April is National Facial Protection Month

Protect Your Smile!  

Dental Health and Heart Disease "An Important Couple"

February is here bringing us two important issues this month, Dental Health and Heart Disease.  As everyone gets ready for Valentine's Day by making plans for a special "date night", they are forgetting the most important couple their; teeth and heart.  Your teeth and heart go together like Mickey and Minne Mouse, Brad and Angelina, Babe Ruth and Baseball, Wayne Gretzky and Hockey, Luke Skywalker and Dark Vador... Ok I think I made my point.  Researchers have found a surprising number of links between the state of your mouth and the state of your heart.  In fact, we now know that people who develop gum disease (either gingivitis, a milder form that results in inflammation and infection of the gums, or periodontitis, which develops when the inflammation and infection spread below the gum line) are at nearly twice the risk for heart disease.  Proper oral hygiene is a necessity to allow the body to work at its best performance.  Patients tend to  over think  their oral hygiene routine and make it more stressful.   Life in general is stressful enough; let’s not make brushing and flossing one of them.  Going back to basics is where to begin.  Here are some simple steps that will fit in your busy schedules:

1. Brush - Twice a day, use a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Wait 30-45 minutes after you eat or drink, so the acids in your mouth drop to normal levels. Brush after breakfast, and again before bed – after you’re done eating and drinking for the day.

2. Floss - Once a day, use dental floss to clean the tight spaces between your teeth. Floss before you brush – that way the fluoride in your toothpaste can coat more of the surface of each tooth. Choose a time of day when you aren’t rushed, so you can take your time and clean each tooth carefully.

3. Rinse - Talk with your dentist about what kind of mouthwash you should use, and how often. Some kill bacteria, some contain fluoride, and some do both. After you use mouthwash, don’t eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for 30 minutes.

4. Chew gum -After you eat, pop in a piece of sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol kills the bacteria that cause cavities, and gum in general makes more saliva in your mouth, which helps to bring down acid levels. Chew gum for about 20 minutes after you eat.

5. Rinse again -If you’re out and don’t have gum or a toothbrush, rinse your mouth with water to loosen food particles from between your teeth, and reduce the acids in your mouth.

Easy huh?!?!

Start Today!  Rekindle the passion with brushing and flossing.  Make your oral hygiene habits simple, consistent and fun.  Let your heart shine through your smile and your heart will thank you.

 

Manente Orthodontics is the right choice for your invisalign treatment

Health Benefits of Straight Teeth


You may be surprised to know that the benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health.¹ Think about it — a smile can hardly be perfect if it's not a healthy one. Fortunately, with Invisalign^®, having a confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.

HEALTHIER TEETH AND GUMS

Swollen, red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. That’s where Invisalign comes in. The comfortable and clear aligners gently and gradually begin to move your teeth into the proper position — without unsightly brackets and wires.

EASIER CLEANING

One of the biggest challenges of having braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.

OVERALL HEALTH

Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums — and how they look to others when you smile—say a lot about your overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of you.
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease,  stroke, pneumonia  and diabetes. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of possible problems. And correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel. Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues, so you'll have the confidence of a great smile and increase the likelihood of improved oral health.

 

Braces-Friendly Recipe: Lunch

BRACES, BRACES, BRACES!

Getting braces comes with a lot of rules. No sticky candies, gum, popcorn, and steer clear of chips. These rules leave many braces-wearers wondering what they can still eat without hurting their teeth or their expensive orthodontic appliances. Fortunately, constructing a braces-friendly lunch is straightforward once you know which foods to avoid.

Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

There are a few food categories to avoid when you have braces. Sticky foods also stick to the metal in your braces, and can potentially break wires or individual braces. For example: bubblegum, candy bars, caramel, licorice, fruit roll-ups, sour-patch kids, and Starbursts should be avoided. Many of these foods also contain high levels of sugar, which can cause plaque build-up if not brushed away properly.

Also, be wary of hard foods that can harm your orthodontic appliances. Avoid eating hard taco shells, chips, Rice Crispy treats, hard candy, beef jerky, and popcorn. Some healthy foods, such as carrots, apples, corn on the cob, and nuts, are hard on braces. To eat these foods safely, cut them into smaller pieces before eating.

Remember that certain habits may be harmful to your braces. For example, crunching on ice cubes may be a reflexive response when you’re enjoying a cold beverage, but this can significantly harm your braces and extend treatment time. To stay on the safe side, Dr. Manente and our dream team at Manente Orthodontics recommends you drink beverages without ice or add crushed ice whenever possible.

