On behalf of the entire team at Lower Merion and Blue Bell Orthodontics, welcome to our new blog, BRACKETOLOGY!
Dr. Markowitz and Dr. Gray are passionate about providing patients with the knowledge and resources that are needed to make informed decisions about dental health and esthetics. The purpose of this blog is to initiate conversations about the benefits of orthodontic treatment, to create a forum for discussion of common orthodontic problems and solutions, and to allow us to reach out to our community.
We hope that you will enjoy learning more about our unparalleled team. Thank you for taking the time to explore our blog and we encourage you to follow us on social media for additional weekly posts and activities. Also, remember to sign in regularly to the Patient Rewards Hub to check your messages, enter into our contests, and explore other ways to earn points towards the gift cards of your choice!
Wishing you the best,
Dr. David Markowitz and Dr. Lauren Gray
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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
The American Dental Association is waging a war against sugar this month in the name of children’s dental health. Dentists, dental hygienists, and other members of the dental healthcare team, including orthodontists, are combining forces to increase education about proper oral health care for kids and teenagers.
We want our patients to master the key points of this campaign against tooth decay and understand how these keys should be adapted to patients with braces. Healthy teeth are the priority in any dental treatment, including braces. That is why you can earn points by logging into Patient Rewards Hub, printing our Dental Rewards Certificate, and having your dentist sign it at your next cleaning!
Join us in “Sugar War” by:
• Brushing for “2min2x”
Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time is essential for removing the plaque that accumulates on the teeth throughout the day. When wearing braces it is especially challenging to clean all the surfaces of the teeth where bacteria may be hidden. Careful brushing for more than two minutes is our recommendation to help us create beautiful and healthy smiles.
• Clean Between Your Teeth Daily
This means flossing! Careful flossing performed once a day removes food debris and bacteria that is not accessible to a toothbrush. Cavities can form between the teeth if this plaque is not regularly removed. Flossing with braces can be difficult and slow for a braces beginner. Take your time and be patient with yourself. Carefully flossing all the top teeth one day and all the bottom teeth the next day is a great place to start. Remember, the reward will be clean and fresh teeth and braces, which helps to make your appointments comfortable and successful.
• Limit Snacks, Eat Healthy Meals
Snacks that are high in sugars feed the bacteria in tooth plaque resulting in the release of acid byproducts that damage your teeth! Choosing foods that are low in sugars helps reduce this. Also, constant snacking keeps the plaque bacteria in a constant state of digestion, which keeps the acid levels in your mouth higher and allows more time for tooth structure damage. Therefore, it is better to eat your three healthy meals and only one or two healthy snacks, so that, in between meals, your saliva can better buffer the acid byproducts created by bacteria.
As always, contact us with any questions or concerns you have about keeping your teeth and your braces clean. We are always here for you!
Thank you and healthy smiling,
Dr. David Markowitz and Dr. Lauren Gray