The dog days of summer are almost upon us, and what better time for us to ask our patients’ summer plans!

Whether you’re going camping, hitting America’s great open roads, visiting our nation’s capitol, or just staying in town and hanging out, we want to know how you’re all going to spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to reading all about your summer adventures!

As the summer rapidly approaches, we strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the spring and summer, we would like to ask you, our readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the spring and summer months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while? Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page, or during your next adjustment appointment.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout.

When you connect with us on facebook you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!

Happy Monday! Now through February 19th, we invite you to show us your Cute Pet Photo on our Facebook page and you could WIN a $250 VISA gift card! Whether you own a dog, cat, giraffe, a pet rock or a favorite stuffed animal, we want to see the cutest pet photo you have!

Here’s how you enter: LIKE our Facebook page and then submit your cute pet photo by clicking on the “CONTESTS” Tab on the left hand side of our page. This contest will be running from today through February 19th. We will then have a one-week voting period.

GOOD LUCK and please let us know if you have any questions!

In the 1950s and ’60s, civil rights champion Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the need to bring about social justice, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward. Today, thousands of people of all ages and races in the greater Seattle area spent their day building, giving and renovating our communities to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Did you have the day off? If so, what did you do to help your local community?

We’d love to know about your activities and events this MLK Jr. Day. If you have any video or pictures you’d like to share, please share them on our Facebook page!

Our entire team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics are proud of your work in our community! Happy MLK Day!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, the New Year is a time to look back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. Our wish is that our patients continue to keep their teeth healthy, as well as wear their rubber bands, headgear and appliances as prescribed during their treatment.

We look forward to meeting those patients who are planning to begin their orthodontic treatment this year - we think it's a great resolution!

Happy New Year from all of us at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics!

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2011 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2012? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? 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!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics!

When you visit Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics, we truly enjoy being able to catch up with you and hear about the things going on in your life. It’s also a great time to let you know about all the exciting things happening at our office. Did you know that you can also connect with us outside of the office on Facebook? That’s right! Also, from today to January 8th, 2012 you have the opportunity to enter our sweepstakes to WIN a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how to enter: LIKE the Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics Facebook page and complete the entry form located in the WIN the Kindle Fire! Sweepstakes Tab on the left hand side of our Facebook page.

We look forward to connecting with you on Facebook!

- From our entire team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, and our entire staff at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families in the greater Seattle area, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Whether you just began your orthodontic treatment and have a follow-up question for Dr. Leone or Dr. Vaughn, or if you’d simply like to drop us a quick line, we'd love to hear from you! We love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page.

Please visit Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics on the following networks:

Facebook: facebook.com/LandVortho
YouTube: youtube.com/landvortho
Twitter: twitter.com/landvortho

We hope you’re having a great week and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Drs. Leone or Vaughn, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient at that appointment time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

As the school year comes to an end for a lot of our patients at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, the days get longer and the weather begins to warm up, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or chill under the shade with a cool beverage.

For most of our patients, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and studying, among other activities.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Our entire staff (as well as Drs. Leone and Vaughn) would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re headed to an exotic destination, awesome! If you're going camping in Wenatchee, we'd like to hear about it! Going to a Mariners game? Tell us! Even if you're staying at home and hanging out here in Seattle, let us know!

Please feel free to share your summer plans as the summer rolls along!

June is here, so our team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our convenient Queen Anne or Madison Park offices, as well as your general dentist to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

That means you too, parents! After all, there's more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask Drs. Leone or Vaughn during your next visit. Or, you may ask us on Facebook!

Happy Monday!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in the greater Seattle area. Even if you only see us for your orthodontic adjustment on a regular basis, did you know that you can connect with us on Facebook?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/LandVortho. We share office news, important announcements and updates on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great rest of the week! We hope you had a wonderful & relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

With spring here, many of our patients at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Drs. Leone & Vaughn urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please give us a call. Stay safe and have fun!

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!