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May is National Teen Self-esteem Month

National Teen Self-Esteem Month

May is National Teen Self-esteem Month

May is National Teen Self-esteem Month

National Teen Self-esteem Month is a time to recognize the importance of how young people feel about themselves and how their feelings can affect their physical and mental health. The teenage years are a time when a teen’s self-esteem needs to be nurtured and supported by family, friends and other necessary people in their lives.

What is self-esteem?

The National Association for Self-Esteem defines self-esteem as “The experience of being capable of meeting life’s challenges and being worthy of happiness.” Yet many teens find it difficult to meet these goals because of various hurdles.

For example, bullying (both in person and cyberbullying) is a serious problem among teenagers. Teens’ peers can say and write cruel, untrue things. Teen self-esteem can rapidly erode, and the result can be depression, eating disorders, drop in grades, truancy, drug and alcohol use and even suicide.

 

However, parents and other caring individuals can help teenagers meet these hurdles head on. Concerned individuals who want to know how to increase teenager self-esteem need to identify the factors that are bothering a young person, recognize the impact it has on the adolescent and then offer guidance in a cooperative manner.

Tips on how to raise self-esteem:

If you are a teen who is experiencing self-esteem issues or a concerned adult who is concerned about a teen’s self-esteem, here are some tips.

Acknowledge how body image affects your self-esteem. Lots of pressure is placed on teenagers to look a certain way, and typically those expectations are not realistic. Teens who have problems with body image could benefit from talking with someone they trust about their concerns.

Banish the negative. Teens who say negative things about themselves (e.g., I’m too fat, I’m not popular) or who listen to others who say such things need to replace the negative words with positive ones. Whenever negative thoughts or words occur, teens should replace them immediately with positive thoughts (e.g., I am great at math, I enjoy playing the trumpet).

Squash comparisons. When people compare themselves to others, they will always find someone who is better and worse at something than they are. Playing the comparison game is a waste of time and energy. Teens should be encouraged to celebrate who they are as unique beings who can make choices that will lead them on a path of personal fulfillment.

Smile. A smile communicates confidence and a great smile can make people feel on top of their game. Teens who don’t feel good about their smile can talk to their parents about what can be done to give them that extra boost of confidence.

National Teen Self-esteem Month is about many things, and one of them is how to increase teenager self-esteem in effective ways. Dr. Patricia J. Panucci, DMD, MS, and other folks at Beach Braces in Manhattan Beach can help put a smile on the face of your teenager. Give us a call today.

Beach Braces, 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

National Teen Self-esteem Month

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Dr Panucci – Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

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Toothbrushing Mistake 10

Toothbrushing Mistake No.10

Toothbrushing Mistake No.10: “Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough”

Toothbrushing Mistake 10

As part of your overall oral health care, changing the toothbrush within the recommended timeline can help you clean your teeth and mouth more efficiently.

When your toothbrush wears down, it becomes less effective as the day goes by, hence more bacteria, plaque and other food debris are not removed properly upon brushing your teeth. If this goes on, even if you brush your teeth three to four times daily, floss regularly, spend two to three minutes of your time when brushing, and perform the right brushing routine, there’s still a higher risk of losing your teeth earlier than expected.

So how often should you change your toothbrush in order to ensure that you are effectively cleaning your teeth and mouth? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends changing your toothbrush every three to four months. However, the timeline alone is not the sole indicator for you to change your toothbrush. Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, recommends that you perform a visual inspection of the bristles of your toothbrush.

If the bristles look frayed, then you need to change your toothbrush even if it hasn’t reached three months yet. Price stressed that once the bristles loses its normal flexibility and start to fall apart, then you have a clear indicator that you should buy a new one. “You need to look more on the state of your toothbrush than just following the time period”, Price added.

Are you following Dr Panucci on Twitter? Follow today for useful tips straight to your Twitter profile.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Toothbrushing Mistake No.10

Invisalign Teen Los Angeles

Invisible Aligners Explained

Invisible Aligners 

How many hours a day do I have to wear them?

Your appliances should be worn at all times (except when eating), even when you sleep.  It is recommended that you wear them 22 hours per day. You should only remove the appliance for eating and to brush your teeth. It is also recommended that you remove them to drink hot liquids (ie: coffee or tea) – so not to compromise the material or burn your mouth. Cold beverages are okay to drink while wearing the aligners.

Can I eat with my aligners on?

Unfortunately not. You will need to remove your aligners when you eat. Make sure to store the aligners in the case provided to avoid accidently throwing them away.Invisalign

Can I take them out to speak at a meeting?

