August Is National Picnic Month

August is National Picnic Month, so it’s time to pack up some food, grab those blankets and a meal outside in the fresh air.

As summer comes to an end we must take time to enjoy the warm weather and sunny skies with our family and friends. You don’t have to go far, with this it’s cheaper and more enjoyable alternative to dining out. We have 5 things to consider when planning the best end of summer picnic.

Location: The basis of any great picnic starts off with the location. The best thing about a picnic is that they can take place anywhere, just has to be an outdoor setting. A beach, lake, local park or any other outdoor setting. The location sets the tone for your picnic, so be sure to pick the right site for a great time.

Guest: Invite family and friends out for a day of fun. Picnics parties can be as small or large as you please.

When: Pick a date that your local weather person says will be the right temperature for you. Some summer days can be really hot, so make sure the date you pick is good for you and your guest. But remember, "you can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather."

Seating: Being that you are outdoors you must make the setting comfortable for you and your guest. Depending on your location this could be a blanket, quilt or a beach towel. Table cloths are also an option; some locations may have picnic tables available. You want to have fun in nature, but since there is going to be food involved you don’t want dirt, sand or grass added to your meals.

Food: Depending on your guest you can either go with nice dishes for adults or finger foods for children. But, you can never go wrong with picnic favorites. Favorites include sandwiches, potato salad and fruit salads. You could even bring a portable grill and turn things up on the grill.

The summer season isn’t over just yet so you still have time to plan the perfect summer picnic.

The Advanced Braces Option

Have you heard about clarity braces? Traditional metal braces are becoming a thing of the past. Clear braces are the choice kids and young adults are making today!

The brackets used with Clarity Advanced are designed to blend in with one's natural tooth color. These brackets are resistant to staining and discoloration throughout the treatment process. The durable brackets are created using an injection-molding process and they feature ample under tie-wing space for flexible treatment and ligation.

Here’s a quick break down of Clarity Advanced Braces:

Aesthetics

• Ultra-small translucent brackets
• Made of innovative new, ceramic material for an attractive appearance
• Designed to blend with one's natural tooth color
• Resist staining and discoloration throughout treatment

Strength

• Offer trusted strength in a small size and profile
• Made using fine-grained ceramic material
• Created through an injection-molding process
• Ample under tie-wing space for flexible treatment and ligation
• Deliver on your treatment preferences from innovative materials to remarkable durability

Comfort

• Patient-focused, dome-shaped design
• Smooth rounded corners from injection-molding process
• Small bracket minimizes soft tissue contact
• Rounded bi-directional ball hook angled for patient comfort

Our offices offers faster, invisible orthodontic treatment options to get you the smile that you deserve up to 50% faster, using AcceleDent and Clarity braces. For more information contact a office nearest you click here. 

Vibrating Toward Faster Treatment

Did you know that there is a faster way to get the smile you have always wanted? It's true you can actually speed up your treatment time by 38 to 50%!

You're not going to believe it when we tell you, but there is new technology designed to decrease the time you are in braces or Invisalign by increasing the rate of your tooth movement and all you have to do is wear a mouthpiece for 20 minutes a day! We know, you don't believe it.

This new technology is called AcceleDent and we are excited to be one of the first practices in Rhode Island to offer this revolutionary new treatment to our patients.

AcceleDent is an easy-to-use, hands-free device that uses gentle micropulses to accelerate bone remodeling and move teeth faster than with just braces or Invisalign alone.

And the best part is that AcceleDent is both non-invasive and non-surgical! You can continue to do your regular daily activities while wearing AcceleDent including: watching TV, doing homework or even while reading our Blog.

Wearing AcceleDent means that you can get your braces off faster and you'll feel more comfortable during treatment.

To learn more contact one our 7 conveintly located offices.

Firework Fun Throughout Rhode Island

Every year on the 4th day of July we celebrate a great American holiday, Independence Day. The colors of bright red, white and blue have began appear all around town. As a holiday tradition that has been practiced over 200 years, people gather to celebrate and be joyous. A popular 4th of July tradition are fireworks. You can go out and purchases your own fireworks, but many suggest for safety reasons it is better to just leave it to the professionals.

Here's a complied list a fireworks shows going on in Rhode Island: details provided by visitri.com

Baseball and Fireworks at McCoy Stadium - Pawtucket, RI
Jul 2, 2015 - Jul 3, 2015
McCoy Stadium, 1 Columbus Avenue Pawtucket, RI
The region’s beloved AAA team for the Boston Red Sox hosts night home games vs. the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders. A gigantic fireworks display follows each game. The “Paw Sox” are well known for giving fans an up-close perspective of America’s favorite sport in a family friendly atmosphere.
Time: Games starts 6:15 p.m.; fireworks follow the game
Telephone: 401-724-7300

Warwick Independence Day Fireworks 2015 - Warwick, RI
Jul 3, 2015 - Jul 3, 2015
Oakland Beach Seawall, Oakland Beach Avenue Warwick, RI
Due to the volume of traffic expected at the seawall, expect heavy delays on Oakland Beach Avenue and seek alternate routes to the seawall area, such as Sea View Drive or Pequot Avenue. The fireworks can also be viewed from City Park, which offers fantastic, unobstructed views of the display along the shoreline. Rain date is July 5
Time: 9-9:40 p.m.
Telephone: 401-738-2000

Block Island Fireworks Show 2015 - New Shoreham (Block Island), RI
Jul 3, 2015 - Jul 3, 2015
Town Beach, 7 Corn Neck Road New Shoreham (Block Island), RI
Kick off the Fourth of July with a bang! The Block Island fireworks display will be launched at the Town Beach Pavilion at sundown (approximately 9 p.m.). Fireworks can be viewed easily from all points on the island.
Time: 9 p.m.

