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IT’S EASY TO REMEMBER the character Count Dracula, a vampire, seen as a popular costume for both children and adults at Halloween. Dracula’s appearance is unforgettable as a thin, pale, tall man with a long nose, pointed ears, dressed in black, wearing a black cape.

But the most unforgettable feature of Count Dracula's appearance is his teeth. Sharp and pointy, they were described in Bram Stoker's original 1897 Gothic novel Dracula as “a smile of which the Count could not be proud.”

Although the novel Dracula is a work of fiction, it does contain historical references to Transylvanian-born Voivode Vlad III Dracula of Wallachia who reigned as ruler from 1456-1462. “Dracula” means “Son of Dracul,” Order of the Dragon knights, founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg (then King of Hungary).

As An Orthodontist, I’ve Wondered...

As an orthodontist, I’ve often wondered, did the historical figure Vlad Dracula have hypererupted maxillary canines?

Upper side teeth (maxillary canines) that stick out too far (hypererupt) are common and affect 1-2 percent of the population. Because these upper canine teeth are the last teeth to come in at the front of the dental arch, they are the teeth that most often stick out. 

This is a serious orthodontic problem not only for the sake of appearance, but also because it may lead to these teeth getting stuck in the bone (dental impaction) or making the roots of surrounding teeth dissolve (root resorption), which could lead to tooth loss. This occurs when not enough space is available in the dental arch for the canine teeth. There also appears to be a genetic basis for this eruption phenomenon.

Early Orthodontic Treatment Could Have Prevented It... 

The prevention of this “Dracula tooth” problem is to orthodontically create enough space early. This can be done by orthodontic dental arch expansion or tooth extraction, which is what we do at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic examination by age 7, and so does Orthodontist, Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca.

Count Dracula’s life could have been changed by early orthodontic treatment. Perhaps he could have grown garlic in the sunlight, lit more candles, smiled more often, married, had children, and lived happily ever after in his Carpathian Mountain castle!

HERE IT COMES! The season of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and, of course… candy! If you’re savvy about it, there’s no reason for your Halloween fun to come at the expense of your dental health.

FIRST OF ALL we’d like to very strongly urge all of our patients in braces to check the forbidden-foods list. We don’t want to see anyone coming in for braces repairs thanks to a candied apple, or chewy taffy. Don’t take these tips as an endorsement to eat foods that can hurt your teeth and braces.

Secondly, whether you’re in braces right now, or you’re finished with treatment, keep these tips in mind as this Halloween season approaches, to keep your teeth happy and healthy.

Rule 1: A Little Candy All At Once Is Better Than Candy All Day Long

When it comes to your oral health, if you must have some candy, a little “candy-binge” is better than grazing on that Halloween loot all day long (or all month long!). Our mouths are always working to restore optimal pH balance and to utilize our saliva to cleanse our smiles. So enjoy your candy once, and then brush and floss.

Rule 2: Keep Eating Good, Healthy Meals

Continue eating three nutritious, square meals a day. This has two purposes. First, being full of good food will make you less likely to indulge too much in unhealthy candy. Second, eating a little candy with a meal continues to stimulate saliva production, and helps your mouth clean itself and restore a good balance.

Rule 3: There’s Bad Candy... And There’s Worse Candy

Some candies are more harmful than others. The biggest bad candies you need to watch out for are:

• Sour ones, which are loaded with acid.
• Chewy ones that stick on and between your teeth for a long time.
• Hard ones, like suckers, that rest on your teeth for long periods of time—and can crack or chip teeth.

Chocolate Can Be A Less Harmful Choice

On the other hand, most chocolates, especially dark chocolates, may be better for your teeth than those listed above. Chocolate dissolves quickly and doesn’t linger as long on your teeth.

Contrary to popular belief, not all dentists hand out toothbrushes and floss at Halloween. Over half say that they give out candy. And of those who give out candy, about 80% of them choose to hand out chocolate over other candies.

If You Have A Little Extra Time...

Of course, there are some fun non-candy options for Halloween treats, too. You can check some of them out by clicking here.

Have A Happy Halloween!

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com to learn more about our orthodontic practice, customer service team, and teeth.

Here’s to a safe and healthy Halloween.

YOU’VE WORKED HARD for a beautiful smile. On Debond Day, we want to celebrate all that you have achieved on your braces journey. We’re ready to celebrate your new smile happiness with you and throw kindness and smiles around like confetti.

Happy Debond Day!

That’s why at Gorczyca Orthodontics, we schedule a special Debond Day each month to celebrate with everyone getting their braces off on their special day. This is a special day and one that you will remember for the rest of your life. We want to make sure it’s a great one.

Our team of customer service leaders is ready to make this fun day memorable. We also want to say “Thank You” for choosing Gorczyca Orthodontics for your beautiful new smile. It has been an honor to serve you. It’s also been fun!

Your Braces Are Off! Time To Celebrate!

So, as you get your braces off, live it up! Sing a song! Let out a cheer! Hoorah! You’re braces are off, your teeth are straight and you look great! You’ve got a gorgeous new smile, the smile of your dreams!

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Antioch, California (925) 757-9000 clubbraces.com. Call our office today for a free orthodontic exam. Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, orthodontist, Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

FOR SOME PATIENTS, ELASTICS aren’t their favorite part of orthodontic treatment. However, they’re essential! Be sure to follow our rubber-band-wearing instructions to the letter!

Elastics Use Varies From Patient To Patient

The size of the bands used, the positioning, and the elastic strength vary from patient to patient and during treatment periods. How often you need to wear them may vary too. And some patients need to wear them full-time for short periods of time.

Full-time means your elastics are ALWAYS on, unless:

• you’re brushing your teeth
• you’re eating a meal

That’s it! Otherwise, they’re in. This will speed up treatment time. It may seem surprising, but it will also reduce discomfort, since your teeth will move swiftly, and then stay where they need to be, instead of going back and forth.

Elastics Are Often An Important Step In Bite Correction

Proper orthodontic treatment isn’t just about cosmetically straight teeth. It’s also about bite correction. Elastics can be a vital component in bite correction.

A proper bite is the FOUNDATION of a beautiful smile. A misaligned bite can cause jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and daily headaches. We specialize in finding the right balance for YOUR mouth and face, and giving you a smile that will be healthy for life.

Just Do It!

The more cooperative you are in following our instructions, the sooner you’ll have your beautiful new smile. Let us know if you have any questions about the treatment that we’ve prescribed for you. And if you’re at all confused about your rubber bands, please call us!

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000. Find us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.
To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.clubbraces.org.

Thanks for your trust in our orthodontic practice. We appreciate you!