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“The purpose of all war is peace.” - Saint Augustine

Fire truck sirens, baton twirlers, marching bands covering patriotic tunes, colorful floats, costumes, and millions of red, white, and blue American flags being waved in the air on a beautiful day in late May, that is what Memorial Day is all about. It is a federal holiday celebrated with town parades, remembrance, and a sense of unity and community togetherness.

Our team at Benson Orthodontics wants to take this time to wish you and your family a happy Memorial Day, as well as pause for a moment to reflect on what this holiday means and how it has changed over time. No, this is not a history lesson, but just a couple of thoughts and observances for you to take with you on your way to the next barbecue.

On the last Monday in May, America observes Memorial Day as a time to remember and celebrate the men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country in the Armed Forces. The holiday originated after the Civil War; at that time it was known as Decoration Day. While holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter remain the same from year to year, Memorial Day has changed over time, and in the 21st century we observe a far different holiday than what Americans did after the Civil War, or even the World Wars.

While many people place flags at cemeteries and visit national memorials in order to honor those who have passed away serving the country, Memorial Day is also a time for family barbecues, pool parties, trips to the beach, blockbuster movies, long weekend getaways, and fireworks. In America, Memorial Day has come to represent the unofficial start of the summer – a long, sunny, warm weekend devoted to family togetherness, outdoor events, and community.

It is time to load up the potato salad and the apple pie and head over to the neighbor’s house for their annual barbecue. And yes, contrary to popular belief, we do eat sweets, especially homemade apple pie! Everything in moderation, of course.

So whether you’re in the Mt. Juliet or Lebanon, TN area or beyond, Happy Memorial Day to you and yours from Dr. Bart Benson!

As of this summer, Benson Orthodontics will have been in business for 27 years. To celebrate, we wanted to thank all of our patients by treating them to a movie night filled with fun and prizes for the whole family. You can even invite your friends.

Our patients are much more to us than just people we see in the office. Many of our patients have become like family as we have gotten to know them over the years. It has been amazing to watch young patients grow and develop and to be there with them as they mature. For our adult patients, it has been so rewarding to give them the smiles they’ve always dreamed of, and to see their confidence increase as they show off beautiful, straight teeth.

In order to show our gratitude for all these amazing years of business, the office has rented out the Capitol Theater in Lebanon for a special showing of "Monsters University" on June 25. We chose to do a movie night because movie theaters have always been a place of intrigue and nostalgia for me. From the smell of fresh popcorn to the mysterious glamour of Old Hollywood, there is just something magical about the big screen. I grew up in the small town of Winchester in southern Tennessee and worked in the local theater with my grandmother all through high school. My grandmother worked in that theatre for about 20 years, and knew the place like the back of her hand. I remember when I first started working with her. I didn’t have a driver’s license so she would give me rides home after work. I loved talking with her on those car rides home, and now going back to the theater always stirs up memories of our time together.

The Capitol Theater in Lebanon reminds me a lot of the theater that I worked in as a kid. It is the perfect venue for our patient appreciation night because it really captures the spirit and excitement of cinema. When Capitol Theater was built in 1949, the entire town rejoiced. The theater’s first projectionist, Earnest Weatherly, clearly recalled the grand opening: “The lobby was adorned with brightly colored arrangements of fresh flowers sent by every single business in town. Everyone was so happy when we opened.” He added that “they all wished us well and wanted us to succeed.” Unfortunately, over the years, business dropped off and the building was abandoned.

The theater sat vacant for many years until Bob and Pam Black purchased the old building and began renovations. The Blacks have spent the last five years restoring the original look and feel of the cinema, in the hopes that the facelift would restore the excitement that Lebanon once had about film. Their vision was made a reality, and the theater has successfully hosted concerts, plays, movies, and special events. Due to its rich history and triumphant comeback, we are proud to host our movie night at the Capitol Theater.

Make sure that you bring your family and friends out on June 25, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. to watch "Monsters University" and pick up some awesome door prizes. The theater is at 110 W. Main Street, in Lebanon. We will be having refreshments and door prizes for our guests. We want to say thank you for all of your years of support, and we hope to see you at the movies.

The mystical tooth fairy has been the subject of countless stories, from literature to movies. She’s a continuous part of childhood mythology, with her origins dating back several centuries to medieval Europe.

Traditions vary from culture to culture, but there is one common thread. Rewards! All kids know that if they hide their tooth, the tooth fairy will find it and give them a reward. Sometimes it a little gift, but most kids wake up looking for a few coins.

It was during the Middle Ages when several superstitions around baby teeth developed. In England, children were told to burn their baby teeth. It may seem a little extreme, but if they didn’t, they would face dire consequences! They were told they would face trial and tribulation in the afterlife and spend an eternity in search of the baby teeth they neglected to burn!

Elsewhere in Europe at the time, children had to bury or burn their fallenout baby teeth or face a terrible fate at the hands of witches. If a witch found a baby tooth, it was said they could use it to take control of the owner’s body!

In Viking and Scandinavian cultures, baby teeth were viewed more positively. Warriors would wear their children’s baby teeth around their necks as they went into battle. They believed the teeth brought them good luck. Of course, any child who lent their baby teeth to the cause was compensated!

Thankfully, many of these myths have been relegated to the history books. In more modern times, the fate of baby teeth is much more… reasonable. Many cultures tell of a clever little mouse who exchanges baby teeth for gifts. In Spanish speaking cultures, he is known as Ratoncito Pérez (or el Ratón de los Dientes).

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the mouse took on more fairy-like characteristics. In some cultures, the fairy is still a little mouse, but in many western countries, particularly the US, the tooth fairy has become the spritely creature who flutters around going from child to child collecting teeth in exchange for cold, hard cash.

If you have been thinking about undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment, the first step is scheduling an orthodontic consultation at Benson Orthodontics. During the consultation we will actively listen to your concerns and address all of your questions, as well as discuss a treatment options that would best suit you or your child's situation.

Here are the top five questions that most patients want answered during their initial orthodontic consultation:

• Can I benefit from orthodontic treatment, and if so, how long will it take?
• How frequently will my appointments be scheduled?
• Can I expect any pain when getting braces? (Ask Dr. Bart Benson about the ways we address pain management).
• Will I need to have teeth extracted, headgear, expansion appliance, etc.?
• How much will it cost and what payment options do you offer?

Visit our website for more answers to your questions prior to your initial consultation. Dr. Bart Benson and our team at Benson Orthodontics are happy to answer all your questions and concerns, and excited to explain all aspects of your treatment plan, as well as the expected outcome. We believe your orthodontic experience should be comfortable, hassle-free, and most importantly, leave you with the smile you've always wanted.