Staying connected with Dr. McFarland and team

At the practice of Dr. R. A. McFarland, DDS, MS, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by communicating event information on our blog or sharing photos from our annual picnic on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. McFarland and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

A great braces-friendly fall recipe, from Dr. McFarland

In celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month, Dr. McFarland and our team would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman. These Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Softies are delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this treat will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Softies

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 15-ounce can plain pumpkin purée
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon milk
1 12-ounce bag chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In large mixing bowl, with a mixer or whisk, combine pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, oil, molasses and milk. Add flour mixture slowly into pumpkin mixture until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

The dough is very soft. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets, 12 cookies to a pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Store in a covered container between sheets of waxed paper.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. McFarland and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Dr. McFarland invites patients to our 21st Annual Picnic!

Dr. McFarland and our team would like to invite all of our patients and their families to our 21st Annual Picnic. The event will take place at Zone Action Park on Oct. 6th and there will be lots of fun activities, including batting cages, a bounce house, go-carts, and miniature golf! Don't forget to R.S.V.P. to our office at by October 3rd. We look forward to seeing everyone at this great annual event!

Thank you,

-Dr. McFarland and team

Your pal, fluoride

There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment with Dr. McFarland. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.

Fluoride used in our office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Dr. McFarland invites patients to our 21st Annual Picnic!

Our office would like to invite our patients to Dr. McFarland's 21st Annual Picnic. It will be held at Zone Action Park on October 6th from 4:00 - 8:00pm. It is a lot of fun! There will be many activities, including batting cages, a bounce house, go-carts, games, miniature golf and fantastic door prizes. We will serve pizza and hot dogs. All of our patients are invited, along with family and friends, so don't forget to mark your calendars!

As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about the annual picnic, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment.

Thank you,

-Dr. McFarland and team

Ask Dr. McFarland: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, Dr. McFarland and our staff read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. McFarland can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. McFarland would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

At Dr. R.A. McFarland, a pursuit of excellence

At Dr. R.A. McFarland we make every effort to provide you with the best orthodontic treatment. For us that means achieving consistently great results. There a few good reasons why our practice has been named the best orthodontist in Denton County for ten years running:

1. We use the most up to date and proven technologies available

2. Our doctor and team dedicates time and resources on continuing education to stay current and relevant

3. TREATMENT IS TEAMWORK! We know that cooperation in oral hygiene, elastic wear and headgear are necessary for ensuring a quality result

4. We care about each patient as if they were our own son or daughter

If you or a family member has been thinking about orthodontic treatment, please give us a call. We look forward to seeing you!

Ask Dr. McFarland: Are Lingual Braces right for me?

Dr. McFarland serving Flower Mound and The Colony, TX, is pleased to offer our patients Lingual Braces. Our team is always receiving questions about Lingual Braces, which is why we wanted to discuss today a few of the unique benefits of this new orthodontic treatment. To begin, Lingual Braces are placed behind your teeth, rather than in a visible area. Because of this, no one will ever know that you are wearing braces! This unique type of braces is created using state-of-the-art technology and is entirely customized to the shape of your teeth. Hence, you can improve your smile efficiently and effectively in a discreet new way.

Who especially benefits from Lingual Braces?

• Athletes
• Models
• Actors
• Musicians, especially those who play wind instruments
• Adult professionals

For more information on Lingual Braces and treatment options at Dr. Richard McFarland's office, please give us a call today!

A few patient reviews for Dr. Richard McFarland

Dr. Richard McFarland, serving Flower Mound & The Colony, Texas and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. McFarland and team!

"Extremely friendly and personable. He's very easy to talk to. I am also very impressed with the many ways that he finds to provide comfort, convenience, and amenities to his practice. Going to the ortho is no longer something to dread...well, dread as *much*. Good job!" ~Kevin

"Very customer friendly staff. You try to make an unpleasant process fun for the kids and pleasant for the waiting family members. I like the use of technology." ~David

"The office runs extremely efficiently. Even though there are many patients being helped at the same time, my son never felt ignored." ~Dirk

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Those that smile ear to ear may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. McFarland has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often, and show those pearly whites- you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Dr. R.A. McFarland, DDS, MS for treatment? If not, give us a call for a complementary consultation!

