Hilliard Orthodontics want to know: Do you know where your retainers are?

If you recently completed treatment with Dr. Hilliard, our professional team would like to congratulate you on a job well-done! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Hilliard will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized.

Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

If you have additional questions about retainers or your treatment here at Hilliard Orthodontics, please give us a call at 863-393-9917 or take a look at this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth.org. Our staff would love to hear from you!

This Earth Day, did you make a difference? From Dr. Hilliard

At Hilliard Orthodontics, we support Earth Day, which is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our environment and ecosystem. Earth Day marks its 40th anniversary today. Whether lending a helping hand to plant trees or getting out to volunteer in various projects in Lakeland, today was our opportunity to get involved in making our year-round impact in the community. Did you make a difference today? Were you involved in any cool projects? How long have you participated in helping our community and planet?

If you’d like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain our ecosystem, try these helpful environmental tips, courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.

We hope you had a great Earth Day!!

Dr. Hilliard presents: Mr. Bean goes to the dentist

How do you feel 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 at the office of Keith Hilliard loved it, and know you'll get a laugh as well. 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 safe and terrific weekend!

The importance of smiling, from Dr. Hilliard

Folks with big smiles may live than those who don’t, according to a new study at Michigan’s Wayne State University.

Researchers at the university looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950. The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with life longevity, such as body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

So smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting our office on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Dr. Keith Hilliard, helping you save face in April

Dr. Hilliard and our team have blogged about the advantage of wearing a mouth guard when playing sports in the past, and we thought a reminder today wouldn’t hurt. You see, April - wich is only two days away - happens to be National Facial Protection Month, and it’s a good time to remind our young athletes about staying safe on the field this spring. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. By simply wearing a properly fitted mouth guard, these accidents could prevent this along with other traumatic facial injuries.

The above video from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists outlines five ways you can protect yourself this spring. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our team. And remember to stay safe and have fun this spring!

What's on your mind? Tell Dr. Hilliard!

By now, you, our fantastic patients and readers, probably know how our blog process works: Week after week, Dr. Hilliard and our professional team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being, among other things.

This week, Dr. Hilliard 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 Dr. Hilliard's Facebook page. So … take it away and our team will try to answer any questions you may have!

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day (and night), from Dr. Hilliard

Dr. Hilliard wants to know: Did you remember to wear green when you stepped out this morning? Whether Irish or not, millions of people in the U.S. and around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with toasts, parades and "the wearing of the green." Dr. Hilliard and team hope you stay safe and enjoy your night out tonight!