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They're cute, a little quirky and a LOT funny! Drs. Brad Gilbert and Adam Wells along with our entire SmilesForever Orthodontics staff, have come together to have fun and make a difference for children in support of Red Nose Day USA today!

Organized by Comic Relief Inc., Red Nose Day USA is a special day each year for Americans to come together to raise funds, through comedic fun and laughter, to help keep children safe, healthy and free from poverty. The adorable red noses can be purchased at Walgreens and the funds raised from the purchase price go to the Red Nose Day Fund.

Our doctors and staff are excited to participate in this national fundraising event by proudly wearing our red noses today. We know joy and laughter help our patient's smiles bloom with confidence just as pretty, straight teeth do!

      Picture courtesy of homeroommom.com

Drs. Brad Gilbert, Adam Wells and Ron Parsons along with our entire SmilesForever Orthodontics staff, send out a big, beautiful THANK YOU to all teachers. Not just this specific week of the year, but all year round. You are heroes to so many and we DO appreciate you.

It's said that teacher's inspire greatness in children and invite them to explore the world around them. They have such an important role in shaping our children. In teaching them curriculum sure, but also and keeping them focused and excited about learning. A teacher's impact can make such a difference and when they spark a child's imagination they instill an eagerness to explore and learn. We all have that one teacher we might remember fondly, or who has become our hero at one time or another. We asked one of our staff members if they had a teacher they still thought of and thought we'd share her response with you.

"Teacher Appreciation Week". Every year, just those three simple words, immediately bring a childhood hero to mind. Second grade...first day of school and all of my favorite school friends were in the "other" class. The nerves were fluttering and I sat down at my desk. The teacher walked in and I thought she looked nice but I wasn't really ready to like her. Again, no friends in my class. The day began like most with Mrs. Frogue asking us about our summer and what we had enjoyed most. When we had all shyly shared our most memorable summer highlights, it was time to find out what our new teacher had done over the summer.

Rather than tell us, she opened the door..and in walked a man in a kilt, playing bag pipes! This was MR. Frogue, our teacher's husband. We found out that wonderful day that Mr. Frogue had been raised in a castle in Scotland. They shared slides of his family castle along with two castles they had visited that summer.

This wasn't just a teacher. My new teacher lived in castles every summer! This was a lady of adventure. A lady who traveled to far away lands and was married to a man in a skirt! I had clearly hit the second grade jackpot getting this teacher.

That year was a magical year of learning for me. Mrs. Frogue had a way of bringing everything to life and celebrating even the smallest acheivements. Mrs. Frogue came to every student's birthday party and brought her husband along in his kilt. She went above and beyond for her enthusiastic second graders and we knew it.

Over the years I visited with Mrs. Frogue quite often. As her students grew, they returned to her for help with math, history, career paths and heartache. She later celebrated our marriages and babies alongside us. And brought her husband, though in later years he didn't wear his kilt. They continued their adventures and visits to castles each summer. Inspiring young minds to creatively explore.

Mrs. Frogue is now living in her forever castle with her husband by her side. I like to imagine he's wearing his kilt and walking into her classroom and she's sharing slides of their adventurous life. Year  after year I look forward to seeing those three special words, "Teacher Appreciation Week", and I celebrate my favorite second grade hero, Mrs. Frogue. I appreciate everything she inspired me to explore.

Thank you for letting me share her with you,

Jaime L.

Have you always wondered WHY St. Patrick’s Day is held on the 17th of March? Drs. Brad Gilbert and Adam Wells have the answer along with other fun facts to share with you!

1.  WHY MARCH 17? March 17 is the anniversary date of Saint Patrick’s death. 

2.  WHO WAS ST. PATRICK?  His real name was Maewyn Succat. He changed his name to Patricius after becoming a priest and is most well known for his extensive missionary work in Ireland. During his thirty years of work there, it is thought that he converted over 135,000 people to Christianity, established 300 churches, and consecrated 350 bishops. He died on March 17, 461. 

3.  WHY ISN'T THERE ANY CORN IN THAT CORNED BEEF? Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Saint Patrick’s Day meal. And no, it doesn’t have any grains of corn in the recipe! Instead, the name comes from the large grains of salt that were historically used to cure meats.  These large salt grains were also known as “corns.” 

4.  WHAT’S THAT CATCHY IRISH PHRASE? You can’t attend a Saint Patrick’s Day event without hearing a cry of “Erin go Bragh.” What’s the phrase mean? It’s a translation of the Irish Éirinn go Brách, which means “Ireland Forever.” 

5.  WHY DO WE ONLY SEE MALE LEPRECHAUNS? In traditional Irish folk tales, there aren’t any female leprechauns, only smartly dressed tiny guys wearing green. 

6.  WHY DO WE DECORATE WITH SHAMROCKS? Wondering how the shamrock become associated with Saint Patrick? According to Irish legend, when St. Patrick was first introducing Christianity to Ireland, he used the three leafed plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity.

 7.  HOW MANY U.S. RESIDENTS HAVE IRISH ANCESTORY? Over 37.5 MILLION! There are seven times more people in the U.S. with Irish ancestors than in the whole population of Ireland.

8.  90 % OF AMERICANS celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and 82.2% by wearing green. The color green represents the vast green fields of Ireland.

9. THE VERY FIRST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WAS NOT IN IRELAND. It was held in Boston in 1737 by Irish immigrants who were observing the holiday

10. HOW DO LEPRECHAUNS GET ALL THAT GOLD? “Another little-known fact from Irish lore: Leprechauns earned that gold they’re guarding. According to legend, leprechauns spend their days making and mending shoes. It’s hard work, so you can’t blame them for being territorial about their pots of gold”.

For one day out of the year anyone can be Irish and join in the celebration - if you remember to wear GREEN! SmilesForever Orthodontics hope you’ve enjoyed these fun little St. Patrick’s Day facts. We sure have lots of patients choosing green ties for there braces this month!

Often times, we’ll visit the dentist or orthodontist and see the pictures focusing on possible orthodontic problems to watch for in growing children.

But what if your general dentist has just recommended that you, as an adult, see an orthodontist? And why is the correction of Orthodontic Problems in Adults Important?

Orthodontics -

• Can help prevent or improve periodontal problems

• Can help prevent or reduce further bone loss around teeth

• Improves ability of the dentist to restore missing teeth

• Improves aesthetics for a better smile and facial appearance

• Improves function of teeth

• Improves self-confidence and self-esteem

• Improves oral health

Here, the American Association of Orthodontics has put together some pictures to visually help us see possible problems to watch for in adults:

SmilesForever Orthodontics treats many adults. With options like ceramic braces and tooth colored arch wires, braces are lower profile than ever. We are also a Preferred Invisalign Provider for those candidates that choose a completely clear option.

Along with your regular dentist, our orthodontists, Drs. Brad Gilbert and Adam Wells are ready to help you achieve your BEST smile. A healthy, functional, GORGEOUS smile that will last a lifetime!