Good Neighbor Podcast Northport
Bringing Together Local Businesses and Neighbors of Tuscaloosa and Northport!
Good Neighbor Podcast Northport
Smile Doctors: Unraveling the Health Benefits of Orthodontics with Dr. Susan Whitt
Could the secret to a healthier life be nestled within the curves of your smile? That's what Dr. Susan Whitt, a seasoned orthodontist from Smile Doctors in Tuscaloosa, reveals as she joins me, Patricia Blondheim, on the latest episode of the Good Neighbor podcast. With the charm of an Alabama native and the expertise of a specialist trained at both the University of Alabama and the University of Colorado, Dr. Whitt opens a window into the transformative world of orthodontics—debunking myths and highlighting the crucial link between a proper bite and overall well-being.
As Dr. Whitt and I chat, she highlights the surprisingly wide-ranging implications of orthodontic care, from bolstering physical health to enhancing confidence at any age. We touch on why starting evaluations at seven isn't just a suggestion but a cornerstone for preemptive care, and how "old women" like me shouldn't shy away from the pursuit of that perfect smile. Dr. Whitt's insights into the cost-effectiveness of Invisalign versus braces, and the vital role patient cooperation plays, are nothing short of enlightening. Join us for a conversation that's not just about straightening teeth but about aligning your health and happiness for the long haul. #GNPNorthport #SmileDoctors #Tuscaloosa #Orthodontics #Smile #Braces #invisaline #DentalCare #Teeth
Good Neighbor podcast. The place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, patricia Blondheim.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Good Neighbor podcast. I'm your host, patricia Blondheim, and today we have a good neighbor, dr Susan Witt, and Dr Witt is an orthodontist at the Smile Doctors here in Tuscaloosa. Susan, how are you this morning? I'm good. Thanks, how are you. I should probably say Dr Witt, Is it okay if I call you Susan?
Speaker 3:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:Okay, tell us about the Smile Doctors.
Speaker 3:Yes, and so Smile Doctors. We are specialists in orthodontics and so we. What we do is straighten teeth, improve bites, and we can kind of monitor growth and development and pick the right time for treatment with either braces or Invisalign or something else if we need it, and we can treat all ages. We do actually like to see people. Starting at age seven is what we recommend, but all the way up. There's no upper age limit.
Speaker 2:So even me. I'm an old woman. I could still go in and get my teeth straightened and have a beautiful smile, Absolutely so. Tell our listeners about your journey. Dr Susan, how did you end up here?
Speaker 3:Yes, and so I'm from Alabama originally and I did my undergrad at the University of Alabama, then I went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for dental school, and then I went to the University of Colorado in Denver to do my orthodontic residency, and then, when I was looking for a job, I was looking in the southeast, or I enjoyed Denver a lot too. I considered staying there, but I found this opportunity here in Tuscaloosa, and I had always loved Tuscaloosa, especially you're growing up in Alabama fan and then coming here for college myself, so I liked the idea of moving back to Tuscaloosa. So here I am, and I've been here since 2016.
Speaker 2:Well how? The smile doctors, the orthodontia people, have preconceived notions about what can and can't be done with their own smile. Can you speak to any misconceptions that you regularly see at the smile doctors?
Speaker 3:Yeah. So sometimes people think that Invisalign is going to be a lot more expensive than braces, and so we like to say the expense is similar and the best way to find out is to come in for a consult and see exactly what your needs might be, and then that can give a better idea of what the expenses will be. Another thing, another misconception, is that braces people want braces because they think it doesn't involve any work on their part. So we like to say half of it's what we do, half of it's what the patients do, and so we do want we would need investment cooperation with either braces or Invisalign. It just looks different. And so that's another. People think they can get braces and just yeah, and it'll be easier and there's pros and cons to both. But yeah, that's one of the common misconceptions. But braces are the right choice for a lot of people, but it's not usually. For that reason we need cooperation with both.
Speaker 2:So are there any? Are there any reasons, besides having a beautiful smile, that a person might need orthodontic work?
Speaker 3:So there are a lot of reasons. Of course, aesthetics is a big concern for a lot of people. Sometimes people need it to help their we call it occlusion, but to help their bite fit together better. And then other people need it. Let's say someone has a tooth that's missing and they want to replace that tooth. So they might need orthodontic treatment to help create enough space or close some space before they're ready for replacing teeth or things like that. So we do work with dentists a lot to try to meet the comprehensive needs of our patients. But yeah, a lot can be affected besides just this aesthetics. But of course aesthetics is always of a top priority as well.
