oral hygiene

Is It Time For A New Toothbrush?

September 28th, 2018

SHAKESPEARE WROTE, “Parting is such sweet sorrow...” But from everyone here at our practice, we can assure you that the sorrow ends the second you start brushing with a new toothbrush.

Take A Look At Your Toothbrush

Your orthodontic work can be especially hard on your toothbrush. Are the bristles starting to look bent, worn, or frayed? Or, are the bristles starting to look like they’re parallel to your teeth instead of perpendicular? If so, it’s time for a new toothbrush. Has somebody else used your toothbrush (gross)? If so, they’ve contaminated it with the bacteria in their mouth — and if you use it, you’ll expose yourself to any disease or sickness they may have. Again, it’s time for a new toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Old toothbrushes lose their structural ability to thoroughly clean, and fraying bristles don’t clean well between your teeth or under and around your braces. And as you know, that’s really important during your orthodontic treatment period. Fraying bristles can also be hard on your gums and can even cause damage to them.

Are You Storing Your Toothbrush Correctly?

  • Store it upright and keep it out of contact with the bathroom counter.
  • Keep it out of contact with other people’s toothbrushes.
  • Keep it far away from the toilet splash zone (gross, again).
  • Make sure it dries between uses. Toothbrush covers are handy for travel, but at home your toothbrush needs to air dry.

When you get a new toothbrush, keep these tips in mind:

  • Get the size that fits in your mouth comfortably and reaches everywhere.
  • Hard bristles can wear enamel unnecessarily. Soft bristles are usually better.
  • The brand is not as important as your commitment to brushing correctly and regularly. If you have questions about how to do that, visit with our team.

Keep Up Great Oral Hygiene Habits During Your Orthodontic Treatment!

It’s absolutely worth it! And don’t miss your regular checkups. If you ever have any questions about toothbrushes or any other orthodontic or oral health topic, ask us, leave a comment below and we’ll quickly respond, or send us a message on our Facebook page!

Thanks, as always, for your continued trust and friendship. 

Bad Breath? Are You Keeping Your Retainer Clean?

August 24th, 2018

DOES YOUR BREATH STINK? Do you know if your breath stinks? What causes it? What can be done about it? Here at our practice, we often get questions about bad breath. Sometimes the questions come from a long-suffering friend or family member of somebody else with bad breath.

Besides A Dirty Retainer, There Are Lots Of Bad Breath Causes 

Halitosis (chronic bad breath) can be caused by a number of things — some more serious than others. Here are the most common causes:

1. Things You Eat, Like Garlic And Onions

Foods like garlic and onions contain oils that transfer through your bloodstream into your lungs, causing odor to be emitted each time you exhale.

2. Things You Don’t Eat, And A Dry Mouth

Dieting can trigger different chemical processes that can make you more susceptible to bad breath. Also, not eating slows down saliva production, decreasing your mouth’s ability to clean away bacterial build-up. That’s why “morning breath” is unpleasant. Also, certain prescription medications can cause dry mouth.

3. The Way You Feel

Sometimes a cold or sore throat can be the culprit with odors coming directly from the bacteria or mucus trapped in your mouth or sinus area. Typically, these problems won’t go away until the symptoms causing them are gone.

4. Things That May Be More Serious

More serious causes include things like gum disease, kidney problems, diabetes, oral cancer, anorexia/bulimia, and others. That’s why it’s so important to contact us or your general dentist about chronic bad breath problems that you just can’t seem to solve.

Things You Can Do That Help

Remember, chronic or extreme bad breath is not normal. If you have any questions about causes, symptoms, or remedies, talk with our team.

  1. If you wear a retainer, or any other orthodontic appliance, clean it thoroughly.
  2. WE KNOW it’s hard with braces, but practice good oral hygiene! You know — brush and floss!
  3. Gently brush your tongue.
  4. Use an antibacterial mouthwash regularly.
  5. Eat healthy, drink enough water, and don’t smoke.
  6. Occasionally suck on a sugarless mint.
  7. Don’t miss or postpone your appointments with us, or your checkups with your dentist.

A Little Fun With “...a new sense of daintiness...”

Contrary to the popular legend that Listerine coined the term “halitosis,” it actually dates back to the 1870s. However, Listerine made the term commonplace by using it in many of their ad campaigns. Halitosis combines the Latin “halitus” (meaning “breath”) with the Greek suffix “osis” (used to describe a medical condition).

Thanks, As Always, For Being Our Valued Patient

We sincerely appreciate the trust you place in our orthodontic practice! And thanks for your kind referrals of friends, family members, and coworkers. Leave us a comment below or send us a direct message on our Facebook page!

