Our Blog

The Importance of Facial Protection

Americans from all walks of life should mark April as National Facial Protection Month on their calendars. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Academy for Sports Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have combined forces to sponsor this annual campaign, which aims to educate and remind us of the importance of protecting our face and teeth against impacts and injuries.

Wearing a helmet can save your life and prevent devastating physical damage in a variety of situations, from playing football to riding a bicycle. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, helmets reduce the risk of various head injuries by as much as 85 percent. Whether helmet laws apply in your area or not, Dr. Elizabeth Hite, DMD, MS and our team at Bauer Hite Orthodontic Specialists want you to make sure you and your loved ones wear helmets with the appropriate safety ratings for specific activities. (A sticker on or inside the helmet will usually indicate this rating.) Helmets can also help save your teeth if they come with an attached faceguard, an essential addition for football players and others involved in contact sports.

Preventing Dental Injuries

A mouthguard can protect you against a variety of dental injuries, such as cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth. The American Dental Association states that mouthguards play an essential role in preventing up to 200,000 dental injuries each year, and many states mandate their use for sports activities such as football and hockey. The Academy for Sports Dentistry warns, however, that these mouthguards must be custom-fitted as precisely as possible to prove effective. Have a professional-quality mouthguard molded and fitted by our team at Bauer Hite Orthodontic Specialists for better protection than a generic store-bought or “boil-and-bite” variety can offer. These cheaper versions tend to wear out quickly, interfere with proper breathing, and provide uneven degrees of cushion against impacts. Always have a fresh mouthguard fitted for each new sports season.

Choose the right combination of helmet, faceguard, and mouthguard to protect your teeth and face this April, and tell your friends to do the same! To learn more about mouthguards, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Hite, DMD, MS, please give us a call at our convenient Edwardsville office!

At BauerHite Orthodontic Specialists we are excited to highlight our awesome Scheduling Coordinator, Ashley! You're probably familiar with Ashley as she is the first one to greet you when you walk through the doors. Ashley handles scheduling appointments for all our awesome patients and various financial duties. Ashley loves being able to laugh and have fun with all the wonderful girls in the office, though she equally enjoys working hard and giving her best at all times. Watching Dr. Beth transform smiles one patient at a time is the most rewarding part of work. In Ashley’s personal time you can find her riding side-by-sides, golfing, watching Netflix, or grabbing a bite at Cloud 9 Ranch- it’s her absolute favorite place ever! Ashley is eagerly anticipating her upcoming trip to Colorado!

Ashley and our team hope to see you in our office again soon.

Curious to learn more about orthodontics and what the treatment process involves? In today’s blog, Dr. Hite and our team at Bauerhite Orthodontics dive into everything you need to know!

When patients are searching for orthodontic treatment they should make sure to seek out a board-certified orthodontist.  It’s important to note that many dentists practice orthodontics but only orthodontists have additional schooling that focuses on functional and cosmetic correction. Dr. Beth is Board Certified with the American Association of Orthodontics and a member of the American Dental Association and has her completion of Roth Williams Achieving Functional Goals.

Orthodontic treatment should begin earlier than most parents are apt to assume. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends seeing an orthodontist as early as the age of 7. By visiting an orthodontist early, many more severe issues can be addressed before they become a permanent issue. Some of the most common issues that are treated with orthodontic care are airway and expansion, alignment and straightening, bite issues and jaw joint issues, or TMD. The types of services we provide are traditional braces, Invisalign, Splint Therapy, and Expansion & Airway development.  Dr. Beth has had extensive training in all these areas and keeps up to date on the most modern treatment techniques to give the best overall result possible.

When you choose BauerHite Orthodontic Specialists for your own or your loved one’s orthodontic treatment, there is a noticeable difference in the way we care for our patients compared to our competitors. The difference is the individual attention each patient receives from Dr. Beth at every appointment. Dr. Beth also does her own diagnosing and treatment planning for each patient, so it's specific and unique to their own needs. We are a high patient service practice and every member of our staff will strive to make your visit the best part of your day!

One question we receive frequently is, “How often do I have to be seen for appointments through my treatment with traditional braces?” The brackets and wire system that we use are very long-acting and limit the number of visits needed. Typically, you will only need to come in for appointments every 12 weeks and should be done with treatment and into retention in 18-20 months. The initial visit is a very thorough examination including X-rays and 3D imaging with a full exam from the doctor in a very relaxed and welcoming environment. Your initial exam with us is complimentary.

Orthodontics runs in Dr. Beth’s blood. Her father was an orthodontist, so she learned to love the field at a young age. In high school, Dr. Beth worked in his practice making retainers and is honored to carry on her father's legacy in the orthodontic field.

Let Dr. Beth transform your own or your loved ones smile, begin your journey today. We hope to see you in our office soon!