The importance of mouth guards, from Benson Orthodontics

The team at Benson Orthodontics understands the importance of participating in outdoor activities. This week we talk about mouth guards, what they are, when to use them, the works. If you have any additional questions, give us a call at Benson Orthodontics. We'd love to hear from you!

Q: What are athletic mouth protectors?

A: Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.

Q: Why are mouth guards important?

A: Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment. They protect not just the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They help protect children from such head and neck injuries as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

Q: When should my child wear a mouth guard?

A: Whenever he or she is in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

Q: How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

A: Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard. So, choose a mouth guard that your child can wear comfortably. If a mouth guard feels bulky or interferes with speech, it will be left in the locker room. Dr. Benson can advise you on what type of mouth guard is best for your child.

Ask Dr. Benson: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Benson Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Benson the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Summer fun with Benson Orthodontics!

It’s summer here at Benson Orthodontics in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, TN, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting America’s open roads or just having fun in the backyard, Dr. Benson and our team want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy travels,

-From Benson Orthodontics

What do you love about Benson Orthodontics?

Benson Orthodontics serving Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, TN, would to hear about your experience with Dr. Bartley Benson and staff! From your very first visit to Benson Orthodontics, our doctor and team strive to provide the very best orthodontic care with the latest technology. That's why we thought that we would ask you today, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Benson's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

You may write a review for one of our offices on Google Places, or you can connect with us on our Facebook page!

Thank you,

-Dr. Benson and team

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.