Our Blog

The Myths and Facts of Orthodontics From Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics

August 19th, 2009

There are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

Hope this helps,

--Dr. Ehrmantrout

Hawks Prairie Orthodontics Around the Web

August 14th, 2009

If you've ever visited us at Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics, you already know that Dr. Ehrmantrout and the rest of the team love connecting with their patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics are on several other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Become a "fan" of Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics on Facebook

* View and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics

Summer Fun with Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics!

August 7th, 2009

Its summer here at Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles from Hawks Prairie Orthodontics

July 31st, 2009

We at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics regularly.

Back to Top