Thursday, December 15, 2011
"3D X-Rays in Orthodontics Are a Game Changer" by Dr. Greg Jorgensen
Dr. Greg Jorgensen of Rio Rancho New Mexico sums up the advantages of 3D X-Rays. You can read his blog at: http://ezinearticles.com/?3D-X-Rays-in-Orthodontics-Are-a-Game-Changer&id=6750113
Monday, November 21, 2011
Watch what you are drinking!
Did you know that drinks like regular & diet soda, canned iced tea & lemonades, and sports drinks can lead to tooth decay and enamel destruction? The low pH or acidity of these drinks really harm your pearly whites!
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body, it is still susceptible to breakdown from acids found in many foods and drinks. The more acidic the drink is (the lower the pH), the more rapid the enamel destruction. Tooth enamel dissolves at a pH below 5.5. Normal pH is 7.
Here are the acidity levels of some popular drinks:
water = 7.0 (neutral pH)
brewed black coffee = 6.25
brewed black tea = 5.36
A&W Root Beer = 4.8
Diet Sprite = 3.34
Sprite = 3.27
Diet Coke = 3.22
Mountain Dew = 3.14
Gatorade = 2.95
Ginger Ale = 2.94
Diet Pepsi = 2.94
HI Punch = 2.82
Coke = 2.48
Pepsi = 2.46
Not to mention that an intake of excess calories from soda seems to be contributing to an increase in diabetes and obestiy that is occuing today in children, teenagers & adults!
The best things to drink are milk (pH of approx 6.8) and water! Making sensible choices is an important part of maintaining your oral health, especially while you have your braces on. At Strathcona Orthodontics we know it would be hard to impossible to cut out all of the 'fun beverages' but being aware of the ultimate cost to your teeth and overall health can help you to make informed decisions.
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body, it is still susceptible to breakdown from acids found in many foods and drinks. The more acidic the drink is (the lower the pH), the more rapid the enamel destruction. Tooth enamel dissolves at a pH below 5.5. Normal pH is 7.
Here are the acidity levels of some popular drinks:
water = 7.0 (neutral pH)
brewed black coffee = 6.25
brewed black tea = 5.36
A&W Root Beer = 4.8
Diet Sprite = 3.34
Sprite = 3.27
Diet Coke = 3.22
Mountain Dew = 3.14
Gatorade = 2.95
Ginger Ale = 2.94
Diet Pepsi = 2.94
HI Punch = 2.82
Coke = 2.48
Pepsi = 2.46
Not to mention that an intake of excess calories from soda seems to be contributing to an increase in diabetes and obestiy that is occuing today in children, teenagers & adults!
The best things to drink are milk (pH of approx 6.8) and water! Making sensible choices is an important part of maintaining your oral health, especially while you have your braces on. At Strathcona Orthodontics we know it would be hard to impossible to cut out all of the 'fun beverages' but being aware of the ultimate cost to your teeth and overall health can help you to make informed decisions.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
TURTLE SAVED WITH ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
According to The Palm Beach Post, an orthodontist from Jupiter, Florida fitted a set of braces for a sea turtle weighing over 12 stone.
Named after the wrestler André the Giant, Andre the turtle was found in June 2010 stranded on a sandbar about a mile and a half south of the Juno Beach Pier, Florida's 'Number 1 Fishing Pier'. Swimmers floated the endangered green sea turtle to shore on a boogie board and called a local marine life centre for help.
Boat propellers had gouged two holes in Andre's shell. The larger gash, about two inches deep and packed with sand, was the size of an adult forearm and the other was 'as big as a baseball' and contained a live crab.
The marine life centre staff discovered that Andre had a collapsed lung, pneumonia, an exposed spinal cord and severe infections.
Turtle experts at the centre cleaned the wound and covered it with a black foam and clear plastic to promote healing. Andre's shell was hooked up to a plastic tube that uses negative pressure to promote new skin growth and knock out infection.
Orthodontist Alberto Vargas then used orthodontic braces like bridges on either side of the wound and pushed and pulled the turtle's shell to promote growth. Each day, a key was twisted that clicked to adjust the braces. Dr Vargas coaxed the shell to expand about one inch.
'I'm not aware of this ever having been done on a turtle before,' said Dr Vargas. 'We changed the shape of [Andre's] shell, just like we change the shape of a patient's jaw.'
After 13 months of treatment, Andre is ready to be released. His skin underneath the foam, once fully exposing organs, is now hard enough to survive in the depths of the Atlantic. Green turtles grow up to about 28 stone and live 80 years.
Named after the wrestler André the Giant, Andre the turtle was found in June 2010 stranded on a sandbar about a mile and a half south of the Juno Beach Pier, Florida's 'Number 1 Fishing Pier'. Swimmers floated the endangered green sea turtle to shore on a boogie board and called a local marine life centre for help.
