At Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc., we know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step, as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re a teen or an adult. Smiling not only puts people in a good mood, but doing it often can even help you live longer!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment with Dr. Richard Talbot. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s advanced techniques can straighten your smile! And if you are apprehensive about traditional braces, clear aligners can be a great treatment option.

Don’t hide your smile any longer. Give us a call today to schedule your or your child’s orthodontic consultation at our convenient Citrus Heights or Roseville, CA office. See you soon!

Have you ever thought of giving a beautiful smile to someone you love? A beautiful smile is a priceless gift. There are many options to achieve straight and beautiful teeth. Dr. Talbot offers the latest in technology in orthodontic treatment. Invisalign and InOvation braces are an excellent way to reach the goal of straight teeth.

A person’s smile is the first impression that we get when we meet someone. When we have straight beautiful teeth, we gain confidence and poise. So be a confidence builder and give the gift of orthodontic treatment to your graduate. This gift will last a lifetime and summer is a perfect time to start! Call Dr. Dr. Talbot’s office today and schedule a complimentary exam.

So, you just got your braces on, and you’re wondering why you should continue visiting your general dentist since you’re seeing Dr. Richard Talbot every other month. Patients always ask us if they should continue to see their dentist while in orthodontic treatment. In short, the answer is yes.

Today, we thought we would share a few reasons why it’s crucial to keep up with your regular visits with your dentist in addition to coming in for your regular adjustments at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc..

One of the best reasons to visit your dentist while you undergo orthodontic treatment is to remove plaque and tartar. Having braces provides additional nooks and crannies in which food particles and bacteria can hide. Eventually, plaque and tartar can form around your brackets, bands or other appliances which can lead to cavities. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can help ensure most, if not all, plaque and tartar is removed. Even if you are undergoing clear aligner treatment, dental checkups and cleanings are equally as important.

The next reason to visit a dentist is to help protect your teeth from decalcification, or the loss of calcium in your teeth. A potentially serious condition in which white spots on your tooth surfaces, decalcification is irreversible and if left untreated, can lead to cavities. Decalcification is preventable; patients who cut down on sugary sweets and acidic foods, practice good oral hygiene, and visit their dentist regularly can help prevent decalcification.

The final reason we recommend visiting your dentist while you have braces is this: cavities can prolong your treatment. If you are interested in completing your orthodontic treatment on time and without any delays, visiting your dentist every six months or as recommended can go a long way toward making that a realistic goal. Your dentist can provide fluoride treatments or other treatments that strengthen your teeth and protect them from cavities.

Making sure to visit your dentist will help ensure your teeth look their best once your braces come off. If you do not have a general dentist and would like a recommendation on finding one in the Citrus Heights or Roseville, CA area, please give us a call or let us know at your next adjustment appointment!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? After all, there isn’t a better time to celebrate physical activity as when the warm weather and sunshine makes its way back into our lives!

Now that the flowers are in bloom and the weather has warmed up, it’s easier to go outside and soak up the sun. After spending the winter working out in gyms or doing crunches at home, exercising outdoors can be a lot more enjoyable as well. Whether you enjoy hikes, jogging, or biking, spring gives us a chance to smell the grass, take in the rays, and enjoy the blue sky—all senses that we just can’t duplicate at the gym.

If jogging or biking isn’t your cup of tea, we encourage you to try a sport! Sports have some amazing qualities that we often overlook. Team sports like baseball and soccer, and individual sports like golf and tennis can improve your coordination and agility, in addition to building determination, confidence, drive, hard-work, pride, leadership, and time management.

At Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc., we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouthguard or other form of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, or to ask us about obtaining a mouthguard, please give us a call!

If you have been thinking about undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment, the first step is scheduling an orthodontic consultation at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc.. During the consultation we will actively listen to your concerns and address all of your questions, as well as discuss a treatment options that would best suit you or your child’s situation.

Here are the top five questions that most patients want answered during their initial orthodontic consultation:

• Can I benefit from orthodontic treatment, and if so, how long will it take?
• How frequently will my appointments be scheduled?
• Can I expect any pain when getting braces? (Ask Dr. Richard Talbot about the ways we address pain management).
• Will I need to have teeth extracted, headgear, expansion appliance, etc.?
• How much will it cost and what payment options do you offer?

