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

Our staff at the office of Dr. David Ostreicher want to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Drs. Ostreicher or McAndrews, of course). An oral checkup is vital for maintaining good oral health for kids with and without 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 your treatment.

During an oral exam, the 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 been to 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 the greater Long Island area! Happy Monday!

Are you wearing your mouth guard this summer?

With summer here for another six full weeks, Dr. David Ostreicher thought this would be a great time to remind all our young athletes in braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in sports - especially contact sports - this summer.

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. So the next time you're in for a visit at our office, be sure to ask Drs. Ostreicher or McAndrews for a mouth guard, and we'll provide one for you! In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists has five quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities.

• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant, even as a spectator

We hope you're having a wonderful summer, and invite you all to share your summer photos on our Facebook page!

Drs. Ostreicher & McAndrews, helping dispel all the myths about braces

Trust us when we say that we are aware that there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) out there nowadays. But before you buy into all those myths, we want you to get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, help set the record straight and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We definitely encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about braces or your orthodontic treatment at the office of Dr. David Ostreicher, please feel free to give us a call at (516) 342-4464 or ask us during your next visit!

Age 7, the magic number in orthodontics

Many parents here in Levittown and Long Island believe they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit our office, only to find that treatment would have been much simpler if started sooner. But did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

"All right," you think to yourself, "what’s so great about age seven?" Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Drs. Ostreicher or McAndrews to make a determination about whether any problems are present. Also, by then, the first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what we like to call “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some kids, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age seven, please give us a call to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation.

Hoping you're enjoying the weekend!

This summer, share your plans & adventures with us!

We're well into summer here at the office of Dr. David Ostreicher, and that means another season full of adventures, vacations and great memories. Whether you're headed to a family barbecue, an exotic destination, a camping trip, or just having fun on Long Island this summer, Drs. Ostreicher, McAndrews and team want to hear about it! Share your plans and experiences on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along, and be sure to post photos on our wall!

Happy (and safe) travels everyone!

Patient question: "I'm 39 years old - am I too old for braces?"

Absolutely not.

In fact, our staff read a fascinating statistic recently: the number of adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! It's true that braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: folks all over the U.S., including in Levittown, Long Island and surrounding communities want to look and feel great.

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely—to invest in orthodontics. Treatment with Drs. Ostreicher and McAndrews can be successful at any age, and we know you adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we'd love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation! Please give us a call at 516-342-4464 to set one up!

Ask Dr. Ostreicher: why is continuing education so important?

Dr. David Ostreicher is one of the most highly educated orthodontists in the country. After receiving his dental and orthodontic degrees from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, he continued his education and earned a Masters of Nutrition and a Masters of Public Health at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. David is a professor emeritus of Preventive Dentistry (Columbia University), of Nutrition (University of Bridgeport) and Public Health (University of New Haven).

Dr. David currently serves on the Orthodontic Advisory Board of Proctor and Gamble (the manufacturers of Crest toothpaste), and is a speaker for the Bone Alliance. Dr. Ostreicher has lectured worldwide for Align Technology (the manufacturer of Invisalign). He has authored dozens of journal articles, and two books, Brush Your Teeth! and other simple ways to stay young and healthy and Seven Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth.

Not only is Dr. Ostreicher a teacher, he is a student as well. While New York State requires every dentist to take 15 continuing education credit hours annually, Dr. David takes about three times that amount!

Isn't it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Ostreicher taking care of your perfecting your smile?