Ask Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews: “How do I prevent tooth decay during my treatment?”

Great question!

If you are brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews, we think that’s great! 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 Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign), of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.

If you have any questions, please be sure to keep ask Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews or our team during your next adjustment appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That’s why Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews and team at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports.  Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1.     Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.

2.     Wear a helmet

3.     Wear protective eyewear

4.     Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin

5.     Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign. Stay safe and have fun!

Ask Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews : Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

Let’s say you just got braces and Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews has informed you that during your orthodontic treatment you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy.  What does this leave for you to eat?  Lettuce?  Nothing?

Luckily, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that will allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care!  

Recipes include main dishes, side dishes and even yummy desserts! After all, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps the patient achieve the best possible results from treatment at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign.

If you have any questions about the recipes listed or about the foods you should be avoiding during your orthodontic treatment, please ask us during your next adjustment, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Enjoy!

Ask Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews: What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews decided to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So they stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a complete dental expert here at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Cold season is here, from Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign

Cold and flu season is here yet again. The folks at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Drs. David Ostreicher & Bronwyn McAndrews and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Dr. David Ostreicher, reminding you to protect your mouth this winter

With winter sports under way for a lot of our patients, Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign thought it would be a good time to remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this winter.

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Many people think a mouth guard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions. Our staff at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists’ website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in winter sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!

Three-Cheese Macaroni Extravaganza, a hearty and braces-friendly winter recipe!

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the team here at Dr. David Ostreicher, Orthodontist Braces and Invisalign more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
• Water for boiling noodles
• (optional: 1 or 2 onions, chopped)
• (optional: 1 to 2 Tablespoons margarine for sautéing onions)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh is best, but the canned type works too)
• ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ cup bread crumbs or dry stove-top stuffing

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium pot, boil macaroni in water until you can just cut it with the side of a fork; drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onions in the margarine until they are clear and tender. In a 3-quart greased casserole, stir together the macaroni and milk. Sprinkle with the cheeses and onion, then stir it all together. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Cover and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves six to eight.