Practice News
Taft Hill is thankful for you!
We are thankful for you! 
Here at Taft Hill Orthodontics we are all so thankful for YOU!! Being located in Fort Collins, we have several patients that come from surrounding areas such as Wyoming, Sterling, Greeley, Loveland and so much more of the northern Colorado area. We would not be able to do it without you and greatly appreciate you choosing to come all the way just to see us!! Its so incredible to for us to be here with you throughout your journey to a fantastic smile.
Whats going on at Taft Hill for November?
This November we are doing MANY fun and wonderful things in and outside of the office. As of now until days before thanksgiving we are holding a food drive right here in the office! We ask that you bring any non-perishable item (item’s) in and we will be delivering everything we get to Fort Collins Rescue Mission to help anyone in need to have a hot, healthy and delicious meal.
So far we have also visited 3 local schools to teach the importance of oral hygiene. After the presentation and any questions they had were answered, all students were sent home with an oral hygiene goody bag which included a toothbrush, tooth paste, floss, mouth wash and pencils! We hear you can never have enough pencils!!
If you are a new patient or existing patient as you come into the office, on the top counter are Turkeys for anyone to color and tell us what they are thankful for. When completed they will be displayed around the office for everyone to see! Here are what some of our staff members are thankful for:
Dr. Hardy is thankful for:”My little one!! All of my awesome patients and families I am honored to do braces for… I have an awesome staff too.”
Dr. Cindy is thankful for: ” Her job, Friends, Family and delicious food”
Kaylie is thankful for: “Football!!, Go Broncos”
Gigi is thankful for: “Life and my job!”
Santa is thankful for:”My crazy coworkers”
Grace is thankful for:”Water, nature and glitter!”
Shaena is thankful for:”My children and getting to play softball”
Joscelyn is thankful for:”My kids and chocolate”
Fun Thanksgiving facts
- The First Thanksgiving lasted for three days.
- A spooked turkey can run at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. They can also burst into flight approaching speeds between 50-55 mph in a matter of seconds.
- 91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
- Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.
- Turkeys were one of the first animals in the Americas to be domesticated.
- The ‘wishbone’ of the turkey is used in a good luck ritual on Thanksgiving Day.
Find more fun thanksgiving facts on http://www.coolest-holiday-parties.com/thanksgiving-facts.html
Importance of Wearing Your Elastics for Braces
Wearing rubber bands is a critical part of your Orthodontic treatment. If it wasn’t, the doctor would not be asking you to wear them 24 hours of the day. Listed below are a few major reasons you need to wear your bands.
What is the purpose of rubber bands on braces?
Rubber bands are used for people who generally have an over or under bite that needs correcting in order for the bite to fit together well. If you are not wearing your bands well this could potentially extend your treatment time.
Will wearing rubber bands hurt?
Starting your rubber bands will be a new adjustment for your teeth and jaw. You may become a bit sore for a few days but if you take them off to “give your mouth a break,” this may just continue the discomfort. Remember the more you wear them the more you will get used to them.
How often should you need to wear them?
You need to wear your rubber bands 24/7 unless instructed differently by the doctor. The only reasons you should be taking the rubber bands out is to eat if you are unable to eat with them on, brushing and flossing your teeth and putting a new set on.
If you lose your bands it’s no problem! All you need to do is come into the office immediately for a new pack. The longer you go without them, the longer you will be in treatment for. Make sure you are using the correct bands. Borrowing a friend’s or improvising with your own could negatively hurt treatment if they are not the correct set.
If you have any further questions regarding your bands, you can contact the office of orthodontist T.C. Hardy in Fort Collins at (970) 344-4295 or info@tafthillortho.com. This is a team effort, we will do our part to make sure you have a perfect bite, beautiful smile and are happy with the outcome of your treatment. All we need you to do is wear your rubber bands!
