Happy Holidays to all from Oyster Bay Orthodontics! This is the time of year where giving means more than receiving. To see the joy on a loved one’s face as they look in their stocking or open a present is truly what giving is about. The Team at Oyster Bay Orthodontics would like to share some stocking stuffer ideas for your consideration. All of these suggestions apply to patients of different ages whether or not they are wearing braces or Invisalign.
So, you’ve finally said goodbye to braces. Congratulations, you made it! Your smile is radiant and you’re flashing your pearly whites at any person, place, or thing that glances your way! However, before you can truly celebrate your wonderful new smile, you must make sure to wear your retainers to keep your teeth looking perfect.
Protect Your Retainers When out of Your Mouth
“Using your retainer” means much more than having it close by when you go to sleep or wearing it the number of hours prescribed by your orthodontist. It means you must protect it also when out of your mouth! Once you leave the office the entire world has its eye on your retainers. (more…)
All of us here at Oyster Bay Orthodontics believe in the simple power of gratitude. What better time of the year to express our gratitude than Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving brings to mind different thoughts to different people.
To most, it brings visions of a family Thanksgiving feast with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing with yummy gravy, cranberries, squash, and of course…pumpkin pie! To a student away at school, it may mean coming home to be with those they miss and possibly some much needed down time from the daily rigors of school and studying. Then again for others…are you ready for some football… a day off from work… or a long weekend? (more…)
Wow! We are already in November of 2017. Only two months to go before the end of the year! For those families who have FSA (Flexible Accounts), now is the time to apply for your 2018 funding during open enrollment or to ensure you have spent all your allocated funds for 2017.
Halloween Treats…You have all heard about the damage that sugar and certain “sticky” candies can do to your teeth and your braces when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Well, our Team at Oyster Bay Orthodontics wants to remind all of our patients and future patients about the dangers one more time. We know Halloween is supposed to be a fun time of year for kids of all ages… but it can turn into a “nightmare” of damaged braces for kids and parents if the wrong types of treats are consumed. Not only the discomfort involved as a result of broken wires and brackets but also the inconvenience of coming office for an extra visit with your busy school and/or work schedules.
Here at Oyster Bay Orthodontics, we love Halloween treats but we also have a responsibility to increase the awareness of potential damage certain candies can cause if patients are not careful about which treats to eat. Click here to download a Do’s and Don’ts Treat List offered by the American Association of Orthodontists. As a reminder, print it off and post in on your refrigerator for all to see.(more…)
Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? At Oyster Bay Orthodontics we want you to join us in celebrating the power of a smile during October.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, no matter what your age 12, 16 or 60! A perfect smile is one of your best and lifelong assets. Whether you are meeting new friends or interviewing for a job, a smile is important to building both personal and business relationships. It is a well-known fact that straight teeth and a great smile builds self-esteem, confidence, and influences how you present yourself to the world. Orthodontic treatment is an investment in the future.
Our goal this year is to spread the word in the Oyster Bay, NY area that October is National Orthodontic Health Month and its purpose is to reinforce the need for an orthodontic evaluation. You are never too young or too old if your bite or smile needs correction. (more…)
It’s that time of year again! The temperature is cooling off, fall sports are underway, and all the kids are headed back to school. At Oyster Bay Orthodontics we want to offer a few helpful tips for going back to school with braces!
Make sure to follow the 2×2 brushing rule: brush your teeth for TWO minutes, TWO times each day! This will help keep your teeth and braces clean, which leads to quicker appointments and healthier teeth. If you want to brush after lunch, keep a toothbrush in your backpack.
Bring a water bottle to school. Drinking water throughout the day helps to keep your mouth clean, fight cavities, and prevent bad breath. Stick with water and you can’t go wrong. (more…)
Do you know why we celebrate Labor Day? Labor Day is a federal holiday in the USA and has been since June 28, 1894, when Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a national holiday. The purpose of Labor Day is to honor laborers of all kinds…the working man and the working woman and their achievements. Yes, this also includes orthodontists and orthodontic team members at Oyster Bay Orthodontics. (more…)
AS MANY PARENTS KNOW when your child comes home from school, they often run straight for the pantry! We understand that kids can be a bit hungry after a long day in the classroom and we want to help you provide smile-friendly snacks that won’t only fill their bellies, but will benefit their smile as well!
Try These Smile-Friendly Snacks!
Consuming a lot of starchy and sugary treats in the afternoon can do a number on a child’s teeth—not to mention ruin their appetite for dinner! Sticky, sugary snacks can adhere to your child’s teeth for long periods of time, potentially causing harmful cavities. In order to avoid snack-induced cavities and other oral health concerns, try these ideas instead:
Leafy Greens and Fresh Veggies
Dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens have calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B2, and magnesium–all essential for healthy teeth and gums. Veggies like broccoli and celery are great too! In addition to being rich in vitamins, broccoli has been shown to create an acid-resistant teeth “shield.” As for celery, because of its fibrous material, it massages gums, cleans teeth, and encourages saliva production—making it a natural tooth scrubber! (more…)
The promise of a beautiful, straight and healthy smile at the end of orthodontic treatment is more than worth the minor aches and pains that go along with achieving it. We understand, however, that you may have some more in-depth questions about undergoing treatment depending on your unique circumstances or lifestyle choices. This is especially true of people who play musical instruments such as the flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone or other brass and woodwind instruments. We hope to answer some of your questions today!
Play Musical Instruments? Here’s What To Expect
Overall, we can say that there is no reason getting braces should keep you from playing the musical instrument of your choice. There will, however, be an adjustment period when you get your braces on, as well as when you get them off.
The adjustment period will vary from person to person and will differ depending on the instrument you play. Woodwinds, especially those with reeds like the saxophone and clarinet, are generally easier to get used to playing with braces, while brass instruments, like the trumpet and french horn, prove to be more difficult. (more…)