the modern orthodontist
What is the right age for my child to visit the orthodontist?
American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children be checked by age 7. Dr. Schnepper says “eight is great, nine is fine.”
Our Mission Statement
- We consider The Modern Orthodontist team a family and we want our patients to feel like a part of this family. We take pride in taking care of ourselves so we can take the absolute best care of you. It is our goal to consistently exceed your expectations regarding patient care and customer service.
- We value your time and strive to provide excellent care in an efficient manner.
- We will provide this care in a fun and friendly environment designed to encourage the artist in all of us.
- We will keep up to date with continued education and modern technology so we grow as professionals as our practice grows.
- We believe strongly in supporting our community through hosting art shows, donating to schools and sponsoring our patients in their extracurricular activities.
- We combine modern technology with skillful artistry to provide you, our orthodontic family, with the beautiful smile you deserve. It is our vision to provide this valuable service with an experience that wows you every step of the way.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Here is a fabulous, braces friendly, Fall recipe. This is a delicious lasagna which is cooked in a crockpot that the whole family is sure to love.
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 (29oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (6oz.) can tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 (12oz) package of lasagna noodles
12 oz. cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
12 oz. shredded mozerella cheese.
DRIRECTIONS:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorporated. Cook until heated through.
- In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.
- Cover, and cook on LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours.
**Feel free to play with the ingredients to make it your own.**
Why Should I Wear My Orthodontic Retainer?
Orthodontic Retainers
Retention:
To retain means to keep in place; therefore, an orthodontic retainer is used to keep your teeth in their new positions after your braces come off.
Do I have to wear a retainer after my braces come off?
The short answer is: YES, absolutely!
The long answer is: It takes many months for your periodontal ligaments and bone to “remember” the new position of your teeth and keep them in place. The retainer helps keep them in their proper new positions. It’s important to wear the retainer exactly as your dentist/orthodontist recommends. Otherwise, your teeth may shift, especially if you stop wearing your retainer in the first two years after your braces come off.
Most people wear their retainer 24/7 for at least 6 months to a year after the braces first come off. Of course, you must take your retainer out to eat or to to brush your teeth. Be sure to carry a retainer case with you to store your retainer when it is not in your mouth. Keep a few handy — in your car, your purse, at work, etc. Many retainers have been lost in napkins at restaurants or school and thrown in the trash. A new retainer can cost as much as $300! There are also special “Retainer Maintainer” plastic bags with a “don’t throw this out” symbol to use in a pinch. These are easy to stuff in your pocket, purse, or backpack “just in case.”
After the initial period is over, your orthodontist will probably tell you that you can switch to wearing your retainer only at night. Be sure to wear it EVERY night for at least 4 to 6 additional months. After that, if everything seems stable, you can probably switch to wearing it only several nights per week (always be sure to ask your orthodontist what he or she recommends).
If you totally stop wearing your retainer, even after a few years, your teeth may begin to move and shift. This is especially true if you have tongue thrust issues or have had extractions. Unless you want crooked teeth again, or want to go back into braces, wear your retainer regularly for the rest of your life — at least a couple of nights each week! This isn’t as bad as it sounds. It just becomes part of your life — another way to ensure that your smile stays beautiful and healthy!
If your retainer breaks, call your orthodontist immediately to have another one made. If you can’t afford a new one, discuss this with your orthodontist and try to set up a payment plan or work out a financial arrangement.
How do I keep my retainer clean?
You should clean your retainer each night as directed by your orthodontist. If you are wearing your retainer around the clock, rinse it with warm water after taking it out of your mouth, and also before putting it back in later! This will help prevent bacterial buildup.
You can brush a Hawley retainer with a toothbrush and a tiny bit of toothpaste, but that is not recommended for a clear Essix retainer, as it can get scratched. Brushing also gets tiresome after a while. The most convenient way to keep your retainer clean is to use a product made for this purpose, or to use denture cleaner.