Best and Worst Valentines Sweets with Braces
1. Conversational Hearts
We all know and love the classic valentine conversation hearts, but unfortunately, those are just too hard on your braces. Save these to pass on to your valentine ;)
2. Lollipops
I know you are all thinking the same thing.. “What if I just suck on it instead of bite it?” Although this sounds like a good idea in the end we all know the sucker will get bitten into. A lot of lollipops now have gum in the middle which is even worse!! Just try and stay away from these as much as possible.
3. Taffy
As sweet as taffy may taste or no matter how funny the jokes on the the back are, taffy is just too sticky and EXTREMELY hard to get out of your brackets. Stay away!! This is a high risk candy full of sugar just sticking around waiting to give you a cavity!
4. Nerds
An all time favorite! Even though they are little with such big flavor there is always the risk of biting on these wrong that will cause a bracket to pop off in no time.
Now I know what you’re thinking. You want to know what candies you can eat right!!!! well here you go.
5. Reese’s peanut butter cups
For valentines day they even come in cute heart shapes for your loved one! These are soft and will melt the second you put them in your mouth. Although you may be digging chocolate and peanut butter out of our mouth for an hour, its totally worth it.
6. Hershey Kisses
These are generally okay to eat. Be careful you stay away from the ones with almonds, peanuts and extra caramel.
7. Boxes of chocolat
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Most valentines boxes of chocolate are a mixture of multiple flavors, sizes and textures. Fudge, fruit fillings and nougat are okay to eat. Maybe share the ones that are full of toffee, caramel and nuts and fight that urge to eat the entire box!
Keep in mind after getting your candy fix this holiday you need to brush and floss extra well to prevent those sugars from sitting around sticking to your braces. This could cause cavities and staining to the teeth that we want to stay away from while in treatment!!
Foods that are safe for braces and how to adapt to your diet after an adjustment.
Having braces will not only give you a better appearance, but will help prevent tooth decay and other oral hygiene problems in the future. There are certain foods that are better suited for people who have braces or other orthodontic appliances. The best recommended foods while in orthodontic treatment are softer foods that are not crunchy, sticky or full of sugar. Braces give your teeth a workout which can cause soreness and discomfort. Cutting your food into smaller pieces is much easier to eat and does not require excessive chewing that may cause appliances to break or make your teeth throb. After adjustments, during this time it is best to eat soft foods that do not put more pressure on your teeth. For example:
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt/pudding
• Ice cream
• Pasta
• Soup
• Cheese
• Cooked vegetables
• Fruit
Foods you will want to avoid at all times are things that are hard to chew, crunchy, sticky, or have a pit. For example:
• Candy
• Caramel
• Gum
• Pop corn
• Nuts
• Raw vegetables
• Chips
• Pizza crust
There are some foods and drinks that should be limited when in treatment to prevent tooth decay, cavities and sensitivity. For example:
• Sodas
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Sweets
• Anything that contains a lot of sugar
Be sure to brush and floss after every meal! This will help prevent food and sugars from being stuck in the braces a surfacing on the teeth and gums for an extended period of time.
Take extra precautions and follow these tips throughout treatment to prevent any potential damage and you will have a beautiful smile in no time. If any questions ever arise during treatment please call your orthodontic office for guidance.
National Orthodontic Health Month!
October is National Orthodontic Health Month!
This October we are offering a HUGE discount for anyone who starts treatment here with us this month! Any new patient that schedules a consultation and starts their braces will receive a $500 discount whether you are looking for traditional, ceramic, invisalign or lingual braces!
We would love nothing more than to give you the best smile for the best price. Give us a call to get your consultation scheduled and go over some treatment options that will work best for you to get that beautiful smile you have been longing for.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to give us a call here at the office.
970-980-2145
Hearts And Horses 15th Annual Gala
Taft Hill Orthodontics is proud to support Lucky Hearts & Horses 15th annual Gala Lucky Hearts casino night! This even will be taking place Saturday October 3rd from 5:30 to midnight at:
Embassy Suites 4705 Clydesdale Pkwy, Loveland, CO 80538
This event will be a fun non-profit all night event that you won’t forget! They are anticipating around 600 guests to show for this amazing event and would love for anyone to join! For tickets and more information or to make any donation to the charity please visit their website for more information.
