June marks National Dairy Month!

In honor of June Dairy Month, we would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. You make us proud to be part of Wisconsin!

In fact, dairy is important to your overall health! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.

What’s on your reading list this summer?

With summer almost here for a lot of our patients, our staff at Just Orthodontics wanted to remind our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading when it's nice outside, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide”— plus, it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and we'll be happy to provide a few suggestions for you. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we found this afternoon, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Ask Dr. Just: Who benefits from braces, anyway?

Thanks for the question. Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Jeffrey Just will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation at Just Orthodontics by giving us a call or filling out this simple appointment request form and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Love your smile? Tell the world ALL ABOUT IT!

At Just Orthodontics, we've been creating beautiful smiles for three generations, and Dr. Jeffrey Just and our outgoing, dedicated team work extra hard every day to provide patients with top quality care in a comfortable, inviting, family-friendly environment.

Whether you've visited Just Orthodontics for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how we're doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about Dr. Just and team with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Just and team create more beautiful smiles in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Green Bay and surrounding communities.

You may also write a review here or here for our other convenient locations.

Thank you! We look forward to reading your testimonials!

Breaking bad habits, from Just Orthodontics

At Just Orthodontics, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your visits for adjustments with Dr. Jeffrey Just and our team.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Just if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!

Braces are cool with Just Orthodontics!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as SureSmile and the Damon System, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Just, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Just Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Ask Dr. Just: Now that I have braces, which foods should I avoid?

You just got braces and Dr. Just has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. But, which foods, exactly, should you avoid?

Below are types of food that must you must avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment at Just Orthodontics. Other foods should be eaten carefully while in braces. Eating foods that are not compatible with braces can damage or dislodge the braces and lead to a longer treatment time than was originally estimated.

Hard foods, which are known dislodge braces include:
Hard candy
Jaw breakers
Lollipops, Jolly ranchers, etc.
Ice cubes
Nuts and pretzels
Apples, carrots, etc.

Chewy/sticky foods you should steer clear of include:

Sticky Candy, including Starbursts and gummi bears
Tootsie Rolls
Taffy
Beef jerky
Bagels
Snickers
Chewing gum

Lastly, you should avoid foods and drinks high in sugar content. These include:

Soda Pop
Coffee with cream
Fruit juice
Doughnuts
Iced Tea
Chocolate
Cereal
Cookies

We hope this helps! Let us know if you have any more questions here on our blog or on our Facebook page!