What are you reading this summer?

Now that summer has finally reached us in Mount Juliet and Lebanon, TN, some of us at Benson Orthodontics wanted to remind all our patients that summer is a great time to catch up on reading! Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide.” Besides, it's fun!

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, Dr. Benson and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Ask Dr. Benson: Am I too old for braces?

With more than 65 years of experience in orthodontics, our team of highly-trained professionals at Benson Orthodontics strives to provide you with the very best orthodontic care using state of the art technology. Recently, our doctor and staff at Benson Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is due to the fact that people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Benson can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr.Benson would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

How nail biting affects your oral health, from Benson Orthodontics

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Benson Orthodontics found an interesting article in the Huffington Post on about how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health. Today, Dr. Benson and our team would discuss some of the key topics that were presented in the article.


Firstly, let’s get the facts straight. Technically, nail biting is called Onychophagia, and is a very widespread habit among many age groups. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, unhealthy for your teeth, and expensive!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary- Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth- Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either- Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly- Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Benson or visit this article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Orthodontic fun facts with Benson Orthodontics

Everyone loves fun facts. They're just so fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Benson Orthodontics thought you would enjoy!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79). The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Have a great week everyone!
-Your friends at Benson Orthodontics