3 Friday the 13th Facts

Happy Friday the 13th! For many people, fear overcomes them on this day as well as so many superstitions. We thought it would be in good humor to go over some popular Friday the 13th facts. The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is actually a combination of two separate fears — the fear of the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia, and the fear of Fridays.

Keep reading to learn about 3 Friday the 13th Facts!

1. Friday the 13th  have been considered an unlucky day since the medieval times.
2. It is generally considered bad luck to start anything on a Friday - a new journey, job, marriage, business project, giving birth, moving house
3. It is unlucky to cut fingernails and hair on Friday the 13th.

Whether you believe these superstitions or not, Rhode Island Orthodontic Group is crossing our fingers that you all have a very safe and lucky Friday the 13th today!

The Floss Awakens

Every year on May 4 most of us observe National Star Wars Day. “May the Fourth Be With You” is a popular term often used on this day, in correlation with ”May the Force Be With You”.  At Rhode Island Orthodontics, we like to say "May the Floss Be With You" to remind you to floss those teeth!

This May 4th, remember to avoid the dark side and keep those pearly whites bright and clean by brushing and flossing! Check out the fundamentals of flossing below for additional insight to keep your oral hygiene at its best.

Flossing Fundamentals



To keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, you need to floss at least once per day. But how do you get floss under the archwire of your braces? It's not so hard with the help of a floss threader. Using this device is somewhat like threading a needle: You pull one end of floss through the threader, and then push the threader — carrying with it the free end of the floss — under the archwire. Now grasp the floss on each end and slide it up and down the sides of both teeth, and all the way under the gums until you hear a squeaky sound. Finally, pull it out and use a new section of floss for the next area.

What is AcceleDent?

You want to improve the look of your smile, but does the thought of spending months, or even years, in braces sound like too much of a hassle? At Rhode Island Orthodontics, we offer AcceleDent.  With the AcceleDent System, you can now reduce the time of your orthodontic treatment by 38 to 50%! Using this pain-free, easy appliance, you'll achieve your most perfect smile in no time at all.

By inserting the AcceleDent Mouthpiece – also fitted around existing orthodontics – and turning on the Activator for 20 minutes every day, AcceleDent Aura can speed up tooth movement by using SoftPulse Technology. Faster tooth movement may decrease the duration of your orthodontic treatment and can even help to make your orthodontics more comfortable.

Watch this video to learn more about AcceleDent and how it works.

Is Orthodontic Care Expensive?

When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. Financing is usually available, and our offices offer many payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.

Our team of four experienced doctors and professional staff at #RiOrtho are equipped to serve you and your family at each of our six offices conveniently located throughout the West Bay area. We proudly offer the latest orthodontic braces for children, teens and adults at our offices in East Greenwich, Warwick,Wickford, Wakefield, Coventry, Barrington and Westerly, Rhode Island.

Suffering from a poking wire?

As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call us at Rhode Island Orthodontics and we'll schedule a time to see you.

Heads Up From #RiOrtho

April is National Facial Protection Month, so #RiOrtho wants to give you a heads up on concussions in youth sports. As your orthodontic provider, we understand that head concussions are a little out of our area of expertise. However, we feel it is our duty to provide you with as much information for your overall health as we can, when we see fit. That being said, let’s talk about concussions.

Did you know…

• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
• Athletes who have, at any point in their lives, had a concussion have an increased risk for another concussion.
• Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.

A concussion is a form of a traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. Typically, a concussion is caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even minor blows or bumps to the head can be serious.

Signs and symptoms can occur suddenly, or may not be noticed for days or weeks until after the injury. If one or more signs are noticed, it is advised to seek help from a health care professional. Check out some signs and symptoms of concussions observed by coaching staff and reported by athletes.

Remember, concussions affect people differently. While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have symptoms that last for days, or even weeks. A more serious concussion can last for months or longer. Rest is the key to helping an athlete recover from a concussion.

Easter Bunny Cake Recipe

Easter is just around the corner, and as you gear up to host or attend a festive gathering, we know you’re all browsing for yummy treats for your events. Though Orthodontics is our area of expertise, we decided to change it up a little this week and provide you with a delicious and cute Easter Bunny Cake recipe.

This Easter Bunny Cake recipe is scrumptiously satisfying for every-bunny!

Remember old-fashioned cutout cakes? This cute bunny is easily made from carrot cake mix frosted and covered with mouthwatering coconut.

Ingredients

• 1boxSuperMoist carrot cake mix
• Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
• Tray or cardboard covered with wrapping paper and plastic food wrap or foil
• 1 container Whipped fluffy white frosting 
• 1cup shredded coconut
• Construction paper
• Jelly beans or small gumdrops, as desired
• 1cup shredded coconut
• Green food color

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Make, bake and cool cake as directed on box for two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans.
2. Reserve 1 layer for another use or to make a second bunny. Cut 1 layer in half as shown in diagram. Put halves together with frosting to make body. Place cake upright on cut edge on tray.
3. Cut out a notch about one-third of the way up one end of body to form head (small end) as shown in diagram (template can be found under the Tips below). Attach half of cutout piece from tail with toothpicks. Frost with remaining frosting, rounding body on sides. Sprinkle with 1 cup coconut. Cut ears from construction paper; wrap ends that will be inserted into cake with plastic food wrap. Press into notch on top. Use jelly beans for eyes and nose.
4. Shake 1 cup coconut and 3 drops food color in tightly covered jar until evenly tinted. Surround bunny with tinted coconut. Add additional jelly beans if desired. Remove ears, plastic wrap and toothpicks before serving. Store loosely covered.

To make it a little easier for you, check out this template you can follow to cut the cake shapes properly.