Dr. Stein wants to know: what are your Memorial Day weekend plans?

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is just around the corner. It's a time for Americans to stop and remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives for our country.

For many people (and a lot of our patients) in Palm Harbor, New Port Richey and surrounding communities, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or office always brings sweet, sweet relief.

At Braces by Stein, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, Memorial Day means a summer season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is again on the way. Whether you're headed to barbecues, a camping trip, hitting the great American open roads or hanging out in your backyard, Dr. Jeffrey Stein and team would like to hear all about it!

Have a relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend, and we'll see you soon.

Connect with Dr. Stein and team on Facebook!

At Braces by Stein, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Tampa and surrounding communities. Even if you only see us for your appointment every three or four months, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Stein and team on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JeffreySteinDDS. We share office news, updates and contest announcements on our Fan Page, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically on Facebook!

See you on Facebook and have a great week,

- the Braces by Stein team

Share your experience at Braces by Stein with the world!

As one of the best orthodontists in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, Dr. Jeffrey Stein makes that smile possible. He combines the newest technology in orthodontic appliances, as well as expert training, all in a friendly, caring environment to give you or your child a straight, beautiful smile and the best orthodontic experience. Dr. Stein specializes in Invisalign invisible braces, as well as traditional braces.

Whether you've visited Braces by Stein for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Stein create more beautiful smiles in Tampa, Palm Harbor, New Port Richey and surrounding communities here in Hillsborough County.

You may write a review here or here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! Dr. Stein and team look forward to reading your reviews!

Dr. Stein, reminding you Mother's Day is around the corner!

You love your mom. Who doesn't?

Dr. Stein and team thought we'd remind our wonderful patients that this coming Sunday (May 9) is Mother's Day, a special day for all of us. Everybody looks forward to Mother's Day to let our mom know how special she is to us. The day is observed by giving gifts, visiting our moms or taking them out to celebrate.

Tell us, what are you planning on mom's special day this Sunday?

If you're out of ideas, check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas, courtesy of Good Morning America. Whatever you come up with, Dr. Andersen and team are sure mom will love it!

"Hey, Dr. Stein! When should my kid come in for a visit?"

Many parents in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Stein, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started sooner. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

That's right - you read that correctly: age seven.

So, what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Stein to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Stein calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides at least two positive outcomes for our young patients: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Today is Earth Day! Are you making a difference?

Earth Day, which is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our environment and ecosystem, marks its 40th anniversary today.

Whether lending a helping hand to plant trees or getting out to volunteer in various projects in Palm Harbor or New Port Richey, today is our opportunity to get involved in making our year-round impact in the community. Are you making a difference today? If so, what are you up to? How long have you participated in helping our community and our planet?

If you’d like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain our ecosystem, try these helpful environmental tips, courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.

Happy Earth Day!

10 Facebook tips for parents

We know many parents tend to sign up for Facebook accounts and ‘friend’ their kids, often as a way to keep an eye on their online activities. But then what? Most parents in this digital age are still lost when it comes to monitoring their kids online.

Last fall, parenting author Vicki Courtney wrote a helpful post on the things parents should and shouldn’t do while on Facebook. Dr. Stein and our team thought you might benefit from reading Vicki’s interesting piece.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Facebook No-Nos for Parents, designed specifically for those moms and dads who aren’t sure whether they’ve crossed the line in monitoring their kids’ presence online.

We hope you find this article informational. Please let us know what you think!