Lunch Recipe

Even with braces, it’s easy to enjoy a healthy, nutritious lunch. For example, make a panini on whole wheat bread with slices of turkey, a piece of Swiss cheese, and tomato slices. Spread 1 tbsp. of mustard or mayonnaise on the bread before toasting the sandwich in a panini grill. Serve the panini with ½ c. low-fat cottage cheese and a sliced pear or apple for a balanced meal. Then grab a pudding cup or some JELLO for dessert. Wash it all down with water containing a lemon wedge or all-natural fruit juice. Make sure to brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash after lunch to wash away sugars and food residue that can get trapped in braces and cause decay.

If you have any questions about what you can and can’t eat with braces during your treatment at Manente Orthodontics, be sure to ask our team during your next appointment. 

Celebrities who had braces

Stars with braces! 

Not everyone is born with a million-dollar smile, not even some celebrities. The following stars have all had their moments as a “brace face,” either as a child, teenager, or adult. You might be surprised to learn about stars who had braces.

Take a look at some famous faces who sported braces!

Dakota Fanning: This lovely young actress had some troublesome teeth when she was younger. However, braces and dental work gave her that stunning star-quality smile we see now. Props to her, though, for staying real. She sported her headgear during an appearance on The Tonight Show and didn’t bat an eye. That's being comfortable in your own skin! 

Emma Watson: Emma admits to going through a rather awkward stage that included “terrible skin,” fluctuating weight, and braces. But look at the swan that emerged!

Tom Cruise: Who would have thought that one of the world’s most famous smiles could use an overhaul? Well, Mr. Cruise pulled it off … and most people didn’t even know. He wore “invisible” braces that had ceramic brackets for a few months just after his 40th birthday. And the results were pretty WOW! See... you can get braces at any age!

Gwyneth Paltrow: The stunning Ms. Paltrow, who, in 2013 was named the Most Beautiful Woman by People Magazine, wore braces in high school. And she probably carried it off with the poise and grace for which she is so famous today.

Niall Horan: This member of One Direction, the boy band that’s currently tearing it up (and breaking some hearts along the way) wore his braces for several months. He got them removed in April 2013.

Other notable celebs who have had braces include American Idol's own Ryan Seacrest, Faith Hill, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Drew Barrymore also belonged to the metal mouth club at one time or another.

What is comes down to is this: It isn’t whether you wear braces that are fully hidden, ceramic brackets, or have the traditional metal train tracks running across your teeth. Nope, it’s all about how you work it!

CONFIDENCE IS KEY!!!

How does AcceleDent® make orthodontic treatment more efficient? 

June 16th, 2015

What is AcceleDent?

Patients who need to get orthodontic treatment are often concerned about how lo

ng they will wear their braces. Dr. Salvatore Manente will tell you the good news, there is a solution for any patient who wants to minimize the time he or she needs to wear braces. AcceleDent is a device that uses micropulse technology to reduce how long your orthodontic treatment takes. AcceleDent generates small vibrations, micropulses, as teeth are guided by orthodontics to move into their correct positions faster. The device needs to be worn only for a few minutes a day, and is a non-invasive and non-surgical way to make orthodontics more efficient.

You may ask.. how does AcceleDent Work? 

The AcceleDent appliance is a custom mouthpiece that fits comfortably around your braces. It works with traditional braces, clear braces, and even Invisalign®. The mouthpiece is inserted once a day, an activator is turned on, and the mouthpiece is worn for just 20 minutes. You only need to bite the mouthpiece hard enough to hold it in place. You can participate in any activities you like while wearing it. 

Benefits of AcceleDent

Besides being hands-free, lightweight, and comfortable, you can benefit in a number of significant ways by using AcceleDent orthodontic treatment:

• It speeds up orthodontic treatment by up to 50 percent.
• AcceleDent® is only worn for 20 minutes a day.
• Orthodontic treatment feels more comfortable 
• It is approved by the FDA. (FDA- cleared Class II medical device)
• It is non-invasive
• It is non-surgical.
• May reduce patient non-compliance often seen in 2nd year of treatment
• It helps with dental hygiene by minimizing the amount of time needed for orthodontic treatment.

Most of our patients at Manente Orthodontics welcome the opportunity to reduce their orthodontic treatment time, and that’s just what AcceleDent offers. Contact our Niagara Falls, NY office (716 - 285 - 3588) or ask our team at your next appointment to see if AcceleDent is right for your smile!

"OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL BRING OUR PATIENTS AN ORTHODONTIC EXPERIENCE TO BE AS BRIEF AND COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE!" 

Braces - up to 50% Faster

Attention Patients - Past, Present, and Future!

Are you interested in hearing about how you can Finish your BRACES or INVISALIGN up to 50% FASTER. Yes... I said it 50% FASTER!!!! 

Well this product is call AcceleDent aura. This can help you attain the smile you have always dreamed of just in time for your special event.

Our treatment coordinator or staff member are available to explain how AcceleDent will work for you! Call our office : (716) 285-3588 and let us explain what this product can do for you!