Side Effects of Orthodontic Treatment

When an adult decides to have orthodontic treatment there is usually more to the story than the desire to have straight teeth. In Pamela’s case, it was medically necessary to provide a functional bite. She had undergone orthognathic surgery ten years prior to address the problem but now she could not chew on the left side because the teeth no longer touched.

After her initial exam, our doctors met with Dr. Lark, her dentist, to discuss possible ways to correct her occlusion. Since getting the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in a comfortable position was crucial to the case, it was imperative that Pamela, her husband, her orthodontists, and her dentist who specializes in TMJ treatment be all on the same page. Our orthodontists worked closely with Dr. Lark to achieve the best occlusion possible for Pam. She wore upper and lower braces for three years as we re-evaluated and repositioned brackets for two years until everyone concerned with her case was satisfied with the result.

Pam’s teeth now come together in a comfortable occlusion on both sides. She can once again chew her food easily and effortlessly. And she is quite pleased with the known side effects of the orthodontic treatment she experienced – a perfect smile!

Halloween Tips from Drs. Simon, Haerian, and Ludwig

Halloween can be a scary time for your teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists offers these tips to keep your teeth safe from decay during the Halloween Season:

• Don't get into a sticky situation....avoid sticky or chewy candy and snacks. These include hard or chewy candies, caramel, licorice, taffy, bubblegum, (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.

• Good alternatives for people with braces include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties.

• If you eat sweets, do so in moderation. Don't be tempted to grab another handful from the bowl filled with treats. Parents may want to limit the time during which children eat from the Halloween bowl.

• Regular brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season, when teeth may receive more exposure to sugary foods that can cause cavities. People with braces should be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing often.

If you have any other questions about how to keep your teeth and braces safe from sugary foods, call our office. Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Trick or Treat!

-Drs. Simon, Haerian, Ludwig and staff

October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

For those who don't know, it’s National Orthodontic Health Month. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists put together a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Drs. Simon, Haerian, Ludwig, and our team also recommend you to ask us if you have any follow-up questions about keeping your braces in tip-top shape. Please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask us during your visit this month!

5 Tips to Avoid Plaque

At the offices of Drs. Eugene Simon, André Haerian, and Jennifer Ludwig, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to visit the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Simon, Haerian, and Ludwig. If you have any questions, visit our website’s oral hygiene page, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

A Confident Smile

With Meghan’s mouth being so crowded, her Mom harbored serious doubts that correction could be made without extractions -- especially when she knew there was a cuspid stuck somewhere in the palate that would need to enter the mix!

At Meghan’s initial exam at our office, however, Mom was encouraged by Dr. Haerian’s foresight, confidence and with the way he attacked the issue head on. After two months of braces, exposure of the cuspid by Dr. Carroll, and seeing the game plan in action mom began to buy into Dr. Haerian’s vision for Meghan. Now mom is totally sold as Meghan’s smile reflects that beautiful possibility Dr. Haerian envisioned three years before.