Soft Drinks -- Trouble For Your Teeth

When you sit down to dinner or grab a sandwich for lunch, you wouldn’t have a side of nine teaspoons of sugar. But that’s exactly what you’re taking in when you pair a meal with a 12-ounce can of soda pop.

Soft drinks are a poor choice for your overall health, since they have no nutritional value, and they contain sugar and caffeine. And when it comes to your teeth, soft drinks can cause big trouble. The steep servings of sugar create the perfect condition for cavities to form, while the phosphoric and citric acids in soda pop can erode and weaken your enamel – the outer coating on your teeth – making it tougher for your teeth to withstand the onslaught of sugar.

Both the Canadian and American Dental Associations recommend limiting your intake of soft drinks. And if you do occasionally indulge in a fizzy beverage, it’s a good idea to drink it with a straw, to reduce exposure to your teeth. Brushing your teeth afterward, or at least swishing with water, can help remove the sugar from your teeth.

Having trouble cutting back? Try these tricks to help wean yourself from a steady diet of soft drinks:

--Don’t quit cold turkey: Start by swapping one soda each day with an alternate drink, preferably water. Gradually increase your swaps until you’re down to one soft drink a day, then one every two days, then one a week, and so on.
--Switch to tea: If you’re looking for a source of caffeine, tea is much healthier than soda pop. Just remember not to add nine teaspoons of sugar to it.
--Switch to seltzer: If it’s the fizz or the flavor you’re after, try a sugar-free flavored water or seltzer.
--Remember your goals: If you’re wavering in your commitment to cut back on soda pop, remember the health problems it can cause.
--Be patient: Adjusting a habit doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to change your diet.

Breaking that Nail Biting Habit -- Dr. Danny Weiss

A tooth’s duty is to chew food, but often we see patients whose teeth have picked up an undesirable side job – chewing nails.

A familiar habit, nail biting is common in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Teenagers are the most frequent culprits, boys tend toward nail biting more than girls, and most adults have dropped the habit by the age of 30.

Adults can beat the nail-biting habit with a little will power. Follow these tips:

--Keep nails trimmed and filed. Paying positive attention to your nails can help you overcome the urge to bite.
--Have regular manicures or paint nails regularly. Polish serves as a visual reminder to avoid biting, or a reward after a week of abstinence.
--Cover nails with a bitter-tasting polish. It’s difficult to bite your nails when they taste like pepper.
--Snap a rubber band on the inside of the wrist when nail biting occurs. Train yourself to stop biting with a negative physical response.
--Ask a family member for help. If you find yourself biting your nails without thinking about it, a family member can (kindly) point out your behavior to you.
--Carry a nail file and clippers. When the urge to bite strikes, file or trim instead.

You can help your children quit with some patience. Follow these tips:

--Be clear about the problems with nail biting. Explain that you don’t like nail biting because it’s unhealthy and it makes nails look bad.
--Provide simple alternatives to nail biting. When you find your child biting, suggest a different, age-appropriate activity.
--Avoid negativity. Children can respond to punishment or criticism by nail biting to spite parents.
--Embrace positive reinforcement. Designate a fun activity after a day without biting, and a larger reward for a week without biting.
--Get your child involved in the process. Ask him his opinion on the best way to quit.
--Make use of physical barriers. Use bitter-tasting nail polish during the day or bandages or socks on the hands at night to remind your child not to bite.
--Be patient. Habits don’t appear overnight, nor do they disappear quickly. Be prepared to handle relapses calmly.

Regardless of age, nail biting is often a stress-induced activity. Pay attention to your patterns or your child’s patterns. If nail biting regularly occurs in response to a stressful situation, it’s more useful to focus on removing or dealing with the stressor.

No matter what the underlying cause, nail biting is a habit best avoided or overcome. Aside from a set of beautiful nails, a recovered biter enjoys a hearty sense of accomplishment. And of course we at Weiss Orthodontics care about both your teeth and your happiness, so let us know if we can help you break these biting habits!

Is Invisalign for you? --Weiss Orthodontics

The Invisalign system has been successful in giving hundreds of thousands of amazing smiles to both teens and adults. We will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign's clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including:

* Overly crowded teeth
* Widely spaced teeth
* Overbites
* Underbites
* Crossbites

No disruption to your daily life.

Now nothing comes between your lifestyle and having an incredible smile. Because Invisalign offers you comfort, convenience and virtual invisibility during treatment. With Invisalign, you can:

* Be as active as you like because Invisalign won't hold you back
* Remove your aligners for special events, eating and brushing
* Feel more confident everywhere you go

Look your best during treatment.

Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people.

* Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings
* No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth
* Many people won't notice you're wearing aligners

Ask us about Invisalign today.

It's easy to see if you're a candidate for Invisalign treatment. Give us a call today at Weiss Orthodontics to set up a consultation.

Dr. Danny Weiss Patient Reviews

Dr. Weiss and his staff provide superior orthodontic treatment and a personalized environment for all their patients. Just see what their patients have to say!Dr. Weiss is very thorough and we didn't have to wait months for an appointment to see him. I've recommended everyone I know to him.
-Antwanae B.

Dr. Weiss is positive, responsive, and assuring. His pace is upbeat. There is never a wait in his office. His staff is terrific!
-Robin F.

I hold medical and dental care offices to a high standard. I have medical and dental professionals in my family, and I worked at a hospital in Boston for three years. Dr. Weiss’ office is organized and pleasant and a welcome change from my usual experience over the last 20 years. I was VERY impressed when Dr. Weiss called in the evening after he put the braces on Halle. It is A VERY high standard of care and customer service.
-Halle B.

Dr. Weiss is not only an awesome orthodontist but also a person. He has been a true blessing to my family!
-Hannah P.

Dr. Weiss is very passionate about his work; he takes pride in the job he does--not to mention he does a marvelous job!
-Tiffney B.

Smoke Screen - Weiss Orthodontics

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral-health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Weiss Orthodontics! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

When Is Thumb-Sucking a Cause for Worry? - Dr. Danny Weiss

Lots of you have asked us about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs. Is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call and we will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Good Breath Gone Bad! - Dr. Danny Weiss

Bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!