Are you wearing your mouth guard?

At Hallman Orthodontics, we know spring sports are just around the corner, and we would like to remind our young athletes in treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) as well this spring. Dr. Linda Hallman will tell you that only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - we will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment!

If you have further questions or are ready to schedule your consultation, just give us a call at our Chevy Chase, MD orthodontic office.

What are happy patients saying about Hallman Orthodontics?

Once in a while, our staff at Hallman Orthodontics get patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do ever day: creating beautiful smiles for our patients in Chevy Chase and surrounding communities in Maryland. Check out what a few of our patients are saying!

"Dr. Hallman is simply the most EXTRAORDINARY physician I have ever come across. She is kind, patient, understanding, incredibly brilliant, efficient, and just plain good at what she does!" ~ Delila C.

"I like that the office is very clean and quiet. The staff and Dr. Hallman are all very nice." ~ Yuka H.

"Dr. Hallman is currently treating my daughter. She is extremely attentive, professional, sensitive and kind." ~ Mary L.

"Dr. Hallman rocks! She knows her stuff and is patient with her patients!" ~ Brian N.

"Dr. Hallman, as well as everyone in the office, is so friendly and helpful and makes it a joy to go to the orthodontist! Her consultation was better than other orthodontists, with a shorter time and less braces." ~ Ken W.

"The most caring, kind and experienced doctor ever Dr. Hallman with her kindness, care, warmth and skills made a difference in our lives. All this I have mentioned is surpassed only by her professional expertise. Her office is a friendly place, every visit is instructive and enjoyable. Myself and my son Jacob (11 years and Dr. Hallman's patient) are moving back to the Czech republic after my dipl. posting in DC i finished. We will miss Dr. Hallman and her great staff. Thank you, Dr. Hallman and good luck with everything." ~ Nora and Jacob J.

More than just a day off from school, from Hallman Orthodontics

Today, our country celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a thinker, leader and civil rights champion. In the 1950s and ’60s, Dr. King recognized the need to bring about social justice, and worked tirelessly to instill tolerance in our nation, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward. This weekend, tens of thousands of people of all ages and races in Chevy Chase and in Maryland spent their time building, giving and renovating our communities to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Do you have the day off on Monday? If so, what do you plan to do to help your local community?

We’d love to know about your activities and events this MLK Jr. Day. If you have any video or pictures you’d like to share, please pass them along! If you’re not sure how, give us a call!

Our entire team at Hallman Orthodontics are proud of all our patients, families and colleagues who continue to make a difference in our community!

Are those rumors about swallowing bubble gum true?

At Hallman Orthodontics, we know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from all of us at Hallman Orthodontics!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at Hallman Orthodontics! Dr. Linda Hallman and our staff thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Also, we’d like to wish a Happy New Year to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Silver Spring and surrounding communities here in Washington D.C.!

See you all soon!