Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Birth

With spring here, many of our patients will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement.

So, today, Dr. Birth and our team 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 contact Birth-Stewart Orthodontics.

Stay safe and have fun!

Get to know your braces!

We hope you're enjoying the weekend! Should you need to call Birth Stewart Orthodontics in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.


Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

--Birth Stewart Orthodontics

What have past patients said about our office?

Dr. Sheila Birth, Dr. Charles Stewart, and our entire team understand that orthodontic treatment is about more than just straightening teeth. It is also a social and emotional experience for patients and orthodontists alike.

Check out what past patients have said about our offices!

"The staff is friendly and very professional. They all really know their job and appear to enjoy it." -T.H.

"The professionalism and the awesome attitudes the employees have when seeing my children!" -M.O.

"The best thing about Drs. Birth and Stewart is that the appointments are always on time and you get treated the same, no matter what insurance you have!" -J.R.

"To All Staff: My satisfaction with you guys is beyond a "10". My kids are so happy to be patients of this office. The treatment physically & emotionally is excellent. Keep up the good work." -Trencia & TJ Amerson

When should you call Birth-Stewart Orthodontics?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have put together this helpful list that outlines when you should call one of our offices, conveniently located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Weatherford and Burleson and serving the greater Dallas area. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

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, please give us a call as soon as possible!

- The Birth-Stewart Team