More About Orthodontics From Braces by Souris

Ther are so many questions about orthodontics we often never ask, so Dr. Souris took some time to answer the more common ones:



At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?


Orthodontic treatment can be done at any age, but many jaw problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before the jaw growth slows down. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be evaluated starting at age 7 if a problem is detected by the parents, the family dentist, or the child's physician. Early treatment at a younger age (8-10 years) can help a patient avoid long difficult treatments later that could involve pulling of adult teeth or even jaw surgery.


What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?


Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment with special jaw growing appliances and limited braces to help correct problems such as lack of space for adult teeth, cossbites, overbites, underbites, and other developing jaw problems. This treatment usually occurs between the ages of 8 and 10 years and is meant to prevent existing problems from becoming severe enough to require long difficult treatments involving pulling of teeth or jaw surgery. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces after all the adult teeth have erupted usually between the ages of 11 and 13 years.


Am I too old for braces?


Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial and successsful at any age. Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful smile. About 35% of our patients are adults.


How does orthodontic treatment work?

Braces use constant gentle pressure to slowly move the teeth into their proper positions. The wires placed in the braces want to return to their original "straight " shape. As they try to do this, they apply constant pressure to the crooked teeth and slowly carry them to the desired position.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by the child's growth and the severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient cooperation, so good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping your treatment time on schedule.


Do braces hurt?

Placing the brackets and bands on your teeth does not hurt. However, once the wires are placed in your braces, a few hours later you may feel some soreness of your teeth which may last a few days. It usually fades away relatively quickly. Your lips and cheeks also may need a few weeks to adjust to the presence of the braces on your teeth.


Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect thier lips and teeth by wearing a mouthguard which we supply for you.


Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment and the wax we supply may be necessary to cover the braces at first.


Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for your cleaning and dental checkup or more frequently if recommended.


Have more questions? Give us a call at 440-734-1146 or visit our website at http://www.bracesbysouris.com/. We'd love to hear from you.

12 Surprising Things That Make You Tired

Something I picked up on msn health written by Stacey Colino that I thought you might enjoy!



1. All Work, No Play

All your routines can get tedious and exhausting, and the body registers boredom as tiredness. Build in pleasure throughout your day by taking mini-breaks and doing something relaxing or fun to break your routines.




2. Shunning the Sun

Without enough natural light, the body goes into sleep mode. In a recent study involving 600 adults at the University of Massachusetts, researchers found that feelings of depression, hostility, anger, irritability, and anxiety were highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. Try and sneak out for a 10 minute walk, even if it is cloudy, or spend a few minutes in a room that is filled with natural light.



3. Barely Breathing

When you take shallow breaths, your body does not get enough oxygen resulting in increased levels of carbon monoxide in your blood which can make you tired. Practice breathing from your diaphragm when your tired or need extra energy. As you inhale, focus on making your stomach and chest move.




4. Being a Desk or Couch Potato

Sitting in one position for long periods can drain your energy because your body equates stillness with going to sleep. Also, if you're staring at a TV or computer screen you tend to blink less frequently resulting in dry eyes and eyestrain which can put you in the mood for shut-eye. Take breaks to stretch, walk, and move, and relieve eyestrain by focusing on something distant every 30 minutes or during commercial breaks.




5. Sleep Inconsistency

Your body's internal clock needs consistency, so staying up late on weekends and sleeping in gives you jet lag without ever leaving town. A study conducted at Brigham in Boston found that even if you sleep enough hours, you're more likely to be irritable and downbeat if you wake up at a time other than what you're used to. Try to establish a regular sleep and wake-up schedule and try not to deviate too far from it, even on the weekends.




6. Mild Dehydration

When you feel thirsty, you've already lost 2 to 3 percent of your body fluid, therefore, a lot of people are walking around in a state of mild dehydration. Even mild dehydration can make you feel tired or lethargic because your blood volume lowers and your heart has to pump harder. Try and aim for nine cups of water per day if you are sedentary and 12 if you are active. You can increase your water intake by eating more soup, fresh fruits, and vegetables.




7. Bright Lights at Night

Normal levels of indoor lighting can be enough to disrupt your brain's notion of night and day. Bright lights can reset your body's internal clock, making it hard to fall asleep when you want and wake up on time. Dim the overhead lights in your living room or bedroom a few hours before bedtime or turn on a reading lamp instead.




8. The Vitamin-Plus-Coffee Breakfast

This common meal is actually an energy drainer because vitamins are not a source of energy. Without calorie intake in the morning, your metabolic rate drops and your body functions slow in order to preserve energy, making you feel sluggish. To get a steady release of energy all morning, eat a meal that combines protein and carbs: peanut butter on a bagel, an energy bar, egg with whole wheat toast. You will burn the carbs quickly and feel a surge of energy, and the protein which stays in your stomach longer gives you staying power.


9. Overdoing Exercise

The body needs time to recover after exercise and allow muscles to repair and replenish energy stores. A good way to check if your body needs a break is to take your pulse first thing in the morning before you get out of bed: If it's more than 5 beats above normal the morning after a vigorous execise routine, exercise lightly or take the day off. You could get in the habit of working out every other day, but don't skip too many because you may fall out of your routine.


10. Carrying Around Extra Pounds

Gaining even 5 extra pounds can cause fatigue and put extra strain on your heart, which can make you tired. Exercise portion control and healthy eating habits with less junk food, sweets, and high fat foods.


11. Slouching

When the joints aren't aligned properely, the whole body has to work so much harder. The excess strain on your back and hips can make you feel tired and achy. A quick alignment check: Whether you're moving, sitting, or standing still, your head should be lined up over your body (not sticking out in front), so our ears are directly over your shoulders.


12. Too Much Noise

Noise is stress. Your pulse rate and blood pressure increase and your adrenaline surges. Anything that puts added stress on your nervous system eventually depletes your energy. It also causes you to work harder to comlpete tasks due to the added distraction and your constant effort to ignore the sound, resulting in increased fatigue. Make as much effort as possible to decrease unwanted and excessive noise in your work and home environment.

Helping You Through the Cold and Flu Season- Braces by Souris

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in the Fall, so it is a good idea to take extra precautions at this time of the year to help prevent the spread of germs. Dr. Souris and his staff promote a healthy and clean environment by giving a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in the office, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and the staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointment if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others. For your convenience, we even offer hand sanitizing solution and anti-bacterial soap at our reception room sink near the coffee area for those concerned about cross contamination. The key to preventing the spread of illness is to minmize exposure by proper sanitizing and hand washing.

Maintaining and protecting your toothbrush is also important to prevent the spread of bacteria. Some steps to follow that can help minmize contamination include:

*Wash your hands before and after brushing

*Allow time for your brush to air dry after each use. Harmful bacteria die after being adequately exposed to oxygen

*Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

*Replace the toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when the bristles appear worn.

Hope this helps! Stay Healthy!