What Do You Know About The Kids Healthy Mouths Campaign
You may have recently seen a PSA campaign regarding the kids healthy mouths program. Kids healthy mouths is a partnership that was created and spearheaded by spokesperson Laila Ali and backed by a partnership between the healthy mouths, healthy lives program and the ad Council.

Marwa Morgan via Compfight
The PSA campaign is targeted towards parents and children and drives home the importance of brushing for 2 minutes, two times per day. The 2 x 2 campaign is designed to target children to ensure that they maintain their oral health and care during the early years of their lives avoiding dental decay.
Dental decay is currently one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Over 16 million children in the United States are currently suffering from some form of untreated tooth decay. The idea of these PSA’s is to create a light and comfortable message for kids by reminding them of some other silly activities that they generally spend time doing rather than brushing their teeth for 2 min.
It is the hope that these PSA’s can affect real change and that children will see them and be encouraged to brush their teeth two times daily for 2 min, to severely cut down the instances of dental decay among children in the United States.
How can poor dental health affect children?
Poor dental and oral health can really affect childhood health. Many children experienced cavities and oral pain which can also cause extra expense for parents as well as some health issues. Cavities and oral pain can make life difficult for children and could require extra care especially if left untreated for a long period of time.
Research has shown that only 44% of parents report that their children were brushing their teeth at least twice a day. By providing proper instructions, exposure and reminders through these PSA’s the aim is for more children and parents to get on the bandwagon, creating positive change when it comes to focusing on oral health in children.
Coupled with these PSA’s comes a variety of internet material to help parents teach their children how to brush. The two-minute two times website is an excellent resource for parents to teach their children good cleaning habits.
Useful Websites
Some great information can be found on these websites, including referrals for local dentists, product recommendations as well as the different types of toothbrushes that should be used for children. Extra resources such as the brush checklist can also be used by parents to help children establish healthy routines for brushing and to keep track of their cleaning habits. You can also view our blog for common tooth brushing mistakes that we list on a weekly basis.
If you would like to learn more about the kids healthy mouth campaign please feel free to visit www.2min2x.org
For all the latest tips, news and competitions please like our Facebook page.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.
The Kids Healthy Mouths Campaign.
Happy Columbus Day!
Contents
What is Columbus Day?
As the second Monday in October is approaching very quickly we are almost ready to celebrate Columbus Day. On October 12 1492 Christopher Columbus arrived in America, today we celebrate Columbus Day over an extended long weekend holiday. Many of us spend Columbus Day together with family or friends enjoying good food and good times. It’s important to enjoy yourself over Columbus Day but also to be careful especially if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
We understand that accidents over the course of the Columbus Day holiday can happen and it can be very difficult to receive treatment especially with our offices facing shortened hours. If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention feel free to check through our website for a number of quick fixes that you can make to orthodontic appliances to ensure your short-term comfort.
Are you going away for Columbus Day?
If you are going away for Columbus Day or spending time with friends is also very important that you keep track of any removable appliances. For patients that use retainers or Invisalign dental aligners it’s very important that they keep track of their appliances and continue to use them over the course of the holiday. We understand that sometimes appliances can be lost or damaged over the long weekend and if this occurs make sure to phone into our answering service or e-mail us directly so that we can order you a replacement appliance as soon as possible.
If you go without your appliance for a long period of time it can greatly impact the length of your treatment and extend the length of your treatment. Make sure to continue wearing your appliance and to keep track of it especially when you are traveling, it can be a costly expense to replace it. Enjoying Columbus Day with friends and family may also affect your diet especially if you have a permanent orthodontic appliance. Make sure to consider your food options before going out to an event.
It is important to consider that their are certain foods you will need to avoid in order to maintain your oral health. For a description of the foods that you should best avoid over Columbus Day feel free to consult our website on some of the foods to avoid with braces.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.Happy Columbus day!