Visit our website for more answers to your questions prior to your initial consultation. Dr. Richard Talbot and our team at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc. are happy to answer all your questions and concerns, and excited to explain all aspects of your treatment plan, as well as the expected outcome. We believe your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you with the smile you’ve always wanted.

The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, and a surprising 20 million people participated on that day. Ultimately, it became the largest organized celebration in US history.

Earth Day Over the Years

Over the years, the recognition of the day, and the number of people celebrating it all over the world, turned Earth Day into an international celebration. Because it is celebrated throughout the world, it is not only the largest international environmental observation, but it is also more widely celebrated than any other environmental event in the world. Today, Earth Day is celebrated in 175 countries where over 500 million people participate in celebrations.

The Earth Day Movement

The Earth Day movement is credited with developing the idea that people should “think green”. It encouraged congress to enact laws, including one that resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It also inspired the passage of the Endangered Species Act.

The Five R’s and Their Importance

• Reduce – Reduce by avoiding unnecessary purchases. Reduce your use of materials that wind up in landfills. Reduce the use of chemicals around your house. Reduce your use of disposable bags, plates, cups, eating utensils, and batteries.
• Reuse – Instead of using plastic bags for your groceries or purchases, bring your own reusable bags. When you go to buy coffee at Starbucks, take a travel mug so you don’t have to get your coffee in a disposable paper cup. Instead of storing food in disposable refrigerator containers, buy containers that can be washed and reused. Don’t use regular batteries. Whenever possible, opt for rechargeable batteries that you can reuse.
• Recycle – Most cities offer a recycling program to collect used bottles, cans, and newspapers. Recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers and manufacturing raw materials into new products.
• Re-buy – Make an effort to purchase things that are made through recycling. When purchasing furniture, look for items that are made from reclaimed wood. When buying paper for kids school work, computer printer paper, holiday cards, or anything else, make a point of purchasing recycled paper products. Instead of buying clothing at full retail price, shop for second hand clothing. You will save a lot of money by doing so!
• Rethink – Rethink the way you do things so that you do them in an eco-conscious way at all times. Instead of driving to work alone, consider taking the bus or going in a carpool. Walk or ride your bike when you’re only going a short distance. Plan your shopping trips and errand runs so that you can do everything on one day, and do it in a way where you can save time and gas.

Other ways to “think green” include growing your own food, composting yard waste and food scraps, or by participating in local recycling programs. Join a group like Freecycle so you can share your unneeded and unwanted possessions with people who can use them. Likewise, you’ll be able to get things you need or want for free.

Earth Day teaches people that the planet belongs to everyone, so everyone is equally responsible for protecting it. Although Earth Day is an environmental celebration, our team at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc. wants to remind you that you don’t have to wait until then to make changes that will allow you and your family to live a greener life.

Happy Earth Day from the team at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc..

• Chewy, sticky, or gummy food
• Apples, pears and other whole fruits (cut fruit into thin wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Bubble gum
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies
• Hard cookies
• Pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews

Finally, if you have clear aligners and you lose your tray, don’t worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home!

Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation!

The term “prom” comes from the word “promenade,” meaning a march of guests into a ballroom to announce the beginning of a formal event or ball. During the Victorian era in the United States, when social class distinctions were much more important than they are today, it was not uncommon for members of the upper class to hold grand balls where each guest was announced before entering. A similar event for younger people, the debutante ball, was also quite common among the upper classes. In a debutante ball, girls who were entering a certain stage of adolescence officially “came out” into the dating scene to meet appropriate suitors their parents had selected. Strict etiquette was a must at these balls, and young girls and their escorts wore only the finest of apparel.

The first proms came about as middle-class replications of the grand debutante balls. Parents in the middle class admired the poise of the debutantes and wished the same for their own young teens. Thus, proms were created as less expensive, less elaborate affairs where teenagers could meet in their finest clothes to share dinner (and sometimes dancing) while learning social etiquette together.
While evidence of the first high school proms was not recorded in high school yearbooks until the 1930s and 1940s. The “Prom” may have then been nothing more than a fancy name for a regular junior or senior class dance, its classification as a special night was definitely in existence and it would only continue to grow in status during the coming century.

