"Do not even hesitate to bring anyone in your family here! Both doctors are the best and all of the staff is incredible. I took two children to another orthodontist and have since brought both to Dr Wiggins to help fix and correct issues—they spent so much time on the evaluation and have great treatment plans. I have since brought two other children to Dr Wiggins and Dr Boswell and I cannot recommend them enough! Detailed explanations, evaluations, very thorough plans and I never feel worried about how the treatment is going. The first orthodontist office had such a grumpy and hard staff to work with—regularly hurt feelings. The staff at Summit are so sweet—which matters a lot to kids/teens. They are all really efficient and professional. We love the work and the environment at Summit. Don’t hesitate to make a consult!!"  - Kristen J 

Happy Office Manager Appreciation Month from all of us at Summit Orthodontics. We are dedicating this special blog to our phenomenal office manager, Lisa! 

Lisa has been a part of the Summit Orthodontics team for 19 years! She started out as our Financial Coordinator and has been our Office Manager for the past 13 years. She enjoys keeping the practice running smoothly and creating an organized, welcoming environment for both our team and our patients, which we genuinely appreciate. 

One of the things Lisa values most is working alongside such an incredible group of people. She appreciates each team member for their unique strengths and the positive contributions they bring to our practice. She also appreciates that Dr. Wiggins and Dr. Boswell have created a workplace that is supportive, fun, and centered on exceptional patient care. Dr. Wiggins' contagious laugh and Dr. Boswell's genuine compassion can brighten even the busiest days, and she feels very fortunate to work with them every day. 

Outside of the office, Lisa enjoys spending quality time with her son, Elijah, and their five dogs. Family and making memories with the people—and pets—she loves is what brings her the greatest joy. 

We look forward to celebrating Lisa all month long for being an integral part of our practice, which includes a few special surprises. If you have an upcoming visit, help us celebrate Lisa by saying hello at your next appointment and letting her know how much you appreciate her! 

Thank you for everything you do, Lisa! 

Long days in the sun’s rays offer you lots of options for outdoor activities. Beach time? Vacation? Open-air concerts? Baseball, biking, board sports? No matter what plans you have for these sunny days in Parker, CO, we have some tips to keep your smile beaming.

Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is good for all ages and skin tones, and it’s also designed to protect your smile. Lip tissue is thin and delicate, and can easily be damaged by the ultraviolet rays which cause skin cancer and premature aging. 

If your regular sunscreen isn’t suitable for your lips, there are many protective lip balms designed especially for your smile.

• Make sure you get the proper level of protection. Dermatologists recommend lip balms with a minimum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30.
• Reapply at least every two hours, and sooner if your lips get wet or if you’re eating or drinking.

Protect Your Smile with a Mouthguard

Mouthguards help protect your teeth from damage caused by impact, whether from hard surfaces or hard elbows! Any time there’s a chance of a fall or a collision, a mouthguard is a good idea. Use your guard for:

• Biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, or any activity where an unexpected fall is possible 
• Contact or low-contact sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer, where bodies collide with equipment or other bodies

If you play organized sports, you might already own a mouthguard. If not, talk to Dr. Cassy Wiggins about over-the-counter options or a custom-fitted model. And if you wear braces, no need to stay indoors! There are mouthguards designed to protect your teeth, cheeks, lips, and braces. Ask the team at Summit Orthodontics for recommendations.

Hydrate

On hot days, our brains help regulate our body temperature. How? By sending the signal to start sweating! Some heat is transferred from our bodies to evaporate perspiration, which helps cool the skin. But that cooling perspiration comes at a cost—the water we lose through sweat can lead to dehydration. 

Water is essential for our health, and especially when it’s scorching outside. Drinking water throughout the day is healthier than drinking lots of water at one time, and your doctor can let you know the right amount of water for your body, since we’re not all built the same. A bottle of water doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, caffeine, or sugars, so it’s a great, healthy outdoor companion. 

More? Water is also great for your smile!

• Water washes food particles and bacteria away from teeth and gums for fresher breath and a healthier mouth.
• Most communities add fluoride to their water, and fluoride strengthens tooth enamel to help you fight cavities. If your local water supply isn’t fluoridated, talk to your dentist about other treatments which can provide fluoride’s cavity protection.
• Hydrating helps prevent dry mouth. Normal saliva production doesn’t just keep the mouth moist for eating and speaking—it also protects our teeth and gums as it washes away food particles and helps counteract excess acidity in the mouth.

