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!

5 tips to avoid plaque, from Dr. David Ostreicher

At Dr. David Ostreicher, 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 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 Dr. David Ostreicher. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

The Go-To Mom Talks Invisalign

Our team at the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH found a great video that discusses the advantages of Invisalign. In the video, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, "The Go-To Mom," discusses the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen treatment and her personal experience with Invisalign.

To determine if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with Levittown orthodontist, Dr. Ostreicher. Have a great week!

Getting social with the office of Dr. Ostreicher!

At the office of David S. Ostreicher DDS MS MPH, we embrace technology through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on Facebook. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Ostreicher and our staff takes time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients:

How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog or Facebook?

Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below or on our Facebook page!

What Do You LOVE About Summer?

Summer is finally here, and the team at the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Dr. Ostreicher and team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting a comment below, on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call!

Why do you choose the office of David S. Ostreicher?

The office of Dr. David Ostreicher, serving Levittown, Nassau County, and Suffolk County, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Review Us on Google places" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you!

Dr. Ostreicher attends the 2011 American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session in Chicago

To better serve our patients at the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH with the highest quality orthodontic care available, our entire team is committed to continuing education into the exciting world of orthodontics.

One of the ways we improve our service is by attending conferences, meetings and seminars. Dr. Ostreicher attended the 2011 American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session in Chicago that took place May 13th-17th. The AAO Annual Session is an educational event that is one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world – and one that allows us to consult with orthodontists and current partners from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, in turn, allows us to give you the best treatment experience possible.

If you’ve got an appointment scheduled with us soon, we invite you to ask Dr. Ostreicher about his Chicago trip, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively.

The office of Dr. David Ostreicher wishes you a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks in Levittown, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great American open roads, we’d like to hear all about it!

Our entire team at the office of David S. Ostreicher DDS MS MPH wishes you a happy, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

7 Reasons To Straighten Your Teeth, the NEW book by Dr. David Ostreicher

While your eyes may be your window to the world, your smile is the world's window to you! A nice smile, with straight teeth, has a big impact on how others perceive your personality and your attractiveness. People with a bright, straight smile demonstrate high self-worth, and radiate confidence. Millions of adults, teenagers and children have improved their lives by straightening their teeth. Today, with high-tech braces and nearly invisible Invisalign, you can comfortably straighten your teeth and have that spectacular smile that you always wanted.

You can learn a lot more about the importance of having straight teeth in Dr. Ostreicher's latest book, 7 Reasons To Straighten Your Teeth, now available on Amazon.com. Dr. Ostreicher has lectured worldwide, has published dozens of articles and has appeared on national television on several occasions. Dr. Ostreicher's first book, Brush Your Teeth! and other simple ways to stay young and healthy is also available at Amazon.com.

Imagining your life with Invisalign® at the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Ostreicher and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.
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How often must I visit Dr. Ostreicher's office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Ostreicher will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Ostreicher the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods Dr. David Ostreicher wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give the office of David S. Ostreicher, DDS, MS, MPH a call or ask our staff during your next visit.