One Pan Braces Friendly Breakfast Recipe

Enjoy this cake with any sort of fruit that inspires you! Roasted apricots, fresh plums, or smashed blackberries would be great if you're not a strawberry fan!

Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Cake

For the Roasted Strawberries:

• 8-ounces medium strawberries, hulled
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

For the Buttermilk Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon aluminimum-free baking powder (I use Rumford Baking Powder)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• Roasted strawberries
• 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar for topping

To Make the Strawberries:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. The strawberries get juicy, so a rimmed baking sheet is important. Set aside.
3. Cut each strawberry in half and place in a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, and salt. Whisk together until completely incorporated. Drizzle the mixture over the strawberries and toss until each strawberry is coated. Arrange strawberries in a single layer across prepared baking sheet.
4. Roast strawberries for 40 minutes. The juices will thicken, but remove the strawberries from the oven before the juices begin to burn. Remove the berries and juice from the pan while still warm. Place in a small bowl, stir in balsamic vinegar, and set aside.

To Make the Cake:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and heat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter an 11-inch cast iron skillet. You can also use an 11-inch round tart or quiche pan, or a 9×13-inch pan… although the cake will be more thin and you’ll need to keep a close eye on it in the oven.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and butter. Whisk in the vanilla or almond extract.
4. Add the buttermilk mixture all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined and no lumps remain. Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Top batter with half of the roasted strawberries and juice. Sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool to room temperature before slicing to serve. Serve with the remaining roasted strawberries.
6. Cake will last, well wrapped in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

Pepperoni Pizza Sitcks For Super Bowl Sunday

Ingredients

• 1 tube Pillsbury pizza crust
• 40 pepperoni slices
• 10 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• Optional: marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Spread pizza dough out on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cut the dough into 10 equal size rectangles.
3. Arrange 4 pepperoni slices on each rectangle and top with a mozzarella cheese stick.
4. Roll up the pizza dough, enclosing the cheese stick, pinching the seams closed.
5. Melt the butter and add the garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush the pizza sticks with the butter.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Enjoy warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping if desired.

The Athletes Guide | Play Sports With Braces

We have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

Need Help With Loose Wires and Bands?

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact Rhode Island Orthodontic Group as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

NEW RECIPE ALERT | Spinach & Kale Smoothie

Your kid’s diet should have fruits and veggies for complete nutrition. But when he does not eat them in their solid form, you might want to consider smoothies. Smoothies are great for both kids and adults, and even better for new patients being treated at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group as they are braces friendly. The trick is to make the idea of smoothies exciting – get your children involved in the process. Let them make smoothies with fruits of their choice, on the condition that they will drink it.

To help get you started on your smoothie journey, we're sharing a delicious recipe with you below! Try it out this weekend and let us know how you liked it!

Spinach and Kale Smoothie

When your children refuse to eat dark green or leafy vegetables, get them to drink it! Here’s a recipe for a healthy, yet tasty, green smoothie for kids.

You Will Need:

• 2 cups chopped spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 kale leaf
• I sliced banana, frozen or fresh
• 1 cup almond milk

How To:

• Wash the spinach and kale leaves and chop them.
• Add the spinach and kale leaves, almond milk, and peanut butter to a blender and puree them for a minute, or until you have a smooth mixture.
• Add the banana and blend for another 30 seconds, or until you get the desired consistency.
• Serve fresh.

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Servings: 1
Nutritional Value: calories – 325, carbohydrates – 46.1g, protein – 10mg, fat – 13.9g, cholesterol -0mg

New Year, New You! | Why Braces Are Popular For Adults

Orthodontics has evolved enormously in the last two decades and there is now less pain, time and cosmetic detriment when having orthodontic treatment. This is one reason we are seeing so many adult patients getting braces. Are you considering orthodontic treatment as an adult? If so, keep reading to find out why your timing is right.

Why do adults choose to get braces?

