DOs before leaving our office.

1. CHECK WIRE ENDS
   Using your finger and tongue, check to see that the wire ends do not extend into areas which might poke or rub the cheek or tongue.

2. UNDERSTAND NEXT STEPS
   Make sure you understand what you are to do until your next appointment. This could include wearing headgear or elastics as instructed, adjusting the expander or following specific hygiene or diet instructions.

3. SUPPLIES
   Make sure you have an adequate supply of dental wax, special cleaning aids, elastic bands, or other related materials you may need for your braces or devices between appointments.

4. BOOK YOUR NEXT VISIT
   Always schedule your next appointment before leaving the office. Waiting a week or two after an appointment before scheduling your next office visit complicates our scheduling process, since appointments are programmed 4-6 weeks in advance. Postponing appointments is one of the main factors in longer treatment time.

Avocado Pesto Toast

Ingredients

• ¼ cup  hulled pumpkin seeds

• 2 large ripe avocados

• 2 medium cloves garlic

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste

• ⅔ cup (1 ounces) packed fresh basil leaves
• 4 slices of whole wheat Bread

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To toast the pumpkin seeds, pour them into a small skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are making little popping noises and starting to make little popping noises. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

2. To make the pesto, pit and halve the avocados and scoop the insides into the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides as necessary.

3. Add the pumpkin seeds and basil leaves and pulse until the pumpkin seeds and basil are broken down into very small pieces and the mixture is well-blended. Taste, mix in more salt if the mixture doesn’t taste totally awesome yet.

4. Toast the bread, then spread a generous amount of avocado pesto over each slice.  Sprinkle lightly with freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes (for heat) and/or flaky sea salt, if desired. Serve immediately.