See you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at 925-757-9000 for a free orthodontic exam.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Kissing Pros And Cons (Including Stuck Braces)

February 16th, 2018

IS A KISS RISKY WITH BRACES? You’ll have to answer that question on your own! Once in a while we’ll hear a story about braces getting stuck when two people with braces were smooching. But there’s a more-often-talked-about concern about kissing that our practice would like to briefly address below.

Bacteria Can Lead To Increased Plaque Which Can Lead To Tooth Decay

We know it’s not pleasant to think about, but it’s true — your mouth is full of bacteria. Some of it is good and some of it isn’t. For the most part, your body (and your mouth, specifically) does a pretty good job of keeping bacteria, germs, and viruses that make their way into your mouth in check. But increased bacteria can also lead to increased plaque. Maintaining great oral hygiene habits is the very best way you can help your mouth do its job.

Kissing (with or without braces) Introduces Your Mouth To Someone Else’s Bacteria And Viruses

Now there’s no need to make this a huge cause for worry. Our team just wants to be sure that you know about the most common viruses and diseases that you could be sharing with a smooch:

  • Cold Sores. Cold sores are a manifestation of a herpes virus. Even when there are no signs, it can be contagious.
  • Colds And Flus. Lots of viruses are included under the blanket “common cold” term. Colds happen, but you can decrease the spread by avoiding kissing while you’re sick.
  • Mononucleosis. Also known as mono, glandular fever, or the kissing disease, this is caused by a viral infection that is easily spread by saliva and can knock you out for weeks.

Yes, There Are Lots Of Kissing Positives Too

We’re not condemning kissing! Think about the benefits! Kissing increases saliva flow, which is great for your teeth and overall oral health. And of course, an affectionate peck can make you happier and strengthen relationships, which leads to better overall health and wellbeing. So don’t put the brakes on a great relationship just because you’re worried about germs! Just be smart, make sure that you maintain great oral hygiene, and that you always know who’s on the other end of that kiss.

Any Questions About All This?

We love answering your questions about ANY orthodontic or oral-health related matter. It gives us a chance to know you better.  Give us a call, leave a comment below, or send us a direct message on our Facebook page. We’re always happy to discuss things with you!

Give us a call at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California (925) 757-9000.

Thanks again for the trust you place in us! We value your friendship!

I Love My Dental Hygienist

October 24th, 2016

FOR ME, going to the hygienist is like a mini vacation. I love my dental hygienist and the great work that she does.

Let Me Share My Experience...

When I arrive at my 6-month hygiene appointment, my hygienist gives me a warm blanket heated in the dryer for one minute before I am seated. This blanket is so warm and cozy. Snuggling here in the dental chair for an instant gives me the feeling of a luxury hotel.

Cool jazz plays in the background while my teeth are gently cleaned. My hygienist does not talk excessively during our appointment. She lets me relax. As a busy orthodontist, wife and mother, I appreciate this time very much. I can close my eyes and unwind. This is a rare and enjoyable time.

An aroma candle burns in the hallway. It smells great. A hint of the fragrance makes it's way into the cleaning room and hides the scent of my own breath.

My hygienist polishes my teeth with my favorite flavored pumas. I think it is cherry. It tastes so good I almost want to eat it. It reminds me of how much I loved having my teeth cleaned as a child and is probably one of the reasons why I became a dentist.

After polishing my teeth, my hygienist hands me a warm towel heated in the microwave. I wipe and freshen my face. For an instant, I feel like I'm in the clouds flying Transatlantic First Class.

My hygienist then schedules my next cleaning at my convenience. She fills her own schedule. No need to bother the front desk. She schedules the appointment right then and there in the treatment room. She saves me time and the front desk additional work.

On my way out, I'm handed a goody bag with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. I'm now equipped to achieve excellence in oral hygiene and I don't want to let my hygienist down.

After a little small talk with the lovely ladies at the front desk, I take a few pieces of my favorite orange Trident sugar-free gum displayed in a little clothe covered basket. It taste great and I feel great. I just can't wait to come back and get my teeth cleaned again next time.

Thank You Wendy!

My hygienist gets a 5 star rating not only for excellence in clinical care but also for excellence in customer service. She is so sweet and also amazing! Thank you, Wendy, for all that you do.

Happy National Dental Hygiene Month to all of our wonderful dental hygienists from Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, California www.clubbraces.com.

Oral Hygiene Attack of the Jelly Beans

March 25th, 2016

ONE BY ONE, over and over, cute and tasty, fun flavored, multi-colored jelly beans violently attack your teeth and your oral hygiene.

Be Careful: Jelly Beans Can Wreak Havoc On Teeth

Caught in a braces dragnet, jelly beans may sit for hours on your teeth spreading their sugar leading to plaque formation and enamel decalcification. Eaten before bed without brushing, jelly beans are like an oral hygiene nuclear attack.

