Thursday, June 23, 2011

Why Does Dr. Boschken Recommend Wearing Your Elastics (Rubber Bands)?








Braces alone (brackets and wires) can align and level your teeth to the adjacent teeth (upper teeth with upper teeth and lowers with lowers) but, if your bite is off (upper teeth do not fit well with the lower teeth) we will often rely on the use of elastics (rubber bands) to help correct the bite.

Elastics are most often used during the 2nd half or toward the end of your orthodontic treatment. Depending on the particular bite problem you have, elastics are worn for as little as a few short months to over a year. Most patients must wear them for several months.

Poor elastic wearing cooperation (not wearing them enough every day) will usually lead to extending your treatment time in braces. In some cases of poor cooperation, in order to achieve an acceptable bite, Dr. Boschken may recommend extracting permanent teeth!  To avoid this result, simply wear your recommended elastics.

 Elastics come in different sizes and strengths. It is important to follow instructions and wear them as directed for you. . Wearing too strong or too weak an elastic or in the wrong direction, can slow down your treatment and extend your time in braces.

If your teeth are a bit sore from your elastics, don’t take them off! By not wearing them all the time, you are only rocking the teeth back and forth, making them very sore and the bite will not improve. If for any reason you cannot wear your elastics (lost, ran out of a supply of them, discomfort, etc…) call us immediately. Elastics are often the last step in your treatment and continuous wear is crucial to achieve a great smile and a healthy bite. So, if you'd like to finish wearing your braces & have them removed, WEAR YOUR ELASTICS!!


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Orthodontics and Your Child

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Orthodontics – Orthodontics and Your Child

When most people think of orthodontics, they typically think of "braces,” the metal bracket and wire system used to straighten permanent teeth. But certain orthodontic problems are far easier to correct in the early stages of a child's growth and development.

Waiting to begin treatment may actually make it more difficult to treat certain conditions. At Boschken Orthodontics, we believe that early interceptive orthodontic treatment can improve your child’s likelihood of achieving a beautiful, well-functioning bite and smile.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of seven. The purpose of an early visit is to evaluate whether changes in the child’s skeletal and bite conditions are needed. If changes are needed, plans can be made to begin treatment at the ideal time.

 There are several advantages to early orthodontic treatment. If detected early, harmful habits can be corrected to avoid further, more extensive treatment. In addition, early treatment provides a variety of options that adolescent or adult treatment may be unable to offer. Dr. Boschken and his knowledgeable team will assess your child’s orthodontic needs and recommend options for treatment.

Phase 1 Orthodontic treatment generally occurs on children between the ages of 7 and 10, when the child still has a mixture of primary and permanent teeth. Phase 1 treatment usually lasts about 6-18 months, and the primary objective is to address significant problems to prevent more severe conditions from arising.  By addressing early orthodontic needs we can help improve a child's self-esteem and self-image, avoid unnecessary and costly removal of permanent healthy teeth, and shorten overall treatment time. Most children may still need full braces even after Phase 1 treatment.

Phase 2 Orthodontics typically occurs around 11+ years of age, once all of the adult teeth have erupted.

Please contact Boschken Orthodontics with any questions and to schedule your complimentary evaluation at our beautiful South San Jose location. (408) 225-6660




Thursday, March 31, 2011

Recipes to help with orthodontic discomfort

Easy, yummy sample recipes to help with occasional orthodontic discomfort!  Enjoy!!

Strawberry Freeze

½ cup plain non-fat yogurt
2 T non-fat dry milk powder
½ cup orange juice
1 ¼ cups frozen or fresh strawberries
½ medium banana, ripe, cut into chunks
2 packets sugar substitute or more to taste
Dash of vanilla extract
3 ice cubes
Place ice cubes in blender first. Add remaining ingredients. Process on low until ice begins to blend into mixture. Increase speed to high and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glass and enjoy!!


