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DURING YOUR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, you probably don’t think very often about your spit (and frankly, we’d be a little worried about you if you did). And yes, both baby drool and the occasional drooling you may experience from having braces are a nuisance!

But did you know that saliva is a critical component for healthy teeth and great oral health — regardless of your age? Here at our practice, we’re not only concerned with your orthodontic treatment, but also with your teeth and complete oral health. We thought you may find it interesting to learn how saliva helps keep your mouth protected and healthy, even when your teeth are partially covered by braces.

Four Reasons Your Saliva Is Awesome

1. Your saliva slowly and continually builds your teeth into tiny fortresses. It carries minerals like calcium and phosphate ions which reinforce your enamel.
2. Saliva is an important part of your immune system. It contains immunoproteins that police your mouth, fighting bacteria and coating teeth in a protective layer.
3. It’s a lubricant. Thanks to saliva, your mouth and tongue are flexible. Talking and eating would be seriously difficult without it.
4. Saliva keeps your mouth clean. It washes away food particles and rebalances the pH level in your mouth every time you eat.

Xerostomia (a.k.a. Dry Mouth) Can Be A Problem

Now that you understand how much your saliva does for you, you probably see what a problem it could be if it weren’t there. When your body isn’t producing enough saliva, it’s called dry mouth, or xerostomia (pronounced “zeer-uh-stoh-mee-uh”). It’s often caused by common medications like antihistamines or antidepressants. It can also be a side effect of dehydration or diseases like Parkinson’s and cystic fibrosis. Sometimes it’s simply a result of aging.

Here Are A Few Suggestions That May Help You

If you’re having trouble with xerostomia, ask us about it! We’ll be sure it’s not part of a bigger problem. In addition to the simple suggestions below, there may be other things our team can suggest that will help:

• Rinse your mouth regularly with water.
• Chew ortho-approved sugarless gum or suck on a sugarless candy to help stimulate saliva flow.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco, which can both be dry mouth contributing factors.

Remember that if you ever have questions, you can call us or send us a direct message on our Facebook page. Visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics for a free orthodontic evaluation. Visit our website at www.clubbraces.com and call us at 925-757-9000 to schedule your appointment.

Your smile is our inspiration.

HOW MUCH SUGAR ARE YOU CONSUMING EACH DAY? Do you know? In many countries, the average can be well over 20 teaspoons per day! Sugar can be a major contributor to tooth decay. And, while we’re in the middle of your orthodontic treatment, it’s especially important to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. That way, when your braces come off, you won’t have a bunch of dental repair work that has to be done! Here at our practice, we’re interested in talking about every topic that affects your oral, your orthodontic treatment, and your overall health.

It’s Not Just About Avoiding “Sweets”

Here are 5 easy ways to get a better handle on your sugar intake:

1. Read Labels

There’s added sugar lurking in places you would have never guessed. “Healthy” cereals, ketchup, chips, and even spaghetti sauces can have tons of sugar. Be sure to watch the video below to learn how to equate grams of sugar into teaspoons. Also, watch for words like dextrose, sucrose, malted barley extract, and corn syrup when reading the ingredients list.

2. Beware Of Pseudo-Healthy Traps

You may assume that you’re eating healthier with that energy bar, smoothie, or yogurt. That may not be true. Take a careful look at the nutritional facts and sugar content before you make such things a routine staple.

3. Watch What You’re Drinking

Half of your sugar intake may be in the things you drink. A major offender is soda pop, but be careful of fruit juices too.

4. Find Easy Alternatives

Everyone’s tastes and lifestyles are different, so experiment until you find YOUR OWN solution. Sweet tooth in the evening? For you, it may work best to satisfy the craving with a tiny piece of dark chocolate (eaten without guilt), and then promising yourself to brush your teeth immediately afterwards and not eat anything else before bedtime.

Afternoon munchies? Cut up a bunch of easy-to-eat raw vegetables at the beginning of the week and keep them handy in the fridge for snacking. Also, drink more water! Sometimes (believe it or not) you think you’re hungry, but in reality, you’re thirsty. A tall glass of water can get you past a craving.

5. Cut Back On Starches, Snack Foods And Bread

Both sugar and starch are carbohydrates. Starches break down into sugars, so they can promote tooth decay.

We hope you find these ideas helpful!

Remember that by cutting back on sugar, you can better stave off obesity, diabetes, and of course, cavities when your orthodontic work is complete! What’s good for your body is good for your teeth too!

Do you have any tips of your own for minimizing sugar? We’d love to hear them. Share them below in the comments section or on our Facebook page. Thank you for being our valued patient!

We look forward to seeing you!  Your smile truly is our inspiration.

MY FATHER ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE A BOOK. Driving each morning for the past 17 years to my orthodontic office, I would call my father and tell him about the things we were doing at Gorczyca Orthodontics for our patients, for our community, and for our referring doctors. He loved hearing about these special things and thought other dentists would, too.

Marketing Is Very Important In The Healthcare Industry

When I was a student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, I had the opportunity to study at Harvard School of Public Health in the Department of Health Management and Policy. There, I attended my first marketing lectures and started to understand the importance and broad-reaching effects of marketing in the healthcare industry.

I learned that marketing involves many things including case studies, comparisons, differentiation, product analysis, demographics, communities, and target audiences. Marketing is about personal preferences, branding and customer service. Marketing is the ability to move others and direct them toward what we have to offer—dentistry. This perspective is valuable to all dental professionals in the marketing of their business, the dental practice.

I Hope My Book Makes A Difference

My book It All Starts with Marketing—201 Marketing Tips for Growing a Dental Practice is a collection of ideas, experiences, and strategies I used to gain new patients and grow my orthodontic practice from scratch from the ground up. I hope that several of these tips will be helpful to its readers, especially those dentists just starting out who may need a little help, encouragement, a positive push or a “you-can-do-it” cheer to make them feel more empowered to persevere.

I hope this book is also useful to those who have been in practice for several years—those who are looking for a few new ideas to help make their patients feel special, their team more engaged, and their dental office just a little more fun.

My Dad Encouraged Me

My father was the most positive, loving, and optimistic person I have ever met. He was so looking forward to the release of this first book. I received the first final printed copy on July 30, 2013. I lost my dad two days earlier.

Ultimately, we all encourage ourselves. For me personally, this book will not only be the story of marketing at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California, but also a reflection of the beautiful memories of the morning phone conversations I would have with my dad.

“To my father, Fryderyk, who always encouraged me to write a book.”

About The Author

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca is a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Orthodontics at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, where she speaks on practice management topics including marketing, teamwork, treatment coordination, customer service, management systems, and human resource management. She was a marketing speaker at the 2011, 2012, and 2014 American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Sessions. Formerly a faculty member at UCSF School of Dentistry, she has received teaching awards from UCSF and University of the Pacific Dental Schools.

ADD SOMETHING A LITTLE extra special to make you smile while you wear braces: designer ties!

Express yourself and make a fashion statement at the same time. Whether it’s the smiley face, flower, star, or heart design, your designer choice and colors will show your personality every time you smile.

Make your design pattern, color and style as unique as you are and smile in style! Designer ties make braces fun.

Is It Time For Braces?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic examination by age 7. Should your 7-year-old need braces, they are sure to have a bit more fun with braces designer ties.

Call us today for the free orthodontic exam for braces at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California (925) 757-9000. Find us at www.clubbraces.com and visit us at Suite 1A in the Deer Valley Dental Professional Building, 5201 Deer Valley Road, right behind Deer Valley High School.

Come check out our designer ties. You and your child will love braces from Gorczyca Orthodontics.

We make braces fun!