Doctors' Blog

Most people wouldn’t dream of sharing a toothbrush. Even the most vigilant person can’t keep all of the bacteria at bay. The following tips are to help give you a fighting chance at keeping your toothbrush as clean as possible.

We recently attended a meeting on orthodontic treatment for OSA. What is OSA? OSA stands for obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep. The ability to breathe is temporarily lost causing the person suffering from OSA to wake from sleep multiple times during the night. To be properly diagnosed with OSA, one must see a sleep doctor. The orthodontist comes into play NOT in the diagnosing, but in helping treat the OSA with an oral appliance or through orthodontic treatment.

During the course of orthodontic treatment, a patient with braces may have to wear elastic rubber bands to help with the correction of their malocclusion.

Did you know that teeth could shift back to their original positions after braces have been removed? To avoid losing all of the hard work you have put into orthodontic treatment, we provide clear retainers to help hold your teeth in position. Before removal of the braces, we will place a wire on the tongue side of your upper and lower front teeth. This wire is a safety net during the first six months post orthodontic treatment. It is NOT a replacement for the regular clear retainer and will NOT hold the teeth straight, long-term. The clear retainer is removable and should be worn as instructed.

In a recent study done at the University of Maryland Dental School, Anthony von Frauhofer, PhD, the chief researcher, found some eye-opening evidence that suggests some precaution when it comes to the popular sport and energy drinks.

Fact: Acidic foods, such as lemons, citrus juices or soft drinks, don’t cause cavities, but they may be putting your enamel in danger. And don't forget about carbs! They turn to sugar, and that turns to... you guessed it... ACID!