Boat propellers had gouged two holes in Andre's shell. The larger gash, about two inches deep and packed with sand, was the size of an adult forearm and the other was 'as big as a baseball' and contained a live crab.
The marine life centre staff discovered that Andre had a collapsed lung, pneumonia, an exposed spinal cord and severe infections.
Turtle experts at the centre cleaned the wound and covered it with a black foam and clear plastic to promote healing. Andre's shell was hooked up to a plastic tube that uses negative pressure to promote new skin growth and knock out infection.
Orthodontist Alberto Vargas then used orthodontic braces like bridges on either side of the wound and pushed and pulled the turtle's shell to promote growth. Each day, a key was twisted that clicked to adjust the braces. Dr Vargas coaxed the shell to expand about one inch.
'I'm not aware of this ever having been done on a turtle before,' said Dr Vargas. 'We changed the shape of [Andre's] shell, just like we change the shape of a patient's jaw.'
After 13 months of treatment, Andre is ready to be released. His skin underneath the foam, once fully exposing organs, is now hard enough to survive in the depths of the Atlantic. Green turtles grow up to about 28 stone and live 80 years.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
New Braces Friendly Recipes from Across the Pond
Our faithful leader and office manager found this fantastic link to Braces Friendly Recipes. Our thanks to NowSmile.Org and the British Orthodontic Society for posting these recipes. Here is just a 'taste' of what you'll find on this link:
BOWL YOU OVER ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
A brace friendly, warming, nutritious and delicious recipe which can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just the brace wearer!
Ingredients
4 large leeks
6 oz (175g) butternut squash
1 large onion, peeled
1 teaspoon butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil
1½ pints (850 ml) vegetable stock
10 fl oz (275 ml) semi-skimmed milk (1% milk)
1½ tablespoons snipped chives
Salt and freshly milled (that means ground for us Canadian's!) black pepper
After washing, slice the leeks lengthways and then across into 1 inch (2.5cm) slices. Next peel and chop the onion into slices of the same size, followed by the butternut squash (there is no need to peel it first) into 1 inch (2.5cm) cubes.
Turn the oven onto 400 degrees F. Toss the butternut squash in olive oil and roast on a baking tray for 45 minutes until the flesh is soft and has started to caramalise. Meanwhile melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks and onions, stir them well and add some salt. Put a lid on the saucepan and, keeping the heat low, allow the vegetables to sweat and release their juices for 20 minutes.
Once it has caramalised add the roasted butternut squash to the other vegetables, add the stock and the milk and a little freshly milled pepper, then return the lid. Keep the heat low let the soup simmer very gently for another 20 minutes to allow the flavours of the vegetables to amalgamate.
Pour the soup into a blender and blend to a velvety smooth puree (you may have to do this in two or three batches, so it is good idea to have a large bowl to hand). Then return the soup to the saucepan, snip in some chives and gently re-heat without letting it boil (no more than a simmer) for a couple of minutes. Add more seasoning if you need to.
This recipe sounds good to all of us at Strathcona Orthodontics regardless of whether you have braces on or not!
BOWL YOU OVER ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
A brace friendly, warming, nutritious and delicious recipe which can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just the brace wearer!Ingredients
4 large leeks
6 oz (175g) butternut squash
1 large onion, peeled
1 teaspoon butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil
1½ pints (850 ml) vegetable stock
10 fl oz (275 ml) semi-skimmed milk (1% milk)
1½ tablespoons snipped chives
Salt and freshly milled (that means ground for us Canadian's!) black pepper
After washing, slice the leeks lengthways and then across into 1 inch (2.5cm) slices. Next peel and chop the onion into slices of the same size, followed by the butternut squash (there is no need to peel it first) into 1 inch (2.5cm) cubes.
Turn the oven onto 400 degrees F. Toss the butternut squash in olive oil and roast on a baking tray for 45 minutes until the flesh is soft and has started to caramalise. Meanwhile melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks and onions, stir them well and add some salt. Put a lid on the saucepan and, keeping the heat low, allow the vegetables to sweat and release their juices for 20 minutes.
Once it has caramalised add the roasted butternut squash to the other vegetables, add the stock and the milk and a little freshly milled pepper, then return the lid. Keep the heat low let the soup simmer very gently for another 20 minutes to allow the flavours of the vegetables to amalgamate.
Pour the soup into a blender and blend to a velvety smooth puree (you may have to do this in two or three batches, so it is good idea to have a large bowl to hand). Then return the soup to the saucepan, snip in some chives and gently re-heat without letting it boil (no more than a simmer) for a couple of minutes. Add more seasoning if you need to.
This recipe sounds good to all of us at Strathcona Orthodontics regardless of whether you have braces on or not!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Floride - Information for Health!
At Strathcona Orthodontics, we endeavour to keep patients and the public informed on topics of interest to those with braces and dental appliances, and also issues relating to your general health.
