The 411 on Halloween treats, from Dr. Ostreicher

For parents in Levittown and Long Island worried about kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

Dr. David Ostreicher will tell you that while all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

So what's a parent to do?

As Halloween draws nearer, try to limit the amount of these candies that your child eats, and when your child does eat them, either have him or her rinse their mouth with water afterward or have them drink a glass of milk or eat a slice of cheese. Lastly, we encourage you to check out these braces-friendly (and delicious) Halloween treats, provided by the American Association of Orthodontists.

Hope this helps! Happy Halloween!

In love with your new smile? Then we encourage you to tell the world all about it!

Serving Levittown, Long Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County, we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality of orthodontic care in a comfortable and relaxing environment. Drs. Ostreicher and McAndrews, as well as our knowledgeable staff, believe in a whole health-oriented orthodontic practice where patients are more than just teeth!

Whether you have visited our office for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Ostreicher and team! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us on our Google page. It only takes a moment!

You may share your story here.

Thank you in advance, and have a great rest of the week!

"Hey Dr. Ostreicher! What the heck is malocclusion?"

Great question, thanks! Malocclusion, or what Dr. David Ostreicher calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At the office of David S. Ostreicher, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook, and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Ask Dr. Ostreicher: Why are regular checkups so important?

Drs. Ostreicher and McAndrews want to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer happens to be yes, we think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our Levittown office, of course).

Yes, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. But did you know October is also National Dental Hygiene Month? It can be a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially while you're wearing braces.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in Levittown or Long Island!