Dr. McFarland, protecting you from heat stroke this summer

With the heat wave sweeping through Flower Mound, Texas this weekend, we want you to be extra cautious when you’re out of the house. Yesterday morning, Dr. Richard Besser on Good Morning America discussed the ways you can protect yourself from heat stroke and other heat-related conditions this summer.
Dr. MacFarland and team encourage you to watch this short clip and remember to always have a bottle of water handy when heading out!

June is National Smile Month!

June may almost be over, but not before we remind you that June is National Smile Month! With summer finally here, it's a good time for Dr. Richard McFarland and our staff to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health. If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call.

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. McFarland.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

Share your summer plans with Dr. McFarland!

As the school year wraps up for a lot of our patients, the days get longer and the sun begins to warm up, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a cold beverage. For most of Dr. McFarland's patients, summer brings with it a chance relax and take a break from homework and other activities.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Our staff would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going some place exotic, great! If you're going camping, we'd like to hear about it! Even if you're staying at home, let us know!

Feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with Dr. McFarland and team on our Facebook page as the summer rolls on!

What are happy patients saying about Dr. McFarland?

At the office of Dr. Richard McFarland, we love our patients and our patients really, really like us! Check out what some of our past patients have said about their treatment with The Colony and Flower Mound orthodontist Dr. McFarland!

"Great set up! Child is empowered to take over some of the responsibility of signing in, getting chart, etc. Do not have to sit in waiting room waiting to be called!" ~ Scott T.

"What we like about the orthodontist is the friendly staff and the kid friendly atmosphere. Great set up for allowing kids to participate in the care of their teeth." ~ Taylor S.

"My 3 children have been under Dr. McFarland's care beginning about 10 years ago. So far great job." ~ Michael W.

"Very patient with a mother full of questions. Office staff incredible. Office runs extremely efficient. Even though there are many patients being helped at the same time, my son never felt ignored. He was always very comfortable and actually happy even though braces were his worst social nightmare." ~ Dick M.

"They are good with kids. They stress the importance of brushing to my son, even though he continues to not brush properly. They have been up-front about what will happen next and how long he will have to wear his braces. They always do a complete exam." ~ Ben R.

"Hey, Dr. McFarland! Which toothbrush should my child be using?"

Dr. McFarland and our staff know that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for kids' smaller mouths and hands. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call at 972.221.2515 and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

We hope you have a relaxing and safe Memorial Day weekend!

How is Dr. McFarland doing? Let us know!

If you've ever been to R.A. McFarland DDS, you'd know we are a trend-setting office, forefront in current knowledge and practice. We are committed to being an office that cares about each patient as if they were our own son or daughter.

Whether you've visited Dr. McFarland for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. McFarland create more beautiful smiles in The Colony, Flower Mound and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! We look forward to reading your reviews!

Happy Mother's Day Week, from McFarland Orthodontics!

Dr. McFarland and our entire team would like to thank all the wonderful moms out there for driving their kids to their regularly scheduled appointments with McFarland Orthodontics and for being so great all the time!

We know that moms should get more than just a day of celebration, appreciation and acknowledgment, but we want you to know we appreciate you all very much! Happy Mother's Day Week and upcoming Mother's Day!

Fun facts with Dr. McFarland!

Dr. McFarland know everyone loves fun facts. They're fun, fun, fun. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our dedicated team at the office of Dr. Richard McFarland thought you might enjoy. Have a great weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is
comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Retainers and YOU, from Dr. McFarland

If you've recently completed your treatment at the office of Dr. McFarland, our staff would like to take this time to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. McFarland will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

Retainers are important because after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes.

Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

Give us a call if you have any questions and again, congratulations on being braces-free!