Baked Potato Soup

3 strips bacon
2 T. butter
3 T. flour
3 cups milk
grated cheese
1 ½ t. salt
¼ t. pepper
5 potatoes – boil, peel, diced
2 T. minced onion
Fry bacon with onions together – save grease. Place 1 T bacon grease in double boiler in which butter has been melted. Blend in flour and add milk, stirring constantly. Cook until smooth and thickened. Add salt and pepper, then cooked, diced potatoes, onion and crumbled bacon. Stir- garnish with grated cheese as served.


Chicken Tetrazini

½ chopped green pepper
4 oz. can or jar of sliced mushrooms
8 oz thin spaghetti (or any noodle) cooked and drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup thin slivered almonds
1 onion minced
½ cup butter
2 cups chopped chicken cooked
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of pepper
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Sauté green pepper, onion in butter
Mix all ingredients together except cheese and put in 2-quart casserole. Bake at 340 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with cheese and bake until melted.


Chipotle-Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

2 ½ lbs. potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 ½ t. salt
1 cup milk
1 T butter
1/8 t. ground cinnamon
1 cup shredded white sharp cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
2 canned Chipolte Chilies in Adobo, chopped
1 t. Adobo Sauce from canned chipolte.
In large saucepan, combine potatoes, salt and enough cold water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gently boil until fork tender
In small saucepan, combine milk, butter, and cinnamon and remaining salt. Set aside.
Drain potatoes. Return potatoes to sauce pan. Place over medium heat; toss about 1 minute to dry out. Remove from heat; add cheese; stir to combine. Add milk mixture; chipolte and Adobo Sauce. Mash.



Flan

½ cup sugar
1 2/3 cups (1 can) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup milk
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 t. vanilla
In round 9” cake pan, sprinkle sugar evenly. Place over medium heat on burner and shake until sugar is caramelized (light golden brown) [watch carefully – this only takes a minute or two and it burns very easily]
Combine other ingredients and mix. Pour over caramelized sugar. Cover with foil. Place cake pan in another larger, shallow pan filled with enough water so that the cake pan with ingredients will be covered halfway. Bake 55 minutes at 250° in this water bath. Uncover and cool 30 minutes. Loosen edges with knife. Carefully flip over onto a large plate - it's easiest to place the plate upside down on the rim of the pan and turn them both over together, then slowly lift the pan to reveal the flan. Cut into pie-like pieces.

~And as always, be certain to brush and floss after every meal!! 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Yelp reviews for Boschken Orthodontics

In love with your smile? We invite you to share your review of us on Yelp!

For years, Boschken Orthodontics has set the standard of excellence in orthodontic care. With offices in San Jose, Los Altos, and Mountain View, Dr. David  Boschken provides a winning smile and improved self-confidence to every patient.

Whether you've visited our office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our offices are faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice on the Web, but we encourage you to head to our Yelp page and write  a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Boschken and our team create more beautiful smiles!

You may want to simply click here for San Jose or  here for Mountain View to get started, and as always we thank you for your participation.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Boschken Orthodontics Insurance Billing and Financing Options




There are many different agreements between insurance carriers and their subscribers, and each contract provides a different benefit. However, orthodontic insurance generally differs from regular dental insurance in that each insured individual usually has a lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic services. This benefit is paid as a percentage of the orthodontic fee (initial fee, monthly payments, etc.) until the benefit maximum has been reached. Also notable is that orthodontic benefits are paid in small installments throughout the course of treatment rather than in one lump sum.  If your insurance changes during orthodontic treatment, we may not receive your full benefit. Please advise us if your insurance is going to change or terminate as soon as possible.  We are happy to promptly resubmit to new carriers if you inform us. Remember too that fees incurred for lost or broken appliances and retainers will not be covered by insurance. 

