Going Back to School with Your Braces or Retainers? Try to remember these important tips…

For those of you with braces, pack an extra toothbrush in your backpack.  Don’t let the remnants of your lunch sit on your teeth and braces all afternoon!  Let your teacher know how important it is for you to brush your teeth after meals.  If you like to buy your lunch, remember it’s your responsibility to make good decisions about food.  Avoid items on the “no-no’ list such as hard, crunchy or sticky foods that can break your braces. Is your team sport starting up again? Those traditional “boil and bite” mouth guards cannot be worn with braces on!  We have specialized orthodontic mouth guards in our office that will properly fit over the braces. For those of you with retainers that you wear during the day, pack an extra retainer case in your backpack or lunch bag.  Avoid wrapping your retainer in a napkin or paper towel during meals! …

How To Clean Invisalign

One of the biggest advantages to Invisalign® treatment is that they can be removed before eating or drinking anything. But before they go back in, they need to be cleaned properly to prevent discoloration and buildup of bacteria. Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® are available from Dr. McSurdy’s office, your local orthodontist for Collegeville and Gibertsville. How To Clean Invisalign® To keep your teeth and your Invisalign® clean try following this list of Do’s and Don’ts: Do: Aligners should be rinsed under lukewarm water each time they are taken out to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup. After eating and or drinking (anything other than water) brush your teeth and your aligners. Floss every day Use a soft toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste to clean your aligners. Some have found that using toothpaste can scratch the aligners because it is abrasive. If you do not want to use toothpaste, try…

Make it a GREAT day! Everyday!

A great day starts from the moment you awaken. The best way to start your day is with a smile on your face and gratitude in your heart and mind. Saying thank you for this great day holds the thought in your mind. Feeling it with your heart intensifies the thought and makes it a reality. It is impossible to have anxiety, fear, or anger in your mind while you are in a state of gratitude. One of my favorite quotes is from Neale Donald Walsch, “Gratitude is the miracle cure for every moment of disease.”  Just try to remember that it is hard to NOT smile while you are in a state of gratitude. One smile (yours) leads to another (your friends and family). Allowing your cup to run over keeps all the negative emotion from entering your day. There is simply no room for negative thoughts when you…