Summer’s a Great Time for Dental Care

It’s easy to get distracted with summer activities and vacations—after all, they’re designed to be distracting! But don’t let your well-deserved fun in the sun distract you from your regular dental care. 

• If you haven’t started orthodontic treatment, summer is a terrific time to begin. You’ll have several weeks to get used to your braces or aligners before school starts in the fall.
• If you’re going on vacation, let Dr. Cassy Wiggins know. It’s necessary to keep adjustments to your braces or aligners on schedule so you can enjoy your beautiful smile as soon as you possibly can. Don’t delay your progress by missing appointments.
• Wear your appliances or bands as directed. If you don’t put in the hours with your aligners or your bands, you’ll be spending more time in treatment than you need to.
• Regular dental exams catch small problems before they become larger ones, and cleanings make sure your smile is bright all summer long. If you’re overdue for a visit to your dentist, make room in your schedule for a checkup.

Summer can be a time to relax, renew, and recharge. While you’re enjoying those extra hours of sun, take care of your oral health for a beaming smile which will look great on you any time of year!

"We love Summit, our ortho family! We have been with Summit for 10+ years. Our children have very complex orthodontic needs, and the entire team has been exceptional every step of the way. Some of our treatment days were tough and my kids were not in the mood but the team still met them with grace and understanding rather than frustration. It really feels like a family here, with the whole staff knowing our family and cheering for us at all our orthodontic milestones. We still have three more children currently receiving treatment at Summit, and there is nowhere else we would consider going. The quality of care, compassion, and professionalism are unmatched. We wouldn't change a thing and are so grateful to have found them." 

Happy Back to School Month from all of us at Summit Orthodontics! We hope you've enjoyed your summer. We're starting to get ready for back-to-school season since we're officially at that time of the year. 

As students prepare to go back to school, we recommend they maintain regular visits and wear their rubber bands to ensure a healthy smile all year long. For those that are student athletes, we recommend getting them fitted for mouthguards, especially if they're a football player! 

For patients actively going through orthodontic treatment, we recommend packing some essentials in your bag like elastics and/or retainer cases so that you always have them when you need them. Plus, a retainer case can help prevent your student from accidentally throwing their retainers away! 

If you're looking to schedule a visit for your student, please note that we are currently all booked for afternoon appointments. We recommend thinking outside the box and scheduling a visit during a block of time or off period to ensure your child can be seen. To schedule a visit, be sure to call us at (303) 805-7111. 

We wish you a happy back to school season and look forward to seeing you at your next visit! 

The best way to avoid orthodontic emergencies is to know how to take care of your braces properly throughout your entire treatment. However, emergencies are … well, emergencies, and sometimes no matter how cautious you are or how well you take care of your braces, the wires loosen, the bands pop, or you experience orthodontic discomfort.

Common orthodontic emergencies include broken braces, poking wires, lost or broken retainers, mouth sores, and mouth injuries sustained playing sports, which often happens when you don’t wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and appliance.

Food

It’s important to avoid foods that can damage your braces. Most people wear braces for about two years. All chewy, sticky, crunchy, and hard foods should be avoided during that time. While this may seem like a long time to go without popcorn or bubble gum, hard foods can break the brackets of your braces and sticky foods can bend the wires. If you have a loose wire, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call Summit Orthodontics. In the meantime, if a wire is poking into your cheek or lip and causing irritation, put wax or a wet cotton ball over it to dull the sharp edge.

Pain and Discomfort

Some discomfort is a normal part of orthodontic treatment, especially in the hours after the braces are placed on your teeth or after a recent tightening or adjustment. However, if the pain doesn’t subside in three to five days, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment at Summit Orthodontics. Until then, try dissolving a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of water and gargling with the solution. Over-the-counter pain medication will relieve discomfort, too.

Playing Sports

Just because you wear braces doesn’t mean you can’t play sports. You just need to take some extra precautions. Sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are common. The best way to protect your mouth and your appliance is to wear a mouthguard. There are several different types of mouthguards available, so be sure to ask Dr. Cassy Wiggins what’s best for you.

Brushing and Flossing

In order to keep your braces in good condition and avoid orthodontic emergencies, it’s important to brush and floss thoroughly after every meal. It’s easy for small particles of food to get trapped in your braces, and if the food isn’t removed, it gets wedged between the teeth and gums and causes plaque.

Need more tips on how to avoid orthodontic emergencies? Just ask any member of our Parker, CO team.