For your convenience, we are flexible on our payment plans and do accept payment from insurance companies. As a courtesy, we will gladly submit claims on your behalf.   When our Treatment coordinator goes over Dr. Boschken’s fees, she will give you the total amount due for that particular patient’s treatment plan.  Financial arrangements can be made based on your estimated insurance benefit estimate. This allows our patients to budget for a monthly fee.  Payments are also accepted on Visa, MasterCard and Discover (and payments can be made on-line too!). A down payment of 30 percent is due at the time of service when braces are applied to the patient’s teeth. Seriously delinquent accounts (90 days past due) will lead to delayed treatment progress or the removal of orthodontic appliances.
Helpful hints:
§                                 Know what your benefits are before treatment starts. Our treatment coordinator will gladly verify estimated coverage over the phone on your behalf. If you’re ever unsure, please contact your insurance company.
§                                 Our Insurance Coordinator will be glad to file claims on your behalf. We simply need your carrier information (including the phone number) , the employer information and the insured social security or i.d. number before treatment has begun.
§                                 We cannot render services on the assumption that our charges will be paid by an insurance carrier. Simply stated, you must be making regular monthly payments to be credited to your account in addition to monies expected from the insurance company.
Orthodontic care requires a specific-term financial commitment, and we do offer no-interest monthly payment options, credit card acceptance and paid-in-full discounts. Please speak to our financial or treatment coordinators ahead of time if you anticipate problems making payments.
A monthly payment is due regardless of your appointment dates. While you may have an appointment with Dr. Boschken every five to six weeks, your monthly payment is still due.(Please note that each payment does not reflect one particular visit. Rather, your overall treatment fee is divided into monthly payments to make braces more affordable. For example, you may have 24 monthly payments in your contract, but Dr. Boschken may have seen you 20 times or 40 times throughout your treatment.)

We also do offer third party financing, some plans are interest free!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We appreciate all of our patients, and we want to do our best to serve you.





Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Boschken Orthodontics talks about: fluoride

During Orthodontic treatment @ Boschken Orthodontics… is Fluoride Friend or Foe?

Poor Brushing during Orthodontic treatment There are many ways you protect your teeth during your treatment with Dr. Boschken. You brush your teeth after meals and snacks, floss regularly, and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged by watching foods you eat and wearing a mouth guard during contact sports . But did you know about fluoride to keep your teeth sparkling and healthy during orthodontic treatment to protect against tooth decay and white marks around your braces during treatment?


Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay to keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical applied directly on the teeth or as part of your diet in a supplement. The most commonly used is the topical form found in toothpaste or in a fluoride rinse. The team at Boschken Orthodontics recommends fluoride to help maintain healthy teeth for children, teens, and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Fluoride used in your general dental office is a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash you can buy over the counter at your local grocery or drug store. If your general dentist prescribes a fluoride product, it usually only takes just a few minutes to apply after your regular cleaning. Once applied, it is suggested patients not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride.
Your general dentist will determine how often to repeat the fluoride process; every 6 months – once a year, especially for kids who poor brushing habits. Additional in house fluoride products such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses are recommended for additional protection of your teeth during treatment to prevent decalcification or white marks around the braces due to poor brushing habits. So obviously, when all is said an done… fluoride is your friend during orthodontic treatment.
When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness when using a dental product.

At Boschken Orthodontics, we are pleased to provide you with this helpful information and to offer you the finest orthodontic care for you and your family. If you or someone in your family is interested more information about how we can help achieve the smile you deserve, please contact our office for a complimentary examination!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder

What Is TMJ?

Technically, TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint, one of which is located on each side of the head. These joints are where the lower jaw, or mandible (MAN-di-bul), meets the temporal (TEM-po-ral) bone, which is one of a pair of bones that form the lower part of the
Side view of a temporomandibular joint.
Side view of a temporomandibular joint.
Each temporomandibular joint acts as both a hinge and a gliding joint; they allow the jaw to open and to slide from side to side.TMJ also refers to temporomandibular joint syndrome (or disorder), in which the joints do not function properly. This may cause pain, difficulty opening and closing the mouth easily, or problems with chewing and swallowing, as well as other symptoms.

What Are the Causes of TMJ?

