An iPod Touch for Our Valentines

We're giving away another iPod touch to our wonderful patients!  If you are a good patient, that means you're on time, you don't break appliances, you wear your elastics, headgear and retainers as instructed and you always have excellent brushing, then we put your name in for a drawing at the end of March.  If your name is drawn, you win an iPod touch.  We've already given away several and you could be next.  All we ask is that you do what we ask and take care of your teeth and your braces. 

Famous Animated and Cartoon Couples

Facebook Resolutions Contest

Tell us about your New Year’s Resolution!  Whether it is to work harder in school, practice more at a sport, be a better friend; we’re interested in what you have to say!  We’ll select our favorite resolutions in these three categories on 1/ 23:  Most Creative, Most Sentimental and Funniest Resolution.    We’ll announce our favorites on Facebook!

Do You Know Why Your Retainer is so Important?

Once we have removed your braces, it’s easy to think all the work is done and your teeth need little further attention. But don’t underestimate the importance of a retainer. Take this quick quiz to find out exactly why a retainer is important, and more:

1. A retainer is more of a formality than a necessity. 
1. True
2. False
   
2. When should I wear my retainer?
1. As often as my doctor tells me to
2. I should wear it all the time to speed up my treatment
   
3. How should I clean my retainer? 
1. Toothpaste and a brush
2. As long as I brush and floss my teeth, I won’t need to clean my retainer
3. A cleaner made specifically for retainers
   
4. Using my retainer properly will prevent the need to wear braces again
1. True
2. False

Answers:

1. The answer is B – False. Because a retainer is removable, it is easy to think of it as being less important that your permanent braces were. The truth is that all the work accomplished by your braces could be for nothing without a retainer. Your braces actively moved your teeth into their proper alignment, but a retainer holds your teeth in place and allows them to settle into position next to each other.
2. The answer is A – As often as my doctor tells me. We set up a treatment plan tailored to you and your teeth, and every set of retainer instructions is unique, just as each of our patients is unique. We will determine how often you must wear your retainer depending on the particulars of your situation.
3. The answer is A or C – Toothpaste and a brush OR a special-made retainer cleaner: it depends on the type of retainer you have. Make sure to clean your retainer at least twice every day. Don’t clean with soap and water – you don’t want soap in your mouth! If you use either a Hawley or a bonded retainer you should clean it the same way you clean your teeth, by brushing it thoroughly with toothpaste. If you use an Essix retainer we recommend you clean it with a product such as SoncBrite or Retainer Brite, both of which are made just for this purpose.
4. The answer is A – True. Your braces worked to move your teeth into place, and a retainer compliments them by keeping those teeth in order. If you do not use your retainer as prescribed, you risk letting your teeth once again shift out of place. And remember, using a retainer properly isn't limited to how you wear it. Keep your retainer clean, and be sure to handle it carefully and always keep it in a case when you do not have it in your mouth.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your braces or retainer, be sure to contact us. We are here to help you with your treatment.

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes

It turns out there’s not much difference. WebMD.com cites “a review of nearly 30 studies” that was unable to determine a significant difference in plaque removal between electric and manual toothbrushes. (Some research did find that electric toothbrushes performed slightly better, but only if the electric toothbrush was of the “rotation-oscillation” variety, in which the bristles both rotate and move side-to-side.)

Regardless of what type of toothbrush you choose, it’s important to use it correctly. Brush twice a day, for two minutes each time. Cover the inner, outer and top surfaces of your teeth, and brush all the way down to the gum line. Don’t forget the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth.

There’s a breed of person who drives a stick shift, uses a push mower and prefers sailboats to motorboats. When faced with the choice of a toothbrush, that purist will certainly choose the dependable, disposable, do-it-yourself toothbrush. But what about those of us who swear by Blackberries, iPods and TiVo? We want the latest, greatest gadget and we’re convinced that an electric toothbrush must be better than its manual counterpart… right?
So if electric and manual toothbrushes are so similar in plaque removal rates, how should you decide which is best for you?  Here are a few factors to consider:
Your budget. Electric toothbrushes are pricier. However, while high-end options can cost upwards of $100, you can find some in the $10 range. Remember that you may need to add the cost of batteries and replacement brushes to your toothbrush budget.
Your dexterity. People who have limited manual dexterity – including the very young, the elderly, or those suffering from injury or arthritis – may find that an electric toothbrush allows them to reach spots that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Your habits. If you have a hard time brushing regularly, and you find you enjoy the sensation of brushing with an electric toothbrush, then by all means use the brush that will encourage you to brush most often.
Your patience. Many people are in too much of a hurry to brush for the full two minutes recommended (or they simply forget to watch the clock). Some electric brushes come with a timer that helps enforce the proper length of brushing.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking an electric toothbrush will do the work for you; you still need to guide it around every bit of enamel you possess in order to stave off plaque and bacteria.
And remember that while brushing and flossing daily will help you maintain good oral health, regular professional cleanings are vital to keeping your teeth in tip-top shape.

A New Year With Albrecthsen Orthodontics

Here we are again at the start of a new year.  We look forward to 2011 with new hopes and dreams for our practice and our families.  As patients and parents, here's what you can look forward to for this year.  


Quarterly Good Patient Contests:  Every quarter we give away a fun prize to those we feel have done their very best at being a Good Patient.  Of course, they must follow our rules; be on time, have excellent brushing, wear appliances as instructed, and never have any loose or broken brackets or appliances.  We do understand if a broken appliance is not the patients' fault.  We always take this into consideration.  


Annual Patient Appreciation Party:  Dr. Albrechtsen and his team always look forward to our fun summer party at Surf N' Swim.  Here, we can kick back, soak up the sun, hang out with friends and family, and not worry about your braces for a few hours.


Monthly Fun Contests:  Every month we have a contest that everyone is sure to participate in.  Whether it's answering silly questions, finding the celebrity smile or testing your social media knowledge, there's always a game for someone.  Whenever you come to our office, make sure you ask what the Fun Contest for the month is.  


$50 Club:  Any time you refer a friend to our office for treatment, you get rewarded.  If a friend that you've referred starts a full set of braces and they mention your name, you get $50.  It's that simple!  Not only does Dr. Albrechtsen give you the best smile anyone could ask for, but he rewards you for spreading the word about it.


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