Tell Dr. Gates: What do you love about Round Rock?

Round Rock Orthodontics, located in Round Rock, and serving Austin and surrounding communities in Travis and Williamson Counties, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our great patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Gates and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Round Rock or Austin? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite Texas getaway? Do you love the nice weather we get year-round?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Round Rock or Austin, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks!

Happy Tuesday!

Regular checkups are important, says Dr. Gates

Is your child brushing his/her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great! 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 (and of course coming in to see Dr. Gates and our team). 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!

If you have any questions about your treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call!

Dr. Gates has a few Invisalign® tips!

A couple of weeks ago we blogged about the advantage of Invisalign treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics. Today, we thought we'd share a few helpful Invisalign tips with you.

When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Gates wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Round Rock Orthodontics, don't hesitate to give us a call!

Ask Dr. Gates: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, says Dr. Gates, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next Dr. Gates and our team use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Gates is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at Round Rock Orthodontics, please give us a call. Happy Tuesday!

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

Some people wonder why Dr. Gates and his team work so hard 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!

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. Gates and team can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Happy New Year!

When should you call Dr. Gates and Round Rock Orthodontics?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together this helpful list for your advantage. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give Dr. Gates and his team a call today!

--The team at Round Rock Orthodontics

Dr. Gates and team want to know: What do you love about the holidays?

The holiday season is upon us, and as the team at Round Rock Orthodontics reflect on
the year that was, we’d like to ask: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Patient reviews for Dr. Gates and Round Rock Orthodontics

Dr. Gates and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Round Rock Orthodontics has been getting some pretty great testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Tuesday!

"What a personable doctor! Can talk to you as a human and understand the complexities. Fantastic service!" ~ Kelly Z.

"Very personable! We like the fact that his patients needs we feel always come first - when we have needed him - he has been available at the drop of a hat." ~ Pam P.

"When I ask questions, Dr. Gates is willing to spend time talking to me about my concerns. His office location is very convenient to get to from my house, too. Also, all of the staff working with him in the back seem very good at what they're doing." ~ John M.

"The appointment times were convenient. The office was very warm and inviting, albeit very busy :) Dr. Gates is very knowledgable and easy to talk with. My son was a little anxious about getting started, but Dr. Gates answered his questions." ~ Michelle C.

"How can I benefit from orthodontic treatment?"

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore, Dr. Gates says! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is 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 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 at Round Rock Orthodontics for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

--From Dr. Gates and team