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National Orthodontic Month

National Orthodontic Health Month

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

National Orthodontic Month

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 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

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Happy Columbus Day!

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? 

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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!

Opperation

Operation Gratitude

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. 

US Army

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

Brushing teeth

Toothbrushing Mistake No.8

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

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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

Toothbrushing Mistake 6

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”

Toothbrushing Mistake 6

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) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.6

 

Toothbrushing Mistake 5

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5: “Not Brushing Correctly”

Toothbrushing Mistake 5

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) 379-7051

Toothbrushing Mistake No.5

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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