Hey, Moms! Have you signed the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge?

Our team at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics cares about your pearly whites, and we want to help protect you from sports injuries that can be damaging to your beautiful smile. As a way of ensuring that children are using proper facial protection equipment the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) has introduced the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.

Mouth guards are vital to protecting your teeth from sports related injuries while participating in sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, hockey, and basketball, to name a few. The Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge is a way for moms nationwide to make a commitment to protecting their kids’s smile from facial injuries.

In past entries, we’ve discussed the importance of using facial protection when exercising to prevent injury. Today, we at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics are inviting moms to take action by visiting the Moms for Mouth Guards website and taking the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.

Have a safe week everyone!

-- Your friends at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

The importance of dental checkups, from Drs. Kirkpatrick and Lai

Drs. Kirkpatrick and Lai want to know: is your child brushing his or her teeth twice a day as recommended during their orthodontic treatment? If the answer is yes, we think that's phenomenal! But, don't forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing, flossing (and visiting Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics as recommended by our staff). Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and signs of tooth decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an exam, your dentist usually will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups also typically include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the past six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

If you don't have a general dentist in Tulsa, Tahlequah, Miami, Pryor or Okmulgee, please ask and we'll be more than happy to provide a few names!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

What are our patients saying about Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics?

Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics, serving Tulsa, Miami, Pryor, Okmulgee, Tahlehquah and surrounding communities, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. Drs. kirkpatrick and Lai make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what a few of our patients are saying!

"We had a good experience 12 years ago with our older daughter and chose to come back with younger daughter. Friendly, casual, environment is inviting." ~ Caye M.

"The friendly atmosphere. Very welcoming and friendly staff and the doctors are attentive and friendly. My daughter is no longer afraid of Dentist's since she started coming here. Thank you." ~ Doug R.

"1. He talked directly to my 14 year old son. Makes him responsible for his own actions and knowledgeable about his situation. 2. Honest about situation." ~ Kim P.

"Highly credentialed, very personable, great office staff." ~ Farrah G.

"Friendly and clean atmosphere. Quick in and out appointments. Very accomodating to our schedules." ~ Tim T.

Tell us: what should we blog about this summer?

As summer rapidly approaches, our team at Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office - and are busy planning out our summer blogging schedule.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the summer, however, we'd love your input: Today, we thought we’d step back a bit today and ask you, our patients and readers: What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Kirkpatrick or Lai for a while? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you have a great weekend!