Jones & DeShon Orthodontics

02/26/2026

Just got braces? Here’s how to beat the soreness!

The first few days after getting braces can feel tight and tender — but don’t worry… that means your smile is already in motion!

Here are our top tips to stay comfortable while your teeth adjust:

❄️ Cold is your best friend! Sip ice water, enjoy popsicles, or use a cold compress on your cheeks to reduce inflammation.

💊 Use OTC pain relief if needed. Rotate Ibuprofen and acetaminophen during the first 24–48 hours (as directed).

🍦 Stick to soft foods. Think yogurt, mashed potatoes, pasta, smoothies, and ice cream — avoid crunchy or chewy foods at first.

🦷 Orthodontic wax = lifesaver. Place wax over any brackets that are rubbing cheeks or lips.

🪥 Warm saltwater rinses! 1 tsp salt + 8 oz warm water → rinse 2–3× daily to soothe sore spots.

🍬 Chew sugar-free gum. Yes — really! Chewing sugar-free gum (while awake) increases blood flow and helps soreness resolve faster.

⏱️ Most soreness peaks around days 2–3 and improves quickly after that!

If you ever have a poking wire or something doesn’t feel right, give us a call — we’re always happy to help.

02/25/2026

02/22/2026

Hello. I haven't touched the ground in 10 months.

I eat in the air. I drink in the air. I sleep in the
air — gliding in circles at high altitude while half
my brain sleeps.

I am a chimney swift. And I'm running out of places
to live.

Before there were chimneys, I nested in hollow trees.
Old-growth trees with big cavities. But you cut them
all down. So I adapted. I moved into your chimneys.
For 400 years, it worked.

Now you're capping the chimneys too.

My feet can't perch on a branch. They can only cling
to vertical surfaces. I physically CANNOT live in a
birdhouse, a tree branch, or on the ground. I need a
vertical cavity. A chimney. A hollow tree. That's it.

And you're sealing every one.

My population has dropped 72% since 1970. Not from
poison. Not from cats. From chimney caps and lost
habitat.

But here's what I do for you while I'm in there:

One PAIR of chimney swifts eats 12,000 insects per day.
Mosquitoes, gnats, flies, beetles, flying ants. Twelve
thousand. Every single day. From the air above your
yard.

I do this from April to September. Then I migrate to
South America. Your chimney sits empty from October to
March. I was only using the months you weren't.

And it's FEDERAL LAW. Chimney swifts are protected under
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Removing an active nest,
eggs, or chicks is a federal crime. Fine: up to $15,000.

If a chimney sweep tells you to cap your chimney in
spring: ask if swifts are inside first. If yes — wait
until October.

What to do:
Do NOT cap chimneys from April to September — check
for swifts first.
If you hear chattering inside your chimney in spring:
congratulations. You have a free pest control team.
Leave them alone.
Cap chimneys in October-February ONLY — after swifts
migrate.
Build a chimney swift tower — plans are free online.
$200 in materials. Lasts decades.
Close your damper so babies don't fall into your
fireplace. That's the only accommodation they need.

I asked for nothing but a chimney you don't use for
5 months.

12,000 insects a day. Federal law. $0.

Open the chimney. Close the damper. I'll handle the rest.

02/22/2026

The first flowers many homeowners remove each spring
are the exact ones bees depend on most.

After winter, colonies are low on reserves.
For weeks, very little is blooming — except what grows in lawns.

To us, it looks untidy.
To a bee, it’s survival.

When those early blooms are cut or sprayed,
there isn’t a backup field nearby.
There’s just less food.

A pollinator garden planted in May
can’t replace what was lost in April.

Before the first mow, pause.

Early spring starts closer to the ground than we think.

🌼🐝

02/22/2026

"That “messy” pile of sticks in your yard? It’s a fully booked winter hotel 🌿

In February, every level is occupied:

🏠 The Penthouse: Song sparrows and Carolina wrens tuck into the top layer during ice storms.
🌿 The Mezzanine: A cottontail rabbit forms a shallow nest for cover and warmth.
🐛 The Standard Rooms: Hibernating queen bumblebees, mourning cloak butterflies, ground beetles, and spiders ride out winter safely.
🌧️ The Basement: Redback salamanders thrive in the cool, moist bottom layer.
🍄 The Infrastructure: Fungi quietly break down wood, feeding your soil.

One 6×3-foot brush pile can shelter over 1,000 organisms across 100+ species in winter.

A “perfectly clean” yard? That’s a biological desert.
Your brush pile isn’t neglected—it’s alive. 🌱"

02/22/2026

📍 Don't scream—cheer! Finding a Garter snake is a sign of a healthy garden. 🐍🌿

Most people fear snakes, but the Common Garter snake is a harmless friend who is probably doing more for your hostas than you are.

The Snake Services:

🐌 Slug Destroyer: They love eating the slugs and snails that turn your leafy greens into Swiss cheese.

🦗 Grasshopper Patrol: They keep large insect populations from overwhelming your flower beds.

🚫 Non-Venomous: They are shy and would much rather hide from you than interact.

🌱 How to help:
Create a "snake hotel" by piling some rocks in a sunny spot where they can warm up. Avoid using plastic bird netting near the ground, as they can get tangled.

A snake in the grass is a slug in the past. 🛡️🌼

02/22/2026

Your bird feeder is useless if water sources freeze solid. Birds need liquid water to digest seeds or they starve with full stomachs. Here's the fix...

You fill the bird feeder religiously all winter. The seeds disappear daily. But birds are still dying in your yard and you have no idea why.

When every puddle, stream, and birdbath freezes solid, birds can't digest the seeds they're eating. They starve to death with full crops because dry seeds need moisture to break down.

Here's what actually kills them - Birds need water year-round, but winter makes it nearly impossible to find. They can eat snow, but melting it burns precious calories they can't spare in freezing temperatures. Without liquid water, those seeds you're providing just sit in their digestive system doing nothing.

Most people never think about winter water - They assume birds get moisture from snow or they just don't need it in cold weather. Wrong on both counts. A small dish of fresh water does more for winter bird survival than a feeder packed with premium seed mix.

The solution is dead simple - Put out a shallow dish of water and refresh it twice a day when it freezes. Doesn't need to be fancy. A pie pan works. Pour warm water in it morning and evening to melt the ice. Birds will find it within hours and you'll see more activity than your feeder ever generated.

Heated birdbaths work if you want automation - They keep water liquid down to brutal temperatures without you checking twice daily. Not necessary for most climates, but worth it if you're in a deep freeze zone or can't maintain a regular refill schedule.

The water dish saves more birds than the seed feeder - Seeds are abundant in nature even in winter. Liquid water when everything's frozen? That's the resource birds actually can't find on their own.

One shallow dish of thawed water is a lifesaver. Literally.

Are you providing winter water for birds, or just filling feeders?

02/18/2026

Every FurBall has a purpose—and ours is simple: second chances.

The animals in our care have stories filled with uncertainty, resilience, and hope. An Evening of Novel Characters helps turn the page toward brighter futures by providing lifesaving care, comfort, and the chance at a happy ending.

Meet Hope: a senior diva, dramatic, sensitive, and 100% iconic! Hope has been pining for a calm, quiet home since July 2025. This attention-loving girl does fine with other friendly cats. If you’re looking for a low-key, hilarious companion with a big personality and an even bigger heart, Hope might be your girl!

When you attend An Evening of Novel Characters, you’re not just enjoying a magical evening; you’re helping write a new chapter for animals like Hope who need it most. Registration is $100 per person. Register online at https://givebutter.com/c/FurBall2026

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Jones & DeShon Orthodontics and Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Dr. David L. Jones