As a culture, we tend to think of braces as a teenage experience, so it can be surprising to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have an initial orthodontic consultation by age 7. If a child is starting to develop complicated orthodontic problems, this early checkup allows the orthodontist to head them off with Phase 1 treatment. Below are 5 conditions that you, as a parent/guardian should look out for. Here are 5 conditions that warrant early treatment during mixed dentition (ages 6-9). 1. Mouth breathing /snoring This can cause narrow arches which delays and causes poor tooth emergence. Our patented Press-On expanders painlessly correct this condition. 2. Lack of Space for Permanent Teeth Permanent incisors normally emerge at age 6. Delayed emergence usually indicates a lack of space. This is easily corrected with painless expanders and or with short term braces (less than one…
orthodontist
Why See An Orthodontist?
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…
Easy Ways to Improve Your Dental Health
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…
Summer Vacation tips from Dr.McSurdy
Isn’t it a great feeling you get when you are preparing for vacation? It’s a great chance to relax and recharge your batteries with some outdoors fun. Here are some preparation reminders for our orthodontic patients from Dr. McSurdy: Remember to pack your toothbrush and your proxybrush Ask for extra elastics before you leave if needed Pack your dental floss or your Airfloss (want to learn more about the Airfloss click here) Pack your retainers if you have them Do NOT wear your retainers while you are swimming Store your retainers in your retainer case when not wearing them Call us in the event of broken appliances Ask us for orthodontic mouth guards if sports activities are planned. We wish everyone a great summer filled with fun and relaxation!
What is Onychophagia?
I think I just won the spelling bee! Better known as fingernail biting, it can be damaging to your teeth and gums. Tooth wear, enamel chipping and cracking, is most often the result of nail biting. In our practice, we have also witnessed extreme cases of gum recessions – especially when the patient has a bonded lingual retainer on the lower front teeth. Nail biting can tip the crown back and the root forward exposing the root to the tooth. This can lead to the need for gum grafting and six months of orthodontics to reposition the root. Jaw problems can also be a result of nail biting. The Academy of General Dentistry determined that it costs patients around $4,000 extra to repair damages from nail biting. The most common treatment is to use a nail polish (that tastes terrible) for a while to help break the habit. Denatonium benzoate…