Whether you’re being treated with traditional braces or Invisalign®, it’s especially important to wear orthodontic elastics as directed to achieve the optimal result.  Elastics guide teeth and jaw growth in favorable directions – in doing this, they help correct bite problems, prevent tooth wear, and improve profile balance.

Always follow the instructions of your orthodontist regarding the type/orientation of elastics and number of hours of elastics wear required per day.  Wearing elastics too few hours each day prolongs orthodontic treatment time and can ultimately compromise treatment results.

We recommend setting up daily reminders on your calendar to help you remember to wear your elastics.  The sooner you wear your elastics as directed, the sooner your treatment will be complete!

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• Locust Valley Fire Department

• Glen Cove Fire Department

• Bayville Fire Department

• Oyster Bay Fire Department

• Sea Cliff Fire Department

• Glenwood Landing & East Norwich Fire Departments

• Syosset & Roslyn Fire Departments

We had a great time cheering on the Locust Valley Fire Department 125th Anniversary Parade as it passed by our office!  It was a journey through past and present with antique and in-service fire trucks on display from all our local fire departments, with Glen Cove and Bayville stations second and third in the parade lineup.

The fellowship among our battalion of firefighters was evident as each company marched in uniform and received much deserved recognition and appreciation.  Oyster Bay marched fourth in the parade line, followed by Syosset, Roslyn, East Norwich, Sea Cliff, and Glenwood Landing.

Congratulations to the Locust Valley Fire Department for reaching this milestone and thank you to all the men and women firefighters for their dedicated and brave service!

True or False?  Mouthguards cannot be worn during orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign®.

FALSE!  Mouthguards should always be worn during sports and other recreational activities to help prevent injuries to the mouth and face.  In fact, it’s especially important to wear mouthguards during orthodontic treatment because brackets, wires, and orthodontic appliances can potentially cause damage to the soft tissues (cheeks and lips) on heavy contact.

Conventional boil and bite mouthguards are often not recommended by orthodontists because they can break brackets if not molded properly; in addition, these mouthguards must be refit or replaced during treatment as the teeth and dental arches are aligned.  Instead, opt for mouthguards made specifically for orthodontic patients − these typically have an inner channel that comfortably adapts to the teeth and braces.

Athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer tooth damage on contact.  Always remember to play safe and protect your smile!

Such an appropriate fortune in support of Give Kids a Smile!  Throughout February, underserved children all over the country will benefit from free dental education, screening, and services as part of the program.

The goal of these events is to increase oral health awareness.  To prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease, always remember to brush for 2 minutes at least 2 times a day, floss once a day, and avoid frequent snacking on sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

Healthy, straight teeth and aligned bites are essential for an optimal smile.  Smiling boosts mood, lowers stress, and can even lead to a longer life!

Sharing a smile is a great way to spread joy during the holidays and always!  Wishing all a season of smiles and a wonderful new year!

It’s important to clean Invisalign® aligners regularly to keep them crystal clear and free of bacteria and staining that can otherwise build up on the aligner surface.  We recommend brushing aligners with soap and water at least twice a day.

First, set aside a toothbrush that will be used only to clean aligners.  Use a separate toothbrush for brushing teeth.  Work the soap and water into a lather while scrubbing the inside and outside aligner surfaces.  Afterwards, be sure to rinse the aligners thoroughly with water.

The best time to brush aligners is in the morning and evening after tooth brushing and flossing is complete.  This way, clean aligner trays are placed on clean, brushed teeth.  If aligners are reinserted into the mouth without first being cleaned, plaque and bacteria are held closely against clean teeth.  This can weaken the enamel and contribute to stains and cavities.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and National American Indian Heritage Month, Garvies Point Museum in Glen Cove honors our local history and culture with their annual Native American Feast.  Featured events include pottery making, spear throwing, face painting, nature trail hiking, open fire building/cooking, and authentic Native American food tasting.

