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 wins the Reader's Choice award for Denton County, again!

Dr. McFarland and our team are excited to share that we won the Readers Choice Award for Best of Denton in the orthodontic field. This the the eleventh year that Dr. McFarland has accepted this award for Denton County. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about the Readers Choice Award, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at 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

Tell Dr. McFarland what’s on your mind!

Week after week, Dr. McFarland and team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques we offer. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: What’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!


So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

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!