February 23rd, 2012
If you recently completed treatment at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, our entire staff would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Ehrmantrout will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Ehrmantrout is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.
To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ehrmantrout, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!
February 15th, 2012

Valentine’s Day was yesterday, and there is a lot of candy making the rounds this week. It’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!
All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces if you’re wearing them!
Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.
We recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, as well as at the gum line.
All of us at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics hope you had a great Valentine’s Day!
February 6th, 2012

Each February for the past 62 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Ehrmantrout is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited our Lacey or Olympia, WA office? Give us a call and schedule a free initial consultation!
We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook!
February 1st, 2012

Dr. Ehrmantrout and team are excited to announce our February Patient Contest! Show us your Cute Pet Photo and you could WIN an iPad2! Here’s how you enter: LIKE our Facebook page and then submit your cute pet photo by clicking on the “CONTESTS” Tab on the left hand side of our page. This contest will be running from today through February 15th. We will then have a one-week voting period. We look forward to seeing all your cute pets!
GOOD LUCK!