• Overcrowding of teeth
• Shifting of teeth
• Poor bite
• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• Self-consciousness
• Align teeth before crown and bridge work
• Improve gum and teeth health
• A beautiful smile they have always dreamed of

What are the benefits of having braces in your adult years?

• You are having treatment by your own choice and on your own terms.
• Maximize function and health of your gums and teeth.
• Improve your bite and alleviate issues such as grinding and headaches.
• Straight teeth help to provide a beautiful smile and a boost in confidence.
• Alignment options are vastly improved on what they were when you were a child.

The bottom line is, it is never too late for braces or to achieve the smile you've always wanted. If you are ready to learn more about treatment and live in Rhode Island, contact Rhode Island Orthodontic Group, click here for contact info.

Happy New Year!

May the holidays find you surrounded by those you love, filled with a lot of fun and cheer, and the New Year bring happiness, health, and prosperity.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Take some time this holiday season to be appreciative of those who work when they should be with family and friends, those who are away from those they love, and those who sacrifice for our needs. Merry Christmas to all!

Types of Braces

All orthodontic appliances work essentially the same way: by employing light, constant force to move teeth into proper alignment. But how we apply these forces can vary, as numerous innovations have become available in recent years. Some of the newer, less visible orthodontic appliances have been designed to blend more easily into an adult's personal and professional lifestyle. 

Types of orthodontic appliances include:

Traditional Metal Braces — This is probably what you think of when you picture someone wearing braces: small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth. A thin wire runs through the brackets and is attached on either end to metal bands that go around a back molar.

Clear Braces — Instead of highly noticeable metal brackets, you can have clear ones made of ceramic, plastic or a combination of both. They are hardly visible, except for the thin wire running through, but they are more susceptible to breakage than metal braces.

Clear Aligners — As an alternative to the fixed type of orthodontic appliances mentioned above, clear aligners are removable. They are actually a series of clear plastic “trays” that fit over your teeth exactly. Each tray is part of a series of trays that move your teeth a little bit at a time until they are in the proper position. Your trays are designed with the help of specialized computer software that generates a virtual model of your bite.

Lingual Braces — These metal braces are bonded to the back of your teeth (tongue side) so that no one can see them. That is the plus side. On the minus side, they can be more difficult to get used to wearing, and are more expensive than traditional braces.

NEW RECIPE: Hot chocolate Cookies

There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch on a chilly day with a mug of hot chocolate that’s filled with soft marshmallows...unless it's with Hot Chocolate Cookies! Get the recipe below and enjoy! Happy Holidays from Rhode Island Orthodontic Group. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• one 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• about 8 ounces dark chocolate, diced into 1/2-inch pieces (I used a Trader Joe's Pound Plus Dark Chocolate Bar)
• about 12 large marshmallows, cut in half

DIRECTIONS:

1. To a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate chips, and heat on high power to melt for 1 minute. Stop to check and stir. Heat in 15-second bursts, stopping to stir after each burst, until chocolate has melted and can be stirred smooth (You'll likely only need 1 or 2 bursts). Alternatively, melt the chocolate chips and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until just melted. Allow melted chocolate mixture to stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
2. To a separate large bowl, add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with a handheld electric mixer on medium speed just until blended, about 1 minute.
3. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and beat on medium speed until just until combined, about 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4. Add the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low speed just until combined, about 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until dough has firmed up significantly. If you accidentally over-chill it and it becomes too firm, allow bowl to rest on counter until you can scoop it.
5. Preheat oven to 325F. Line a baking sheet with cooking spray. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop form dough mounds and place them on the baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (I bake 8 cookies per sheet). Flatten slightly and bake for 10 minutes, or until edges and tops have just set, even if slightly under cooked and glossy in the center.
6. Remove baking sheet from oven, add 1 piece of dark chocolate to the center of each cookie, pushing down very slightly just so it breaks the surface and sinks down.
7. Place one marshmallow half on the top of each piece of chocolate on all the cookies, pushing down very slightly so the marshmallow adheres.
8. Return baking sheet to oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or just until marshmallows have puffed; don't let them brown and don't over bake. Cookies firm up as they cool. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving. I let them cool on the baking sheet and don't use a rack.
9. Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week. Alternatively, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months, so consider baking only as many cookies as desired and save the remaining dough to be baked in the future when desired.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is always something to be thankful for, and at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group we are thankful for you! Thank you to our wonderful patients for letting us work on those amazing smiles!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Invisalign | For A Wide Range Of Smiles

