Happy Thanksgiving!

Team SR and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! We also want to remind everyone to brush and floss after indulging in the big meal.

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

Ask Drs. Sellke and Reily: How can Invisalign® benefit my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Team SR than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Drs. Sellke and Reily the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Ask Drs. Sellke and Reily: What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, Team SR found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.
Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Drs. Sellke and Reily or visit this article for more tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Ask Team SR: "What's so cool about getting braces?"

Braces, are in fact, “cool,” "hip" and, dare we say say “fun” these days. These were among the findings of a nationwide survey this year of moms whose kids are going through or have had orthodontic treatment recently. New technologies such as SureSmile and iBraces, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces make orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child visited Team SR Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile this summer!

Team SR present: Fourth of July fun facts!

Tomorrow night, Drs. Sellke & Reily, as well as our entire staff, will be busy celebrating America's 234th birthday. And because we know most of our patients love fun facts, we thought we'd provide you with some patriotic fun facts about Independence Day! Enjoy!!

- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

- An estimated 2.5 million people lived in America in July 1776. Today, an estimated 309 million people reside in the United States.

- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn't want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.

- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

- America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.

- The American flag patch is backwards on U.S. Army uniforms. The reason? The blue field on the flag (the part with the stars) faces forward to symbolize carrying the American flag into battle.

- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.

- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.

- Speaking of food, there's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard this Independence Day weekend grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is America's leader in the production of cattle and calves.

Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone! Have fun and careful with those fireworks!!

Team SR want to know: what's on your reading list this summer?

With summer only days away (it's true!), some of us at Team SR have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading. Specifically, summer reading. Sure it’s easier for today's teens to go play ball or kick back and watch some TV, but Drs. Sellke and Reily will tell you that reading during the summer is a vital step in being prepared for school in the fall and maintaining your skill level.

Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us, and we'd be happy to provide a few book suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading lists from Barnes & Noble that we came across this morning.

Let us know if you have any suggestions! Happy reading!

What are happy patients saying about Drs. Sellke and Reily?

At Team SR, we deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment, and make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what some of our patients have to say about their experience with Drs. Sellke and Reily!

"The service! When I go in I know I'll never wait long! The girls are wonderful, efficient meanwhile being as gentle as possible!" ~ Nancy U.

"Everyone is very friendly! They have been very helpful from the beginning! I especially appreciated the customized folder that was put together in the beginning that included everything that will happen while he has his braces." ~ Heather M.

"Everyone in the office is very courteous when I call or arrive. You have geared the office to the pleasure of your largest client base the children. They love it, and it really makes a difference in them wanting to do well with the braces and their attitude about braces. Our son couldn't wait to get his braces after seeing his sister do so well." ~ Bruce C.

"Everyone is SO VERY NICE...And seem to truly CARE! The staff and the doc's are the best of the best! Very professional, well educated, kind, courtous...A "well oiled machine"...It is truly amazing how everyone works together as a team, and everyone seems passionate about what they do...To make a difference in one's life! OUTSTANDING! AWESOME! FANTASTIC! EXCELLENT! TOP NOTCH! TRULY THE BEST! THANK YOU ALL!" ~ Tommy T.

"They are the best office on the face of the earth! I have been employed with them for approximately 5 years and just recently my father passed away. The doctors, as well as my staff members could not have been more understanding and supportive of the time I needed off. They are like my family and they treat me as if I were part of their family and I am so greatful to be a part of this amazing practice!" ~ Anne S.

Share your summer plans with SR Orthodontics!

As the school year comes to an end for a lot of our patients at SR Orthodontics, the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb a bit, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool and cool off under the shade. For a lot of people here in our area, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life, if only for a week or two - or three. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned? Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as summer 2010 rolls along!

Enjoy your weekend!

SR Orthodontics, wishing you a safe, relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend, a time for Americans everywhere to stop and remember our fallen troops, is also the unofficial start of summer. For a lot of folks in Grayslake, Antioch and surround areas, that spells sweet, sweet relief.

At SR Orthodontics, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s unofficially the start of summer 2010 and time for a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories with parents or friends.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend?

Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hanging out in the backyard this weekend, we’d like to hear all about it! Enjoy the long weekend and be safe!

SureSmile finds its way to CNN, from Drs. Sellke and Reily

Our staff at SR Orthodontics has blogged about SureSmile treatment in the past, and today thought we'd post a video of SureSmile being demonstrated on CNN this week!

In the video, Dr. Gupta profiles Jessica Thompson, a teenager from Maryland who wasn't really thrilled about having traditional braces, and opted for SureSmile as her treatment method. We at SR Orthodontics will tell you Jessica's not alone - more and more people are choosing SureSmile over regular braces!

With SureSmile treatment at SR Orthodontics, getting braces isn’t at all what it used to be - our patients get GREAT results in less time with this remarkable technology, and usually spend less time in braces, need fewer office visits or experience less discomfort.

