease. This is all in efforts to show support to those affected and help efforts to find a cure.

There are various ways you can help this cause:

Donate

Join/Start a Fundraiser

Partner with a nationally recognized charity

And/Or Volunteer

"Do it Yourself" This Halloween

Halloween is just two weeks away and by now I’m sure the kids have tons of ideas of what they want to dress up as. The most popular costumes being bought off the shelves are character favorites, Elsa from Frozen, Ninja Turtles, Spider-man and any other popular Disney character. But, between selling out and the high prices of a costume things could get a little stressful. We have an alternative for you, DIY costume. DIY stands for Do It Yourself, yes that means you can do it all by yourself and make a fabulous costume for your children.

Here are some DIY ideas to get you creative spirit going

 A Fairy

Via Realsimple.com

 A Race Car Driver

Via Realsimple.com

 Carl from UP

Via Countryliving.com

Army Toy

Via Countryliving.com

 Peter Pan

Via Countryliving.com

A Snail

Via Countryliving.com

After making the costumes, be sure to take tons of photos for Facebook and head out to trick or treat. Remember, if you child is under orthodontic treatment they must choose the candy they eat wisely. To remember what foods you should avoid check out our website. 

Say NO to Sticky Treats This Halloween

Photo provided by nutritiouseats.com

Is it just one of the greatest coincendence that the month children are estatic about celebrating Halloween, is the same month over 17,000 orthodontist spread awareness about orthodontic health? 

Being that sugary sweet treats are prevalent during Halloween, it gives our orthodontist here at Rhode Island Orthodontist Group a great opportunity to share tips on how to protect your teeth.

• Avoid sticky situations with your braces and aligners. Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include caramel, gummies, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.

• Say “boo” to hard-shelled peanut candies, nuts or nut-filled candies, taco chips and popcorn (especially unpopped kernels).

• Spooktacular news - not all Halloween candy is off-limits.  Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. The American Association of Orthodontists even offers orthodontic-friendly recipes for Halloween on its website at http://www.mylifemysmile.org/pressroom.

• Sweets can cause cavities which means brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season. Orthodontic patients should be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods. 

These tips are escpecially important to our patients with braces, aligners and other orthodontic appliances. We want all of our patients to enjoy Halloween, but to also remember to take care of their teeth. While under orthodontic treatment your work on creating a beautiful new smile, let’s not let one night set us back. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy visit website for oral hygiene tips.

Pumpkin Mania

As we enter October it’s time to get into the spirit and have some Halloween themed fun!

Although Halloween is at the end of the month it is not too early to get into a decorative mood. Orange and black will be the most popular colors seen around this month, but their no doubt that the official October mascot is the pumpkin.

There many different ways you can have fun with pumpkins during the Halloween season. From foods like pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes to decorative craft projects, there is reason to love pumpkins. Here are some fun ideas you can have with real pumpkins. Head out to the pumpkin patch and pick out some prime candidates for your craft fun.

Here are some things you can do with pumpkins:

Carve a Smile

Thumb-Tac Decor

Paint a Fun Portrait 

Create a "Mumkin"

Sharpie Drawing

Share your designs on Facebook with us here at Rhode Island Orthodontics and we’ll share your fun photos on our page.