Dr. Ouyang wants to know: What helps you relax at First Class Braces?

Dr. Ouyang understands not everyone is thrilled to see the orthodontist. But she wants you to know that her team strives to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Our first priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in our family-oriented, high technology office. We’d like to know: What is it about First Class Braces that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Ouyang herself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics, from Dr. Tracy Ouyang

Dr. Ouyang would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

The staff at First Class Braces think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment with Dr. Ouyang, please give us a call.

When should you call Dr. Ouyang and First Class Braces?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call First Class Braces. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Ouyang:



1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call!

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Ouyang and team!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Ouyang and her team at First Class Braces reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our great patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2010? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

A great braces-friendly winter recipe! From First Class Braces

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies Dr. Ouyang and her staff here at First Class Braces more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients
•1 lb. ground beef
•1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
•1 clove garlic, chopped
•3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
•½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
•1 teaspoon dried oregano
•1 Tablespoon sugar
•½ teaspoon salt
•½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
•½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and happy Friday!
--From Dr. Ouyang and team

Patient reviews for Dr. Ouyang

Dr. Ouyang and her team just love getting patient testimonials. Recently, Sylvan Orthodontics and Happy Valley Orthodontics, serving Portland and Clackamas, have been getting some great patient reviews! We thought we'd share a few of them today! Happy Thursday!

"As a parent she is not invasive as the other orthodontists I've taken my daughter too. She kind, gentle and listened to my concerns. My daughter loves her office and the staff and I never have to tug her into the car to go. Her office is very convenient to the highway and our home." ~ Chris R.

"Dr. Ouyang seems to do a very good job, everyone in the office is really nice." ~ Kristen Y.

"Knows what she is doing, great office, great and friendly staff." ~ Randee W.

"The staff is always on time. Plus, everyone is cheerful." ~ Meg D.

"Her experience and ideas on how to move the teeth; the whitening at the end." ~ Karla B.

Dr. Ouyang and team want to know: What are you up to in December?

December is here, and, believe it or not, we’re almost in full holiday mode! Dr. Ouyang and her team want to know: What are you doing in December? Any big holiday plans? Anything exciting in your life?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or call our offices and ask how! We also hope you all had a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Have a great rest of the week!

--The team at First Class Braces