Speaker 2:Dr Susan, I think I learned from experience in my own life that having teeth that don't function properly can have a negative impact on your physical health, not just now but down the road as you age. Can you speak to the importance of having a proper bite and having healthy teeth?
Speaker 3:Yes, absolutely so. I think having a healthy bite can absolutely affect the overall health, and some of those things are caught early, when people are still growing, so we love when we get the chance to improve such things with the bites while people are still growing, but there are also options for every age as well. Also, yeah, the overall health of your mouth does affect your whole body as well. So, for example, if someone has crowded teeth, it might be harder to keep them clean, which can also affect their overall health, and so even something as simple as lining up the teeth it makes someone more able to take care of their teeth better can improve their overall health.
Speaker 2:Well, I know you must be busy as an orthodontist. There's an awful lot of people out there that need your help, but do you ever have the chance to go out and have fun? And when you cut loose, what do you do?
Speaker 3:Absolutely so. I think that's an important part of balance. I enjoy being outside, so I spend a lot of my free time outside, usually doing active things. I like to play tennis, hiking, ski, paddle board, swim, and I also enjoy traveling, so I enjoy traveling when I get a chance and then just spending time with friends and family. That's another way I like to spend a lot of my free time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that sounds like. That sounds like a lot of fun. It sounds like you've got a full and happy life, but maybe there's been something that's come up in your life that has challenged you in a way that's made you a stronger and better person. Can you speak to that?
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely, and of course there's many challenges along the way. One example I can think of is at work, when we have team members move on for various reasons at first, especially early on. At first you're wondering how are we going to make this happen, Because they do seem like such an essential part of making everyday run smoothly and they are. But then you learn rather quickly that even someone who seems like the most helpful person, once they've moved on, other people step up and we have systems in place so that if we have the right systems in place and the right people in those systems, then it will once again get smooth again. And so I feel like that's always a constant battle, especially with what we're doing, just because we do end up having people move along fairly regularly and it's great for the ones that we get to keep around for a long time, but then you also learn how to adapt and how to continue having the success that we need.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that kind of chaos leads to growth, which leads to a stronger organism. Right, a small, a stronger business. It is painful when you lose people who are key members of your team, but you can end up in a better place inadvertently, just by riding that wave.
Speaker 3:So what would you?
Speaker 2:like people to take away. What would you like our listeners to take away about? About the Smile Doctors.
Speaker 3:Yes, and so I think I always say, especially for our older people who wonder, is it worth me? Is it worth me doing this? So I always say, if it's worth it to you, then it's probably worth it. So, and for the younger population, of course, we like to screen and pick up on anything that we can pick up at an early age because, once again, we like to time it for the right timing so that there's some options that we don't have once we're done growing and so. So, as far as kids, we like to get them in at the proper time.
Speaker 3:And as far as adults, I always say, if it's worth it to you, there's, there's usually things we can do to help you out. And then other advice once we have, once you've completed orthodontic treatment, where are those retainers? So teeth do like to move, and so we do recommend retainers forever or as long as you want your teeth straight, and we don't know how much or when people's teeth are going to move. So that's also good advice to protect your investment. So I know people invest a lot of time, energy and effort into getting straight teeth, improved bites, and so we want to try to keep it that way.
Speaker 2:Where are your retainers? I'm telling other people because I was never good at it and, as a result, I'm probably stopping into seeing you to see you sometime soon.
Speaker 3:I'm over. Yeah, we're happy to help you, but yes, it is good advice.
Speaker 2:And don't wrap it up in a napkin when you go out to eat. It's a good way to lose it.
Speaker 3:You can wrap it up in napkins and then dogs love it. It made me laugh at first, but it's good advice. Dogs really can tear up some retainers fast.
Speaker 2:Yeah, dogs love retainers too. Yeah, I know that as well. How can listeners learn more? How can our listeners contact the smile doctors?
Speaker 3:Yes, and so we do have a website and actually an app once you get going with us. But I think the easiest way out for our website is smile doctorscom, and then, of course, our location will be relatively easy to find from there. Or you can call 205-556-2600 for a complimentary consult and we can see how we may be able to help you.
Speaker 2:Wonderful Dr Susan. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing the smile doctors with us.
Speaker 3:Thanks for allowing me the opportunity. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast Northport. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gmpnorthportcom. That's gnpnorthportcom, or call 205-809-4910.