Early colonists in the 17th century purchased land now known as the Town of Oyster Bay from the Matinecock Indians, whose territory once spanned over much of Long Island’s North Shore.  Our neighboring village of Matinecock, named for its tribe, means “place to hunt” — many other Long Island towns have historic Native American names.

If you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving meal wearing braces this year, be sure not to chew directly on turkey legs or wings, as the bones can break braces (brackets and wires).  It’s always best to cut meat off bones and avoid hard and sticky foods to help prevent orthodontic emergencies.  Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving!

What great costumes at the parade in downtown Glen Cove!

When it comes to Halloween treats, did you know that not all candies are created equal for dental health?  Keeping sweets from staying stuck on your teeth is a key to preventing cavities − this is especially important when wearing braces because sticky sugars have many more places to hide!

Sticky and gummy candies can get trapped between teeth or around orthodontic brackets and bands, giving the bacteria in dental plaque more time to feed on sugar and make acids that contribute to cavities.  Sour candies are some of the worst offenders because they’re acidic all on their own, causing a drop in the oral pH level and weakening tooth enamel.

Chocolate is a better option because it dissolves and washes off teeth easily.  Always remember to brush and floss well to keep your teeth in top shape!

In honor of Oyster Bay’s annual Oyster Festival (pictured above), let’s take a closer look at oysters and their health benefits.  Thank you to the Oyster Bay Rotary Club for all its efforts in bringing this popular Festival to our community each year!

Rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, oysters are a dental superfood, capable of strengthening tooth enamel and bone density.  Oysters also contain high levels of essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.  Considering all these features, oysters are definitely on the approved foods list for orthodontics!

For those who don’t enjoy oysters, milk, cheese, and yogurt are great sources of calcium, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs provide needed protein, and fruits and vegetables add dietary fiber.  All of these foods are great for dental health and orthodontist recommended!

Let’s celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month by answering some important questions about orthodontic treatment:

Why is orthodontic treatment necessary?

Well aligned teeth and bites are beneficial in many ways.  Straight teeth look nice, are easier keep clean, and are less likely to develop cavities or gum and bone tissue problems like gingival recession and periodontal pockets. Teeth that fit together properly allow for optimal biting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking, as well as facial balance and symmetry.  Improper bites can cause tooth wear/injury, excess stress on gum and bone tissue, and uneven jaw growth in children and adolescents.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?

• Children:  All children should have their first evaluation by an orthodontist at age 7 to check for damaging problems like protruding teeth, crossbites, and open bites.  These conditions can and should be corrected at this stage to protect the teeth and influence growth in a positive way.

• Adolescents:  Between the ages of 10-14 is the ideal time for adolescent treatment.  Most or all permanent teeth have erupted and jaw growth can be guided to correct the bite and facial balance.

• Adults:  It’s never too late for adult treatment!  In addition to addressing esthetic concerns and bettering overall dental health, orthodontic treatment can also aid the dentist in creating/maintaining the most functional, hygienic, and cosmetic restorations.

Additional truths about the myths listed above:

1. Orthodontists have completed 3 additional years of residency training, beyond the 4 required years of dental school, to become the most qualified specialists in recommending and delivering the best course of orthodontic treatment for every patient.

2. Treatment is more affordable than ever – adjusting for inflation, total orthodontic treatment cost is a small fraction of what it used to be years ago.

3. Orthodontic office visits are essential to advance tooth movement and monitor the health of teeth and supporting gum and bone tissues.

4. Many orthodontic cases can be completed in a year with good treatment planning and patient compliance!

5. In addition to addressing tooth alignment and esthetic concerns, orthodontic treatment corrects improper bites that can otherwise cause tooth wear/injury, excess stress on gum and bone tissues, and uneven jaw growth in children and adolescents.

6. Orthodontic treatment can be accomplished with a wide variety of fixed or removable appliances, and treatment is customized according to each patient’s individual wants and needs.

7. Adults make up a rapidly growing part of the orthodontic patient population and benefit greatly from the cosmetic and health benefits of orthodontic treatment.