Self Esteem - Are you being kind to yourself?

Why Is Self-Esteem Important?

Self-esteem is all about how much people value themselves, the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel. Self-esteem is important because feeling good about yourself can affect how you act. A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more by making smarter decisions.

A positive, optimistic attitude can help develop a strong self-esteem — for example, saying, "Hey, I'm human" instead of "Wow, I'm such a loser" when you've made a mistake, or not blaming others when things don't go as expected all help build self confidence.

Knowing what makes you happy and how to meet your goals can help you feel capable, strong, and in control of your life. A positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle (such as exercising and eating right) and surrounding yourself with friends who support you, are a great start for building healthy self-esteem.

Never Stop Learning

It's a busy week at Cory Liss Orthodontics as Dr. Liss and his clinical staff are in Texas at a SureSmile convention.

SureSmile, the latest in orthodontic technology, is a huge part of Cory Liss Orthodontics so staying on top of this robotic technology is a priority. Dr. Liss and his team will be introduced to new techniques and be given tools to make sure that the patient experience is always a great one.

While the clinical staff are across the border, the office administrators are in Banff, attending the annual ASO (Alberta Society of Orthodontists) meeting. Attendance at this conference keeps staff up to date on all aspects of orthodontics and allows them to share ideas with their peer group.

We hope you're staying on top of your game, be it school or work, and challenging yourself to learn something new everyday.

Go For Gold!!

When it's easy to quit, Alexandre Bilodeau is an example of where dedication can take you.

Not only is Alexandre an Olympic Gold Medal athlete, but an excellent student and mentor. He has probably had many challenging moments in his life that have made him consider giving up on his dreams. But he persevered and stayed the course.

We know that wearing braces can sometimes present challenges that make you think of giving up, or not starting orthodontic treatment. Don't let minor annoyances stop you from having a Gold Medal Smile! Focus on the end goal and remember that you can achieve great results.

Thanks Alexandre for giving Canada it's first Gold Medal on home ground, and showing us that perseverance always wins!

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Allissia C. who has won our Valentine Contest.

Allissia had the closest guess, of how many Valentine candies were in the jar, with 823. There was a total of 825........good going Allissia!!

We hope everyone has a safe and fun Family Day long weekend. Have fun cheering on our Canadian Olympians and have a Happy Valentines Day.

Healthy, Smart Food Choices

80% of teenagers in North America wear braces. This attention to healthy teeth and a great smile means having to make some smart food choices while wearing braces.

So, here's a quick reference of foods that you should avoid. But don't dwell on what you can't eat - focus on what you can eat and you'll have way more fun during your orthodontic treatment. Avoid the foods below, but don't deprive yourself of healthy treats!

Ice....Definitely NO!!
Nuts
Peanut brittle
Hard pizza crust
Corn on the cob
Ribs
Doritos, corn chips, hard tacos, cheetos, fritos
Popcorn
Hard pretzels
Hard rolls and bagels
Raw carrots
Bubble gum
Carmel candy
Beef jerky
Suckers

This is just a small list. Remember, nothing hard, sticky, or sweet!

We're Still Smiling...

We love what braces can do for people....and not just their teeth!

Braces can give someone not just a beautiful smile, but a dental system that is healthy and works.

How can someone chew their food properly when their teeth are not in correct alignment, their teeth don't touch and/or jaws are misaligned? To chew food adequately, so that nutritional value is being attained, teeth and jaws have to be working so that function is not compromised.

Maybe the indigestion that you, or someone you know, is experiencing has less to do with spicy food and more to do with not being able to chew your food? Imagine being able to eat whatever you want and not experience tummy troubles....well the mouth is the start of the digestive system, so when that is working well the entrie system works efficiently.

Make 2010 A Year Of Smiling

When you have a smile that you're proud of life just seems a little bit sweeter. Studies show that people who are happy with their smile are more confident and have better connections with people around them. But there are not just psychological benefits to having a great smile, many potential dental concerns can be addressed when teeth are in correct alignment.

Imagine how hard it is for someone to keep their teeth impeccably clean when crowding and misalignment of teeth exists in their mouth. When teeth are straight, routine tasks like brushing and flossing become so much easier and therefore decrease the risk for developing decay. Gum tissue health also suffers due to crooked teeth; resulting in recession, inflammation and general discomfort.

Check back with us next week when we'll chat more about the many advantages, both physical and emotional, of having a great smile.