The Invisalign system has been successful in giving hundreds of thousands of amazing smiles to both teens and adults. The Doctors of Rhode Island Orthodontic Group will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign´s clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including: Overly crowded teeth, Widely spaced teeth, Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites.

Not everyone is a candidate for the Invisalign aligner system. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Rhode Island Orthodontics to see if the Invisalign system is right for you.

Invisalign is effective for a wide range of smiles.

National Sundae Day! NEW RECIPE

Every year, on the 11th of November ice cream lovers celebrate one of the most popular desserts, an ice cream sundae! Ice cream sundaes come in all flavors, shapes, and sizes, but there are always at least 4 ingredients that make the dessert an official sundae: ice cream, flavored sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top!

Are you an ice cream sundae lover looking for a new recipe? Well, look no further! We found a delicious mouth-watering recipe sure to satisfy any ice cream sundae appetite.

Try the Banana Split Sundae

HOW TO MAKE THIS SUNDAE: Doesn’t this look a-peel-ing? Create layers with vanilla-chocolate ice cream, fudge sauce, sprinkles, and thinly sliced bananas. Top with tons of whipped cream, more sprinkles and fudge, and a cherry.

Have a FaBOOlous Halloween

Wishing our community a Happy & Safe Halloween today! #RIOrtho

What Not To Eat With Braces

You can use common sense when determining what not to eat with braces. Hard, sticky, and sugary foods are types of foods you want to avoid. Hard foods can break brackets and wires, sticky foods can get caught inside your braces, and sugary foods react with bacteria in your mouth to create enamel-rotting acid.

In honor of National Orthodontic Health Month, we at Rhode Island Orthodontic have compiled a list with some examples of foods you should definitely avoid while you have braces.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

Minimize Sugary Foods like:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy

Only Once a Day:

• Soda
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
•  Drinks with sugar

Try This Braces Friendly Mummy Pizza Recipe

Fun name, fabulous flavor! Enjoy your favorite pizza toppings, all wrapped up in delectable puff pastry. Also, it's braces friendly!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 package (17.3 ounces) Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
• 6 tablespoons Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 18 slices pepperoni
• 12 slices pitted ripe black olives

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork.
• Sprinkle the flour on the work surface. Unfold 1 pastry sheet on the work surface. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 rectangles along the fold lines. Cut the pastry rectangles in half crosswise, making 6 (about 3x5-inch) rectangles. Place the pastry rectangles onto the baking sheet.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon sauce on each pastry to the edge. Top each with about 2 tablespoons cheese and 3 slices pepperoni.
• Unfold the remaining pastry sheet on the work surface. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 rectangles along the fold lines. Cut each pastry rectangle crosswise into 12 (about 3/4-inch wide) strips, making 36 in all.
• Arrange 6 pastry strips on each pastry, placing them slightly askew over the filling to resemble a mummy's bandages. Brush with the egg mixture. Place 2 olive slices on eachpastry for the eyes.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Let the pastries cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

More On National Orthodontic Health Month

There are so many things that come in October. From the obvious Halloween, to Breast Cancer Awareness, National Pizza Month, and National Orthodontic Health Month, there is a lot to recognize. Being that we are orthodontists, we'll be covering some details on National Orthodontic Health Month and what it entails.

