Did you know that an orthodontist must become a dentist FIRST? All orthodontist are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Extra training and education that makes an orthodontist qualified to safely and effectively adjust a patient’s dental alignment, which is why it’s so important to choose an orthodontist to straighten your smile. This is especially true with Invisalign treatment where the diagnosis needs to be thorough and complete to set up a great treatment sequence! We have treated over 1,500 patients with Invisalign and we are committed to excellence to optimize your smile and dental health! Trust your team at Dr. McSurdy’s office Dr. David W. McSurdy graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School and then went to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College. He completed his dental training at Temple University School of Dentistry and continued on for his specialized training in orthodontics at Fairleigh Dickinson…
gilbertsville braces
Easy Ways to Improve Your Dental Health
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
WE’VE ALL HEARD that if we want healthy teeth, we should brush twice a day, floss once a day, and schedule regular dental cleaning appointments twice a year. Definitely keep doing those things, but if you want to step up your oral health game, here are a few easy ways to do that. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly One of the simplest ways you can improve your dental health and hygiene is to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. Vigorous brushing will make the bristles fray and reduce the brush’s cleaning ability, but that’s not the only reason toothbrushes should be replaced often. A lot of the bacteria we brush off our teeth stays on the bristles of our toothbrushes. Proper storage–meaning storing the toothbrush upright and letting it dry out between uses–can keep a toothbrush from getting smelly and nasty too fast, but it’s still important to replace your toothbrush at least…
What is a Decalcification and Could you be Susceptible?
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
You may not realize it, but consuming carbonated beverages, fruit juice, and highly acidic foods every day can be harmful to your teeth! Acidic foods and drinks can create an oral acid imbalance, which over time can cause your teeth can lose minerals and strength. The acid in the foods we eat and drink pull the minerals, calcium and phosphate from tooth structure. The loss of calcium and phosphate from your teeth is called decalcification. The consumption of highly acidic food and drinks in combination with the accumulation of plaque (a sticky, colorless film of bacteria) on the teeth can make a person highly susceptible to decalcifications. Sometimes referred to as white spot lesions, decalcifications have a chalky-white appearance and can cause sensitivity as well as make teeth more prone to tooth decay. How to Prevent Decalcifications? Practice good oral hygiene by brushing at least 2 x per day and…
Help Prevent White Spot Lesions on your Child’s Teeth!
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
Phos-Flur® Rinse is specially formulated for orthodontic patients to keep the teeth healthy and help prevent white spots! The first evidence of tooth decay is known as a white spot lesion in which the tooth’s enamel takes on an opaquee color in the area where a cavity is beginning to form. Sodium Fluoride, the active ingredient in Phos-Flur® Rinse, is a mineral that works by making the teeth stronger and more resistant to cavities caused by acid and bacteria. Safe, great-tasting and easy to use, Phos-Flur® Rinse provides clinically proven fluoride protection. Adults and children 6 years of age and older should rinse once a day after brushing teeth with toothpaste. Vigorously swish 2 teaspoonfuls of rinse between the teeth for one minute and then spit it out. No eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing! If your family dentist has prescribed you or your child a different fluoride product, please be sure to…
Advances in Dentistry
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
Computerization has caused an enormous amount of change in our lives and in the health care industry. Treatment records are now paperless as well as diagnostic records (images that a patient needs to determine treatment). It’s hard to believe that it’s been 17 years since we went paperless in 1999! We now have digital intra-oral scanners in both offices, which help us to upgrade our treatment results from our “impression era” care. Patients enjoy not being “gagged” during their digital image capturing. Align technology has lead the charge with appliances that are 3-D printed from images captured by their digital scanners. Scan times are as short as 5 minutes, delivering appliances that are extremely precise. Our doctors deliver treatment instructions to computer technicians who dial in tooth movements that are exactly what we order. In many cases, our Invisalign treatments are superior to what we could achieve with braces. The…