TMJ can be caused by dislocated temporomandibular joints or by inherited problems with the joints. In a condition called bruxism (BRUK-siz-um), some people grind their teeth during sleep or times of stress, which can lead to TMJ. Malocclusion, when teeth do not fit together properly; whiplash injuries * from car accidents; being hit on the head or jaw; and arthritis * are other causes of TMJ.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

Since the TMJ joint is located near many important nerves going between the brain and many parts of the body, the symptoms can be felt in parts of the body that do not seem related to the TMJ joint. Millions of Americans report some of the following symptoms:
  • Frequent headaches
  • Pain in the face, sinuses, ears, eyes, teeth, neck, and back
  • Clicking sounds in the jaw
  • Difficulty in opening or closing the mouth
  • Trouble chewing or swallowing

How Is TMJ Diagnosed and Treated?

Doctors or dentists will ask the patient to describe the symptoms and will then examine the patient. Sometimes, x-rays and MRIs * are used to examine the joints to diagnose TMJ.
Hot compresses and over-the-counter pain medications may help relieve TMJ. Stress management and mouth guards worn at night can help eliminate teeth grinding and its effects.
* whiplash injuries describe general injuries to the spine and spinal cord at the junction of the fourth and fifth vertebrae  in the neck occurring as a result of rapid acceleration or deceleration of the body.
* arthritis refers to any of several disorders characterized by inflammation of the joints.
* MRI, which is short for magnetic resonance imaging, produces computerized images of internal body tissues based on the magnetic properties of atoms within the body.

Ask Dr. Boscken if you have any signs or symptoms which concern you. We are happy to guide you in resolving concerns!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Meet the Team!


Kristen has been a dental assistant for 7 years. She joined our practice over a year ago and has 6 years experience in cosmetic dentistry. Kristen grew up in Montana and currently lives with her husband and daughter in Boulder Creek. On the weekends you will find her playing any and all outdoor sports and spending time with her family.

Lindsay has been the treatment coordinator for Boschken Orthodontics for 3 years. She has over 10 years experience in the dental and orthodontic field. She grew up in South San Jose and still resides in the neighborhood with her husband and daughter. On the weekends you can find Lindsay riding her mountain bike, running, camping, wakeboarding, snowboarding, watching football and spending time with her family.


Lisa has been a Registered Dental Assistant for 13 years and has really enjoyed orthodontics the last 4 of those years. She is a people person and an occasional practical joker. She has a caring personality with a special place in her heart for animals. She enjoys camping with her husband and friends. Like most Pisces, Lisa loves water.


Sonya is our Patient Relations Coordinator and Registered Dental Assistant (for 26 years!) She has been with Boschken Orthodontics since 2002 and enjoys all aspects of Orthodontic care. If you have any questions regarding treatment, please let her know-she is such a people person! She is also chief in charge of our office contests, and social networking/blog sites so let her know about the fun things happening in your community! Sonya lives in Sunnyvale with her fabulous husband, wonderful son, energetic dog and crazy cat. In her spare time she enjoys photography, the beach, volunteering, movies, paper crafts, baseball and swimming.


Victoria has been a Registered Dental Assistant for 17 years and joined Dr. Boschken’s team ten years ago. She has experience in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Her favorite part of her job is working with kids. She loves the group she works with and loves coming to work every day. Victoria lives in San Jose with her husband and her daughter, Alex.


Nicole is our financial coordinator. She joined our team in August 2006 and has been the backbone of our practice. She lives in San Jose with her husband and two dogs. A few of her favorite hobbies include scuba diving, party planning, and gardening.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Boschken Orthodontics tells us: What foods should I avoid with braces?





What foods should I avoid?

That is a question everyone in orthodonic treatment should know the answers to in order to ensure that your treatment will be successful.  
Hard, sticky, sugary, and highly acidic and staining foods should be avoided while wearing your braces.

Hard and sticky foods can cause brackets to pop off and wires to bend improperly. Each loose bracket may mean an added month to treatment length. When wires are bent improperly, they move teeth into a wrong position and extra time is needed to move the teeth back into their correct position, extending total treatment time. Some hard and sticky foods to avoid: popcorn (kernels can get stuck under your gums causing pain and swelling), whole nuts, brittle, corn chips, ice cubes, corn-on-the-cob, corn chips, crispy tacos and taco chips, beef jerky, hard candies, pizza with hard crust, gum, taffy, licorice, skittles, starbursts, gummy bears, caramels, “Laffy Taffy”, “Tootsie Roll Pops”, popcorn balls, caramel apples and other similar hard/sticky foods. Be very careful with healthly foods that are large or crunchy by cutting them into small bite size pieces and placing them on the sides of your mouth (carrots, apples, hard french bread crusts etc.)  