Operation Gratitude
Contents
Operation Gratitude: A Candy Buyback
With Halloween fast approaching, there are many orthodontists that are looking for solutions to steer their patients away from all of the sugar and junk that could ruin the progress of their orthodontic treatment. Luckily there is a solution and it comes in the form of operation gratitude which is a candy buyback program for orthodontists and dentists.
first_msc via Flickr
As children collect candy for Halloween and throughout the Halloween season, participating orthodontists can encourage them to hold back on eating the candy and to collect it. At an appropriate time participating practices will be able to buy back the stockpiles of candy and in exchange give children coupons for food, services, toothbrushes or other creative exchanges. After the orthodontists and dentists collect all of this candy up and exchange it, they are asked to send the candy off to operation gratitude.
Where does all the candy go?
Operation gratitude then bundles up all of the candy that is collected from practices across North America to eventually send the candy along with supplies in the operation gratitude program which is a military support group designated to support US military troops. All of these candies and supplies will eventually be sent overseas and deployed to US military troops who are in harms way.
The program is a big win for orthodontists as it can work to reduce any October issues in orthodontic and oral care. The program also works to benefit American soldiers were deployed in harm’s way and gives them a much-needed morale boost. Many practices that participate in this program experience overwhelming support and the children, who have been told to avoid candy throughout October, certainly enjoy getting some type of treat in exchange for their Halloween efforts.
Halloween is a fun time of year for kids and there is no reason why they should have to miss out because they are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. Kids with orthodontic appliances can still go out and collect candy and with a program like this one orthodontic office can still reward them for taking part in the Halloween season.
The program has been widely successful and this year will be shipping its 1 millionth care package on December 7, 2013. Operation gratitude runs entirely on donations and even some money is needed to handle the shipping costs for their care packages. Donations can be made via the website, or at any one of the orthodontic candy buyback programs that occur throughout early November and October.
For more information contact our office by clicking here, alternatively post any comments on our Facebook wall.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.Operation Gratitude
Toothbrushing Mistake No.8
Toothbrushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse”
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
The Kids Healthy Mouths Campaign
Contents
What Do You Know About The Kids Healthy Mouths Campaign
You may have recently seen a PSA campaign regarding the kids healthy mouths program. Kids healthy mouths is a partnership that was created and spearheaded by spokesperson Laila Ali and backed by a partnership between the healthy mouths, healthy lives program and the ad Council.
Marwa Morgan via Compfight
The PSA campaign is targeted towards parents and children and drives home the importance of brushing for 2 minutes, two times per day. The 2 x 2 campaign is designed to target children to ensure that they maintain their oral health and care during the early years of their lives avoiding dental decay.
Dental decay is currently one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Over 16 million children in the United States are currently suffering from some form of untreated tooth decay. The idea of these PSA’s is to create a light and comfortable message for kids by reminding them of some other silly activities that they generally spend time doing rather than brushing their teeth for 2 min.
It is the hope that these PSA’s can affect real change and that children will see them and be encouraged to brush their teeth two times daily for 2 min, to severely cut down the instances of dental decay among children in the United States.
How can poor dental health affect children?
Poor dental and oral health can really affect childhood health. Many children experienced cavities and oral pain which can also cause extra expense for parents as well as some health issues. Cavities and oral pain can make life difficult for children and could require extra care especially if left untreated for a long period of time.
Research has shown that only 44% of parents report that their children were brushing their teeth at least twice a day. By providing proper instructions, exposure and reminders through these PSA’s the aim is for more children and parents to get on the bandwagon, creating positive change when it comes to focusing on oral health in children.
Coupled with these PSA’s comes a variety of internet material to help parents teach their children how to brush. The two-minute two times website is an excellent resource for parents to teach their children good cleaning habits.
Useful Websites
Some great information can be found on these websites, including referrals for local dentists, product recommendations as well as the different types of toothbrushes that should be used for children. Extra resources such as the brush checklist can also be used by parents to help children establish healthy routines for brushing and to keep track of their cleaning habits. You can also view our blog for common tooth brushing mistakes that we list on a weekly basis.
If you would like to learn more about the kids healthy mouth campaign please feel free to visit www.2min2x.org
For all the latest tips, news and competitions please like our Facebook page.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.The Kids Healthy Mouths Campaign.
