October Is…National Orthodontic Health Month

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School is back in full swing, and it’s almost October! What does this autumn month mean to you? Here in Sioux Falls, SD, October is when the weather starts to get a little chilly; the warm sweaters and jackets come out of storage and the summer clothing gets packed away until next year. You find ways to enjoy the cooler days and nights, and the beautiful, colorful fall foliage. You start making plans for the upcoming busy season of holidays.

October means something a little different to our team at Horner Barrow Orthodontics because it is National Orthodontic Health Month. During October, orthodontic practices all over the country work together to promote their services and inform their local communities about the important work we do.

National Orthodontic Health Month is a health awareness campaign created cooperatively by orthodontists and other dental health professionals. During this month, we make a special effort to promote dental health and orthodontic health in particular. It is a really good time to get your questions answered by dental professionals in your community and to learn more about exactly what an orthodontist can do for you and your family. Events held in connection with National Orthodontic Health Month are also an opportunity for orthodontists to come out and meet community members. If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect. Meeting your orthodontist in person before your first checkup is a great way to find out what kind of person you’ll be seeing during your appointment.

Meeting Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow in a relaxed “meet and greet” atmosphere can be especially helpful for any young orthodontic patients in your family. Kids of all ages (and their parents, as well) can feel anxious about going to the orthodontist. Getting to know the person you have an appointment with can make the experience a lot less stressful for everyone. Just meeting and talking with the orthodontist you’ll be seeing may be enough to put you more at ease about your upcoming appointment.

Dental health is something that affects everyone; healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy smile and a lifetime of comfort and well-being. Orthodontists are just one of the various dental practitioners you could visit at some point in your life, so taking a little time to learn who we are and what we do is certain to be a helpful experience. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

 

What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?

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You may have heard the term early orthodontics, and are wondering just what that means. Or, you may be considering early orthodontic treatment for your child, and are not sure if it is right for him or her. If so, you are not alone. Some orthodontic practices have as many as 20 percent of patients in the 7- to 10-year-old age range.  The reason for this is that many developing orthodontic problems can be intercepted and corrected if diagnosed and treated at an early age. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven, or younger if the front four permanent teeth have replaced the baby teeth. Early treatment, also known as Phase I treatment or interceptive treatment, provides timely detection of problems, AND greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Early intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious orthodontic problems later.

If your child has any of the following issues, you may want to consider early orthodontic treatment:

Early, or late, loss of baby teeth (a child should typically start losing teeth around age five or six, and all of their permanent teeth should come in by age 12 to 13)

Difficulty chewing and/or biting

Thumb sucking

Mouth breathing

Speech impediment

Crowded front teeth

Protruding teeth (the top teeth and bottom teeth extend away from each other)

Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner, or even at all

Early intervention can reduce the severity of your child’s case, and therefore reduce the length of treatment time and cost for a second phase of treatment when all of his or her permanent teeth have erupted. Dr. Kevin Horner, Dr. Keri Barrow and the Horner Barrow Orthodontics staff can evaluate your child and determine if his or her dental and skeletal growth is proceeding properly, or if interceptive treatment is needed. In many cases, a more severe problem can be corrected using sophisticated, removable appliances rather than traditional orthodontic treatment.

To schedule a consultation for your child at our Sioux Falls, SD office, please call. We’ll perform a thorough examination, and discuss with you any next steps we consider necessary toward caring for your child’s smile and dental health.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Braces-Friendly Tailgate Party Recipes

Braces-friendly recipes

 

 

 

School is back in full swing, and that means it’s football time here in Sioux Falls, SD. And, football time means tailgating parties. We’ve gathered a few hearty, tummy-warming, braces-friendly recipes to make your game time get-togethers more memorable! No matter which team you’re routing for, we at Horner Barrow Orthodontics say, Go Team!

Southwestern Turkey Chili

Makes: 8 to 10 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
(In this recipe, pureed corn thickens this crowd-pleasing, hearty mix of beans, veggies and turkey.)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup chopped red onion
3/4 cup chopped red sweet pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
2 large cloves garlic, minced
5 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons New Mexico red chili powder (or chili powder, if you can’t find New Mexico red chili powder)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
4 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
2 15 to 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 to 16-ounce can navy beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup ketchup
2 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast

Directions:
In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, sweet pepper, celery, undrained green chiles, jalapeño pepper, garlic and oregano and cook until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour, chili powder, coriander, cumin, salt and sugar. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
Add chicken broth, black beans, navy beans, undrained tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and ketchup. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a food processor, cover and process 2 cups of the corn until pureed. Add pureed corn, the remaining 1/2 cup whole corn, and turkey. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

 

Calico Bean Bake

Makes: 12 to 14 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes to 50 minutes
(This recipe is a tasty blending of baked beans and chili, and is good for feeding a group of hungry football fans.)