Highly acidic foods such as lemons, limes, lots of orange juice and soft drinks are hard on tooth enamel and can be very destructive to your appliances and teeth.   Frequent exposure to such acidic substances will loosen your orthodontic cement and cause breakage of the appliances.  even without orthodontic appliances, citric acids can cause tooth destruction by dissolving tooth enamel.

Do not put anything into your mouth that will tend to break, pry, pull or knock off the braces.  Chewing ice cubes can also be quite destructive to your braces and tooth enamel.  
  

Staining foods (tomato sauce, mustard, coffee, tea, red juices and wines) may cause clear and light-colored ties to discolor. We suggest choosing dark, opaque ties to avoid lots of staining between appointments (we do change ties at each regular appointment).  Even with the self ligating brackets which are commonly used now, staining foods may also cause excess tooth staining requiring more frequent hygiene appointment with your general dental office.  Great dental hygiene is especially important during orthodontic treatment.

As always, if anything unexpected occurs, please inform our office at (408) 225-6660 and we can schedule an appointment to repair any troublesome mishaps.  Thanks & best of success with your orthodontic treatment.

Sugary foods greatly increase the probability that decay will occur and while in orthodontic treatment, should be avoided. Brushing and flossing with braces takes time. Plaque left on the teeth combines with sugar to cause permanent white spots of decalcification around the edges of the brackets. Fluoride brushing gel helps prevent this, but not eating sugary foods or drinking sugary beverages, in combination with thorough daily brushing and flossing, is the very best!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Why use Orthodontic wax? Boschken Orthodontics tells us why!!




If you are experiencing mouth irritation due to braces, orthodontic wax may be able to provide some relief. This type of wax sticks to metal in order to help with pain.
Though braces are relatively comfortable, they can cause some irritation within the mouth due to the fact that they may rub against your cheeks, tongue or lips. Since braces cannot be removed during treatment, your mouth does not have a lot of time to heal. Many people often complain of a raw feeling inside of their mouth (usually, this feeling goes away after the first few weeks) that can be greatly eased when orthodontic wax is applied.
The wax itself is made from natural silicone, and it is safe enough to use inside of your mouth. Still, if you are experiencing any type of discomfort it is best to contact Dr. Boschken just to be certain that your braces are alright. Sometimes, it is possible to accidentally knock off a bracket while playing sports, chewing sticky foods, and eating hard substances. If this has happened, apply a bit of the wax to your braces in order to hold them in place until you can visit our office.

Orthodontic wax can be purchased at most grocery stores, pharmacies and online for a minimal cost (it usually comes in a double pack), or you can contact our office to pick up complimentary wax packets. We are always happy to give you wax to have on hand just in case something unexpected does happen with your braces. If you have never experienced any problems with your braces, don’t worry about any type of pain. Many people wear braces for years without any issue at all.

In fact, braces are really not as challenging for patients as they were many years ago. Since the technology involved in creating braces is always changing, these devices are really quite comfortable now. However, things do happen and braces can cause minimal discomfort occasionally. Either way, it is good idea to have various items on hand just in case you do experience some type of dental pain.

Orthodontic wax is one thing that everyone wearing braces should keep inside of their medicine cabinet. Though you may never need it, this substance can help you to feel better should you go through some slight tenderness. In the end, your braces will be removed and you will have a wonderful smile.   Don’t be concerned if you happen to inadvertently swallow a small piece of wax as it is an all natural substance and will digest properly.
*Also, fyi...orthodontic wax adheres easier to a dry surface, so simply dry off your braces with a bit of tissue before appliying the wax to the area. You can always contact us if you need any additional assistance, we are always happy to be of service.  (408) 225-6660 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Retainer Care recommendations from Dr. Boschken

My Dog Ate My Retainer!!

