It's spring! Do you know where your mouth guard is?

At Shields Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. It's spring, however, and Dr. Shields knows spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Our dedicated team also knows sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports.

That’s why we're doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask our team—Dr. Shields will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided a few tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Shields is trying to achieve. Lastly, please call us if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Shields Orthodontics.

Dr. Shields, partnering with the University of Washington’s School of Dentistry

Dr. Shields has been a member of the University of Washington Orthodontic Alumni Association Board of Directors since 1985. The alumni support the UW School of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics by providing funding for equipment and graduate student research. In addition, the UWOAA sponsors continuing education seminars, including the annual Alton Moore Lectureship. In 2001, after serving in various executive positions, Dr. Shields was elected President of the Board. He is now the past-past president, but is still very active. In 2005, the UWOAA began a fundraising campaign to remodel the antiquated UW orthodontic clinic. The clinic was already outdated when Dr. Shields was a graduate student there. The project has involved working with the Dean of the UW Dental School, the Department of Orthodontics and the architects to design the clinic.

Dr. Shields has personally garnered more than $1 million in pledges to the Clinic Fund from his orthodontic colleagues. In addition, Dr. Shields has been in charge of collecting and investing the donations. Fundraising continues with the final pledge drive just getting under way. The dream of a new orthodontic clinic hopefully will become reality by 2012. And, of course, patients and families are welcome to make a pledge to help train the next generation of orthodontists who will create beautiful smiles for our future grandchildren! If Dr. Shields calls you and you're a graduate of the UW Orthodontic Program, get your check book out!

Featured patient review for Shields Orthodontics

Ok, Ok... we've shared patient reviews with you before, but this one—a personal note from one of our patients—made us proud. Here's what she had to say about her experience with Dr. Shields and our team at Shields Orthodontics:

... Getting braces for our two sons = thousands $$$
... Getting teeth pulled and appliances installed = hundreds $$
... Replacing lost retainers = minimal $, (in comparison)
... Having two handsome sons with beautiful teeth and proud smiles = PRICELESS!

Thank you, Dr. Shields, and your awesome staff—from front to back. You are ALL the BEST of the BEST. We are lucky to have had you and will continue to recommend you through the years ... Dr. Shields, you are amazing and unique in the way that you run your office—everyone is very professional, caring and fun—always lots of smiles while working hard...that is truly a reflection of "the boss"!

Thank you for ALL that you have done for my sons—after all these years, we will miss seeing you and your staff. Best wishes for your continuing popularity and success!

Ask Dr. Shields: When should my child come in for a check-up?

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Shields Orthodontics, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right: seven.

You're probably wondering: why seven? Well, at that age, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Timothy Shields to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected by Dr. Shields.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Shields Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.