6 Fun Smartphone Apps To Improve Your Oral Hygiene

We use our smartphones for almost everything in our lives. From setting alarms to wake up, to tracking our workouts, calories and calendars, we keep our phones close to us at all times. That being said, it comes as no surprise that our phones can be used to help improve our oral hygiene as well. To help establish or improve your daily routine during orthodontic treatment, Iezman and Osterman Orthodontics is sharing a few apps here are a few apps you can try.

Brush DJ

Are you brushing your teeth for a long [...] Read More

5 Tips for Going Back to School with Braces

Bummed out that summer is almost over? At Iezman and Osterman Orthodontics in Berkley and Lafayette, CA, we feel this is a great time of year to revisit the basics of caring for your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Starting a healthy routine at the beginning of the school year will go a long way towards achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. When done right, good oral care maintenance could lead you all the way to next summer and beyond.

Here are five helpful reminders to kick off the fall session with clean teeth and a happy mouth:

[...] Read More

Are You Cleaning Your Braces with the Right Toothbrush?

You’re just starting orthodontic treatment and it’s time to brush your teeth. Do you brush with a manual or electric toothbrush? The truth is that either type of toothbrush does an effective job of cleaning the teeth. For those of you not convinced, we’ve listed some features and benefits of each so you can decide for yourself.

Benefits of Using a Manual Toothbrush It’s simple, affordable and easy to find. Changing your brush every 3 months doesn’t hurt your pockets. Depending on the type of brush and your brushing [...] Read More

Thinking About Mail-In Orthodontics? Read This First!

Wouldn’t you love to simply take a selfie, and/or impression of your teeth or get your teeth scanned, and receive aligners that straighten your teeth in a few months without even leaving your home? Sounds too good to be true, huh?

This is exactly the type of convenience offered and advertised with direct-to-consumer orthodontics. Companies like SmileDirectClub, Smilelove, SnapCorrect, etc. are appealing because they address the concern most people have about orthodontics: time. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) advises you to take a step back and look at the overall picture before considering the [...] Read More

Decalcification – Common Causes Of White Spots After Wearing Braces

Chalky, opaque-looking white spots on the teeth are not uncommon today. Maybe you have them or perhaps you’ve seen them on the teeth of friends or family. Many things can cause white spots on the teeth. They can be a factor in nutrition, genetics, an excess of fluoride intake at a young age, or poor oral hygiene.

When undergoing orthodontic treatment, white spots can develop if plaque is allowed to remain “around the brackets and along the gum line” for an extended period of time without proper brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene is critical during treatment. Since the bonding [...] Read More

Sensitive Teeth – The Root of the Matter

Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity? Hot or cold temperatures, sweet or sour foods and drinks, and deep cavities or fillings often trigger this problem. Sensitivity is a common dilemma and an estimated 45 million Americans are victims! If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, sensitivity is also not at all uncommon.

Sensitive teeth normally occur when the enamel on the outside of the tooth wears away exposing the dentin layer of the tooth. The dentin layer is very porous with tubes that run to the nerve center. When exposed, the tubes react to changes in temperature and different foods.

During orthodontic [...] Read More

Dairy And Your Teeth

As kids, we all remember hearing our parents or grandparents remind us that dairy products help build strong bones and teeth. But did you also know that milk and dairy products in general help can assist in improving your oral health and lowering your risk for gum disease?

A Winning Combination: Nutrition and Dental Health

Brushing and flossing in combination with regular visits to your dentist are all effective ways to prevent cavities. But a healthy mouth also requires a balanced diet, especially during orthodontic treatment!. The recommended daily serving of 2 – [...] Read More

Mouth Guard – Worth Its Weight In Gold

Any child active in contact sports should think about using a mouth guard to protect their teeth, mouth, and jaw. The use of a mouth guard is very similar to the use of orthodontic technology as they both share the ideas of keeping someone’s smile safe and intact.

At Iezman and Osterman Orthodontics we use these same ideas to keep our patients healthy and happy!

Using a Mouth Guard

Using a mouth guard for contact sports is not just a good idea, it’s a great one! This is especially true for children who have had orthodontic treatment before because it [...] Read More

Whitening Teeth – What You Need To Know

Teeth whitening kits are available everywhere today; online, over the counter, and from your dentist. Studies report that bleaching or whitening products can improve the color of teeth that stain over time. But before you decide to embark on a whitening program, Iezman and Osterman Orthodontics would like to review some facts about these products and what results you can expect.

Almost all whitening products contain the same basic ingredient, carbamide peroxide or its breakdown product, hydrogen peroxide. However, the products offered by a dental professional to professionally whiten your teeth are stronger without compromising the health and safety of [...] Read More

The Truth About Wisdom Teeth

Do Wisdom Teeth cause crowding of your front teeth?

How many times have you heard this? Did you know this all started after a paper was written on by an orthodontist over 50 years ago?

In 1961, orthodontist Dr. Leroy Vego published an article, “A Longitudinal Study of Mandibular Arch Perimeter” which examined the role of wisdom teeth on lower front tooth crowding. This study was run over six years with patients from ages 13 to 19. He reported that there was a significantly greater degree of crowding in patients with wisdom teeth. Dr. Vego concluded: “that the erupting lower [...] Read More