Yes, this one of the advantages of aligners. You may remove them when extremely necessary.

I heard that aligners can get stuck on the teeth, is this true?

No. Aligners are made to fit “snuggly” but can always be removed. This process gets easier with practice.

Will aligners damage my crowns?

No. Crowns are cemented unto your tooth and the aligners are not strong enough to damage crowns. If a crown becomes loose during treatment, then the crown was already loose without you knowing it. You should contact your regular dentist to determine the treatment necessary.

How often are my appointments?

Your appointment intervals will correspond with the number of aligners that you receive at each appointment. You can expect your appointments to occur every 4-6 weeks.

How do I clean my aligners?

Your appliance should be cleaned by holding it in the palm of your hand under running water. Scrub it gently with toothbrush and hand soap. Never use bleach or any other cleaning solutions.  Do not use toothpaste as this scratches the aligner and collects more plaque.

*Remember: if the appliance isn’t in your mouth- it is not working! Your aligners should be in a carrying case when not in your mouth. A word of advice, dogs love aligners, and will nibble and eat the aligner if given a chance.

If you need more information about Invisalign, feel free to call us or contact our office.

Beach Braces – 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Invisible Aligners Explained

Toothbrushing Mistake 9

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry”

Toothbrushing Mistake 9

There is more bacteria found in your mouth than any part of your body hence when you brush your teeth, some stays on your toothbrush. People don’t usually mind if their toothbrush is not  dry before storing them, and since most people store their toothbrush in the bathroom, a place where airborne bacteria is common, your damp toothbrush is the most appropriate choice for these bacteria to thrive in.

Not letting the toothbrush dry well enough can contaminate it. Contamination happens because there’s moisture left in your toothbrush making it a good environment for bacteria and germs to grow. When bacteria builds up during the time your toothbrush is stored, you will be putting more bacteria into your mouth the moment you start brushing. This is not cleaning your mouth at all; this is reestablishing the old bacteria in your mouth through your contaminated toothbrush. Of course, you don’t want this happening as the more bacteria in your mouth means more tooth decay.

In order to prevent this, make sure to air dry your toothbrush first before storing it in a cool and dry place. Also make sure that the container allows the air to flow, so your toothbrush can breathe properly and moisture can be prevented. Keeping your toothbrush dry literally means keeping your toothbrush clean and safe from bacteria which loves to thrive in damp places.

Brushing teeth correctly is very important . For more Toothbrusing Facts, visit our blog.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Toothbrushing Mistake No.9

Brushing teeth

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse”

TM8-BB

Rinsing the toothbrush after using is a healthy practice since not following up with a rinse can contaminate your toothbrush.A contaminated toothbrush can bring bacteria to your mouth the moment you start brushing, hence you are not cleaning your mouth and teeth at all but putting in more bacteria into your mouth instead. More bacteria means a higher possibility of tooth decay thus defeating the purpose of why people brush their teeth in the first place: to preserve their teeth. So how do you make sure you avoid this kind of scenario?

When rinsing your toothbrush with tap water, make sure there’s no debris and toothpaste residue is left. You can closely check the toothbrush for debris and make sure to rinse it with running water. Even if your toothbrush looks visibly clean, it is not a guarantee that there’s no bacteria left in the bristles or other parts of your toothbrush. So, the next best thing to do is to let it air-dry and store it in an upright position if possible.

If there are more toothbrushes on your holder, make sure that they are properly separated in order to prevent cross-contamination among the toothbrushes. Also check if the toothbrush holder is properly designed in order to let the brushes breath.

Closed containers have a higher possibility of moisture, and a moist environment is the breeding place of germs and bacteria so make sure you store your toothbrush in a cool and dry place.

For more Toothbrushing Mistake Facts, please visit our blog. If you’re in the Manhattan Beach area, you can book a complimentary orthodontic consultation by clicking here.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8

Toothbrusing Mistake 7

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces”

Toothbrusing Mistake 7

How does skipping inner tooth surfaces (the surface in which your tongue presses against) when brushing affect your overall oral health? Leaving any part of the tooth behind can cause decay from  bacteria which was not removed when brushing.

The bacteria can spread all over the mouth (tongue, cheek, gums, and teeth) which can also damage other teeth which are thoroughly brushed. In order to avoid this scenario, it is best to include all parts of the teeth when brushing, including the inner surfaces of the teeth. The inner surfaces are commonly skipped since not all people are aware of the detrimental effects of skipping them.

