Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Importance of Retainers


If you recently completed treatment at Dental Specialists, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, we will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by your Orthodontist is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dental Specialists, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Great Braces-Friendly Recipe from Dental Specialists!

You have braces, and you’re probably wondering what to eat. At Dental Specialists you are told that you can’t have gum, popcorn or other delicious but braces-unfriendly foods. But fear not! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have a delicious recipe that will satisfy both your sugar craving and hunger.

Apple Bombolini
Ingredients:

Rustic dough

• 9 ounces cake flour (about 3 cups)
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch sea salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into large pieces
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoon cold water

Apple sauce filling

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Diced apples:

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

For the dough: In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, add the dry ingredients and mix for 5 seconds to blend. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until the butter is about the size of peas. Add the cold water and blend until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a roughly shaped ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Applesauce filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Put the apples with the rest of the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and cook until the apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Diced apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into large slices. Toss with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and set aside.

Assemble the bomboloni: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to1/4-inch thick round. Cut into 6-inch rounds. Place about 1/4 cup of the Apple Sauce Filling onto the center of each round. Top with a few pieces of the Diced Apples. Pull the sides up towards the center to form a bundle, pinching the dough together towards top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before baking

Bake the bombolonis: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the bombolonis from the refrigerator and place them on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 5 servings.


We hope you enjoy this dessert. Happy Holidays from Dental Specialists!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Ask Dental Specialists : What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Dental Specialists than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Drs. Paul Ouellette, Jason Ouellette, or Ryan Collins the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you can post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Drs. Paul Ouellette, Jason Ouellette and Ryan Collins have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.
The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Dental Specialists on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Why visit Dental Specialists?



Exceptional smiles happen everyday at the Dental Specialists! Check out this short video to get a feel for our office, serving Merritt Island, Titusville, Kissimmee, Orlando, Satellite Beach, Florida.

After almost 40 years of practice in Brevard County and treating over 15,000 patients, the doctors and staff at Dental Specialists have built a reputation for excellence and caring, comprehensive dental treatment for all of our patients.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving from the Dental Specialists

With Thanksgiving and the holidays almost here, it's a great time to ask ourselves what we're thankful for. With our friends and family around us, we celebrate the blessings given to us in the past year. What are you thankful for this holiday season? Do you have any Thanksgiving wishes you would like to share?

Dr. Paul Ouellette, Dr. Jason Ouellette and Dr. Ryan Collins and our entire team at the Dental Specialists would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It’s a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or photos to share with us, we’d encourage you to send them along or post them on our Facebook page!

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Dental Specialists, your local cosmetic dentists

There are many dentists in Florida working hard to bring beautiful smiles to their patients. Cosmetic dentistry has begun to earn the positive acclaim it deserves due to the latest surge of makeover TV shows. Many of our patients have spent great time and effort when choosing Dr. Paul Ouellette as your orthodontist and Drs. Jason Ouellette and Ryan Collins as your general and cosmetic dentists.

Serving Merritt Island, Titusville, Kissimmee, Orlando, Satellite Beach, Florida, we treat patients from all over Florida and provide flexible scheduling to optimize your convenience. When choosing a dentist, please use this blog and our website to learn more about cosmetic and general dentistry, as well as orthodontics in all its forms from smile enhancement via braces, to dental restoration, to regular checkups, and simple teeth whitening. The first step to making Florida smile is to make you smile!

Please call our office to learn more about cosmetic dentistry, or check us out on Facebook! Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Hey Dr. Ouellette, when should I replace my toothbrush?

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Ouellette and our team at Dental Specialists will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us at 321-453-7750 if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Happy Election Day, from Dental Specialists


In the spirit of Election Day and democracy, we thought we’d share a few inspirational quotes, as well as quotes about democracy, from U.S. presidents.

"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." – John F. Kennedy

"If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit." – Bill Clinton

When you are in any contest you should work as if there were - to the very last minute - a chance to lose it.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

"You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." – Abraham Lincoln

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." ~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." – Harry S. Truman

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Ask Drs. Ouellette & Collins: What's the deal with Halloween treats?