This non-profit event will help promote and support the physical and emotional well-being of people with special needs through therapeutic programs involving their horses. There are several ways of giving to Hearts & Horses such as donations, gift cards, and even by shopping on Amazon.
Taft Hill Orthodontics provides orthodontic services to may people associated with Hearts & Horses. We love to help this organization in any way we can and this year our team was able to provide two WaterPiks and two Oral B Electronic tooth brushes.
How To Inconspicuously Straighten Your Teeth
At Taft Hill Orthodontists, we can use innovative techniques and technology to make traditional orthodontics look more discrete and speed up the duration of the treatment time. However, when it comes to inconspicuous orthodontic methods, many patients believe Invisalign® is the clear winner. Using a system of removable plastic aligners, Invisalign® can effectively straighten your teeth in a manner that is virtually undetectable to others.
In addition to the cosmetic advantages during treatment, Invisalign® has a number of other benefits. Since the clear plastic aligners are removable, cleaning your teeth, orthodontic maintenance, and eating are simplified. The Invisalign® treatment also typically requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office than metal braces. Many patients report that the aligners are fairly comfortable to wear and do not require the initial adjustment period that patients who choose traditional orthodontics often find unpleasant. Though not every patient will be an ideal candidate for Invisalign®, the treatment can be an effective option for most people, including teenagers. During the consultation process, we will use a physical exam to help determine if Invisalign® is the best method for you to achieve straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
-Dr. T.C. Hardy
Contact Us
For more information about Invisalign® or Invisalign Teen®, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.
Braces Get An Upgrade With Orthodontic Innovations
Though orthodontics are most often associated with children, more and more adults are now choosing to correct the alignment of their teeth and address cosmetic concerns that have bothered them since childhood. With new techniques we can straighten your teeth in less time and with less conspicuous methods. For example, the AcceleDent® Aura is an oral appliance that can be used for just 20 minutes a day to dramatically speed up the duration of your orthodontic treatment by quickening the bone remodeling process. Or, as an alternative to placing the braces on the front of the teeth, lingual braces can be discreetly hidden on the back of the teeth and are invisible to others for the duration of your treatment.
With an initial consultation and physical exam, we can help you decide which method of orthodontics can best achieve your goal of straight teeth and a beautiful smile. In addition, after orthodontic treatment, the majority of our patients experience a boost of confidence in their professional and personal lives. By taking control of your teeth now, you can take pride in your smile for decades to come.
Contact Us
For more information about orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.
Thanksgiving Coat Drive to Benefit the Murphy Center for Hope
Taft Hill Orthodontics is having a coat and jacket drive to benefit the Murphy Center for Hope. The Center provides resources for homeless families and individuals, as well as a safe place for people to shower, eat, and wash their clothes. The organization also offers the following services:
- Housing assistance
- Job training
- Play area for children
- Employment resources
- Transportation assistance
- Counseling for mental health and/or substance abuse
- Health and medical care assistance
We chose to support the Murphy Center for Hope because of all the different avenues they provide for people to get help. If you have any gently used coats, sweaters, and jackets, we invite you to come join us in supporting the Center’s noble cause! Our coat drive ends on November 21, 2014, so make sure to bring in your articles of clothing before then!
Contact Us
For more information about our clothing drive, please call us at 970-980-2145 or contact us via our website.
Welcome to Our New Orthodontic Website!
Welcome to the website for Taft Hill Orthodontics. It is our goal to keep you informed about the various options for orthodontic treatment by providing educational resources here on our site. We invite you to browse through the information provided to learn more about traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign®, orthodontic care and maintenance, and more. On our blog, you can also find news about upcoming events and information from Dr. T.C. Hardy and our staff. If you have questions about anything you have read on our website, please feel free to contact us to learn more, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hardy. We look forward to helping you in any way we can!