Once your braces come off you will be given a custom made removable retainer for your upper and lower teeth. Some instructions must be followed in order to keep from losing or breaking your retainer. The basic care for your retainer is as follows:
  • Always place the retainer in the retainer case when not in your mouth, do not put in your pocket or leave lying around.
  • Do not wrap the retainer in a napkin while eating. This increases your chances of losing it after a meal.
  • Do not clean the retainer with hot water!
  • And the one rule that seems to be the most important…KEEP RETAINER AWAY FROM PETS!
Although this rule is often overlooked when caring for your retainer, it’s true…Dogs love to eat retainers! It is no secret that dogs like to eat weird things, edible or not. Retainers, along with rubber duckies, cell phones, plastic toys and rocks, are among the variety of objects that dogs like to eat even when they definitely don’t taste good! They will eat them up and thoroughly enjoy it without you even noticing.
As proof that dogs like to snack on your retainer, our office decided to post a picture of a half eaten retainer which was brought in by one of our staff members. The retainer was left on her  dresser instead of in the retainer case (for less than a day) and her 2 year old cocker spaniel found her way up to the dresser to have herself an afternoon snack. For some odd reason, many pet owners find themselves in this situation. Although it seems like an odd hobby,  it is a fact that dogs love to get a hold of and chew/eat your retainer, so be careful not to leave your retainer out where small children or pets (especially dogs!) can get a hold of it. Not only will your teeth begin to move without the retainer in place, but in order to replace it, you will have to pay for a new retainer to be made.
So if you have lost your retainer and you think you have looked everywhere…maybe you haven’t looked EVERYWHERE…

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Smile for a lifetime!

 
 

 

Why Is Flossing Important?



Some of the food we eat is essential for health and well-being and some is just junk that we could live without. Whether your diet consists of completely healthy foods or whether you eat lots of sugary snacks, everything you eat can be unhealthy for your teeth.

The bacteria that is normally present in your mouth converts the sugars and starches in your food into acids. Together, the bacteria and acids mix with food particles to form plaque, a sticky film that coats your teeth. If left in your mouth, plaque attacks your tooth enamel and dissolves it, creating a hole, called a cavity, in the hard outer casing of the tooth. Plaque hardens into tartar, which only a dental cleaning by a professional can remove. Plaque and tartar irritates your gums and, if left unchecked, causes gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, which in turn can lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Plaque can also be a source of bad breath. So now you see why Dr. Boschken, his dedicated staff, your general dentist and other dental professionals place such an emphasis on good oral hygiene!

Good oral hygiene is a routine of brushing and flossing every day to remove plaque from your mouth. You should brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Brushing teeth properly and consistently helps to remove most dental plaque, but brushing alone can't remove plaque that is located in places that a toothbrush can't reach…such as between your teeth. Toothbrushes only work on the exposed outer surfaces of your teeth, flossing gets between your teeth and under the gum line.

As a part of your daily routine, you should floss at least once a day, especially after eating foods that easily stick between the teeth, such as sticky or gummy candies, corn on the cob, popcorn, or potato chips. (Floss first to loosen and dislodge plaque and food, then brush to sweep particles away.) In addition to removing plaque, flossing also helps to remove food debris that adheres to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and helps control bad breath.

Flossing helps keep your teeth their whitest by removing food that could stain them. Flossing well also means your trips to the hygienist will be shorter and more pleasant, because you'll be doing most of the work of removing plaque and tartar in advance. Trips to the dentist will also be more economical, because you'll need fewer dental procedures such as fillings.

If you practice basic dental care, which means brushing and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist for check-ups and your dental hygienist for cleanings, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease and your teeth will last a lifetime.
Floss aids, threaders, water pik machines, and superfloss enable you to floss with much more ease while wearing orthodontic appliances. Please ask our friendly dental staff if you need any help understanding how to use these materials when you next visit. We are always happy to help you obtain your dream smile!