For parents worried about kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty treats.

So what's a parent to do?

As Halloween draws nearer, try to limit the amount of these candies that your child eats, and when your child does eat them, either have him or her rinse their mouth with water afterward or have them drink some milk or eat a slice of cheese. Lastly, we encourage you to check out these braces-friendly (and delicious) Halloween treats, provided by the AAO.

Hope this helps! Ask us on Facebook if you have any questions!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

What are happy patients saying about Dr. Ouellette & Dental Specialists lately?

"He is always friendly, has a smile on his face and makes you feel comfortable. One of the family and not just a person being pushed through." ~ Pamela M.

"Kind, caring, best reputation, willing to work with me." ~ Anthony S.

"The staff is always very pleasant. Very accommodating with appt. dates and times." ~ Michael H.

"The modern technology makes me feel more comfortable with the knowledge of our orthodontist. It shows me that he is up to date on the latest trends in orthodontia." ~ Shari C.

"Convenient location, pleasant staff, good care." ~ Frank B.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ask Dr. Ouellette: Why are straight teeth so important?

People wonder why Dr. Paul Ouellette, Dr. Ryan Collins and our staff at Dental Specialists work so tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Dental Specialists can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque, the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and, they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation at our convenient offices in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Titusville or Kissimmee. We can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Questions? Give us a call at 321-453-7750 or ask us on Facebook!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Busy month at the Dental Specialists!

Our staff at the Dental Specialists want to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to us every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course).

Yes, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. But this month also marks National Dental Hygiene Month, which is why it can be a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially during your orthodontic treatment at one of our offices in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Titusville or Kissimmee.

Here are a few tips to help you build good oral hygiene habits this month:

* Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes. Make sure to get the outer and inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of each tooth.

* Floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth. Help children learn healthy flossing habits so when they’re capable, they know how to do it properly.

* Visit our office on a regular basis. Children should start seeing a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth.

* Ask us what toothpaste family members should use. Remember that not all toothpaste is appropriate for all ages.

* Eat a healthy diet, rich in fruit and veggies. Avoid sugary foods and eat a high fiber diet of fruits and veggies such as apples and carrots to help prevent tooth decay.


If you have any question, we invite you to ask us on Facebook or give us a call at 321-453-7750.

Friday, October 1, 2010

At The Dental Specialists, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy Friday!

Today marks the official start of National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have created a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Drs. Ouellette, Collins and our entire staff recommend you check out the AAO's website as well for helpful tips on keeping your braces in tip-top shape. If you have any follow-up questions about keeping your braces in tip-top shape, please feel free to give us a call at 321-453-7750, ask us on Facebook or ask one of our staff members during your visit to one of our offices in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Titusville or Kissimmee!

Lastly, we'd like to congratulate Joshua Yother on winning our iPad contest! Job well done Joshua!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Dental Specialists, your local CEREC providers

A lot of folks ask us about CEREC, a technology for restoring damaged teeth. Little do they know this restoration can be completed in a single visit to one of our convenient offices in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Titusville and Kissimmee.

The procedure makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful — all while keeping your teeth looking natural. The restoration is metal-free and the high-grade ceramic material is compatible with the natural tissue found in your mouth. This is the finest restorative material available today, all in one appointment.

The CEREC Process

First, Drs. Ouellette or Collins will meet with you to discuss the details of the procedure. During the procedure, we will apply a thin layer of reflective powder onto your tooth and will use a special camera to take a photo of your tooth. Using Computer Aided Design, the photo serves as an optimal impression. The restoration will then be designed by the computer on this impression. Then CEREC will use a diamond bur and disk to create your restoration piece out of a high tech ceramic. Finally, the ceramic restoration is bonded to your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.

Dr. Ouellette is your local CEREC dentist for single-visit tooth restorations. Call us today to schedule an appointment and enjoy the rest of your week.

