All the Cool Kids are Doing it!

Braces today are cool and can even be fun! These were among the findings of a recent nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities- Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glovber, Serena Williams- sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, more fashionable, and even cool for today's teens.

The study, conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists, found that 86% of moms reported that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Also, 69% of moms said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81% reported their children's experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors provides an exciting way for young patients to customize their appearance and helps them feel good about their experience with braces leading to better cooperation and a better result.

If you would like to learn more about all the new exciting options for braces, please feel free to contact Dr. Souris at 440-734-1146 and set up a free consultation.

Fun Orthodontic Facts From Braces by Souris!

Everyone loves trivia. The American Association of Orthodontists has come up with some fun facts that we would like to share with you!





* There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States and 75% of them are younger than 18.





* The first mechnanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus in 23-79 AD.





* The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the US, Canada, and abroad.





* The time required to complete orthodonric treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.





* The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special flouride-releasing substance.





* Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.





* In addition to alleviating or preventing dental health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment improves the smile and facial appearance.





* Some famous orthodonic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes, and yes, even Justin Bieber who actually was treated with Invisalign Teen!

If you, a family member, or a friend think you can benefit from orthodontic treatment, please give our office a call at 440-734-1146 to schedule a free consulataion or visit our website at www.bracesbysouris.com.

How to Stay Young and Healthy!

Whether you're 5 or 50, your health depends on awareness of what is good for you. With all the fad diets, advertising, and ingredient lists, we at Braces by Souris know it can difficult to decide what is good for you and what is not.

For straightforward guidance on how to live a healthier lifestyle, we recommend Brush Your Teeth! And Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy by Dr. David Ostreicher. The book sums up good health in six fundamental principles: hygiene, diet, attitude, exercise, sleep, and personal safety.

Using his three decades of experience as an orthodontist and professor of health and nutrition, Dr. Ostreicher answers age old debates like, the best way to prevent colds and flu and many more. He offers straight talk on a variety of diet choices including salt, fats, carbs, and organic food, and he documents the importance of regular sleep, stress reduction, and positive thinking to your overall health. His suggestions are simple, clear, and inexpensive.

Dr. Ostreicher advocates a back-to-basics, common sense approach to staying young and healthy. We couldn't agree more, and we want to repeat the title of his book as our favorite piece of advice: don't forget to Brush Your Teeth!

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!

Smoke Screen- Braces by Souris

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you know that smokers are also susceptible to a variety of oral health problems?

It's true. Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults, and those who smoke pipes and cigars or use smokeless tobacco are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems. As soon as you decide to use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of the following oral health problems:

*Oral Cancer

*Gum disease

*Tooth Loss

*Loss of bone in the jaw

*Gum recession

*Delayed healing process after oral surgery or any other involved dental teratment

*Decreased success rate of dental implants

*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 strongl;y recommend you quit using tobacco products. The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and tobacco use:

1. Get ready- set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car, and office.

2. Get support

3. Learn new skills and behaviors to replace the habit

4. Get medication if necessary and use it correctly

5. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health, and quitting smoking is a significant step in the right direction!

Oral Piercing: Is It Worth It? Dr. Souris Explains

Piercing, like tattooing, is one of today's popular forms of "body art" and self-expression. If you're thinking about getting a piercing, or if you already have one, we want to share some health risks you should know about.

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Just touching your mouth jewelry can lead to infection. Many people who have piercings tend to touch them regularly, which is the perfect opportunity for bacteria from hands to enter the piercing sites. Also, food particles that tend to collect around the sites can lead to infection as well.

Pain and swelling are other possible side effects of piercing. Your tongue, the most popular piercing site in the mouth, could swell large enough to close off your airway! Piercing can also cause excessive bleeding or nerve damage. Damage to the tongue's blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

The hoop, ring, stud, and barebell-shaped jewelry can hinder your ability to talk and eat. Some people also develop a habit of biting or playing with their piercings, which can lead to cracked teeth, gum damage and recession, and sensitive teeth. This may lead to a need for additional dental treatment such as crowns and fillings.

Consider the potential pitfalls of oral piercings before getting one. Keep in mind that it will be an added responsibility to your life and will need regular upkeep. Make sure that you're committed to the task of taking care of it for the full healing period and beyond.

If you have an oral piercing, make sure you are cleaning it with antiseptic mouthwash after eating and brushing the jewelry when you brush your teeth. Of course, let us know at Braces by Souris if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign from Braces by Souris!

Our office knows that people are curious about Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces. We thought we would share a few of the more common questions and answers about Invisalign, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Q: How much does Invisalign cost?

A: As with all types of orthodontic treatment, the cost depends on the complexity of the case. Dr. Souris can discuss the treatment cost for your particular problem at your free consultation!

Q: Does Invisalign really work?

A: In short, yes. In both clinical research and in orthodontic practices all over the country, Invislaign has proven to be effective at straightening teeth.

Q: Does insurance cover Invisalign?

A: Each patient should review their coverage since dental benefits differ significantly from policy to policy. If a patient has orthodontic coverage, however, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as traditional braces.

Q: What do aligners look like?

A: Aligners are nearly invisible and look very similar to clear tooth-whitening trays but are custom made for a better fit. A new set is placed every 2 weeks and they slowly straighten your teeth. Some orthodontists have referred to them as "contact lenses for the teeth".

Q: What are the aligners made of?

A: Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

Q:How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?

A: Aligners, much like braces and wires, move teeth by proper application of controlled forces on the teeth. Invisalign, however, not only controls the forces but the timing of the force application. The result is an efficient force delivery system.

If you want to learn more about Invisalign, please feel free to contact our office at 440-734-1146 or visit our website at http://www.bracesbysouris.com/!

What Makes an Orthodontist Different than a General Dentist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, aren't they all the same?" We hear our patients asking this question all the time, as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist, Dr. Souris started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree) just like your dentist. After dental school, however, Dr. Souris decided he wanted to pursue additional training in the field of orthodontics, which is one of the nine specialties within the dental field. He then got an additional two years of training and earned a Masters Degree along with his specialty certificate to make him an expert in the field of orthodontics- focusing only on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and underbites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontics (focusing on the nerves inside the teeth), periodontics (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth), and prosthodontics (focusing on replacing and fixing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaws, and gums might need? To learn more about the specialty of orthodontics, visit us at http://www.bracesbysouris.com/. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions!