18
Oct
2012
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UNMASK A HEALTHY SMILE THIS HALLOWEEN

Los Angeles Orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan recommends the best orthodontic-friendly Halloween treats.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, celebrated by orthodontists throughout the U.S. and Canada, but it is also more commonly known as the month of Halloween. Halloween and all its accompanying candy can be a scary time for teeth. As part of National Orthodontic Health Month, Los Angeles Orthodontist Dr. David Alpan of Aesthetic Orthodontics wants to remind patients and the entire community that even though Halloween treats can play tricks on orthodontic treatment, there are a few quick tips to keep teeth safe from decay, and protect braces, clear aligners and other orthodontic “appliances” during the Halloween season.

• Avoid sticky situations with your braces and aligners. Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include hard or chewy candies, caramel, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.

• Careful with crunchiness. Patients want to steer away from hard-shelled peanut candies, nuts or nut-filled candies, taco chips and popcorn (especially unpopped kernels). And whether in orthodontic treatment or not, Dr. Alpan says no one should ever chew ice.

• Not all Halloween candy is off-limits. Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. The American Association of Orthodontists even offers orthodontic-friendly recipes for Halloween on its website, mylifemysmile.org.

• Brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season, when teeth may receive more exposure to sweets that can cause cavities. Orthodontic patients should be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.

“It is possible to enjoy some traditional candies at Halloween without causing problems with orthodontics,” says Dr. Alpan. “Everyone really wants to have fun on this holiday, and we encourage patients to enjoy treats that are acceptable, rather than feel that they are missing out. It’s important to remember that when patients’ orthodontic treatment is complete, and they see their new smiles in the mirror, they will know all of their efforts now were worthwhile.”

Dr. Alpan is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization. It represents more than 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. The Association encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment.

 
11
Oct
2012
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Care to Share Program

Care-to-shareWe have a popular program that has taken off, its called Care to Share. We reward our patients handsomely with an Aesthetic Orthodontics Visa gift card for referring family and friends. We think it is important to make it worth your while and to extend our thanks with a monetary reward.

Special thanks to Patient Cheryl for referring a patient to our practice.

 
04
Oct
2012
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Care to share program

At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we offer a program to our patients called Care to Share! We reward our patients handsomely with a Visa gift card for referring friends. There is no better way to honor us than by referring friends and family, so we think it is important to make it worth your while and to extend our thanks with a monetary reward.

Special thanks to Patient Jasmine for referring a patient to our practice.

 
08
Sep
2012
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What Kind of Toothbrush Should I Use?

When it comes to selecting a toothbrush, there are so many options that it can be overwhelming. But there are some guidelines you can follow to help you choose.

When selecting a manual toothbrush, find one with a compact head. A head that is more compact takes up a smaller surface area on the teeth allowing you to focus on just two or three teeth at a time. Brushing can be more thorough with a compact head. You should also make sure the brush has soft bristles. This reduces the risk of brushing off enamel if you are someone who brushes too hard. Once that enamel is gone, it will not come back. Be conscious of how hard you are brushing.

Electric Toothbrushes are great for people who may not have the dexterity to use a manual toothbrush like children, people with certain diseases or disabilities, and elderly people who may have lost some of their dexterity. Of course, they are great for any person who prefers an electric toothbrush, but they are especially effective for anyone that might have a more difficult time using a manual toothbrush. For braces patients, an electrical toothbrush can be very beneficial because it is easier to maneuver around each bracket and tooth.

If you are trying to decide between electric and manual, it is really a matter of preference. I use a manual brush, but no matter which brush you choose, it all comes down to the way you brush whether you are using a manual or electric toothbrush. Brushing for two minutes twice daily and focusing on each tooth is essential for good oral hygiene.

 
05
Sep
2012
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What Kind of Toothpaste Should I Use?

None! The truth is you don’t need any toothpaste to get those pearly whites clean. Toothpaste is a tool designed to make brushing more fun and more tolerable. Imagine brushing without any toothpaste at all. After scrubbing all of that bacteria off of your teeth, it may leave a bad taste in your mouth. Hence, toothpaste.

When selecting a toothpaste, try to stay away from extra toxins and chemicals. This includes fluoride which is extremely toxic to the body. The mouth is very vascular. Anything you put into your mouth is easily carried to other parts of your body through your blood stream. It’s important not to put unnecessary chemicals into your body for optimum health.

You may be wondering how to prevent tooth decay if you aren’t using flouride and harsh mouthwashes. Using an all natural tooth paste, keeping a healthy diet, and adopting a healthy lifestyle should keep any dental caries at bay. If you get a lot of cavities despite good brushing habits, look to your diet. Are you consuming a lot of sugar or acidic foods? Do you eat mostly refined foods or fast food? Keep a food journal and keep track of what you are eating so that you can see areas that need improvement.

It is true that some people are more predisposed to tooth decay. Others may be able to eat more sugar than you and never suffer from a cavity, while you may find those caries popping up every time you go to the dentist if you eat sugar. Most people need both good hygiene habits and good lifestyle habits to maintain a healthy mouth.

Find an all-natural toothpaste that works for you, maintain good eating habits, and be sure to exercise to get that blood flowing throughout your mouth and entire body, and you’ll be on the road to healthy teeth and gums.

 
23
Aug
2012
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Care to Share!

At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we offer a program to our patients called Care to Share! We reward our patients handsomely with a Visa gift card for referring friends. There is no better way to honor us than by referring friends and family, so we think it important to make it worth your while and to extend our thanks with a monetary reward.

Below is a recent picture of one of our Care to Share patients. Thank you so much for your referral! It means the world to me and the team!
Care-to-share

 
10
Aug
2012
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An Aesthetic Braces Option

Concerned about what you will look like with braces on your teeth? Have you been putting it off because you don’t want to wear traditional braces? There is a great alternative available to you: lingual braces!

Lingual braces are placed on the inside of the teeth, or tongue-side. The benefits to lingual braces over other clear braces options like clear brackets are that lingual braces are completely invisible. And they allow orthodontists to correct more complex problems faster than clear aligners do in most cases. Treatment times can be a lot shorter than wearing clear aligners.

At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we offer Incognito Hidden Braces, a system of lingual braces that has proven to be extremely effective over the many years that we have been providing it to our patients. So, if you’ve been putting off that orthodontic appointment because of your aesthetic fears, just know that there are many options available to you that will straighten those teeth, or fix that bite in a nearly invisible, or even completely unnoticeable fashion.

 
02
Aug
2012
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Summer Grilling

No, not a BBQ. I’m talking dental grills, those popular embellished tooth coverings made famous by rappers, and now, Olympic gold medalist, Ryan Lochte.

Grills are often made out of precious metals like gold and are often decorated with jewels. But, sometimes, grills are made on the cheap with nickel, a metal that may irritate gum tissue. The most important aspect of a grill is the fit. Grills snap onto the teeth, so a precisely-fitted grill is imperative to avoid tooth movement (imagine a bad retainer) and to prevent a larger amount of bacteria to collect between the grill and the teeth and gums. A poor-fitting grill may lead to gum disease and tooth caries, and tooth movement that may not only lead to an unsatisfactory smile, but also an improper bite.

I don’t recommend grills, but if it is something that you are going to get regardless, spend the extra money for one that is made with quality metal and is expertly fitted.

 
25
Jul
2012
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Invisalign

Las Vegas orthodontist on getting braces offInvisalign is a great option over traditional braces for those concerned about the aesthetics of traditional metal braces. Invisalign is a braces system that uses a series of clear aligners specifically designed for each individual patient. The patient inserts a new set of aligners every few weeks until the desired results, determined by the doctor and the patient before treatment starts, are achieved.

The Invisalign transparent aligners can be more comfortable to wear than traditional braces because they are lighter and less force and pressure is being placed on the teeth. Another big advantage to Invisalign treatment is that the aligners are removable, allowing patients to eat foods that traditional braces patients aren’t able to eat, and to brush their tooth more easily. Treatment times vary, but Invisalign treatment can be shorter than wearing traditional braces depending on the type of issues that each patient has. All of these points make it easy to see why Invisalign is such a popular treatment option, especially among adults.

There are instances, however, where Invisalign may not be as effective as other treatment options. There are certain issues that may be better resolved with traditional braces or lingual braces. This doesn’t mean that Invisalign will not be an option; it just means that there are other treatments that may be more effective or may solve the issues more expeditiously.

Perhaps the biggest barrier to Invisalign’s effectiveness, is patient compliance. If the patient cannot commit to wearing their aligners for the recommended amount of time each day (usually 22 hours), treatment may not yield optimal results. Breaking or losing aligners can prolong treatment time and can be very costly if done often.

If you are interested in Invisalign, come in for a free exam and consultation so that we can determine the best treatment plan together.