You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know that one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We're living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we're seeing braces on parents as well as children- and even celebrities such as Ton Cruise, Gwen Stefani, and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It's never too late to look and feel your best!

Can braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The physical process of moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it's never too late to address issues such as overbites, crooked teeth, or jaw problems.

How Do I Get Started?

If you're considering orthodontic treatment, you can set up a free consultation with Dr. Souris. At that time he will do a thorough examination, discuss treatment options with you, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss the fee, any insurance benefits, and all your financing options.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteeem, and your dental health. There are many advancements in treatment, including clear braces and Invisalign, that make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. The newer braces are more effective, more comfortable, and much less noticeable.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give us a call at 440-734-1146 and set up a free consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

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.

What's So Bad About Nail Biting?

We've all heard that nail biting is an awful habit, so we took the time to review an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affects your teeth and your oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit amoung various age groups including children, teens, and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress. That being said, it is unsanitary, unattractive, and unhealthy for your teeth. Here's why:

*It's unsanitary. Your nails are twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, they are a big source of unwanted germs and bacteria.

*It can have unhealthy effects on your teeth. Nail biting causes you to constantly chew with your teeth, and this excessive motion can wear your front teeth faster and cause unwanted movement of your teeth due to the constant pressure.

*Braces don't love it either. Nail biting can damage the appliances and put unnecessary pressure on your teeth beyond what the braces are already applying, resulting in increased discomfort and stressing of the roots.

*Finally, it can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one's lifetime according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

Now is a good time to think about breaking your habit and helping with the long term health of your teeth. If you have any additional questions about your teeth, please feel free to contact Dr. Souris at 440-734-1146.

Myths and Facts About Orthodontics

Trust us when we say we know there are quite a few myths about braces floating around these days. Before you buy into these myths, we think you should get the facts! The American Association of Orthodontists has provided useful information that sheds light on some of these myths:

1. Myth: Orthodontists are appropriate only for the most challenging and complex cases.

Fact: As specialists, orthodontists have the additional education and expertise to recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one and therefore how to better treat it.

2. Myth: Braces are for kids.

Fact: One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.

3. Myth: If there was a giant magnet and someone flipped a switch, people would fly out of their chairs and stick to the magnet.

Fact: Braces are made from non-magnetic materials.

4. Myth: Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for treatment.

Fact: Fees vary from practice to practice. Each doctor, whether an orthodontist or general dentist, sets his/her own fee schedule. The value in seeing an orthodontist comes from the additional education they receive to become specialists, and the knowledge and expertise they have in treating only orthodontic patients.

5. Myth: Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.

Fact: After the initial adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces become comfortable. In addition, they are sometimes only needed for months and not years.

6. Myth: Signals from braces link to the internet to download songs onto an iPod.

Fact: This is not possible YET!

7. Myth: Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves, and can be embarrassing.

Fact: Today's braces can be clear (tooth colored), nearly invisible (like clear plastic retainers), or even stuck to the back of the front teeth. Appearance should really not be a reason to avoid getting braces.

Please contact Dr. Souris if you have any additonal questions about braces and orthodontists by calling us for a free consulatation at 440-734-1146. We would be happy to evaluate you or your child for the different treatment options that are available.

Tricky Nutrition Questions Answered- Part 7- What's the Best Junk Food?

If my options are a cheesburger, a hot dog, or a slice of pizza, which should I eat? There's a lot of room for debate about these American staples, since hundreds of varieties exist. It comes down to your choice of toppings. The more high fiber veggies you can include, the better. For that reason, your best option is probably a slice of pizza loaded with a combo of veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, and other greens. It's not the perfect meal ( the carbs in the crust are probably of the refined variety), but the pile of produce on the top at least makes it a healthier choice.

Tricky Nutrition Questions Answered- Part 6- What's the Best Fruit Source?

Is a glass of fruit juice equivalent in nutrition to a piece of fruit? Not even close. Most prepared fruit juices contain not only natural sugar but large amounts of added sugar to cut the tartness of the drink. Even juices labeled 100 percent pure aren't necessarily made exclusively from the advertised juice. Superfoods like pomegranate and blueberry are often on the front of the container, but a closer look at the ingredient list reveals that pear, apple, and grape juices- cheaper to produce and supersweet- are usually among the included ingredients. To avoid a sugar surge, pick single fruit juices, pour half a glass, and fill the rest with water or seltzer. Even better, stick with whole fruit. A medium orange has just 62 calories, 12 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of fiber compared with the 110 calories, 24 grams of sugar, and zero fiber found in an 8 ounce glass of orange juice.

Tricky Nutrition Questions Answered- Part 5- Is There a Nutritional Difference Among Cheeses?

Are white cheeses better than yellow cheeses? When it comes to weight loss, yes. Yellow cheeses tend to have more calories because of their higher fat content. Cheddar has 113 calories and 9 grams of fat per ounce, whereas Brie comes with 94 calories and 8 grams of fat. Either way, though, all cheeses are calorie-dense foods. One ounce, which is roughly the size of four dice, has about 100 calories, which is more than twice as many as you'll find in the same size serving of salmon. So remember to use portion control.