Ask Dr. Tavarez: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

With Halloween here, and all that candy making its rounds, it's important to remember that it's still National Orthodontic Health Month! And that means a time to once again remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, please call Dr. Tavarez and team as soon as possible.

We hope everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

Emergency care with Tavarez Orthodontics

At Tavarez Orthodontics, we know true orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our Menlo Park, San Carlos or Atherton California orthodontic offices when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan. Click here for instructions or give us a call to learn more! We hope you're off to a great Halloween season!

Don't Forget October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Check out these fun facts about National Orthodontic Health Month!

Over one hundred years ago, in 1900, Dr. Edward H. Angle and a dozen colleagues came together to establish dentistry's first specialty. The formation of Dr. Angle's select group marks the genesis of the organization known as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the specialty today known as orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

It used to take guts (literally) to straighten teeth. Archaeologists have discovered mummified corpses with crude metal bands wrapped around individual teeth. To close gaps, it has been theorized that catgut did the work now done by today's space-age orthodontic wire.

In the 1960s, the process of putting braces on could take nearly an entire day. Bands were fitted around each tooth, which required forcing the teeth apart to accommodate the hardware. Nowadays, treatment is more comfortable, and a lot more efficient.

Amazingly, NASA developed one of the late 20th century's most dramatic orthodontic breakthroughs---heat-activated nickel-titanium alloy wires. At room temperature, heat-activated nickel-titanium wires are very flexible. They're very light, and as they warm to body temperature they become active and gradually move the teeth in the anticipated direction. Because of their high-tech properties, these wires retain their tooth-moving abilities longer.

As technology has changed, so have treatment philosophies and approaches. Adults weren't likely to seek treatment just a few decades ago, yet approximately 30 percent of orthodontic patients today are adults. Most parents wouldn't have considered taking their children to an orthodontist until all the "baby" teeth were gone. The AAO currently recommends that every child have an orthodontic checkup no later than age 7.

Regardless of when treatment is recommended to start, orthodontics can ease physical and emotional trauma. A child whose teeth are crooked or jaws obviously are out of alignment may suffer more through the thoughtless teasing of other kids. Teeth that aren't in the right position are also prone to injury.

BRACES COULD HELP THREE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE

The AAO estimates that up to 75 percent of people could benefit from orthodontic care. Nearly 4½ million people in the United States and Canada are presently in orthodontic treatment, according to the AAO. One in five is over age 18. Some are as young as 5 or 6, and some are in their 60s, 70s, and older! Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age.

A healthy, beautiful smile is the most obvious result of orthodontic treatment, but there's so much more to our specialty than meets the eye. As a person's smile improves, self-esteem increases, too.

We’re happy to give your patients something to smile about during
National Orthodontic Health Month!

"Dentists, Orthodontists ... What's the Difference?"

“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 Dr. Kathleen Tavarez started her career in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Tavarez decided she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So she 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 dental expert in Dr. Tavarez to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

At Tavarez Orthodontics, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy Monday! Did you know National Orthodontic Health Month? Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have created a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Dr. Kathleen Tavarez and our staff recommend you check out the AAO's website as well for helpful tips on keeping your braces in tip-top shape. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Tavarez during your next visit!