Ingredients:
8 ounces lean ground beef
8 ounces bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 15 to 16-ounce can pork and beans in tomato sauce, undrained
1 15 to 16-ounce can lima beans or a 15-1/2-ounce can butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 to 16-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:
In a large skillet, cook beef, bacon and onion, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain off the fat.
In a 3-quart casserole, combine the three beans, brown sugar, the water, ketchup, vinegar and mustard. Stir in meat mixture until well combined.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until heated through.

 

Southwestern Potato Sausage Chowder

Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook: 8 to 10 hours on low, or 4 to 5 hours on high

Ingredients:
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 pound round red potatoes, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium red sweet pepper, chopped
1 green sweet pepper, chopped
1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped* (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers (optional)

Directions:
In a large skillet cook sausage until no longer pink; drain off fat.
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cooked sausage, potatoes, onion, sweet peppers, serrano or jalapeño pepper (if using), garlic, cumin, and ground pepper. Stir in chicken broth.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Top each serving with cheese if you like. Makes 6 servings.

* Important tip for handling hot peppers: Serrano or jalapeño peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, so avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them. If you DO touch the peppers with your bare hands, be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water.

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

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Braces-Friendly Fall Smoothies Recipes

With crisp fall weather just around the corner here in Sioux Falls, SD, our thoughts naturally turn to our favorite fall foods. Unfortunately, some of those delicious fall treats aren’t braces-friendly (like caramel apples and kettle corn), but smoothies certainly are. And, fall fruits make wonderful “pie-tasting” smoothies. Another bonus: smoothies are great for a quick and easy breakfast. You can make it the night before and enjoy it in the morning before you head out the door.

Here are 5 healthy, and tasty smoothie recipes for our orthodontic patients to try. We hope you enjoy them!

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Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie

Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 cup almond milk, plus a bit more if necessary
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• pinch nutmeg
• Ice, if desired

Soak the oats, almond milk, and chia seeds for at least an hour or overnight. This helps them digest better and it also gives the smoothie a smoother texture.Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.

 

Oatmeal Pear Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 large pear, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/2 teaspoon finely-grated, fresh ginger
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Blend thoroughly, pour into a glass and sprinkle with cinnamon.

 

Pumpkin/Pumpkin Seed Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Blend thoroughly, and pour into a glass and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.

 

Fall Cranberry Pear Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 cup frozen cranberries
• 2 medjool dates, pitted
•1 pear
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon all spice

Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Add a few ice cubes if not thick enough, but usually the frozen cranberries are enough to thicken it.

 

Apple Pie Chia Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
• 1 apple, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg and salt

Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth; add 1 cup of ice if desired.

Be sure to let Dr. Keri Barrow or Dr. Kevin Horner know which of these smoothie recipes is your favorite at your next appointment!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.

Happy Labor Day

LaborDay

Wow! Believe it or not…the Labor Day holiday weekend is here. Labor Day is the “non-official” end of summer. It’s your last chance to host a summer BBQ, or maybe head to the pool for one more splash party before the weather starts to cool down here in beautiful Sioux Falls, SD.

Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of every September in the United States. It is a holiday devoted to the American labor force. The holiday honors the country’s workers and their contributions to the strength of our country as a whole. Americans have been celebrating Labor Day since the 1880s, and today it is an official federal holiday.

How Labor Day Started
There is some debate as to the origins of Labor Day. It is uncertain whether Peter McGuire, a cofounder for the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, the secretary of Central Labor Union of New York, had the idea for Labor Day. However, the Central Labor Union’s plans were what launched the first Labor Day in America.

The First Labor Day
The United States’ first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th, 1882. The Central Labor Union then held annual celebrations on September 5th for what they called a working man’s holiday. By the year 1885, the Labor Day celebration had spread to many different industrial areas, and after that it started to incorporate all industries in the United States.

Interesting Labor Day Facts
• Canada was the first country to celebrate Labor Day; the United States soon followed.
• More than 30 million Americans travel over Labor Day weekend.
• President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day an official United States holiday in 1894.
• Labor Day signals the beginning of the NFL and NCAA sports seasons for football and college sports fans.
• Labor Day marks the end of hot dog season, when Americans consume seven billion hot dogs.

Labor Day Today
Labor Day is an important United States holiday during which we honor our country’s workers with a day off from work to rest and relax, or maybe celebrate the day with a picnic or a parade.

Dr. Kevin Horner and Dr. Keri Barrow, and the team at Horner Barrow Orthodontics would like to wish all of our patients a very happy Labor Day. Whether you celebrate the holiday at home, or travel out of town, have fun, and stay safe!

At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.