At the high school level, proms were likely a regular event by the early 1900s. These proms were generally simple affairs where youth came only to dine together in their Sunday best. Dancing had also become an essential added element of the prom by the 1920’s and 1930’s. Rather than a simple gathering, the prom was now an annual class banquet where students met with each other and danced afterward. By the 1950s, Americans were enjoying more affluence than ever before, and the importance and fancy nature of proms grew in relation. Proms moved from high school gyms to hotel ballrooms or country club banquet halls, and competition for the best dress and the best escort greatly intensified. Prom also developed into a hallmark moment in a teen’s life, and being voted into the “Prom Court” became a popular aspiration. Indeed, as expensive prom dresses and fancy tuxedos became the norm, prom became less of a simple gathering of young people and more of a time to show off and be admired.

These elaborate productions come straight from the creative minds of the students. The planning and anticipation of hosting the perfect event draws students together and builds leadership skills and lasting relationships as well. Students make it their own by choosing location, theme, menu, and so much more. Proms are also beginning to grow more and more liberal in the twenty-first century. It is now not always required for a teen to have a date to attend the prom–and many teenagers are choosing to attend the prom in groups, making the night less of a date event and more of a meaningful way to commemorate high school friendships. Some youth see it as the ultimate high school event, while others see it simply as a fun and fancy way to celebrate high school life and friendship.

As we near the end of another school year, our young adults put on their best dress attire and attend the Junior Prom and Senior Ball dances that have been so strategically planned out. The formal photos capture this special moment in time and Dr. Talbot and his staff would like to celebrate with all of our students. Share your prom experiences and photos with us. Dr. Talbot and team would love to see your beautiful smile on your special night. Send pictures either on Facebook, email or drop it by and we will post it! Don’t forget!!! We would like to collect 100 photos of 2013 formal events.

It’s springtime and it’s again time to remind our patients at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc. to protect their faces and pearly whites while out on the field playing sports. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events annually.

If you are planning on participating in spring sports, it’s imperative to have a proper-fitting mouthguard. Mouthguards can prevent chipped or broken teeth, lip and cheek injuries, jaw fractures, mouth lacerations and even concussions.

Having a mouthguard can make the difference between losing your teeth or not, and because many of our patients who play high school sports have jaws that are still growing, last year’s mouthguard may no longer fit as it should. Dr. Richard Talbot and our team at Richard D. Talbot, DMD, MS, Inc. can fit you for a new guard.

To learn more about mouthguards or for general questions about your treatment at our Citrus Heights or Roseville, CA office, please give us a call!

Time is something that we want the most, but we use worst. As people we set a schedule for ourselves, use a Day Timer, a PDA, and our iPhones to keep us on track in our daily routines. The importance of keeping on time is not just important to us as the keeper of our own schedule but it communicates value to those whom we have set appointments with. Unfortunately, people tend to squeeze as much as possible into a 24 hour day. They overbook themselves, lose quality in the quantity, and run late early in the day which then “snowballs” later and later all day long. The intent of having a schedule is to accomplish things in a timely manner.

At the onset of orthodontic treatment in Dr. Talbot’s office, every patient is given an orientation. This is an opportunity to go over their timeline of treatment, the importance of impeccable hygiene, cooperation, and being committed to appointments. Dr. Talbot sees great importance in running his practice on time. It shows his patients how much he appreciates them and their participation in their own timeline of treatment. Patients are always encouraged to arrive 5-10 minutes early. This allows them to check-in, brush their teeth and be ready before their appointment time actually starts. When they are ready and seen on time, this allows for the patient scheduled after them to be seen on time.

Habitual tardiness can affect treatment in a negative way as well by extending the timeline. All patients deserve to get the most out of each and every appointment scheduled We know that families are busy and have places to be before and after their orthodontic appointments. We truly appreciate all of our families who take pride in being proactive in their treatment and keeping it on track!