Chewy, sticky, and hard, jelly beans adhere to your braces and teeth making it difficult for your saliva and tongue to wash them away. Like a sugar invasion, jelly beans set up camp and coat your teeth with their stickiness which can only be removed by brushing and flossing.

Cavity producing bacteria love to eat jelly beans even more than you do! They eat the jelly beans and produce acid which damages your tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Long term, jelly beans create holes in your teeth called cavities.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene To Protect Your Teeth

Be sure to brush and floss your teeth as soon as possible after eating jelly beans. If you're a jelly bean eater, consider adding a plaque prevention rinse to your oral hygiene regimen. Brush for two minutes twice per day, floss, and visit your dentist and hygienist regularly twice per year for excellent oral hygiene.

Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca recommends eating jelly beans in moderation and avoiding jelly beans if you have braces. Find us at www.clubbraces.com.

Be sure to drink water and brush and floss as soon as you can after eating jelly beans. Prevent your dental hygiene attack of the jelly beans.

An Irish Dental Blessing

March 15th, 2016

IN HONOR OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY, the Team at Gorczyca Orthodontics would like to wish you and your family excellent dental health. It is an honor and a privilege for us to treat you and take care of you and your family's orthodontic needs. Thank you for choosing Gorczya Orthodontics.

So as the rains fall softly upon our Northern California hills and fields until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Irish Dental Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
and may your teeth be free of plaque.

 

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, Caifornia 94531, (925) 757-9000, www.clubbraces.com.

Trick-or-Treating with Braces

October 20th, 2015

TRICK-OR-TREATING is said to have originated from the medieval practice of “mumming,” a Northern European practice of masked persons parading the streets and visiting neighboring houses on feast days. In North America, “guising” was first reported in 1911 in Kingston, Ontario where disguised children visited house-to-house around the neighborhood. The term “trick-or-treat” first appears in 1927 in the Blackie Herald newspaper of Alberta, Canada. The treat soon became known to be an oral health nightmare, candy.

Trick-Or-Treating Provides A Variety Of Treats

Trick-or-treating is a fun activity. Children, with and without braces, will recieve a myriad of Halloween treats. An apple may be given. Some homes may give a fruit or granola bar. Generous relatives may even distribute a coin. Dentists may give a toothbrush. But most homes will be giving out candy.

The question arises “What should I eat on Halloween if I have braces?”

Be Mindful Of Halloween Snacks If You Have Braces

Although apples are a healthy treat, care must be given to cut the apples into small bite size pieces in order to not break off the orthodontic brackets.

Chewy, sticky, hard candy is to be avoided. This includes Starbursts, jawbreakers, Twizzlers, skittles, and gum. Chewy sticky hard candy will not only break your orthodontic brackets but also loosen your orthodontic bands.

Nuts in general are to be avoided. These can be found in not only granola bars that are hard with big nuts but also in some candies such as Almond Joys.

What Treats Can Someone In Braces Eat On Halloween?

Orthodontist, Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California weighs in on her favorite Halloween treats: "I recommend Mounds candy as a choice for kids in braces. These are soft bars of mostly coconut with a soft chocolate covering. Mounds are very unlikely to break orthodontic brackets or loosen bands. My second favorite candy choice for kids in braces is Junior Mints. This candy is soft, small, and easy to eat with braces.

We at Gorczyca Orthodontics give out Halloween toothbrushes to trick-or-treaters. They are orange with black bristles. Now, that's scary!

Soft candies are fine to eat with braces as long as you remember to floss and brush your teeth afterwards. To maintain excellent oral hygiene and remain cavity free, be sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, not only on Halloween but every day of the year."

Happy Halloween from all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics!

www.clubbraces.com

Some Important Tips For Flossing With Braces

October 2nd, 2015

IF YOU HAVE BRACES, you still need to floss. Flossing is important in the prevention of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease—especially while wearing braces.

Tips For Flossing With Braces

To help you floss with braces, here are some helpful tips:

  1. Use enough floss! The amount of floss should be equal to the length from your fingers to you elbow.
  2. Thread floss between your wire and the contact of two teeth with your fingers or use a floss threader.
  3. Wind floss around one finger of one hand and one finger of your other hand.
  4. Waxed floss is less likely to tear. Oral B Glide floss is our favorite.
  5. Help Youngsters Out!

    If you or the little ones in your life who don’t wear braces are having trouble flossing, consider Crest Glide Floss Picks.

    We Want To Help Keep Your Smile Bright

    We at Gorczyca Orthodontics hope that these flossing tips were helpful and keep you excited about flossing and maintaining excellent oral hygiene. If you have questions about your teeth or oral hygiene, visit us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000.

    Thanks for flossing and letting us be part of your beautiful smile.

    Top image by Flickr user Alan Light used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
More Topics
diplomate american board of orthodontics Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists advanced education in orthdontics
member american association of orthodontists seattle study club american dental association california dental association
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