Marvelous Molasses Cookies for Everyone From Orchin Orthodontics

Check out this brace friendly recipe from Brenda and Pam Waterman in their book, The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (And Your Orthodontist) Will Love.

Anyone with braces knows that it's important to avoid sticky foods, crunchy foods, hard foods, chewy foods, and so on. It's easy to look at the list and think, "What can I eat?" The Watermans' new book tackles that question with creative and thorough answers in the form of 50 braces-friendly recipes, plus additional tips and advice – enough to reassure any doubter.

Marvelous Molasses Cookies

They smell wonderful even before baking, they melt in your mouth, and they never harden up. Yum – the best of gingerbread and ginger snaps in one!

* 1 cup shortening
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup molasses
* 1/2 cup warm water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ginger
* 2 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Baking time 11 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, brown sugar, egg, salt and molasses, using an electric mixer and beating until fluffy. Add cinnamon and ginger. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir the baking soda into the warm water; add water mixture to the molasses mixture alternately with the flour until well blended.

Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about four dozen. Store in a covered container.

Meet Our Mascot Cody at Orchin Orthodontics

You may have seen Cody, our cockapoo mascot, hanging out in the office lately. Cody is Dr. Jerry's dog, and he loves lounging about at Orchin Orthodontics. He can't wait to see you at your next visit to our office.

Invisalign for Teens and Complex Cases -- Dr. Orchin, Washington DC

Dr. Andrew Orchin recently returned from a three day continuing education course dedicated to Invisalign treatment. While Orchin Orthodontics was one of the first practices in the country to begin using the Invisalign Teen product, newer innovations and technologies were unveiled at this course that allow even more complex cases to be treated with Invisalign instead of using traditional metal braces. Most teenagers can still benefit from the traditional method of metal braces, especially if their bite is off and needs to be corrected with rubber bands, but newer methods allow Invisalign to correct many of the problems it initially couldn't handle. The Invisalign Teen product is a great way to get that smile that makes you smile, in a clear, comfortable manner. Invisalign is also great for most adult treatments, including closing spaces, alleviating crowding and even preparing for dental implants. Please give Orchin Orthodontics a call at 202-686-5100 to learn more!

Orchin Orthodontics Patient Reviews

Orchin Orthodontics provides superior orthodontic treatment to Washington D.C. residents. Just see what their patients have to say!Smiles greet us when we walk in. Dr. Orchin and his staff are friendly and patient with our "hectic" and sometimes scared little darlings.
-Peter H.

They are so friendly and the staff is soooo responsive that I feel like family when I come there :)
-Eliot B.

The quality of orthodontic work performed on other patients that I personally know was excellent! That is why I chose Orchin Orthodontics.
-Richard S.

They entire staff is truly warm and friendly. Also, I can be in and out in a very timely manner.
-Sara H.

Orchin Orthodontics provides a friendly and very clean environment. They are known to be the best.
-Dick S.

Gummy Tummy - Orchin Orthodontics

We know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from Orchin Orthodontics!

Understanding Cavities - Orchin Orthodontics

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but, what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? - Washington, DC

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Orchin is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 202-609-8948.