Dr. Linda Hallman, reminding you to visit the dentist during your treatment

If you're brushing twice a day, as well as flossing, that's phenomenal. But, remember that it’s also important for you to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day (and visiting Hallman Orthodontics during your treatment). Our staff will tell you regular dental checkups are vital for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and signs of tooth decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth during your treatment

During an oral exam, your dentist will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups also typically include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the past six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

If you don't have a general dentist in Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Somerset or nearby communities, please ask and Dr. Linda Hallman and our team will be happy to provide one!

This summer, read! From Hallman Orthodontics

Last week, our team at Hallman Orthodontics asked you, our amazing patients, about your summer plans. Today, we thought we'd ask about your summer reading plans!

With summer only weeks away, some of us at Dr. Linda Hallman's office have been thinking a lot about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easier to go play ball with friends or kick back and watch television, but reading during the summer is a vital step in being prepared for classes in the fall and maintaining your skill level.

Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (as well as Dr. Hallman) will be happy to provide some great book ideas. You may also ask a local librarian here in Chevy Chase for ideas or check out various summer reading lists that we came across last week.

Happy reading everyone and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Tell Dr. Hallman and team about your summer plans!

At Hallman Orthodontics, we can hardly believe summer is around the corner. As the school year comes to an end for a lot of Dr. Hallman's patients, the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb in Maryland, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a beverage (non-sugary, of course). For a lot of our patients in Chevy Chase, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

How about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a reunion planned? Our team would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, fantastic! If you're going camping, awesome! Even if you're staying at home, we know that can be fun, too.

Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls right along!

Saving face with Hallman Orthodontics this summer

Wouldn’t you believe it, summer is just around the corner! At Hallman Orthodontics, our team knows that the summer months bring with them an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of our athletes damaging their teeth. If you're playing sports this summer, it's important that you consult Dr. Linda Hallman for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. Mouth guards are advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and many, many others.

We were reminded about the need to wear mouth guards after reading an article recently about hockey great Keith Tkachuk needing reconstructive surgery after taking a puck to the mouth. Tkachuk’s gruesome injury underscores the need for all of our patients to use facial protection at all times when out on the field.

In case of any accident involving the face, we want you to check your mouth and appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances are damaged, please schedule an appointment to see Dr. Hallman immediately. And don’t forget to ask us—Dr. Hallman will be more than happy to provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment!

Our team at Hallman Orthodontics will tell you that 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 at 301.654.7910 if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment with Dr. Hallman.

Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!