Smile now, and smile often!

Our team at Frydenlund Orthodontics recently came across a very interesting study, which we wanted to share with you today. Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Frydenlund has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from 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 took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos 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.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Frydenlund Orthodontics on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

What do patients love about Frydenlund Orthodontics?

Frydenlund Orthodontics, serving Fenton and Flint, MI and surrounding areas, has been receiving some amazing patient reviews lately! When current patients were asked, "What do you like best about our practice?" we received some pretty great testimonials! Check out what our patients are saying about Dr. Frydenlund and team!

"I love that I am able to schedule all three of my children, for their appointments, at the same time. Dr. Frydenlund and his staff are always on schedule and very pleasant." ~Elaine

"Everything. Especially the exceptional front desk people. They are talented, entertaining and posses brilliant minds. Their beauty is unsurpassed." ~Kurt

"It used to be the helpful smiling faces, but now that there is 24/7 online access and email/text appointment reminders....the website!" ~Angela

"The well-organized staff which means that appointments are efficient and on-time. It's a BIG advantage over other health professionals." ~Matthew

Ask Dr. Frydenlund: Why are retainers so important?

If you recently completed treatment at the office of Dr. Frydenlund, we’d like to congratulate you on your beautiful smile! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Frydenlund 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 by Dr. Frydenlund is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Frydenlund Orthodontics, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call.

Have a great week!

-Dr. Frydenlund and team

Parental Spotlight: 7 tips for traveling with teens

Hey, parents! Are you planning that perfect family vacation for the whole family? Here at Frydenlund Orthodontics, we know that summer is the season when many families choose to hit the open road- or catch a flight- to make those memories together. That’s why we want to share a few tips for summer travel from our friends at Shine.

1) Have your teens set the pace—and even the itinerary. No teen wants to be dragged around a city that they have no interest in. By allowing everyone a voice in the trip itinerary, children and parents alike become more invested in the vacation.

2) Everyone offers up a playlist. A trip soundtrack isn’t complete without a hodgepodge of every family member’s favorite tracks!

3) Set a limit on phones/electronics use. This decision has to be specific to your family, but a good rule of thumb is that if you’re setting the rules for minute limits or cell phone check-ins that all family members should stick to them- not just teens and tweens.

4) Keep food & drinks on hand. Sometimes a snack is all you need to stay cheery- hunger can oftentimes create unnecessary arguments and tension between families.

5) Don’t make them clean the hotel room. While on vacation, the same rules that apply at home for cleaning don’t necessarily apply while staying in a hotel.

6) Set a gift shop budget. These costs can add up quickly, so be sure to set limits ahead of time!

7) Give them a little freedom. When traveling with tweens and teens, it is important that they are able to have some areas, maybe a five-block radius or even the hotel lobby, where they are able to wander without the whole family.

We hope that these tips are useful for helping plan those family vacations! For more articles on parenting and for the parenting pick of the day, check out Shine. Also, if you have any great family vacation photos, feel free to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy travels,
-Your friends at Frydenlund Orthodontics