Coolsmiles Orthodontics - Invisalign and Braces Port Jefferson and Medford NY » Orthodontic Info

Who is Coolsmiles?

Coolsmiles — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:57 +0000

Sounds like a silly question, right? We’re an orthodontic office and we love to enhancing smiles and making teeth straight. However, that’s not all we believe we do. Our mission is to enhance the self-esteem of our patients and empower them to achieve whatever goals they aspire to.

A Question of Missing Teeth

Coolsmiles — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:03:49 +0000

Missing permanent teeth or premature loss of baby teeth is one reason why the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends an orthodontic consultation for children beginning at age 7. The upper lateral incisors, second premolars and third molars (wisdom teeth) are the teeth most likely to fail to develop or erupt. Heredity is considered a major factor when permanent teeth are congenitally missing.

Handling Out of Town Emergencies

Coolsmiles — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:24:48 +0000

School is out in most parts of the country and summer vacation will soon be here. Do you know what to do if you have an orthodontic emergency while you are out of town, on vacation, or away at camp? Here are some tips from CoolSmiles Orthodontics.

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Five Tips for Cleaning Braces in Medford and Port Jefferson NY

Coolsmiles — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:51:02 +0000

At CoolSmiles Orthodontics, we don’t have to tell you that keeping your teeth clean during treatment is very important. Braces have a habit of collecting additional food while eating that can cause a multitude of problems if not cared for correctly.
So you don't offend others with unsightly food caught on your braces, or to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, decalcification or discoloring of teeth and cavities, here are are five tooth brushing tips from Drs. Klempner and Amram and our team for orthodontic patients to keep in mind while wearing braces:
1. There is more to brush than what you see. Most patients spend their time brushing the parts of their teeth and the braces they can see. However, it’s just as important to clean the inside areas of your teeth as well as the chewing surface of each tooth. Brush all surfaces inside, outside, along the top of the teeth and the gum line for best results. Watch this video on how to brush your teeth correctly with braces.
2. Make sure you spend enough time doing a good job. Did you know the ADA recommends you brush your teeth for approximately three minutes to do a good job… even if you aren’t wearing braces? At one point you may have received a three minute egg timer to time brushing from your dentist. It seems like the time will never end when watching the grains of salt flow to the bottom. Most popular songs today are approximately three minutes long. Listen to an ipod or radio while you are brushing instead of using a timer. If you start brushing at the beginning of a song… and stop when over… you can dance around for three minutes while brushing, without the time dragging.
3. Use dental floss often. Food is often trapped between teeth and flossing with braces is easier with a floss threader, especially when trying to thread the floss under your main wire. Watch this video on how to floss correctly. Dental floss threaders save time and are very easy to use once you get the hang of it. They are available in the toothbrush aisle in any grocery or drug store.
4. Be prepared. In order to brush after every meal you must be prepared. Always keep a toothbrush in your purse, backpack, or laptop case. The TOOB brush was designed with orthodontic patients in mind. It’s easy to use, you can refill it with your own toothpaste, and it travels anywhere.
5. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are still important. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. However, we recommend you visit your dentist regularly while wearing braces to eliminate any plaque you may have missed while brushing or using dental floss.

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Tongue Thrusts Raise Havoc While Kids Are Growing in Medford and Port Jefferson NY

Coolsmiles — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:26:46 +0000

At CoolSmiles Orthodontics, we think about how many processes of the human body take place unconsciously. As we make our way through the day, we are constantly breathing, blinking, keeping our balance, and doing a thousand other tiny things we never give a second thought.

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A Bad Mother's Day Gift?

Coolsmiles — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:54:14 +0000

One local shopping mall decided it was a good idea to offer a special discount event called "Mother's Day Night Out" in honor of Mother's Day. O.K., sounds like a good idea, right? Well, the "night out" was between 4 pm and 7 pm. Here are some of the moms' responses. Are you listening marketing department? BTW, when did you want your orthodontic appointment?

There Are Many Benefits of Straight Teeth in Medford and Port Jefferson NY

Coolsmiles — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:16:16 +0000

There are many reasons why people want straight teeth. Not the least of these is the fact that crooked teeth are not the most attractive feature. While a nicely aligned smile can be the part of your looks that pulls everything else together, a crooked smile can draw attention away from an otherwise striking appearance. A great smile is vital to your self-confidence, which in turn can improve your outlook on life in general.
However, the benefits of straight teeth do not end with just your appearance.
• Crooked teeth can interfere with proper chewing, a problem which is with you at every meal if not confronted.
• Good oral hygiene (such as regular brushing and flossing) can be much more difficult and ineffective with crooked teeth. When your teeth are not straight and evenly spaced, there is a much higher likelihood that there will be hard-to-reach spaces that do not receive the proper treatment from your daily cleaning routine. As a result, unwanted plaque and tartar can build up unnoticed. Over time, this can lead to such serious consequences as tooth decay, gum disease, or even tooth loss. Since no one enjoys spending time in the dentist’s chair having root canals, fillings, and oral surgery, it is important to stay on top of your oral hygiene.

The good news is that at CoolSmiles Orthodontics we specialize in creating beautiful smiles and fixing crooked teeth. Orthodontics (which comes from the Greek words orthos “straight or proper” and odons “tooth”) is a special field of dentistry that concerns itself with the study and treatment of irregular bites.
An abnormal bite can be the result of uneven teeth, a jaw that is out of proportion or misaligned, or both. Crooked teeth can be brought into alignment using traditional metal braces; although they are not used as much today as they have been in the past. More popular currently are the alternatives available which are less noticeable, so that orthodontic patients do not have to sacrifice their looks in the short term to have a beautiful smile forever. These less conspicuous treatment options include clear ceramic braces and Invisalign™. Invisalign is a type of removable and virtually invisible aligner that fits over the teeth instead of wire being held in place by brackets.
There are a variety of orthodontic options out there today, many of which are less intrusive and visually obvious than they used to be in days past. Whether you are a parent of an adolescent with crooked teeth that need to be straightened or if you yourself are seeking improvement in your smile, we encourage visiting our office today. The benefits are many; you will be glad you did!

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Easter Basket Ideas for Kid's With Braces

Coolsmiles — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:31:36 +0000

At CoolSmiles Orthodontics we ask kids and adults in our practice with braces to avoid many of their favorite Easter candies that are hard, sticky, chewy, and high in sugar in order to protect their braces. Jellybeans are an Easter favorite and can raise havoc with brackets and wires. Here are three tips to make kids of all ages feel included by filling their Easter baskets with braces-safe candy and treats.

Chocolate

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Protect Your Kid's Teeth With a Mouthguard to Avoid a Lifetime of Unnecessary Dental Care

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:27:54 +0000

At Coolsmiles, our number one concern is our patients. No matter what time of year or type of contact sport, make sure your kids are properly protected. We support the American Association of Orthodontics during Sport Safety month in their efforts to help raise awareness among parents and patients to increase the use of facial protection in youth sports in the [city, state] area.

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TLC Works Best During the First Few Days Wearing Braces

Coolsmiles — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:55:37 +0000

Patients of all ages are self conscious when they first get their braces. It takes a few days to adjust both physically and emotionally to the look and feel of the appliances. Support and understanding from family and friends goes a long way the first few weeks to help patients adapt both physically and emotionally, especially with adolescents and teens already insecure with most aspects of their lives.

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