Blog

How we communicate through speech is a crucial part of our daily lives. Did you know that the alignment of your teeth can affect your speech? If you’re struggling with certain elements of speech, it could be attributed to your teeth. Keep reading to learn more about different speech problems and how braces can help from Dr. Dennis J. Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS, MS.

1. Mispronunciation

Certain sounds are practically impossible to pronounce when teeth aren’t where they’re supposed to be. Fricative consonant sounds like “t” “s” or “ch” which require tongue-to-tooth contact and are not possible without it. Orthodontic treatment places teeth where they need to be for better pronunciation.

Read More

For many of us, October can mean fall weather and the excitement of Halloween. However, for orthodontists, October is also a very special month because October is National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a month to celebrate and recognize the beautiful, healthy smiles that orthodontists create.

Here are some fun facts about orthodontics in celebration of Orthodontic Health Month from Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS, MS. Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth to improve their appearance and how they work. Braces and invisible aligners are some of the more commonly used appliances to straighten teeth during orthodontic treatment.

Read More

Getting older isn’t a favorite topic of conversation, but it is important to understand how the body changes as it ages so you can continue to live a happy and healthy life as you grow older. One thing that changes as you age that people don’t often think about is your smile. Read on to learn more about how your smile ages and how you can take care of your teeth from Dr. Dennis J. Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS, MS Orthodontics.

A smile is one of a person’s most defining features and there are several things you can do to slow the decline and changes that happen as you age.

1. Wear and Tear

Teeth are very strong, but not indestructible. All of those years of chewing, grinding, and shredding are sure to take their toll sooner or later. These actions wear down the protective enamel coating on your teeth, which makes them more susceptible to cracking and breaking. Additionally, tooth sensitivity declines as you age, meaning you might not notice pain until things become serious.

Read More

The headline of this blog post is pretty shocking isn’t it? Many people are unaware of the link between asthma and tooth decay resulting from a dry mouth. Here is some more information from Dr. Dennis J. Flanagan DDS, MS.

You may be wondering what does asthma have to do with cavities. When people aren’t easily able to draw in their breath, most people compensate by breathing through their mouths. This causes your mouth to dry out. Insufficient saliva leaves you more vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria because saliva helps to protect and clean your teeth. Moreover, asthma and allergy medications themselves can cause even more dryness on top of mouth breathing. In short, it’s not a good combination.

Read More

We know that having metal in your mouth doesn’t always feel like the most natural thing. Fortunately, after you get your braces on and have your initial adjustment, most people don’t even notice their braces are there. However, sometimes a pesky wire will escape and remind you that your braces are there. Have no fear though, most of the time you can fix rogue wires on your own without having to make an extra trip to the orthodontist. Loose or pokey wires are the most common problem people experience while in braces, so if that happens to you, here are some steps to follow from Dr. Dennis Flanagan DDS, MS:

1. See if you can push it back into place

If a wire pulls loose a little it might not be completely out of the bracket. If this is the case, you can use a finger to push it back into place. In other instances, you can guide the wire back into the tube.

Read More

With many of us transitioning to the “new normal” of homeschooling our children, the change can be tough. Balancing work and home life can be challenging for any parent. But how can you make learning fun and engaging while social distancing? Don’t fret! Dr. Dennis Flanagan DDS MS has 5 activities you can do at home that are educational and fun.

Science Experiments

From Bill Nye to YouTube, DIY science experiments are a fun way for kids to learn while using resources from around the house. Check out this video for 10 fun DIY experiments you can do at home. Read More