On the Alberta Dental Association and College website there are some very good articles from Alberta Health Services for the public regarding floride. Check out 'Floride, What does the Science Say' and 'Floride Q & A's' by clicking on http://www.abda.ab.ca/youroralhealth/fluoride/tabid/94/default.aspx. Check out the ADAandC website http://www.abda.ab.ca/ for other interesting and valuable resources.
On the Alberta Dental Association and College website there are some very good articles from Alberta Health Services for the public regarding floride. Check out 'Floride, What does the Science Say' and 'Floride Q & A's' by clicking on http://www.abda.ab.ca/youroralhealth/fluoride/tabid/94/default.aspx. Check out the ADAandC website http://www.abda.ab.ca/ for other interesting and valuable resources.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Best Smoothie Recipes for People with Braces
Try some of these delicious smoothie's. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get some good vitamins and minerals when you have braces on.
PINEAPPLE BERRY SMOOTHIE
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 pineapple rings
6 fresh strawberries
12-15 frozen raspberries
8-10 frozen boysenberries
12-15 frozen blueberries
3 oz. non-fat yogurt, any flavor
Ice (however much you prefer for consistency)
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:Serves 1, per serving:
Fat: 0 g
Calories: aprox. 185
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
5 large strawberries
6 oz. light (reduced sugar) fat-free strawberry yogurt (frozen)
4 oz. Juice of your choice
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:
Serves 2, per serving:
Fat: 0 g
Calories: aprox. 70
STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE
1 banana
4 strawberries
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup apple juice
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:
Serves 2, per serving:
Fat: .5 g
Calories: aprox. 125
PINEAPPLE BERRY SMOOTHIE
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 pineapple rings
6 fresh strawberries
12-15 frozen raspberries
8-10 frozen boysenberries
12-15 frozen blueberries
3 oz. non-fat yogurt, any flavor
Ice (however much you prefer for consistency)
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:Serves 1, per serving:
Fat: 0 g
Calories: aprox. 185
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
5 large strawberries
6 oz. light (reduced sugar) fat-free strawberry yogurt (frozen)
4 oz. Juice of your choice
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:
Serves 2, per serving:
Fat: 0 g
Calories: aprox. 70
STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE
1 banana
4 strawberries
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup apple juice
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!
Nutritional Information:
Serves 2, per serving:
Fat: .5 g
Calories: aprox. 125
Monday, October 25, 2010
Halloween Tips for People with Braces
October is the American Association of Orthodontists Orthodontic Health Month. It can be a particularly challenging time of year for patients with braces and appliances to maintain good oral health and protect braces and appliances from getting into a ‘sticky situation’.
At Strathcona Orthodontics, we recommend avoiding hard, sticky and chewy candies and snacks even at Halloween. These treats can damage braces and appliances and in the long run may prolong your treatment. In addition, eating too much candy of any kind can be hazardous to your oral hygiene and can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Establishing good eating and brushing habits not only protects your teeth and oral health for a lifetime, it helps your overall health by reducing the risk of many diseases.
A good rule of thumb is to follow Strathcona Orthodontics ‘Eating with Braces’ guide:
Here are some additional tips that will help patients and parents this Halloween:
Only have soft snacks available to hand out to trick or treaters and family members.
Increase your brushing and flossing during Halloween.
Carefully look through your child’s treat bag to discard any of the at-risk candy on the list. Think about substituting ice cream or frozen yogurt as a treat after returning home from trick or treating.
At Strathcona Orthodontics, we recommend avoiding hard, sticky and chewy candies and snacks even at Halloween. These treats can damage braces and appliances and in the long run may prolong your treatment. In addition, eating too much candy of any kind can be hazardous to your oral hygiene and can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Establishing good eating and brushing habits not only protects your teeth and oral health for a lifetime, it helps your overall health by reducing the risk of many diseases.
A good rule of thumb is to follow Strathcona Orthodontics ‘Eating with Braces’ guide:
TOO BIG TO BITE - CUT IT UP! TOO HARD TO CHEW - DON’T EAT IT!
BEEF JERKY - do not eat
BREAD CRUST/PIZZA CRUST - cut into small bites
CANDIES - do not bite! Stay clear of licorice (Twizzlers™), hard caramels etc.
CHIPS - small pieces only
GUM - sugarless only, and no bubblegum (of any kind)
ICE - do not chew
MEATS - cut from the bone
NUTS - do not eat
PENS & PENCILS - do not chew
POPCORN - do not eat the kernels
RAW FRUITS & VEGETABLES - cut into small bites.
Here are some additional tips that will help patients and parents this Halloween:
Only have soft snacks available to hand out to trick or treaters and family members.
Increase your brushing and flossing during Halloween.
Carefully look through your child’s treat bag to discard any of the at-risk candy on the list. Think about substituting ice cream or frozen yogurt as a treat after returning home from trick or treating.
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