May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to incorporate more physical activity into their lives, and the reminder is even more significant in this day and age, as kids everywhere are distracted more and more by television, social networking and video games. Kids living an active lifestyle can improve their health, productivity and overall well-being, and best of all? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your convenience. The guidelines call for children and teens to exercise for at least one hour each day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At Rey Orthodontics, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, we recommend you check out this series of helpful articles about kids and exercise, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.org.

Invisalign® TIPS, from Dr. Rey

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Maria Rey 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 necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky 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 simple: 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 Rey Orthodontics, give us a call!

How do we "Go Green" at Rey Orthodontics?

Dr. Maria Rey and our staff at Rey Orthodontics realize we are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is tomorrow, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that our office does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with Sesame 24-7™. Patients can also receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage.

Dr. Rey & our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

"Hey Dr. Rey! What's the deal with retainers?"

If you recently completed treatment at Rey Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you!
Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Maria Rey will provide you with retainers. After braces are removed the 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 is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receiver your retainers from Dr. Rey:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Rey instructs otherwise.

* 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.

* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments.

* Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!

* 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.).

* Keep retainers away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Rey: “I’m 28 – am I too old for braces?”

Thanks for the question – at Rey Orthodontics, NOBODY is “too old” for braces!

In fact, our staff read a fascinating statistic not too long ago: 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. Rey can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

We are excited for the opportunity to work with you, and we look forward to sharing in this life-changing experience. Our office is conventiently located to the many nearby communities of Washington DC. Please contact our practice at (202) 436-5432 to schedule an appointment, and start smiling today!

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Rey

Wouldn’t you believe it, it’s already springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of kids damaging their precious mouths and pearly whites. If you play sports, it’s important that you consult Dr. Maria Rey for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Rey. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Rey will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Dr. Rey.

How important is your smile? From Rey Orthodontics

Serving Bethesda, Silver Spring, Washington D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, our staff at Rey Orthodontics is dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful smile by providing you with the highest quality care, most advanced orthodontic treatments, and an open office environment where you'll feel comfortable!

Dr. Maria Rey and team know having a beautiful smile is important to you. And it's important to us, too.

And, speaking of smiles, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were recently asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

We are excited for the opportunity to work with you, and we look forward to sharing in this life-changing experience. Our office is conventiently located to the many nearby communities of Washington DC. Please contact our practice at (202) 436-5432 to schedule an appointment, and start smiling today!

Ask Dr. Rey: Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Maria Rey will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, 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 at Rey Orthodontics 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 at Rey Orthodontics. Set up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Rey at our Washington, D.C. office and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

We also proudly serve Bethesda and Silver Spring, MD and Arlington, VA.

See you soon!

Connect with Rey Orthodontics on Facebook!

At Rey Orthodontics, Dr. Maria Rey and our team truly value the relationships we have developed with our patients here in Washington DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring MD, Arlington and surrounding communities in Orange County. Even if you only visit us every three- to four months, did you know that you can connect with Rey Orthodontics on Facebook?

We invite you to “like” Rey Orthodontics on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/IrvineOrthodontics. We share office news and updates on our Fan Page, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive all kinds of updates from our office automatically on Facebook!

See you on Facebook! From Dr. Rey

Your turn! From Rey Orthodontics

You probably know the drill: each week, Dr. Maria Rey and our staff blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being.

This week, however, we thought we’d step back and ask: 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? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask Dr. Rey for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

So… ask away and have a great week!

Braces tips on the Braces Brigade blog!

At Rey Orthodontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys.

In the latest installment of the Braces Brigade blog, Mary K. shares a few tips for those getting ready to undergo orthodontic treatment. We strongly encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call or ask us on Facebook if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Rey!

Have a great holiday weekend!

In love with your smile? Then we invite you to review Dr. Rey on Google!

Serving Bethesda, Silver Spring, Washington D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, our staff at Rey Orthodontics is dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful smile by providing you with the highest quality care, most advanced orthodontic treatments, and an open office environment where you'll feel comfortable!

Whether you've visited Dr. Maria Rey's office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how we have fared during your or your child's orthodontic treatment! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice, but we encourage you to head to our Google Places page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Rey and our team create more beautiful smiles! Thank you in advance, and we hope you have a terrific rest of the week!

You may write your review here.

At Rey Orthodontics, February Marks National Dental Health Month

Here at Rey Orthodontics, February is National Dental Health Month, and we thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing our team at Rey Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Maria Rey, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in treatment at Rey Orthodontics already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases our team at Rey Orthodontics have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When Dr. Maria Rey has patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
•An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
•A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
•A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit Rey Orthodontics even sooner.

We hope this helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions or ask Dr. Rey on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Rey: What is TMJ/TMD?

At Rey Orthodontics, we know millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD are known to include:

* Pain in the jaw area
* Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
* Frequent headaches or neck aches
* Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
* Swelling on the sides of the face
* Muscle spasms in the jaw area
* A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
* Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Should you notice any of these symptoms, let us know by calling Rey Orthodontics! At our convenient Washington DC office, we can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

At Rey Orthodontics, access to your account any day, any time

Did you know patients at Rey Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

"I like having access to my own appointments and my financial information." ~ Karen G.

"I was able to confirm my appointment online against my Outlook calendar without calling the office." ~ Dale G.

"With my travel schedule - it is easier to access my appointment information from anywhere at any time." ~ Muriel G.

You may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Give us a call at our Washington D.C. office if you have any questions about getting started and enjoy the rest of your week.

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Rey Orthodontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

We encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Washington D.C. office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Maria Rey!

Happy New Year everyone!