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RECENTLY, I PREPARED TO ATTEND a meeting. Knowing that I would be with colleagues, I needed to get prepared and whiten my teeth with Opalescence GO Teeth Whitening.

Being a busy orthodontist, wife, and soccer Mom, I have very little time to myself to whiten my teeth when I am not talking. I decided to bring a new box of Opalescence GO whitening trays by Ultradent to my hairdresser’s and whiten my teeth while under the dryer.

At Hair Salon 13 in Walnut Creek, California, I took out my new Opalescence GO box of upper and lower whitening trays and explained to my hairdresser that I planned to whiten my teeth in the salon under the dryer. My hairdresser was fascinated and wanted a tray so I gave her one. Then the owner of the salon came over and wanted a tray also so I gave her one as well. The hairwasher came over, the receptionist came over, and then other clients started asking for trays. Soon, all the trays were gone. Women started showing me their yellow teeth and asking for my business card. Others went on their iPads typing in Opalescence GO Ultradent vowing they would ask their dentists for this wonderful product.

Interest in the salon shifted from my new hair style to how white my teeth would be be in 20 minutes. My teeth turned out great (and so did my hairstyle). It’s that easy to whiten your teeth. It’s easy with Opalescence GO by Ultradent.

ON JUNE 11, 1901 Dr. Edward Hartley Angle, the Father of Orthodontics, convened a three day meeting in St. Louis to start what was to be called the American Society of Orthodontists. We would call this day, the birthday of modern day orthodontists.

The Story Of The First Female Orthodontist

At this meeting, only one licensed female dentist was present. That woman was Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell of Nashua, New Hampshire. Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell is therefore the first woman orthodontist.

Although Anna Hopkins Angle, often called "The First Lady of Orthodontics" was present at this landmark meeting. Anna Hopkins was not yet a dentist. Anna had begun working as Dr. Angle's secretary in 1892 and assisted him enormously with his writings. She graduated dental school at the University of Iowa in 1902 with a DDS degree. She continued to be the secretary of Dr. Angle's Society from 1902 to 1905. She married Dr. Angle in 1906 in Niagra Falls, New York.

There is no record that either Dr. Locke or Dr. Hopkins-Angle graduated from the Angle School of Orthodontics. Here is a 1905 record of a third woman, Jane G. Bunker, who appears to be the first female graduate of the Angle School of Orthodontics. She graduated from the Angle School of Orthodontia in 1904.

Today to become a dental specialist orthodontist, a dentist must attend an additional two to three university graduate residency program after completing dental school. Fifty percent of orthodontic graduates nationwide are female and some residency programs have had an all female class.

As the orthodontic specialty continues to evolve, it's nice to know that Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell was there from the start.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca
Gorczyca Orthodontics
Antioch, CA
www.clubbraces.com

HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING STATS about soft drinks:

• The average person drinks about 45 gallons of soda per year.
• 7% of adults drink four servings or more per day.
• At least 20% of children drink four servings or more per day.

Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and empty calories. Consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart problems.

As you know, we recommend that our patients avoid soft drinks. Here’s why they pose a danger both during your orthodontic treatment and after:

1. The Acids Eat Away At Your Tooth Enamel

Your tooth enamel is strong—the hardest substance in your body, in fact. But the phosphoric acid and citric acid in soft drinks (ironic name for sodas, isn’t it?) is stronger.

2. Carbonated Sugar Is Replacing Calcium-Rich Milk

In 1966, Americans drank more milk (33 gallons/year) than soft drinks (20 gallons/year). Contrast that with 2010, when the average American drank 45 gallons of soft drinks and only 20 gallons of milk.

3. Diet Isn’t Really Better

You can remove sugar from the equation, but the acid is still there! In fact, many sugar-free soft drinks are more acidic than high-sugar ones.

4. Constant Sipping Creates A Constant War Zone

Every time you take a sip of a Coke, your mouth becomes an acid-attack zone. It takes your mouth up to 30 minutes to rebalance and create a safe zone for your teeth again. Until then, your teeth ARE losing protective substance, leaving them more vulnerable to cavities, and sensitivity.

5. It’s A Dessert Disguised As A Beverage

Don’t believe us? Here’s the math... One 12 oz can of Coke (the smallest serving available) has 39 grams of sugar, which is more than...

• 3 snack packs of Chips Ahoy
• 2 servings of frozen yogurt
• A whole slice of apple pie WITH ice cream on top.

6. There’s Increased Risk During Braces Treatment

Soft drinks are highly corrosive, and the acid and sugar concentrated around your brackets can cause decay and decalcification—spots that you’ll see once your braces are removed.

What Do YOU Think?

What are YOUR tips for eliminating soft drinks from your diet while you have braces? It’s a tough business, but we promise that it’s worth it! Please comment below, or on our Facebook page. We love hearing from you.

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 if you have questions about braces, Invisalign, retainers, orthodontic, or general dental health. Find us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

Here's to your dental health, medical health, and well being.

CHANCES ARE YOU DON’T THINK MUCH about smiling. It just “happens” once in a while, right? You hear something funny. You meet someone new. You cuddle your newborn daughter.

Smiling feels good, and studies show that people who frequently smile are perceived to be more in control, at ease, and attractive than those who smile less often.

But did you know that smiling can also improve your health? It’s true.

The Health Benefits Of Smiling

Serotonin, Pain Killers, And Endorphins—Oh My!

Studies show that smiling actually releases natural pain killers, endorphins and serotonin (a neurotransmitter believed to help people feel happier) in your body. Yes, a smile may be the simplest, natural, legal drug.

Stress Relief And Reduced Blood Pressure

Chronic stress can do significant damage to both mind and body. According to Columbia University PhD, Mark Stibich, increased smiling may help reduce many symptoms associated with anxiety including improved digestion, lower blood pressure, etc.

And Finally, People Who Smile More May Actually Live Longer

Living longer—now THERE’S a serious health benefit. Could this really be true? A 2010 Wayne State University study examined the relationship between smile intensity and longevity among 230 pro baseball players from a ’52 baseball registry. They found that players with big smiles lived an average of five years longer that those who didn’t (or barely) smiled. Even players with small smiles lived longer than those who didn’t smile.

Facial expression and smiles have long been shown to be a good indicator of people’s emotions—and those with positive emotions are even shown to have better interpersonal skills and more stable marriages.

The Moral Of The Story? Smile!

Our team is passionate about doing everything we can to help you and your loved ones feel confident when you smile! Our hunch is that if you feel confident when you smile, you’ll smile more often—and THAT could make your life (and the lives of those around you) healthier and happier.

Do YOU have a great story about the power of a smile? If so, post it on our Facebook page!

Be sure to contact us or visit us at www.clubbraces.com if you ever have any questions about the services we provide. You can also leave a comment or question below and we’ll respond right away.

Thanks for the confidence you place in our practice. We Appreciate You!