Dairy and gum disease, from Orthodontic Associates

Last week, we told you all about fluoride and its health benefits. This week, our team at Orthodontic Associates thought we'd spotlight another healthy yet under appreciated ingredient to a healthy you: dairy.

If dairy's not already a part of your diet, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects your gums and jaw, and results in a loss of teeth and bone - and has also been connected in studies to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, give us a call!

Orthodontic Associates present: Your Friend, fluoride

Our team at Orthodontic Associates will tell you there are many, many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment with either Drs. Janowski, Mayers or Ahman.

Think about it: You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment?

Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement. Dentists and orthodontists use in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental or orthodontic procedures.

Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontists’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Drs. Janowski, Mayers or Ahman how to purchase professional strength fluoride).

A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Orthodontic Associates, wishing you a happy Mother's Day!

Our entire staff at Orthodontic Associates would like to take this time to thank all the wonderful moms out who - week after week - bring their kids to our office for treatment. We want to let you know we appreciate you all and would like to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

Whether it's driving their kids to our office or just "being there," all of you do a great job in supporting your kids' through their orthodontic treatment, and you all deserve more than just a day of recognition and praise!

And moms? It was also great seeing you all at the Open House last night! Enjoy your special day on Sunday!

"How Orthodontics Changed My Life" video contest!

Our staff at Orthodontic Associates wanted to direct your attention to an exciting contest that our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists are currently running. The contest, “How Orthodontics Changed My Life,” is all about you - tell the AAO your story about treatment at Orthodontic Associates. Contest entrants should tell their stories on video, answering questions such as:

* - What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment?
* - How have you changed How proud are you of your new smile?
* - When did you notice changes in yourself?
* - What kinds of changes have you noticed?
* - What does your new smile mean to you?
* - What would you say to others whose smiles make them self-conscious?

There will be two winners; each winner will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship. The contest is open to students who are age 18 who have completed active orthodontic treatment (braces must have been removed) and be in the active retention phase of treatment or have completed active retention.

Contest guidelines, available here, provide instructions to contestants on submitting their videos, which are to be submitted on DVDs or USB flash drives and accompanied by a signed release.

Drs. Mayers, Janowski and Ahman hope you'll find time to submit your video! GOOD LUCK!!

Retainers, retainers, retainers...

If you've recently completed your treatment at Orthodontic Associates, our staff would like to take this time to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski will provide—or have provided you—with retainers.

Retainers are important because after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Drs. Ahman, Mayers or Janowski is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

Give us a call if you have any questions and again, congratulations on being braces-free!

Ask Orthodontic Associates: Am I too old for treatment?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Treatment at Orthodontic Associates can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Drs. Mayers, Ahman and Janowski would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Parsing through the myths and facts about orthodontics with the Orthodontic Associates team

Drs. Mayers, Ahman and Janowski know there quite a lot of myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) flying around these days. But before you buy into those myths, our team at Orthodontic Associates think you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Orthodontic Associates, feel free to give us a call at our Lima, Ottawa or Celina locations! Happy Wednesday!