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

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

Ask Dr. McFarland: When should my child first visit the orthodontist?

At McFarland Orthodontics we know that it isn't always obvious to know at what age children should first visit an orthodontist. Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Richard McFarland for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Richard McFarland to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at the office of Dr. Richard McFarland to schedule an appointment.

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!

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!

Dr. McFarland wants to know: What puts you at ease in our office?

Dr. McFarland and team know not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. After all, 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.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. McFarland? We'd love to know! Post your thoughts!

Dr. McFarland, helping dispel myths about orthodontics

Dr. McFarland is well-aware that there are a lot of myths flying around the topic of orthodontics. But, before you buy into those myths, he thinks you should get the facts first! We came across a great site the other day that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment with Dr. McFarland, feel free to give us a call at our Flower Mound or The Colony offices.

More patient reviews for Dr. McFarland!

Dr. McFarland and team, serving Serving Flower Mound, The Colony and Surrounding Texas Areas, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say! And, please, feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"Very informative during the consult , made us feel like he and his assistant really cared about our concerns." ~ Chasity B.

"Friendly up-beat atmosphere. Almost (!) makes having braces fun." ~ Robert C.

"He is organized, kind, and helpful. :)" ~ Natalie S.

"I lost teeth and required braces due to a traumatic accidental injury. My doctor and his staff have let me cry and ask a thousand questions with full support and explanations to every question. My teeth are moving and looking better and better so easily which gives me such faith in Dr. McFarland's knowledge." ~ Andrea M.

"Cutting edge office. Staff is awesome." ~ Hannah H.

Dr. McFarland, reminding you that regular checkups are important

Dr. Richard McFarland wants to know: is your child brushing his/her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s fantastic. But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day. If your child will be visiting the dentist for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment! Have a fantastic weekend!

Ask Dr. McFarland: Who really benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. McFarland will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; 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 and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Have you met Mrs. Major?

You've probably thought about making your trip to see Dr. McFarland a little funner. Well, ponder no longer, our amazing patients. Discover the ease and convenience of our brace bus service!

Here's how it works:

Mrs. Major will pick your child up from school, bring them to Dr. McFarland for an appointment, and then return them to school—it's perfect for working and busy parents!

Parent must sign permission slip authorizing Mrs. Major to transport your child and check him or her out of school. Remember, appointments are usually scheduled during school hours. Mrs. Major will schedule appointments according to the day and time she is driving.

To give Mrs. Pat Major a call, please dial 817-460-5996.

Dr. McFarland and team, reminding you to be safe during the storm

With the intense weather conditions in Texas the next few days, Dr. McFarland and our entire team thought it would be a good time to remind you, our terrific patients (and parents) to be safe when out and about.

If you don't feel safe going out, you can always reschedule your appointment. At the office of Dr. R.A.McFarland, our patients' well-being is our primary concern, and that includes staying safe on the roads during this storm! If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!

Ask Dr. McFarland: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Dr. McFarland and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! Dr. McFarland wants to remind you we are a trend-setting office, forefront in current knowledge and practice. Our staff is committed to being an office that cares about each patient as if they were our own son or daughter.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. McFarland can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

What are patients saying about Dr. McFarland?

Last week, we asked you, our great patients, what you most liked about Dr. McFarland and our office. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our practice, Dr. McFarland or the team! We love getting patient testimonials!

"Dr McFarland & office staff very nice & professional, great layout to the office, child friendly and comfortable for parents too. Told us exactly what would take place during our initial appts. Answered all our questions. Really seemed to care about my child and she enjoyed being there and getting the t-shirt and lip balm :-)" ~ Sarah T.

"I like that the people are SSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice!" ~ Taylre L.

"Friendly, caring, down to earth. Really seems to meet the "needs" for kids. Awesome office!!!" ~ Patrick G.

"The Staff is friendly, very capable and accomodating. The room is airy and clean and whenever we have little issues, we are never made to feel as though we have interrupted their day." ~ Anton L.

"The whole office relates to it's audience. It is all about the kids and the smiles! Very friendly, very helpful, and the integration of technology is wonderful." ~ Robby B.

Dr. McFarland wants to know: What do you love about our office?

There's a reason Dr. McFarland has been chosen the best orthodontist in Denton County for the last 10 years and running. From your very first visit to our office Dr. McFarland and our team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. McFarland? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!