North Providence Fireworks 2015 - North Providence, RI
Jul 3, 2015 - Jul 3, 2015
Governor John A. Notte Jr. Park, off Douglas Avenue (Route 7) North Providence, RI
Food court and live entertainment by Reminisce from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks. Rain date is July 5.
Time: 6-9 p.m.; Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Newport's Fourth of July Fireworks 2015 - Newport, RI
Jul 4, 2015 - Jul 4, 2015
Newport Harbor Newport, RI
The fireworks show begins after dark, around 9:15 p.m. Prime viewing locations are Newport Harbor, Fort Adams, Kings Park, all along the waterfront, the Deck, on the docks, 41 North, and Sky Bar at The Clarke Cook House. Parking at Fort Adams and the Visitor's Center.
Time: 9:15 p.m.
Telephone: 401-845-5437

July 4th Parade & Steak Fry 2015 on Block Island - Block Island, RI
Jul 4, 2015 - Jul 4, 2015
New Harbor, Ocean Avenue Block Island, RI
If you love the traditions of a simpler time, don’t miss the annual Block Island July 4 parade, starting at 11 a.m. from Veterans Park, just south of Great Salt Pond. Come early and and watch the floats, bands, clowns, and kids marching in formation .
After the parade ends, head over to the Fire Barn on Beach Avenue for the annual Steak Fry benefiting the Block Island Fire Department. From 12:30 to 2, they’ll be serving up an All-American feast of steak, corn on the cob, watermelon and salad.
Time: Parade starts at 11 a.m.; steak fry, 12:30 to 2 p.m.

We hope all of our patients go out and have a great time. Share your fun times with us on Facebook wall!

4 Surprising Dental Health Lessons You Can Learn From Your Car

Blog provided by MouthHealthy.org

Getting oil changes, stopping for gas and going through the car wash are the things you do without a second thought to keep your car in tip-top shape. So what are you doing for your teeth? Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to taking care of the things you depend on most. Get the most mileage out of your mouth by using these strategies in your dental care routine.

Watch What Gets In Your Grill
A grill on a car keeps harmful things from getting under the hood. Think of your own grill as a filter system for your entire body. Everybody’s mouth is full of germs—some good, some bad. The bad ones can cause cavities and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Severe gum disease is also associated with other medical problems, like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Keep Your Fuel Tank Full
You wouldn’t put just anything in your fuel tank, so be aware of what you're putting in your mouth. Keep your engine running with a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Practice Preventative Maintenance
Your car won’t get very far without fresh oil and proper tire pressure. Your teeth also need regular care. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy.

Get a Tune Up
Taking your car in for a tune up can extend the life of your vehicle and catch small repairs before they turn into big fixes. Regular visits to your dentist and good dental habits can prevent many dental diseases and will keep you smiling for years to come.

While under orthodontic treatment it is vital that you maintain great oral hygiene habits. At Rhode Island Orthodontic Group were all about creating beautiful and healthy smiles.

Ready, Set, SELFIE!

Every one is taking selfies to show off their smiles and posting them online. But did you know that taking selfies is a great way to show off your personality and confidence?

Taking a selfie is an art form in and of itself. A great selfie is more than just point a click…a great selfie takes skill. But no worries, after practicing these few simple techniques, we just know you’ll be a selfie master in no time at all.

Capture Your Best Angle. Instead of taking the picture head-on turn, your head a little to the right or left or maybe hold your camera a little higher.  Try different angles to show off your best features.

Show Off Something New. If you decide to take a selfie to show off something new, like oh we don’t know, maybe your braces, make sure that you frame the photo in a way that highlights the new accessory that has you so excited.

Have Expression. You can never go wrong with smiling! Play around with different smiles…but know that no matter what, a smile is the best expression you can wear.

Focus on Lighting. A great light source is an essential part of taking any photograph. Natural light is best, so start taking those selfies near a window or outdoors.

Don't Use a Mirror. Just stretch your arm out, point the camera toward your face and click. It may take some practice, but eventually you'll know exactly where to position the camera to make sure you capture your whole face.

No your selfie ready! Upload those selfies to all of your feeds Instagram, Facebook, even share you photos with us.

What's a Cavity?

What is a cavity?

The term cavity is used often within dentist offices. It is very likely that you have heard the term used before, but do you know what it actually means?

A cavity develops when a tooth begins to decays. A cavity is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. But why would your tooth develop a hole? This is because of plaque. That's a sticky, slimy substance made up bacteria that causes tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away the enamel of your teeth.

If you have a cavity, it's important to visit your dentist to get it fixed, but more importantly it’s important to avoid getting cavities. Here are 5 tips for providing cavities.

• Visit your dentist twice a year
• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Floss to remove food particles and plaque not captured by brushing
• Avoid treats loaded with sugar
• Drink a sufficient amount of water daily

While under orthodontic treatment it is vital that you maintain great oral hygiene habits. At Rhode Island Orthodontic Group were all about creating beautiful and healthy smiles.