Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods you should 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’re wearing 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 tend to cause plaque, cavities and even 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 you should avoid include:  
• 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

Also, 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.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Understanding cavities




One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity!  That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one?  A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay.  It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger. 

So, what causes a cavity?  A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up.  Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

·         Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
·         Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
·         Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
·         Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
·         Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?



Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.
We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!
Thank you! Have a great week!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month



Visiting our office regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

We are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!