Besides, since the inner surfaces of the teeth are not as visible as the outer ones, most people think it is not necessary to clean them properly thus they are making the biggest mistake when it comes to oral hygiene. Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association says that the plaque that you can’t see is as important to remove as the plaque that you can see so don’t just focus on removing plaque on the outer surfaces. Furthermore, dentists found out that the most skipped area when brushing is the inner surfaces of the lower front teeth so make sure to include this the next time you brush.

Overall, make sure to brush every part of your mouth when brushing in order to ensure that bacteria which causes bad breath and tooth decay is removed.

Are you on Google Plus ? Circle doctor Panucci  by clicking here, doing so you will be the first to know about all the latest dental information.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.7

TM3-BB

Toothbrushing Mistake No.3

Toothbrushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”

Brushing teeth correctly

Not brushing often enough or long enough can cause faster degradation of teeth and gums. There’s actually a recommended duration and frequency when it comes to brushing. This ensures all the parts and areas of the mouth and teeth are covered. Brushing your teeth twice daily is good but three times per day is best according to Sesemann, DDS, and president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Sesemann added that with the amount of time in between brushings, bacteria can build up which will in turn boost the risks of having gum inflammation and other related problems. Brushing after your meals (at least three times a day) will lessen the probability of gum diseases and tooth decay. It is also important to bear in mind the recommended duration of at least two minutes when brushing your teeth. You can actually divide your mouth into four quadrants and spend 30 minutes for each quadrant to make sure you are spending an equal brushing time for all your teeth.

Since most people fall short in both timelines (duration and frequency), it helps if you multi-task to take your mind off brushing. Two to three minutes will go faster if you watch TV while brushing or read a newspaper. In general, sticking to the recommended frequency and duration of brushing can help you preserve your teeth for the years to come.

If you have any other queries about caring for your teeth you can post a comment on our Facebook wall, or contact Dr Panucci directly for your complimentary consultation.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.3

Toothbrusing Mistake 2

Toothbrushing Mistake No.2

Toothbrushing Mistake No.2: “Not Picking the Right Bristles

Toothbrusing Mistake 2

With the numerous toothbrushes and different bristle types available in the market today, consumers are having a hard time selecting the appropriate toothbrush. Aside from the abundant options, advertisements are also rampant and most of the time they are just promoting their products not bearing in mind that whatever they say on the commercials can affect the decision making of each individual which will later have an impact their overall oral hygiene.

So are there guidelines, tips, or clear-cut path to follow when choosing the toothbrush with the right bristles?

No matter how the bristles are placed (angled or straight); dentists do not agree that one type is better than the other. The sturdiness of the bristles should be hard enough to remove debris and plaque but should also be soft enough in order not to damage the gums while brushing, says Richard H. Price, DMD. Using natural bristles from animal hair or boar hair is also highly discouraged by Price.

Not picking the right bristles can lead to gum problems (very stiff or hard bristles can damage teeth and gums) or tooth decay (too softer bristles may not be able to remove plaque which will later cause tooth decay). Hence, it is important to find the balance on the sturdiness of the bristles for more effective teeth cleaning.

Are you following Dr Panucci on Twitter?  Follow all her latest tweets and oral hygiene tips.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.2

Toothbrushing Mistake1

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1: “Not Using the Right Toothbrush”

Toothbrushing Mistake1

Not using the right toothbrush brings a lot of negative effects to your overall oral health. If your toothbrush doesn’t fit your needs and if you’re not comfortable using it, then the tendency would be to finish brushing earlier than the recommended duration (or not to brush on the recommended frequency).

Later on, this will lead to tooth decay and in no time, you can count your remaining teeth in one hand. These may seem like terrible results for just not using the right toothbrush but it’s a fact you cannot deny. So how do you choose the right toothbrush for you?

Toothbrushes available in the market today come in different colors, shapes, types, and sizes which can be very overwhelming. The truth is, there’ no such thing as “one size fits all” when choosing the right toothbrush. Every person has unique needs and preference hence it really depends on the individual who will be using the toothbrush. The more comfortable you are when using your toothbrush the more likely you will use it. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are great for removing debris and plaque from your teeth. Aside from that, small-headed toothbrushes can also reach areas at the back of your teeth.

Using hard-bristled toothbrushes does not mean you are cleaning your teeth more effectively. It can even damage your gums so be careful when using these. The style and grip will depend on your preference so choose the one you are more comfortable with. Always remember that for optimum results, using the right toothbrush comes with brushing your teeth the right way too.

If you are unhappy with your smile you can get a free consultation by clicking here today!

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1