National Orthodontic Health Month was organized to help raise awareness about taking care of your teeth beyond your general dentist, as well as emphasizing the importance of taking care of your teeth properly when being treated for braces. If you have any questions regarding orthodontics that you have yet to find answers for, we are here for you! This is a great time to get your questions answered by the Rhode Island Orthodontics team of professionals. Also, if you have never been to an orthodontist before, now would be a great time to have an orthodontic evaluation exam. Children age 7 and up are encouraged to do so, as well as adults.

Minor Problems Can Be a Big Pain

Orthodontic treatment can take some getting use to.You now have an appliance fixed into your mouth you have to worry about. It it common to experience minor discomfort which can be relived by over the counter pain relievers, eating soft food or rinsing with warm salt water. However, there are rare cases of actual orthodontic emergencies. Here are a few common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home we here at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group want to share with you.

via aaoinfo.org

Food Caught Between Teeth


This is not an emergency, but can be a little uncomfortable or embarrassing for the braces-wearing
student. It is easily fixed with a piece of dental floss. Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food. Or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between teeth and braces.

Ligatures Come Off


If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a
wire ligature comes loose, simply remove it with sterile tweezers. If the wire ligature is sticking out into the lip but is not loose, it may be bent back down with a Q-tip or pencil eraser to eliminate the irritation. Of course, when one ligature pops off or breaks, others may follow. Be sure to examine all ligatures before sending the student back to class. Missing or broken ligatures should be brought to the attention of the student’s parents, who should then inform the orthodontist.

Irritation in Mouth

Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when the patient is eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between metal and mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. The patient may then eat lunch more comfortably. Let the student know that if the wax is accidentally ingested it’s not a problem. The wax is harmless.

Protruding Wire

Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate the patient’s mouth. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. (See Irritation of Cheeks or Lips above for instructions on applying relief wax.) The patient’s parents will need to make the orthodontist aware of the problem.

Loose or broken brackets, bands or wires

If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don't connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it's irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any loose parts with you to the appointment!


Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to these situations — but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it's best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and then call our office to schedule an appointment.

How Does Two-Phase Orthodontics Work?

Are you aware of two-phased orthodontics? If not, don’t worry you’re not alone. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that involves facial and jaw changes along with straightening teeth. This process allows Rhode Island Orthodontics to create a healthy functional smile with results that remain stable after treatment. One benefit of two-phase orthodontics in certain cases, it can prevent adult tooth extractions or major jaw surgery.

How does it work?

Two-phase orthodontics starts with interceptive orthodontic care. This is a process where Rhode Island Orthodontics intercepts an oral problem before it continues to get our of control. Typically, treatment starts with younger children in order to manipulate teeth and growth before it’s too late. The best age for this is between 7 and 10-year-old. With interceptive orthodontics, treatment is about 4 to 12 months with monitoring of the child after that to discuss is possible second phase treatment.

Once a majority of the adult teeth have erupted, the second phase can begin. The average treatment time of the second phase is about 12 months of braces on the teeth. Retainers are worn after treatment to hold the correct position of the teeth.

If you are interested in learning more about Two-Phase Orthodontics, contact Rhode Island Orthodontics to discuss it more. We love answering questions and providing a solid foundation of information to those who are interested in treatment for their children or themselves.

Maintaining Your Retainer

To stay fresh and germ-free, all retainers need proper cleaning. A Hawley-type retainer can be brushed gently with a regular toothbrush — but a brush may scratch the clear aligner types. Denture cleaners, in powder or tablet form, as well as special retainer cleaners, can be used to clean most removable retainers. Fixed retainers are cleaned by brushing and flossing; a floss threader or interproximal brush can also be a helpful cleaning tool when needed.

Finally, remember to always carry — and use — a retainer case. You'd be surprised how many retainers end up folded in a napkin and accidentally discarded! Also, don't expose your retainer to excess heat by washing it in very hot water or leaving it on a heater: That can cause the retainer to warp and make it unusable. With proper care and conscientious use, a retainer can help you transition from braces to a permanent, healthy smile.

For  more questions or concerns about maintaining your retainer, visit our website or give Rhode Island Orthodontics a call.