Toothbrushing Mistake No.7
Toothbrushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces”
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.
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Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051Toothbrushing Mistake No.7
What are The Five C’s? [Of Invisalign & Invisalign Teen]
Invisalign is a revolutionary new orthodontic treatment that allows patients to straighten their teeth without the use of traditional metal braces. Whilst traditional metal braces have worked and evolved for decades to include increased comfort, shorter treatment times and more fine-tuned adjustments, Invisalign is really the next step in orthodontic treatment that many adults and teens are interested in receiving for convenience.
Read more
Toothbrushing Mistake No.6
Toothbrushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”
So does starting in the same place each time when brushing really have an impact to your overall oral health?
Most right handed people have the habit to start at the upper left corner of their front teeth while left handed people tend to start at the upper right corner of their front teeth. The bad news is that starting at the same place each time when brushing can cause excessive wear to that certain teeth. Aside from the excessive wear, starting at the same place each time when brushing also makes you get bored on the same areas each day hence those areas won’t be as clean as those areas where you start brushing.
Richard H. Price, DMD (consumer advisor for the American Dental Association), added that by the time you reach the last quadrant of your mouth, you’re already bored and lazy hence you are missing the most important places to clean, especially the back of your last teeth. People tend to start brushing harder then let up as they go on and the usual places left behind with less cleaning effort are the upper back teeth. So how can you change this habit?
Whenever starting up, always remember to start with the inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth where most bacteria builds up. Do not start on the same place each time and remember to include brushing the tongue in order to remove the white film which also contains bacteria and causes bad breath.
Dr Panucci is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to oral hygiene and orthodontic treatments, you can book a complimentary consultation by clicking here !
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051Toothbrushing Mistake No.6
Seven Invisalign FAQ’s
Contents
Invisalign FAQ’s
Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth. These are some common FAQs for new patient wearing Invisalign.
1. What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance that works similarly to braces and is completely removable. Invisalign is created using nearly invisible dental aligners made of thermoplastic. The aligners look very similar to teeth whitening trays that you may use it the dentist or you may have purchased from your local drugstore. As you progress through Invisalign treatments you will need to change these aligners to gradually adjust your teeth into the position for your ideal smile.
2. How do the aligners work?
Over time you will need to change out the aligners to move your teeth into their correct position. The aligners will put a controlled force on teeth to slowly move them into their position. Orthodontists will map out these forces and dictate how aligners should be adjusted to properly adjust your teeth. Over the length of your treatment your teeth will gradually move as you change each aligner until they are eventually formed into their correct structure.
3. How would Invisalign treatment affect me?
Unlike braces and some other forms of traditional orthodontic appliances, Invisalign is completely removable. Patients are only required to wear Invisalign for 20-22 hours a day for the best results. Removing the aligners to eat or drink means that you are not restricted in the types of food that you would regularly eat and you will also have no difficulties cleaning your teeth. The best part is the aligners are virtually invisible so it will be very difficult for anyone to know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign may be a bit uncomfortable for the first few days that you wear the aligners, but after that they have a minimal effect on your life.
4. Do I need to take care of my aligners?
You will need to clean your aligners regularly. You can do this by both brushing them as you would your teeth and rinsing them with lukewarm water, or looking into the specialty Invisalign cleaning system. Changing your aligners whenever your orthodontist recommends is also required as part of your treatment.
5. How long does the treatment take?
Treatment will depend on how severe your individual case is. The average amount of time that the aligners are used is around 12 months for adults. Your orthodontist will be able to give you an indication of the amount of time your treatment may take but ultimately the deciding factor will be how well you personally adjust to treatment with the aligners.
6. How often will I need to schedule appointments?
Invisalign will require less appointments than with traditional braces but you should still see your orthodontist at least once every 4 to 6 weeks to track your progress.
