National Orthodontic Health Month
This October is national orthodontic health month and it is especially important with the Halloween season coming up. National orthodontic health month is a time to raise awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment. We are interested in connecting with new patients, and educating people in the community about the benefits that they can experience after receiving proper orthodontic treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes October as orthodontic health month and a time to raise awareness for these benefits. The AAO has over 16,000 members located across North America and is one of the oldest professional associations for orthodontists. They have established this month is a good time to educate people about these benefits because it falls in line with Halloween, and because it’s always a
Pamela Machado via Compfight
good idea to explain the benefits of orthodontic work. By banding together during the month of October we only hope that each orthodontic member of the AAO will do their part to reach out in the community and educate new people about what they can receive along with orthodontic care.
Currently undergoing orthodontic treatment?
For people who are currently undergoing orthodontic care, October is a great time to brush up on your skills and to learn more about the treatments that you are undergoing. By Learning about some food that you can avoid during Halloween, as well as how to properly clean your teeth even with orthodontic appliances on, you can be more prepared to handle October during your treatment. There are bound to be lots of treats floating around and plenty of temptations. It’s important to note that some of these sticky treats could really set your progress back and lead to some serious oral health issues. Opting for some melt in your mouth treats over some harder sticky items could make sure that your progress isn’t interrupted.
Professionals across all levels of orthodontistry are recognized across orthodontic health month. Orthodontists will receive awards and certificates based off of their performance over the past year. Certified orthodontic assistants and orthodontists can be recognized on behalf of their various boards if they are certified by an exam. Certification lasts just one year but some of the most elite orthodontists and assistants carry these certifications to show their commitment to excellence.
If you are interested in receiving orthodontic care or you are interested in learning more about the treatment that you are undergoing, October is perhaps one of the best months to look into your orthodontic health.
Dr Panucci is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to 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) 379-7051.
National Orthodontic Health Month
Toothbrushing Mistake No.10
Toothbrushing Mistake No.10: “Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough”
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.
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Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.Toothbrushing Mistake No.10
Invisible Aligners Explained
Contents
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.
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
It’s Halloween Season!
Halloween can be one of the most fun holidays that many young adults and children experience every single year. It is however very important to consider that if you are wearing orthodontic appliances that Halloween might be just a bit different for you during your treatment.
If you have braces it’s very important to consider that much of the candy that you might normally be eating on Halloween should be cut entirely out of your diet.
Denis Collette via Compfight
Eating candy and sweets on Halloween can be a lot of fun and even though many dentists do not recommend an excessive amount of sugar as this can promote cavities, it is important to enjoy yourself especially on Halloween.
For patients that have orthodontic appliances in traditional braces however most types of candy should be avoided. Candy is usually very chewy and can get stuck in braces which can cause real damage to your teeth and to your oral health. Hard candies can damage braces and also get stuck promoting issues with oral health. Even worse, sticky candies and soft candies can stick in the wires of braces and cause cavities.
Rather than face issues cleaning your braces or even damaging your braces by eating candy on Halloween, it’s usually a good idea to just abstain. Stick with some of the foods that you can regularly eat. If you would like to go out for Halloween however consider collecting a donation for a local charity in lieu of candy or donating your candy to some of the other local neighborhood children. There is no reason why you can’t dress up and enjoy Halloween even with braces on.
For patients that have Invisalign and other removable appliances you can take off your aligners for just a short time in order to enjoy some candy on Halloween. Make sure to properly clean your aligners and thoroughly clean your teeth after you have enjoyed your night of fun. Invisalign makes it easier to enjoy holidays like Halloween but we still strongly encourage our patients to dress up and enjoy the holiday as well.
Feel free to come by our offices throughout October to see our Halloween decorations. If you have any questions about foods to avoid on Halloween, or should you need to schedule an emergency appointment after Halloween please do not hesitate to call or contact our office so that we can provide you with some answers.
Dr Panucci – Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.It’s Halloween Season!
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Operation Gratitude
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National Orthodontic Health Month
Contents
National Orthodontic Health Month
This October is national orthodontic health month and it is especially important with the Halloween season coming up. National orthodontic health month is a time to raise awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment. We are interested in connecting with new patients, and educating people in the community about the benefits that they can experience after receiving proper orthodontic treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes October as orthodontic health month and a time to raise awareness for these benefits. The AAO has over 16,000 members located across North America and is one of the oldest professional associations for orthodontists. They have established this month is a good time to educate people about these benefits because it falls in line with Halloween, and because it’s always a
Pamela Machado via Compfight
good idea to explain the benefits of orthodontic work. By banding together during the month of October we only hope that each orthodontic member of the AAO will do their part to reach out in the community and educate new people about what they can receive along with orthodontic care.
Currently undergoing orthodontic treatment?
For people who are currently undergoing orthodontic care, October is a great time to brush up on your skills and to learn more about the treatments that you are undergoing. By Learning about some food that you can avoid during Halloween, as well as how to properly clean your teeth even with orthodontic appliances on, you can be more prepared to handle October during your treatment. There are bound to be lots of treats floating around and plenty of temptations. It’s important to note that some of these sticky treats could really set your progress back and lead to some serious oral health issues. Opting for some melt in your mouth treats over some harder sticky items could make sure that your progress isn’t interrupted.
Professionals across all levels of orthodontistry are recognized across orthodontic health month. Orthodontists will receive awards and certificates based off of their performance over the past year. Certified orthodontic assistants and orthodontists can be recognized on behalf of their various boards if they are certified by an exam. Certification lasts just one year but some of the most elite orthodontists and assistants carry these certifications to show their commitment to excellence.
If you are interested in receiving orthodontic care or you are interested in learning more about the treatment that you are undergoing, October is perhaps one of the best months to look into your orthodontic health.
Dr Panucci is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to 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) 379-7051.
National Orthodontic Health Month
Toothbrushing Mistake No.9
Toothbrushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry”
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
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