To learn more about SureSmile treatment at SR Orthodontics, we invite you to give us a call.

Share your experience at SR Orthodontics with the world!

With Drs. Sellke and Reily, you can expect to receive complete orthodontic treatment that is tailored to meet your individual needs and desired results.

Our staff is always ready to help and stays dedicated to making each office visit a pleasant, comfortable experience. We offer convenient appointment times and strive to run on time – not occasionally, but every moment of every day. Our goal is to create for you or your child a "Simply Spectacular Smile” – that will last a lifetime!

Whether you have visited SR Orthodontics for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how we're doing! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us on our Google Local page. It only takes a moment!

You may write your review here.

Thank you in advance and have a great weekend everybody!

Mother's Day is right around the corner!

Mother's Day - which falls next Sunday, May 9 - is special to all of us, isn't it? Everyone looks forward to this day to let our mom know how special she is to us. Tell Dr. Sellke, what are you planning on mom's special day this upcoming Sunday?

If you happen to be out of ideas, check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of a recent segment on Good Morning America. We're sure mom will love whatever you come up with!

Ten kids' health issues to look out for this year

Would you believe it, it's already May! This happens to be a great time to remind our parents about the various kids' health issues and how you can avoid them. In late 2009, KidsHealth.org published its annual list of “10 Kids’ Health Issues to Watch” in 2010 and what they mean to you and your child's health.

They include:

• Earliest Signs of Autism Identified in Babies

• Obesity and Kids: What Parents Should Understand

• Many Kids Missing Out on CHIP Benefits

• H1N1 Flu Pandemic Affecting Kids the Hardest

• Texting & Driving: Just Say No

• The Importance of Vitamin D

• The Toll of Constant Social Networking

• The Impact on Concussions

• Pregnancy, STDs Increasing Among U.S. Teens

and...

• Smoking: Good News and Bad News

Drs. Sellke and Reily and our staff encourage you to read the entire article in its entirety and share the information with your child. Have a great weekend!

SureSmile on the Science Channel! From SR Orthodontics

Our staff showed you a video clip last week, and thought we'd go with a video theme again. This time around, however, we'd like to show you a neat video of SureSmile treatment that was recently featured on the Science Channel. At SR Orthodontics, we love working with SureSmile technology, as it is faster and produces as good if not better results. Our technology-driven orthodontic process offers several important benefits that make the whole "braces experience" much easier for patients than conventional orthodontics!

Take a look at the video, and be sure to let us know what you think! Have a great rest of the week!

Drs. Sellke and Reily present: Mr. Bean goes to the dentist!

How about a treat today? Here's a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling yet lovable British spy, Mr. Bean. Our staff loved it, and are pretty sure you'll get a laugh too. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

If you have any other suggestions you think we should share with other patients, please let us know! Have a terrific weekend!

At SR Orthodontics, technology helps you relax

It used to be that people were terrified to see the orthodontist. And Drs. Sellke and Reily understand that some patients (and parents) are still nervous. But fear not! The days of fear and loathing when driving to an orthodontist appointment are long gone! And it’s all due to technology. That’s right, technology has allowed orthodontists everywhere - including ours at SR Orthodontics - to zero in on patient care and comfort.

For example, braces are much more comfortable and with certain new methods such as SureSmile, the treatment time has been reduced. In addition, the advances in the orthodontic field have permitted digital photos and X-rays of your mouth, patient charting and improved communications between doctor and patient.

If you have any questions about how Drs. Sellke or Reily use state-of-the-art technology, give us a call and ask! Have a great weekend everybody!

Tell SR Orthodontics: What's on your mind?

Week after week, Drs. Sellke and Reily blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being. This week, 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 us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and Drs. Sellke and Reily will try to answer any questions you may have!

At SR Orthodontics, easy and convenient access to your account

Full access to your account, any time you want. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at SR Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. 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! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this innovative service:

"Being able to visit the site and double check appointment dates/times is very convenient over having to call office; appreciate seeing account balance at a glance to help budget personal finances." ~ Sandy F.

"Easy and quick access to records." ~ Laura B.

"Very professional! Indicates that the office and staff are up to speed with technology." ~ Tommy T.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions!

Reminding you to stay safe out there, from SR Orthodontics

With the intense weather conditions in our region the next few days, Drs. Sellke and Reily, as well as our entire team at SR Orthodontics thought it would be a good time to remind you, our dear 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 SR Orthodontics, our primary concern is our patients' well-being, and that includes staying safe on the roads during bad conditions! If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!

SR Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in January?

BRRRR! It may still be chilly outside (8 degrees tonight!), but can you believe we’re only a couple of months away from spring? Drs. Sellke and Reily and the team at SR Orthodontics want to know: What were you doing in January? What have you accomplished this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Any big mid-winter break plans? Anything exciting going on in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our office and ask how! Have a great rest of the week!