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IT’S HARD TO APPRECIATE the influence one may have on a young person’s life. I am so thankful for the influence my orthodontist, Dr. Lawrence Oliveria of New Bedford, Massachusetts had on mine. He gave me the inspiration to become an orthodontist.

Dr. Oliveria Was A Very Cool Guy...

He was nice, handsome, always smelled good, talked to me, and even sent me a birthday card. He was a very good person. His brother was Monsigneur at my confirmation. His sister was one of my mother’s best friends. Adding to his coolness was his Corvette convertible, exactly like Barbie’s, except in silver. For a twelve year old, these things went a long way.

There was one funny thing about Dr. Oliveira’s office. His mother was his receptionist. She was a wonderful lady, friendly and kind. But every so often, she would let her motherhood shine threw and say something like, "Larry, get over here!" It was hard for me to understand then that my orthodontist was also once a kid.

My mother told me that Dr. Oliveria remodeled his mother’s kitchen. Having received this subliminal hint, once I became an orthodontist, I felt compelled to also remodel my mother’s kitchen! I am very thankful I was able to do that while she was still with us.

I Was So Excited About My Results

I loved the orthodontic result that Dr. Oliveria gave me. It changed my life. It may surprise you that I was not always a good orthodontic patient. Once, I went to the amusement park with my friends and bit into a candy apple. All my front braces broke off! Dr. Oliveira was so mad that he could hardly speak! Then I did the unthinkable. I wrapped my retainers in paper towels and my mother threw them away. Now both my orthodontist and my mother were mad at me!

In My Book, I Write...

In my new book, It All Starts with Marketing- 201 Marketing Tips for Growing a Dental Practice, I write:

“As a child, I loved my orthodontist and his office. It may surprise you that what impressed me most was his fish tank.”

Yes, he had a beautiful fish tank. It had salt water, yellow and blue fish, and even a “Nemo.” It was the most beautiful fish tank I had ever seen.

Forty years later, my orthodontist’s son, Dr. Neil Oliveira, has taken over his practice. I hope he still has the fish tank. I never truly had the opportunity to thank my orthodontist. Here’s to you, Dr. Lawrence Oliveria, from Ann Marie.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

SOMETIMES, WE’RE  GUILTY OF ASSUMING TOO MUCH, RIGHT? We recently realized that we’ve probably wrongly assumed that ALL of you—our valued patients—know Ebony as well as we do! That’s probably not the case.

So, We Asked Ebony A Few Questions

We asked Ebony a few questions to help you get to know her a little better. Those questions are found below—along with her candid answers! Enjoy!

Where are you originally from?

“I am originally from Antioch, California. My parents named me Ebony because this name was very popular in the 90's due to the magazine and a Stevie Wonder song. I went to Berean Christian High School, and then studied at Sonoma State where I was a biology major.”

What made you decide that you wanted to become a dental assistant?

“I am planning to attend dental school and I hope to become an orthodontist. I originally decided to become an orthodontist because I had braces when I was young. I just loved how my teeth looked when I finished my orthodontic treatment and I always felt that this was my calling to make other people feel the same wonderful way that I did about orthodontics.”

When you started as a dental assistant was there something funny that happened? Do you dare tell us that story?

“I started as a volunteer intern at Gorczyca Orthodontics in the summertime. During that time, I had Dr. Gorczyca proofread my application essay for dental school for fall of 2015. When I described how I used to suck my thumb and how my teeth stuck out, how I had my teeth fixed, and then wanted to become an orthodontist, Dr. Gorczyca said that is exactly her story as well and that I was destined to be an orthodontist! You can see Dr. Gorczyca tell her story HERE on The Wellness Hour with Randy Alvarez!”

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

“When I'm not at work, I love to cook. I also like to draw and paint. I also work out in my free time.”

What do you enjoy most about being a dental assistant?

“I really enjoy helping people. When I can accommodate them, schedule them, help them with their orthodontic needs, and make them happy it makes me happy. What could be better than that?”

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Ebony a little better. Here at our practice we feel really fortunate to have her as a member of our awesome team.

Do YOU Have A Question For Ebony?

If so, please enter it in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to pass it along to Ebony for an answer! Also, as you know, you can always send us private questions or comments on our Facebook page.

Would you like to learn more about our practice? Visit us online at www.clubbraces.com.

Thanks for the trust you place in us!

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THE HEALTHY ENAMEL THAT COVERS YOUR TEETH is the hardest substance in your body... It’s even harder than your bones! That’s great news when you consider the amount of pressure our jaw muscles exert on our teeth.

However, your teeth can still be cracked and chipped. Here are four “don’ts” for avoiding a cracked tooth.

Keep in mind that these tips are good for while you’re wearing braces, AND when you’re all finished with treatment. We want your beautiful, healthy smile to last a lifetime!

#1: Don’t Chew On Ice

High powered blenders have special blades and settings for crushing ice. So imagine what chewing on ice can do to your teeth! Some people do it out of habit—and others do it when they’re nervous or bored. Just stop! It can chip or crack teeth.

#2: Don’t Chew Hard Sweets

Hard candy isn’t good for your oral health anyway. Besides the high sugar content, and the long periods of time the sugar sits on your teeth, hard candy can also crack your teeth. Jawbreakers, suckers, and frozen candy bars are common culprits. If you enjoy these occasionally, consider licking them instead to avoid damage.

#3: Don’t Bite Down On Unpopped Popcorn Kernels

We know that they’re difficult to avoid! When you’re enthralled in a movie, the last thing on your mind is the popcorn you’re enjoying. Just try to be aware of those pesky unpopped kernels!

#4: Don’t Use Teeth As Tools

They’re not bottle openers. They’re not scissors. They’re not pliers. You get the idea.

Contact Us Immediately If You Crack A Tooth

Together, we’ll figure out the best course of action.

Thanks for the trust you place in us. We appreciate having you as our valued patient!

QUALITY ORTHODONTIC RESULTS take time. It’s assuring to know that during your time in braces, your orthodontist is protecting your teeth and your enamel with Opal Seal.

Opal Seal Acts As A Barrier To Prevent Plaque

Opal Seal is an advanced bond-enhancing primer produced by Opal Orthodontics and Ultradent. It is applied by your orthodontist to the entire facial surface of your teeth prior to placement of your orthodontic brackets. Like a dental sealant, Opal Seal acts as a barrier to plaque and provides fluoride during your orthodontic treatment. You can be assured that Opal Seal with help your teeth will look fabulous the day your braces come off.

Opal Seal is invisible, but you and your orthodontic team can easily see it under a UV black light. It typically lasts several months and can be reapplied to your teeth throughout orthodontic treatment .

Oral Hygiene Can Be More Difficult When You Have Braces

With braces, you are more likely to have challenges with oral hygiene. That’s why at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California, we use Opal Seal. We encourage our patients with braces to brush three times per day, floss regularly, and visit their dentist and dental hygienist regularly. We will remove your orthodontic wires for your dental cleanings. Our goal is your A+ in hygiene and your beautiful smile.

Excellent Results Are Worth The Wait

At Gorczyca Orthodontics we care about giving you the best orthodontic result possible with dental and gingival health. This smile was created by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca and took 38 months to complete. Smiles scored clinically excellent by the American Board of Orthodontics often take up to three years for completion. The result is worth the wait. Your beautiful smile will be healthy, stable, and will last you a lifetime.

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 if you would like to learn more about Opal Seal, braces, and orthodontics or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

Here’s to your beautiful smile!