Jack-O-Lantern Contest

If you haven't made it into our office in October to vote for your favorite jack-o-lantern, then you can vote by email (info@bedontortho.com) anytime up until October 31st.  Thanks to our referring dentists who came up with all the creative pumpkins!

Refer-A-Friend Contest Winner - Apple iPad 2

Congratulations Nataliey! She won an iPad II for referring a friend to our office. Thanks everyone for all your referrals. Our next drawing will be for another iPad, so get your name in the drawing by telling your friends about us!

Play It Safe With a Mouthguard

The damage caused by a ball, knee, or elbow to the face can be devastating for a child – often resulting in serious injury and a lifetime of oral health issues. In fact, sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits in 12- to 17- year-olds according to the Centers for Disease Control. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is currently running a campaign to help make “Play It Safe” a mantra of youth sports.

According to the AAO, children are at risk on the playing field while many coaches and parents stand by on sidelines. In a recent survey, the AAO discovered that 76 percent of parents said their biggest fear is that their child will get hurt while playing organized sports, yet only 33 percent reported that their children wear mouth guards during organized sports including football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse.

Mouthguards are one of the least expensive pieces of protective equipment available. Over-the-counter versions may cost as little as five dollars, although custom-fit mouth guards offer greater protection. The “boil-and-bite” type of mouthguard won’t work if you are wearing braces, but other options are available that you can get from your orthodontist, local sporting goods store, or online retailer.

Not only do mouth guards save teeth, they may protect the jaws, lips/cheeks, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Regardless of what your sport is, play it safe and wear one!

Summer Postcard Contest

We would love to know where you go for Summer Vacation. Whether it is to the Oregon Coast or Europe please send us a postcard from your destination! The postcards will go on display in our office, and every postcard you send in is an entry into our drawing for a Digital Camera (a Panasonic Lumix FP3).

All postcards must be in by September 15th, 2011.

Our Web Site Challenge WInner

Congratulations Torrie! Enjoy the cooler filled with fun summer stuff...now all we need is summer to get here!

Website Challenge!

Our new office game is the WEBSITE CHALLENGE! Please go to our website at www.bedontortho.com to find the answers to the following 7 question. You can fill out the form at our office, or you can email your answers to info@bedontortho.com. This contest is open to all patients and friends. The challenge will end July 15th, 2011. A winner will be drawn from the entries and they will win a Summer Fun Basket!

1. Which staff member was born and raised in Sandy, Oregon?

2. At what age does the American Association of Orthodontists recommend a child first see an orthodontist?

3. What is the color of our front door at our Sandy office?

4. What is your favorite “Fun Fact” about Dr. Bedont?

5. You can earn up to four Bedont Bucks at your appointment for good oral hygiene, no broken brackets, and being on time for appointments. What are two additional ways to earn Bedont Bucks?

6. What will you receive for referring your friends to our office?

7. What is the first bullet point listed that you should remember about you removable retainer? (you will receive retainers to hold your teeth in position after completion of treatment)

Mother's Day Contest Winner

Congratulations to Jessica for winning the Mother's Day contest! There were so many wonderful letters written that it was too difficult for us to pick "the best letter" as a winner. Therefore, we drew a name from all of the finalists and Jessica was the lucky winner! Her mom gets a spa package including a one-hour massage! It was fun to read all of the heart-felt letters and we hope that every mom feels like a winner.

Click on the letter to read it.

Super Cool Kid's Club Winner

Congratulations EJ! He's our latest Kid's Club winner. He won $40 in Wunderland bucks which will give him and his friends hours of fun at Wunderland in Gresham!

If you are in our Super Cool Kid's Club you could be our next winner. Each time you visit us for an observation visit you are entered into our drawing. Your name stays in as long as you are in the Kid's Club. Good luck!

Earth Day 2011

Friday, April 22 is Earth Day and the theme this year is “A Billion Acts of Green”.  What are you doing to celebrate?  At Bedont Orthodontics we are doing our part by planting over 150 trees in the area with the help of our referring doctors and their staff. 

Did you hug a tree today? We did!

Current In-Office Game: MOTHER'S DAY CONTEST

When you visit our office this month be sure to enter your mom into our Mother's Day Contest.  All you have to do is write a nice letter to your mom, step-mom, grandmother, or aunt and then they have a chance to win a spa package that includes a one-hour massage! We have everything you need to write the letter in our office.  All you need to be is mushy, sappy, sweet, and sincere. You know...all those things that mom likes.   A great letter from you, plus a nice spa package: what could be better?  Letters will be mailed in time for Mother's Day (if you write it and give it to us before Mother's Day). The winning letter will be announced on May 13th and will win the spa package!

Seven Questions for Our Seven-Year-Olds

When is the best time to take your child to see an orthodontist?  The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial visit no later than age 7.  Now is a great time to focus on helping our children make sure they are on track to have a healthy, beautiful smile that will last them a lifetime.

There are seven things you can look for to help determine if your child may need orthodontic treatment. 

1. Do the upper teeth protrude?  “Buck teeth” is the most common orthodontic problem.

2. Is there a deep bite?  This is when the upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much.

3. Is there an underbite?  This is when the upper front teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth.

4. Is there a crossbite?  This is when the upper back teeth fit inside of the lower teeth.

5. Is there an open bite?  This is when the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch each other when the back teeth are together.

6. Is there too little or too much room for the teeth?  This is when there are crowded and overlapped teeth, or large gaps between the teeth.

7. Do the front teeth line up?  The space between the upper and lower front teeth should line up together in the middle of the face.

An evaluation by an orthodontist will help assess if there is a problem, and the optimal time for treatment can be determined.  If you have questions or concerns for your child, feel free to contact us and come in for your complimentary evaluation.  Consider it our gift to you!