Author: Dennis Flanagan

You’re getting your braces put on for the first time and you’re not sure what to expect. One thing is for sure; your oral hygiene practices will definitely change. To help prepare you for what’s in store and make the most of your orthodontic treatment, we at the orthodontic practice of Dennis J. Flanagan DDS Read More

It’s the start of a new day and you’re going through the motions of your morning routine. As you begin flossing, you notice your gums start to bleed in some areas. Is this normal? While bleeding gums from flossing does not mean your mouth isn’t clean, it can be a sign that you aren’t flossing Read More

Orthodontic consultations are often times a complimentary introduction for orthodontists, like Dr. Dennis Flanagan, to get to know you and your oral health concerns. The best thing you can do to make the most of your consultation is to prepare a list of questions beforehand. To help you get started, we’ve come up with a Read More

In a previous post, we discussed some of the drinks that have a negative effect on the teeth. This included soda, fruit juices, and coffee. While it may seem like water is your only beverage option, fear not. There are a few drinks still available to quench your thirst without affecting your orthodontic treatment. Milk Read More

Did you know that orthodontic treatment is not just for teens and adults? In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that by the age of 7, children should have an initial orthodontic consultation. These comprehensive consultations determine whether or not a child’s teeth are developing properly or if early orthodontic treatment is or Read More

When you think of braces, who do you picture wearing them? If you’re like most Americans, children and teens come to mind. If you’re unhappy with your smile, you probably think you missed your chance for straight teeth, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to advances in technology, orthodontic treatment for adults Read More

Did you know that orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) states, “The goal of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile and a good bite—meaning straight teeth that mesh well with the teeth in the opposite jaw and look great.” A straighter smile isn’t only good for aesthetics, Read More

It’s 11 pm and, while you should be in bed, you’re standing in front of the fridge trying to decide a snack of choice before calling it a night. You know this isn’t the best life choice for your waistline, but did you know that it’s also bad for your oral health – especially your Read More

Although diabetes has become a fairly common disease in most recent years, it is still very serious and should be managed properly to avoid damaging effects on the body. These damaging effects include threats to your oral that can greatly influence your orthodontic treatment. Diabetes and Gum Disease The connection between diabetes and periodontal disease Read More

At the start of every new year, most of us begin to reevaluate our waistlines and opt for a healthier lifestyle. With the growing popularity of juicing in recent years, more of our patients have been turning to this diet as a means of increasing their fruit and vegetable intake. While blending veggies, fruits, and Read More

Busting Invisalign Myths…It can be a scary experience when you are given a referral to see an orthodontist or considering improving your smile. Braces are grounds for embarrassment for the self-conscious teen and the up-and-coming professional. Having a mouth full of metal to clean around, eat around, and live around can be daunting. The option Read More

At the start of each new year, we often hear people say, “New year, new me.” But what exactly does that mean? At Dennis J Flanagan DDS, we say “New year, new smile, better hygiene.” To help you start the new year with a great smile and better oral health, we’ve come up with a Read More

When it comes to smoking, we’ve all been reminded constantly of the effects it can have on our overall health. In most cases, lung cancer is often the disease of choice that is a result of smoking. However, the damaging effects of smoking don’t stop there. Do you know the negative effects smoking can have Read More

Have you ever had that awkward experience when you drink a cold beverage and immediately feel a sharp pain in your teeth? You’re not alone. In fact, one in eight people has this same problem with tooth sensitivity. So what’s the cause? Believe it or not, tooth sensitivity such as this doesn’t have anything to Read More

If you’re a fan of food like we are (and really, who isn’t?), then Thanksgiving just might be one of your favorite holidays. Not only do you get to spend time with the ones you love, but you can also eat all the foods you might not get to eat as often. So how do Read More

Dr. Dennis Flanagan DDS MS and his orthodontic team want to dispel an urban legend about chewing gum: if you swallow a wad of gum, it does not sit in your stomach for seven years. In most cases, actually, not even seven days. Chewing gum, although not meant to be swallowed, passes harmlessly through the Read More

It’s that time of year again! Halloween is just around the corner and we at Dennis J Flanagan DDS MS are here to get you ready. For those of you currently in braces, you may be wondering how you can stand out with your costume while disguising your orthodontic treatment. Fear not! Here are six fun Read More

October means something a little different to our team at Dennis J Flanagan DDS MS because this is National Orthodontic Health Month. During October, orthodontic offices all over the country work together to promote their services and inform the community about the important work we do. Our goal is to draw attention to the fact Read More

We use our smartphones for almost everything in our lives. From setting alarms to wake up, to tracking our workouts, calories and calendars, we keep our phones close to us at all times. That being said, it comes as no surprise that our phones can be used to help improve our oral hygiene as well. Read More

Bummed out that summer is almost over? At Dennis Flanagan DDS MS in Rockford and Winnebago, IL , we feel this is a great time of year to revisit the basics of caring for your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Starting a healthy routine at the beginning of the school year will go a long way Read More