A Sour Smile Is Not A Happy Smile -- Greenberg Orthodontics

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Greenberg Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Greenberg Orthodontics(even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From Greenberg Orthodontics.

Everybody's Brushing with Dr. Vickie Greenberg

Everybody is brushing with Dr. Vickie Greenberg! Watch this fun video with the kids to teach them the importance of oral health!

Make Your Best First Impression with an Invisalign Smile

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

This age-old aphorism has been used to describe situations in business, in Hollywood, in the classroom, as well as in simple everyday life. A recent piece of research confirms the sentiment, with a particular emphasis on the impression made by the quality of your smile – and the teeth it reveals.

According to a study conducted by Beall Research & Training of Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, your smile has quite a lot to say about you to strangers.

Researchers showed photos of eight individuals to hundreds of Americans. Some of the photos showed the individuals before undergoing dental improvements, and some showed them after. The “before” photos all showed people within a normal range of dental quality: there were no rotten or missing teeth, for example. The level of improvement displayed in the “after” photos ranged from mild, to moderate, to major. Those viewing the photos were not told that the subjects of the images had undergone dental improvements.

The results were telling. Across the board, respondents indicated that the people in the “after” photos were more attractive, more intelligent, more interesting, more successful in their careers, more sensitive to other people, more popular with the opposite sex, friendlier, happier, kinder, and wealthier than the people in the “before” photos.

If something is bothering you about your smile, give us a call. We are certified Invisalign practitioners. Time-tested by over half a million people, Invisalign allows you to improve your smile invisibly, with no metal wires or bands. Adults and teenagers alike opt to straighten their teeth with a series of clear aligners, which can be removed for meals and cleaning, as well as on special occasions.

Your new and improved first impression could be right around the corner. Call us today at Greenberg Orthodontics to discuss the future of your smile.

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love”, gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Last Week Invisalign, This Week the Damon System

So last week I showed you a great patient testimonial about Invisalign and her reactions to the treatment within her first 10 minutes of wearing the aligners. This week, I thought I'd take a minute to show you another great option: Damon System Brackets. Damon brackets are a great alternative to traditional metal braces. As a Damon orthodontist in Los Angeles, I work hard to educate my patients about the pros and cons of both Damon and Invisalign. As usual, I think it's also good for you to hear this from more than just me. Here is a video I found of patient testimonials. What do you think?

Getting Braces in Los Angeles (LA) - Your LA and Pasadena Orthodontist

Before you choose an orthodontist in LA and Pasadena, it is important to learn more about life with braces. Dr. Greenberg is the choice orthodontist in LA and Pasadena for orthodontic and braces treatment that 10 out of 10 patients recommend!

Eating with Braces

What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
  
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
  
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
  
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
  
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
  
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

General Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!

Loosening of Teeth

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.

Loose Wire or Band

Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (back of spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.

Care of Appliances

To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.

Brushing

It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.

Athletics

If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouthguard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone at once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

The Orthodontist 10 out of 10 Patients Recommend - Your LA and Pasadena Invisalign Orthodontist!

I Now have 37 Reviews on Insider Pages!

Here's just a few reviews from my Los Angeles and Pasadena orthodontic patients:

Not such a bad experience

Orthodontics in Los Angeles (LA) and Pasadena, CA

By jesus t.

I would recommend Dr. Greenberg because right here in her office everyone treats you nice and you feel at home. My experience was a good one. At first I thought getting braces was going to be a horrible thing but here at Dr. Greenberg's office they helped me a lot throughout the whole treatment.

Extraordinary
LA and Pasadena Extraordinary Orthodontist

By Deborah M.

Dr. Greenberg and her staff are excellent in creating the perfect smile. This office is very accommodating and flexible in arranging appointments and payment options. Dr. Greenberg and her staff are very knowledgeable, provide easy to understand answers, and great educational materials. I am very, very, satisfied with my treatment and my great new smile. I highly recommend her services.

Great experience!

Top Orthodontic Care Serving Pasadena, LA, and Altadena, CA

By Anand K.

The process of orthodontia through Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics was simple and largely painless. I am quite pleased with the service and hospitality of the staff and of the doctor herself. All in all, it was a wonderful experience - although I can't say I would enjoy doing the process again (though if I had to, I would come back here)!

The Treatment was excelent!

Excelent Orthodontic Care in LA and Pasadena, CA

By Ashley S.

I am very happy and satisfied with my results. It was definitely worth the time. I did not think that just with two years and a half my teeth could change so much. I am no longer ashamed to smile as big as I can and show my teeth!

My new wonderful smile!

The LA Orthodontist that will make you smile! Invisalign Orthodontist in Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA

By Christy M.

I cannot believe the amazing transformation of my teeth over the past couple of years! All of the staff here are so nice and caring that I was actually excited to come to my appointments! When I first started coming here, I was a little hesitant because I was only about 13 and was scared of what they would do to my teeth. Then I met Dr. Greenberg and she was so nice to me about it and assured me that everything would be fine. She's always had such a joyful spirit and I trusted her because she knows exactly what she's doing! Due to the excellent service here, my teeth are just as perfect as I wanted them to be. I can't stop smiling!

Thanks to my wonderful patients!! You make my work an exceptional experience and I am happy to serve you!