Shirck Orthodontics Blog

One of the most common issues we treat here at Shirck Orthodontics are impacted teeth, which are teeth that have become blocked as they are trying to erupt into the mouth. This happens quite often with children, and it can lead to all sorts of alignment problems down the road. How can you know if your child has an impacted tooth? If they do, what can you do about it to make sure their teeth come in perfectly straight? Your orthodontist talks impacted teeth in today’s blog! (more…)

There are a lot of exciting things going on this February, but one that you may not be aware of is that it’s actually National Children’s Dental Health Month! Every year at this time, dental professionals around the country try to raise awareness about the importance of a child’s oral health. So in honor of the occasion, your children’s orthodontist in Westerville is going to answer some of the most common child-related questions that parents ask us every day. (more…)

As a parent, you’ve been in this situation many times before: Your child is out playing, and then suddenly they run up to you with a worried look on their face. “What happened?” you ask as sweetly as you can. You notice they are covering their mouth, so when you gently take their hand away, you see that they’ve damaged their braces. One of the brackets seems to be out of place. What should you do in this situation? Can you just leave it alone, or should you call your children’s orthodontist in Westerville immediately? Today, we’ll help walk you through this common scenario. (more…)

The end of the year often brings about a lot of anxiety for many people, and not just because of the expected holiday rush. If you have a FSA (Flexible Spending Account) that you use to pay for your healthcare, any unused money you currently have will NOT rollover to 2018. Fortunately, these funds can be used for a wide variety of care, including orthodontics. If you or your child are in need of a straighter smile, there’s still time to get your treatment started and save with your FSA before that money disappears! (more…)

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, so you know what that means: it’s that time of the year when people take a moment to consider all of the things they are grateful for in their life. In the spirit of the coming holiday, your children’s orthodontist in Westerville would like to do the same and offer a hearty and sincere “Thank You!” to all of the wonderful people who allow us to follow our passion for creating smiles every day. (more…)

Halloween is just around the corner, so you know what that means: your child will soon be awash in endless waves of deliciously sweet candy. Of course, things can be a bit more complicated if your little one has braces. There are many candies that can easily break brackets and bend wires, but fortunately, your children’s orthodontist in Newark, OH, can tell you about plenty of safe sweet treats that will keep them happy and their braces safe this holiday. (more…)

September is actually Blood Cancer Awareness Month, which is intended to bring attention to the 1.3 million Americans who are currently living with or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Our practice is very devoted to this cause and a big supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. This is not only because it helps those who really need it, but because this cause also hits very close to home for us. Our Marketing Coordinator, Zhenia, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in 2005, and this wonderful organization helped her tremendously during her treatment. Today, we’re going to share a few important facts about blood cancers in America and how you can help. (more…)

School is about to start! Summer seems to fly by faster and faster every year, right? You want to make sure you and your little one have everything together before the first day of classes, so to help you keep everything organized (because we know it’s a lot!), here is a handy checklist from your children’s orthodontist, Dr. Jeff Shirck. (more…)

It’s summertime! For children, that means no school, sleeping in, and having more time to do just whatever they want. Of course, as a parent, you want to make sure that they use this time productively and don’t just spend it all on the couch. While you’re signing them up for sports and camps, did you know that summer is actually the best time for your child to get braces as well? It’s true! By starting orthodontic treatment over the summer, you’ll get a head start on giving your child a straighter, healthier smile without having to worry about your schedule. To learn more about why this is the perfect time to see your children’s orthodontist, simply read on below. (more…)

Your dad has been the quiet backbone of your family your entire life. When you were little, he worked hard during the week, but you always knew where to find him in the stands during your events on the weekends. He’s always been the type of guy who prefers to show rather than tell. To teach you how to work hard, he just worked hard. To show why you should treat people with respect, he always treated people with respect (especially your mom). As you got older, you began to notice the dark rings under his eyes more and more, and you just knew that was another sign that he loved you. With Father’s Day approaching this weekend, you have a small opportunity to say “Thank You” for everything that he has provided. Rather than just giving him another tie, pair of socks, or bottle of cologne, why not give him something that he’ll truly cherish…like a beautifully straight smile? With the help of your orthodontist in Newark, OH, Dr. Jeff, you can show your dad how you really feel by giving him a gift he’ll treasure every day. (more…)