Is your contact information at Tidewater Orthodontics current?

We hope you all had a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend! If you've seen the news lately, you probably know there is some nasty weather ahead this winter in Virginia and even across the eastern seaboard.

Please help our staff at Tidewater Orthodontics get prepared by calling us and letting us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

At times of power outages and inclement weather, we need to be able to get a hold of you. Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you and we wish you a happy holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving from Tidewater Orthodontics

Our entire team at Tidewater Orthodontics would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat, especially with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you post them on our Facebook page!

Gobble Gobble!

At Tidewater Orthodontics, easy and reliable access to your account any day, any time!

At Tidewater Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or ask us on Facebook!

Do cold germs actually live on your toothbrush?

Fall is here, and with it the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, our team at Tidewater Orthodontics will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• 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 your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Candy Buy Back at Tidewater Orthodontics!

In an effort to promote a safe and healthy Halloween for kids, Tidewater Orthodontics this week is buying back the candy that young trick-or-treaters collected this year. But here's the twist: we work with a nonprofit organization called Smiles Change Lives through the 2010 Candy Exchange, and will donate $1 to Smiles Change Lives for each pound of candy collected. Smiles Change Lives, which has treated more than 1,200 children since 1997, helps kids from low-income families receive braces.

Our goal is 1,000 pounds of candy. This entire week, we will be accepting donations of candy in exchange for goodie bags containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, coupons and other items. Thanks to Sandra J. Pennecke at the Virginian-Pilot for helping spread the word!

“Our ultimate goal is to get kids braces who otherwise wouldn’t get them,” said Dr. Dailey. “We also want to call attention to tooth decay and try to prevent kids with braces from damaging them during Halloween time.”

A raffle will be held for door prizes, and a special prize will be given out to the person who brings in the most candy.

We hope to see you this week!