Our Blog

As valued patients, colleagues and friends, we feel it’s very important to update you on the steps we’re taking to help ensure your safety and that of our team members. The health and safety of our patients, our team and the community at large are of the utmost concern at Studebaker Orthodontics.

Like for many of you, this pandemic is on the forefront of our minds, and we are monitoring the situation closely and acting in accordance with various action plans and OSHA protocols.

We advise our community to follow the government and local authorities' authorities recommendations and remain informed about recent developments regarding the containment and prevention of the COVID-19 virus. You can find detailed information and advice at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

and Texas Health and Human Services website:

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/

Regarding our employee and patients’ safety; As orthodontic professionals, our office is trained in the proper procedures and protocols to maintain a sterile and safe environment. We follow strict sanitary and preventive measures to avoid spreading any type of disease. Surfaces and equipment are routinely sterilized between patient visits. Team members who are responsible for your treatment always wear protective gear such as gloves, facemasks and eye cover. We have distributed information to our team members who closely follows CDC recommendations for preventative actions to help thwart the spread of the virus. If any team member displays symptoms, he or she will immediately be asked to seek a medical diagnosis and stay home with our full support, both for themselves and for their family, until the symptoms pass.

We ask that if you display any symptoms, refrain from visiting the office. Call us so we can properly arrange your continued care.

Rest assured, we are maintaining our protocols to the highest standard during this time, in which heightened concerns and precautions are required to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Thank you for your business and for the trust you continue to place in us. Know that we are here to assist you in any way we can.

Being that the start of summer is right around the corner, we wanted to write a lighthearted blog on a lighthearted topic……ice cream.

Did you know that the average American eats 23 pounds of ice cream a year? Well, your Studebaker Orthodontics team is definitely part of this statistic! Vanilla is the most popular flavor, followed by chocolate, and hot fudge is America’s favorite ice cream topping.

Some unfortunate people experience the mysterious “Brain Freeze” when they eat ice cream. But rest assured this is just a harmless side effect of the blood vessels on the roof of your mouth, (and you didn’t think we were going to mention your mouth in this blog, did you?!), which are quickly constricting due to cold temperatures. The simple solution to prevent this is to slow down and enjoy your ice cream. We know it’s hard, but you can do it.

Why don’t you test this simple solution yourself, by joining us at our annual Studebaker Orthodontics Ice Cream Social held on Thursday, June 6th, between 6:00pm and 7:30pm. Let’s see who can savor their ice cream, while chilling with your favorite Doc and his amazing Ortho Team. The Great Brain Freeze Challenge is on!! See you there

Spring is right around the corner, and that means Spring Break!! Some of you may be flying off on a fun vacation, or just driving to the next town over. If you or your child have braces, you are going to want to be extra careful to ensure that no wires or brackets become loose or out of place while away. The last thing you want to do is take time away from your family or friends to try and fix your problem. Our team at Studebaker Orthodontics want to ensure you have a great vacation and follow our simple rules.

Be Mindful of What you Eat……..
One of the biggest threats to your braces during your vacation is what you eat. No matter where you go during your travels, you’re bound to come across a variety of delicious treats and meals that will make your mouth water. Remember that certain foods can cause damage to your braces. Specifically, you should avoid hard and sticky foods, since biting into something hard or chewing a sticky snack can apply enough force to bend your arch wire or snap a bracket right off your tooth! If that happens, your braces are not doing their job.

Don’t Break your Hygiene Routine……..
One of the purposes of vacation is to break away from your daily routine and go on an adventure. When you have braces, the oral hygiene part of your routine is something you can’t afford to let fall by the wayside. If you don’t maintain your regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine, you’re letting bacteria build up on your teeth, increasing the chance of developing tooth decay, or puffy and sore gums.

Always bring a Travel Kit………
Whether you feel sudden pain because a wire has started poking you, a bracket has come loose or food has gotten lodged between your brackets. Having the proper items will make you comfortable. Here are some essentials to pack in your travel kit:
• Toothbrush
• Floss/Floss Threaders
• Interproximal Brushes
• Orthodontic Wax
• Mouth rinse/Fluoride Rinse
• Nail clippers

Don’t Panic…..
Many problems with braces, while uncomfortable, are not truly emergencies that necessitate finding an orthodontist while traveling out of town. Some situations are easily relieved by “Dr. Mom” until you can get back home and into Studebaker Orthodontics.
The most common orthodontic emergency is a wire poking. The discomfort comes from the wire poking the gum tissue around the back band or the cheek. If this happens, get the end of the wire as dry as possible and place wax over the area until Dr. Studebaker can fix it. (A small cotton ball can also be dampened and place over the wire in the back. Occasionally, this may hold better than the wax). Another use for wax is loose or wiggly brackets. Get the loose bracket as dry as possible and cover with wax until Dr. Studebaker can replace the bracket. Clipping the wire with nail clippers can also help a poking wire. Clip the wire as far back as you can get and slide the wire out to make yourself or your child comfortable.

Keep up with Retainers………
Continue to wear your retainers every night. It’s tempting to leave retainers at home, but teeth can move in as little as a week and that’s a risk you do not want to take. Keep your retainers in a safe place, you do not want to lose them and spend part of your vacation “dumpster diving” to find them.

Enjoy your Vacation…….
Most importantly, have an absolutely wonderful vacation. Any minor orthodontic problems will be a distant memory when you look back at cherished photos, and don’t forget to call Studebaker Orthodontics at 281-251-9229, to help with any problems you may have encountered.

Thinking about braces, or maybe your general dentist recommended you see an Orthodontist for an evaluation and consultation. Don’t let the prospect of you or your child starting braces overwhelm you. Learning about all the steps in the orthodontic process will make it stress free, and it all begins with your complimentary consultation at Studebaker Orthodontics. There’s a lot to discuss at this first appointment and we are here to help. The orthodontic consultation is the first step toward achieving your very best smile.

The length of your consultation depends on a few things. The complexity of your case is a huge factor. There may be multiple phases or steps necessary in the treatment. The goal of your consultation is for you to learn more about our practice and your potential treatment plan, and for us to learn about you and your teeth. The consultation will usually take about 1 hour.

During your consultation we will perform the following steps.

• Tour of our office
• A Panorex X-ray
• Photographs of your face and teeth
• Review of your medical and dental history
• Oral Exam
• Treatment Planning, (explanation of treatment)
• Estimate, (explanation of costs, insurance coverage and payment options)

During your consultation it is important to make sure all of your questions are answered about the proposed treatment plan.

Dr. Studebaker, a board certified orthodontist, will evaluate every patient and provide the treatment plan that best fits your needs. Having a great smile, with healthy teeth, gums and jaw is an investment that will last you the rest of your life. We provide orthodontics to children, teens and adults. We invite you to schedule your complimentary consultation with Studebaker Orthodontics at, 281-251-9229 today.