Preparing for Cold and Flu Season, from Dr. McClellan

At McClellan Orthodontics, we know that no one wants to get sick when they visit the orthodontist! That's why we take additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs during cold and flu season.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at McClellan Orthodontics if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

McClellan Orthodontics wishes you a happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. McClellan and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy a day filled of friends, family, and great Thanksgiving food! What are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What do you enjoy most about fall in Kenilworth?

It’s fall here at McClellan Orthodontics, a time when the leaves change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to plan for the upcoming holidays.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Dr. McClellan and our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within our Kenilworth community. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

Dr. McClellan thanks everyone who participated in our Halloween Candy Buyback

Our team at McClellan Orthodontics would like to thank all of our patients who participated in the Halloween Candy Buyback. Dr. McClellan is excited to share that Anna F. was the lucky winner of the iPod Touch in our raffle. Overall, we collected 750 pounds of candy that were donated to Misericordia and a local nursing home. What a fun way to share the bounty - and the sweet and spooky spirit of Halloween!

To view all of the photos from our Halloween Candy Buyback, be sure to visit our Facebook page. Thank you!

Smile wider, live longer, from Kenilworth orthodontist Dr. McClellan!

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. McClellan 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 McClellan Orthodontics on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!