7. How much does Invisalign cost?
Only your individual orthodontist will be able to determine the full cost of Invisalign. It depends on the amount of treatment that you need individually and the number of aligners that you might need to complete your treatment. Some of the factors on pricing include: The area that you live in, the difficulty of your case and the amount of orthodontic insurance coverage you may have. The national average for the cost of Invisalign treatment in the United States is around $5000.
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.Seven invisalign FAQs
Toothbrushing Mistake No.5
Toothbrushing Mistake No.5: “Not Brushing Correctly”
Not brushing correctly can lead to several types of damage including gum abrasions. It is important to make sure you are brushing in proper strokes every time in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Long horizontal strokes are the primary cause of gum abrasions. It is necessary to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria which stick to your teeth) by carefully brushing your teeth in a short vertical or circular motion. According to Sesemann, you should aim your bristles at 45-degree angle on the gum line and softly brush up and down your teeth.
Make sure to include the back of your teeth, the inner surfaces, and the outer surfaces. You can turn your brush facing the top of your molars (chewing surfaces) to make sure all the stuck food and debris are removed. Bear in mind to spend at least 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth to ensure that you are spending the recommended time on all your teeth equally. Furthermore, you should also brush your cheeks and tongue aside from the teeth. Bacteria can also build up in these places so it should be included.
Lastly, rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing to prevent ingesting the fluoride from your toothpaste. You can also combine tooth brushing with flossing just to make sure there are no stones left unturned. Again, brushing correctly is the key to a cleaner and healthier mouth.
Some people do a great job of brushing their teeth, unfortunately a toothbrush cant straighten teeth. If you have a friend or family member who may benefit from orthodontic treatment, click here to refer them. They will be in the best hands in Manhattan Beach.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051Toothbrushing Mistake No.5
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign Explained
Becoming familiar with the full process of Invisalign will help you to understand the treatment process. Many people are extremely hesitant to see an orthodontist or begin straightening their teeth because of the stigma that is attached with braces and other forms of orthodontic appliances.
Invisalign offers up freedom of choice to patients by giving them a treatment option that works faster and is also far less noticeable than traditional orthodontic treatment. Here is the process of how Invisalign works.
Speaking with an Invisalign provider: most orthodontist today can offer Invisalign as a treatment option but it’s very important that you see an experienced Invisalign Platinum Provider as they are knowledgeable with the costs, scheduling and the process. It is important to note that Invisalign can be more expensive than traditional forms of braces but it is also far more convenient throughout treatment. With an investment such as Invisalign it’s very important that you meet with an orthodontist that you are comfortable with and knows the process well. Treatment can be a big investment and is not a decision to be taken lightly. Your orthodontist will be able to determine if Invisalign is a good treatment option for you and can also walk you through the process. It is important to note that some patients will not qualify for treatment with Invisalign and may require other forms of orthodontic treatment before they can begin this type of treatment.
Scanning and imaging: after you have decided to undergo Invisalign treatment your doctor will begin to create x-rays, pictures and specialty moulds or impressions of your teeth. All of this data will be sent off to the manufacturer where a 3-D model will be created of your teeth. Your orthodontist can then work through a computer simulation to map out your entire treatment plan as well as show you how your teeth will look after each stage of the treatment.
Receiving your first aligners: aligners will then be manufactured to begin your treatment. The aligners are created using BPA free plastic that is extremely strong and also much more comfortable than traditional braces. You will need to wear your aligners for around 22 hours per day in order to stay on track with your treatments. The aligners will gradually shift your teeth into place and need to be changed out every two weeks on average to advance to the next stage of your treatment.
Regular checkups: you will have to go to regular checkups every six weeks to see how your treatment is progressing. At your appointment you can pick up new aligners as well as ask any questions to your orthodontist about your treatment. As long as you continue to change your aligners every two weeks and wear them for the prescribed amount of time you should be able to complete your treatment just as it was computer modelled.
Given that Invisalign entails a substantial investment, it’s imperative that you don’t cut corners when it comes to choosing your doctor. Dr Panucci has a wealth of experience in providing orthodontic treatments including Invisalign. You can read more about Dr Panucci by clicking here.
Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.How Invisalign Works