Dr. Covino invites you to join the Braces Brigade!

Have you just begun orthodontic treatment with Covino Orthodontics in Doylestown and New Hope, PA? Well, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO is in search of past, present, and future orthodontic patients and their parents to join the Braces Brigade! Share your smile with the world, through joining this community of online journalists, and receive a $100 American Express gift card for your hard work!

What is the Brace Brigade?
The Braces Brigade is an opportunity for you to share your unique orthodontic experiences with the world, through blogging! Blogging is a way for you to document your story, the foods that you had to avoid, any advice you might have for future orthodontic patients, or maybe the first place that you plan to show off your new smile! Really, what you choose to blog about it up to you!

Applicants for the Braces Brigade must be 14 years or older. For more information, visit the Braces Brigade website, courtesy of the AAO. If you have any questions about orthodontic treatment, or the Braces Brigade, feel free to give Covino Orthodontics a call today!

Have a great weekend,

-Dr. Covino and team

Ask Dr. Covino: How does Invisalign affect my oral health?

Patients often ask us how Invisalign is so different than braces when considering treatment options with Dr. Covino. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Dr. Covino than you may know. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable, and comfortable aligners that are nearly invisible. Besides straightening your teeth, did you know that Invisalign can improve your oral health? Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your beautiful smile:

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 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 Dr. Covino the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, feel free to give us a call! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Covino Orthodontics presents, 7 tips for traveling with teens

Hey, parents! Have you been planning that perfect family vacation? Our team at Covino Orthodontics knows that summer is the season when many families choose to hit the open road—or catch a flight—to make those memories together. That’s why we want to share a few tips for summer travel from our friends at Yahoo! Shine.

1) Have your teens set the pace—and even the itinerary. No teen wants to be dragged around a city that they have no interest in, by allowing everyone a voice in the trip itinerary, children and parents alike become more invested in the vacation.

2) Everyone offers up a playlist. A trip soundtrack isn’t complete without a hodgepodge of every family member’s favorite music tracks!

3) Set a limit on phones/electronics use. This decision has to be specific to your family, but a good rule of thumb is that if you’re setting the rules for minute limits or check-ins that all family members should stick to them—not just teens and tweens.

4) Keep food and drinks on hand. Sometimes a snack is all you need to stay cheery- hunger can oftentimes create unnecessary arguments and tension between families.

5) Don’t make them clean the hotel room. While on vacation, the same rules that apply at home for cleaning don’t necessarily apply while staying in a hotel.

6) Set a gift shop budget. These costs can add up quickly, so be sure to set limits ahead of time!

7) Give them a little freedom. When traveling with tweens and teens, it is important that they are able to have some areas, maybe a five-block radius or even the hotel lobby, where they are able to wander without the whole family.

We hope these tips are useful for helping you plan that perfect family vacation this summer! For more articles on parenting and for the parenting pick of the day, check out Yahoo! Shine. Also, if you have any great family vacation photos, feel free to post them on our Facebook page!

Happy travels,

-Your friends at Covino Orthodontics

Ask Dr. Covino: Why the Damon® System?

The Damon System is revolutionizing the world of orthodontics, leaving Dr. Covino's patients with full, natural smiles. This new orthodontic treatment enables teeth to move more comfortably than traditional braces and aligns teeth using light biologically-sensible forces. With the Damon System, finding that perfect smile is easier than ever!

Why is Damon® better?
One of the greatest benefits of Damon braces is their ability to achieve amazing results with faster treatment periods. Depending upon your specific situation, this may mean saving several months of treatment! After analyzing your particular needs, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon! Because Damon braces are so precise and effective, we can reduce the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces. Because Damon braces work more efficiently, fewer adjustments are required. As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number. Due to the unique design of this new braces system, we can move your teeth into their correct positions with much less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

Dr. Covino is a certified Damon System provider. To learn more about the Damon System or your treatment here at Covino Orthodontics, please give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!