PS we will be announcing the winner of our iPad contest on Friday, October 1st!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Which foods should you avoid while in braces?


There are a variety of foods Dr. Paul Ouellette and Dr. Ryan Collins want you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces! If you have braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch cause plaque, cavities and tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.


If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff during your next visit! Lastly, have answered all our question for the iPad giveaway? It's not too late to join - just head to our Facebook page and check out the five questions!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Access your account—any day, any time, anywhere!

At Dental Specialists, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic and dental treatments we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Titusville and Kissimmee.

Did you know that patients of Drs. Ouellette and Collins have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at 321-453-7750 if you have any questions about getting started! Lastly, are you participating in our iPad giveaway? For more information, head over to our Facebook page!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

What do you love about Dental Specialists?

After almost 40 years of practice in Brevard County, the doctors and staff at Dental Specialists have built a reputation for excellence and caring, comprehensive dental treatment for all of our patients. We implement the newest technology available to make your experience as fun and high-tech as possible. Caring for our patients is what we do best!

From your very first visit to Dental Specialists, Dr. Ouellette and our dedicated team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Ouellette's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can tell us all about it by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Ask Dr. Ouellette: Who benefits from getting braces?

Ask Dr. Paul Ouellette, and he'll tell you that braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! At the Dental Specialists, you’re never too old for a beautiful smile! Set up an appointment for a complimentary consultation by calling 321-453-7750 and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Dr. Paul Ouellette, reminding you to wear your mouth guard this summer


With the summer winding down, Dr. Paul Ouellette and our staff at the Dental Specialists would like to take this moment to remind all our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this August. Whether you're playing toch-football in the backyard or participating in full-contact football practice, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you're in for a visit with Drs. Ouellette or Collins, be sure to ask them or our staff for a mouth guard, and we will provide one!

We hope you're enjoying your summer so far!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Like the Dental Specialists on Facebook, and you could win an iPad!


At the Dental Specialists, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients over the years. Even if you visit our office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with us on Facebook and other social networks?

In fact, if you “Like” us on Facebook starting Monday, August 9th, you’ll get a chance to win an Apple iPad by participating in our website scavenger hunt!

Here’s how it works: Each Monday, beginning next week, we’ll ask you to answer a particular question by heading to our website. You’ll email us the answers, and will be automatically entered for a chance to win!

By “Liking” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheDentalSpecialists, you will receive contest news, updates and announcements – all through your news feed!

Lastly, please help us welcome Dr. Ryan Collins to our practice. Dr. Collins, who hails from Melbourne Beach, attended the University of Florida and is our new general dentist. Be sure to say “hi” to Dr. Collins during your next visit!

See you on Facebook and GOOD LUCK everyone!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Welcome to our blog!


Thanks for taking the time to visit the Dental Specialists official blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and dentistry, as well as the dental industry. We will also discuss all the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends! Happy Monday!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Meet Dr. Paul

As a teenager, I was interested in science and medicine and their growing involvement in revolutionizing how health was perceived. My orthodontist was one of the first health care professionals to open my eyes to the world of dentistry.

When I became an orthodontist in 1972, methods for orthodontia were still being refined. Since I began practicing, technology has evolved in a way that has allowed not only for a more precise treatment, but for a more personal interaction with patients. Because of this, my enthusiasm and desire to continue practicing has intensified. If time would permit, I would want to put off retirement as long as possible to work with my children and watch as our practice advances into the 21st century.

I attended Texas A&M where I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology before continuing on to Loyola University Dental School, receiving my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. I furthered my education at Loyola University, earning a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics. I am a board certified orthodontist and have been practicing in Brevard County for almost 40 years.

I am a native of Brevard County and currently reside in Merritt Island with my wife, Patricia, the Boss. We have four children and three cats, Sushi, Sake, and Wasabi. When I'm not at the office I enjoy running and walking every day, traveling, surfing the Internet, and watching movies.