Posts

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

happy woman

Operation Gratitude

We need your Candy! Every Pound equals 10 Reward Points!

candy is bad for braces

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

Invisalign v Braces

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 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

six month smiles

Six Month Smiles

For the ultimate in quick orthodontic treatment, many adults are turning to the six-month smiles system. If you are self-conscious or embarrassed about your smile and would like to do something about it quickly, this could very well be the system for you.

What is Six Month Smiles?

six month smilesSix month smiles is a cosmetic braces system that works to speed up the process of traditional braces. Using some of the most advanced orthodontic techniques and modern materials orthodontists have devised a system that on average can correct smiles within just six months.

For patients who are interested in getting a straight smile faster and in some cases only six months, there are now a range of treatments that, dependent on the patients teeth, are now possible to achieve. One of these programs uses specialized clear braces which are gradually adjusted and straightened during intensive orthodontic visits over six months to eventually straighten and align teeth. Unlike other forms of traditional braces which are adjusted over a period of up to two years, six months smiles cosmetic braces are designed to work quickly and deliver results, as their name suggests in just six months (cases vary).

This revolutionary system of braces has got a variety of different adult patients talking. For people who are wary of dental work, on interested in receiving braces or simply want a quick fix for their smile, this could be the answer that they have always waited for. Other types of teeth straightening procedures can take a lot of time and also be very expensive. Six months smiles is affordable, effective and safe and is designed so anyone can receive a beautiful straight smile.

Six Month Smiles

Straight teeth in less time, this is what six-month smiles can deliver.

Contact our office today to find out if you are a candidate for Six Month Smiles.

Beach Braces 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, California 90266

Six month smiles

Operation Gratitude - Oklahoma

Operation Gratitude – How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims

Not a lot of you may know but Dr. Panucci has been a sponsor of Operation Gratitude, and continues to be every year. Operation Gratitude is a non-profit, volunteer-based corporation, funded entirely by private donations. They seek to lift morale in the Military Community by sending care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors and their Care Givers.

Operation Gratitude – Relief for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

Hurricane Wake IMAGE#fb2ef07d-3813-49ff-bc08-bdbc4ed4064c (1)

Unfortunately we all know about all the devastating aftermath that the tornadoes left in Oklahoma. Many people would like to help but do not know exactly how to do so, well here is your chance. We welcome your help in collecting items and/or donating funds (to help with the added shipping costs). These items will be shipped out to the family & soldiers in Oklahoma.

The “Wish List” consists of:

  • Nonperishable food: Baby formula, bottled water, PowerBars, KIND bars, energy bars or any other nutritious items.
  • Clothing: Any type of new clothing: Men, women and children.
  • Entertaining items: Playing Cards, books or any other entertainment that does not require electricity.
  • Moral lifts: Letters to put in care packages.
  • Hygiene Items: Hand Sanitizer, toothpaste/toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash & mouthwash.
  • Gift Cards: Gift cards to national stores or stores located in Oklahoma
  • Miscellaneous: Sunscreen, diapers, boots, work gloves, batteries (all kinds), flash lights and baby wipes.

We will be accepting these donations at our office until Friday 31st & they will be personally delivered by Dr. Panucci to the Operation Gratitude in Van Nuys, CA.

Everything is appreciated, Thank you!!!

Dr. Panucci & the Beach Braces Team

Operation Gratitude - Oklahoma