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things you should know before choosing a pennsylvania pa orthodontist
Finding a Pennsylvania(PA) orthodontist that is right for you or your child can be challenging. To help aid you in your search for the perfect orthodontist, we have put together the top 10 things you must know before choosing your orthodontist. We invite you to read it over and see if Spark Orthodontics will be a good fit for you!
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Tongue Thrusts Raise Havoc While Kids Are Growing in Bethlehem and Temple PA…

14_tongue-thrustAt Bethlehem Orthodontics, we think about how many processes of the human body take place unconsciously. As we make our way through the day, we are constantly breathing, blinking, keeping our balance, and doing a thousand other tiny things we never give a second thought.

One such unconscious behavior is the way we chew and swallow our food. Virtually from birth, consuming food is such a primal act that it would never occur to most people to pay attention to the way we go about it. Infants swallow with their tongues thrusted against their gums, which is fine for babies and very young children. However, as people get a bit older, they usually change over to a swallow with the tongue placed on the roof of the mouth.

Most people develop this unconscious ability to chew and swallow in the natural manner by about age 7. However, some people never stop swallowing with their tongues against their teeth. The formal medical term for this condition in adults is “orofacial muscular imbalance” or in simple terms… a tongue thrust. It can cause serious problems in the long run, especially with how teeth and jaws come together when children are growing.

Your immediate reaction may be, “So what? How can something as small as the placement of someone’s tongue be such a big deal?” Consider a couple of facts first. Human beings swallow between 1,200 and 2,000 times every day. With each individual swallow, the tongue puts about 4 pounds of pressure on whatever surface it is placed against. The soft and resilient tissue of the roof of the mouth can handle this pressure well, but teeth simply cannot.

The tongue is a very strong muscle and over time will push the front teeth forward and apart from the lower teeth and actually affect jaw growth causing them to grow apart. This creates space between the upper and lower teeth, which is known as an “open bite.” Tongue thrusting can also sometimes lead to an embarrassing lisp because the normal air tight seal is not created to form all words correctly.

The bad bite created by tongue thrusting can be addressed with orthodontic treatment. Dr. Jason Hartman can evaluate if braces and appliances can bring the teeth back to their rightful positions and correct adverse jaw growth if treated early before a child stops growing. If it is not caught in time, surgical intervention as an adult is the only way to correct the problem.

Also, be aware if the underlying cause of tongue thrusting such as mouth breathing from allergies or enlarged tonsils and adenoids is not addressed, the orthodontic correction can relapse. Retainer wear to maintain the correction is critical under these circumstances.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This check-up can catch a number of different problems in time for early orthodontic treatment to be effective. Tongue thrusting is one such problem that can be redirected if caught early.

You are your child’s first defense against orthodontic problems that can hinder healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Do not hesitate—contact our office to schedule a free consultation today to determine if your child is a candidate for early orthodontic preventative treatment.

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Get The Smile You've Always Dreamed Of!

Spark Orthodontics can help you or your loved one achieve a smile that benefits dental health as much as it increases confidence. However, we want you to feel confident that your choice in an orthodontist in PA, is the right one. Follow the steps below and get that smile you have always dreamed of.

  1. Instantly Download his Report: Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist in Pennsylvania.
  2. Please call 610.223.7777 to ask questions or set up your free Spark Smile Assessment!
  3. Contact one of our orthodontic offices in Reading, Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Schnecksville, Schuylkill Haven, Lancaster, York, Danville, Hazleton or Freeland, PA, via our online form.
Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing a Pennsylvania PA Orthodontist

Finding the orthodontist office in PA that is right for you can be a challenge. To help aid you in your search for the perfect orthodontist office for you, we have put together the top ten most important features to look for in an orthodontic office. We invite you to read it over and see if Spark Orthodontics will be a good fit for you!



Temple PA Orthodontists
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At Spark Orthodontics, we accept virtually all insurances. We also help with paperwork submissions and filing. Additionally, we offer many financing options with no money down and flexible terms.

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Accelerate Your Treatment By Up To 50% With Spark
Traditional orthodontic treatment can take up to two years to complete. At Spark Orthodontics, we offer a system that allows you to speed up treatment by up to 50%! Ask for more details during your no-obligation Spark Smile Assessment.

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Finding an orthodontist in PA you like, trust, and ultimately feel comfortable with can be challenging. For this reason, we invite you to take advantage of our Spark Smile Assessment at no charge and no obligation! The assessment includes a comprehensive initial exam, digital x-rays, consultation and analysis, a $249 value - yours for free!

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does my child need braces
Will Your Child Need Braces?

As orthodontists, we get many questions from parents just like you, who are not sure if their child needs braces, if they should see an orthodontist, as well as many other questions. We invite you to download this free report to help answer these questions.

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Reading, PA
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Temple, PA 19560


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3076 Schoenersville Rd.
Bethlehem, PA 18017


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5021 Route 873
Schnecksville, PA 18078


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100 E. Union Street
Pottsville, PA 17901


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886 Plaza Blvd
Lancaster, PA 17601


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928 Carlisle Rd
York, PA 17404


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555 Mill St
Danville, PA 17821


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330 Laurel Mall Dr
Hazleton, PA 18202


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133 S 32nd St
Camp Hill, PA 17011


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4425 Jonestown Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17109


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Our award-winning orthodontist in Reading, Bethlehem, Schnecksville, Pottsville, Lancaster, York, Danville, and Hazleton, PA, offers the most advanced braces for children, braces for teens and braces for adults. These types of braces include metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. We can even help you get straight teeth up to 50% faster with AcceleDent!
Come experience Spark Orthodontics! You will see we offer effective and affordable braces in Reading, Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Schnecksville, Pottsville, Lancaster, York, Danville, and Hazleton, PA.
Call (610) 223-7777 today for a free consultation for braces at one of our orthodontic offices in Reading, PA, Camp Hill, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Schnecksville, PA, Pottsville, PA, Lancaster, PA, York, PA, West Hazleton, PA, or Danville, PA.
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