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"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Meade and Dr. Riolo decided to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So they stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a complete dental expert here at Meade & Riolo Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

It’s almost that spooky time of year again and Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo, and our team thought we’d share some Halloween tips from our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists.

Trick-or-treating safety guidelines:

• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

To protect your braces, steer clear of the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• All hard candies
• All chewy candies
• Caramel
• Nuts
• Licorice
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Bubblegum
• Popcorn (including unpopped kernels)
• Ice

Of course, Halloween does not have to be completely treat-less. Braces-friendly Halloween treats can help you enjoy the “spook-ta-cular” holiday. For example, plain chocolate candy is okay, provided you remember to brush and floss afterwards. Bobbing for apples as well as caramel apples are not recommended. However, you can enjoy thinly sliced apples, dipped in yogurt or creamy chocolate sauce.

Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo suggest looking for foods that are soft, such as soft chocolate that can melt in one’s mouth or peanut butter cups. Overall, candies that aren’t sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy are generally acceptable.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from the entire team at Meade & Riolo Orthodontics!

On October 7th, the staff at Meade & Riolo Orthodontics got together to make homemade applesauce as gifts for our referring dental practices. We always appreciate working with our dentists and enjoy the support from our Ypsilanti community.

For more information and to see more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook post!

All of us at here Meade & Riolo Orthodontics want to extend a special congratulations to Dr. Meade this month! She purchased the practice one year ago, on October 8, 2010! We have had a wonderful year, and we can't wait for the many more to come. Of course, we have to thank our wonderful patients for making this year so great. We love coming to work everyday to see all of you!

Thank you Dr. Meade for all of your hard work and dedication!