Several great specialty products are available to help keep your retainers clean and free of odor. Four such products are SonicBrite, Retainer Brite, DentaSoak, and Cleanse.Freshen.Go. They work great on all types of retainers and even clear Invisalign -type aligners. SonicBrite includes a portable sonic cleaner. Retainer Brite is a tablet which can be used with or without a sonic cleaner (sold separately). In both these products, the sonic cleaner helps the product to reach all the little crevices in your retainer, cleaning out all the bacteria and dissolving all of the white buildup.
DentaSoak works with cold water and one batch can be used for an entire week. Cleanse.Freshen.Go. makes convenient retainer cleaning wipes and and an instant cleaning spray which you can take with you “on the go.” Both DentaSoak and Cleanse.Freshen.Go. do not contain the chemical Persulfate, which causes some people to have an allergic reaction. So, if you’re looking for a retainer cleaner which is Persulfate-free, these two would be a good choice.
Please remember to wear your retainer(s) and thank you for the opportunity to work with you. We value your referrals and would love to see your family and friends as future patients. Dont hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions.
Acorn Squash Soup Recipe (Braces-friendly!)
Below is a healthy recipe that is perfect for the Fall season, it is also braces-friendly so the whole family can enjoy this meal.
Original recipe makes 6 servings
1/4 tsp. curry powder
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large saucepan, saute the onion and celery in butter. Stir in flour, bouillon, dill, curry and cayenne until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the squash, salt and pepper; heat through.
2. In a blender, process the soup in batches until smooth. Pour into bowls; garnish with bacon (optional).
Meet Dr. Gretchen Schnepper
Meet Dr. Gretchen
Dr. Gretchen Schnepper been practicing orthodontics in Vancouver, Washington since 2007. She opened her state of the art private practice in 2010. She graduated from and completed an additional 27 month, advanced educational program in orthodontics at Loma Linda University. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. Dr. Gretchen comes from a long line of dental professionals. Both her maternal and paternal grandfathers and her father were dentists and her uncle still practices today. While in dental school she received The American Association of Orthodontists Award, the American Association of Oral Biologists Award and the International College of Dentistry Award.
Dr. Gretchen is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization. It represents more than 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. The Association encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment. For more information go to mylifemysmile.org.
Dr. Gretchen is married to Darby, a first and second grade teacher. She enjoys reading, making art, bicycling and camping in her spare time. They have been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters. She loves being a mom.
National Orthodontic Health Month
Treat Yourself to a Healthy Smile This Halloween
Orthodontic-friendly treats recommended by Dr. Gretchen Schnepper
(Vancouver, WA) 10/7/2013— While over 17,000 orthodontists throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month every October, children eagerly await the end of the month to celebrate Halloween. This festive holiday, and all its accompanying candy, can be a scary time for teeth. Because Halloween treats can play tricks on orthodontic treatment, as part of National Orthodontic Health Month, Vancouver orthodontist Dr. Gretchen Schnepper of The Modern Orthodontist wants to give patients and the entire community a few timely tips to protect braces and aligners and other orthodontic “appliances” while protecting teeth from decay.
- Avoid sticky situations with your braces and aligners. Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include caramel, gummies, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.
- Say “boo” to hard-shelled peanut candies, nuts or nut-filled candies, taco chips and popcorn (especially unpopped kernels). And whether in orthodontic treatment or not, Dr. Gretchen Schnepper says, no one should ever chew ice.
- Spooktacular news – not all Halloween candy is off-limits. Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. The American Association of Orthodontists even offers orthodontic-friendly recipes for Halloween on its website at http://www.mylifemysmile.org/pressroom.
- Sweets can cause cavities which means brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season. Orthodontic patients should be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.
“It’s okay to enjoy some treats at Halloween without causing problems with orthodontic care,” says Dr. Gretchen Schnepper. “We want everyone to have fun on Halloween, and we encourage patients to enjoy acceptable treats in moderation. It’s important to remember that when orthodontic treatment is complete, and patients see their healthy and beautiful new smiles in the mirror, they will know all of their efforts were worthwhile.”
