Now that I have braces, what can I eat? Dr. Bernard explains

You just got braces and Drs. Bernard or Eimer have informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy this great braces-friendly dish and Happy New Year!

--From the team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Happy Holidays from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics!

The holiday season is upon us, and as Drs. Bernard and Eimer and their team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for the new year? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Why Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics?

What separates Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics from the rest? Other than making patients feel at home and creating spectacular smiles with care by achieving efficient and comprehensive treatment, we live by 21 distinct features that make us the logical choice for your orthodontic treatment.

1. We encourage referrals at age 7
2. We do not charge for exams
3. No charge for Observation Visits (every 6 months)
4. Complimentary (no charge) Digital Pan and Digital Photos for all exam patients 9 years and older
5. 94% of our treatment is done in one Phase
6. Early treatment only for cross-bites, habits, mild Class III (maxillary retrusion), severe Class II
7. Fixed appliances instead of removable to ensure cooperation
8. One location, No “Satellites”
9. Appointments as early as 7:00 am, as late as 5:00 pm
10. Each patient treated by only one orthodontist
11. Two orthodontists available for emergencies 24/7
12. Orthodontist owned building in low traffic area (only tenant)
13. Large reception area with water, coffee, tea, lending library
14. Kids game room with Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, blocks, books, etc.
15. Power toothbrush (Braun Oral-B) given to each Full Start
16. Emergency Kit (pliers, wire cutter, wax, brace-relief) given to each Start
17. On deck seating in large treatment area – parents watch treatment
18. Doctor gives update to parent, parent encouraged to watch, ask questions
19. Complimentary manual brushes, oral proxybrushes given throughout treatment
20. Incentive tokens (Wahoos) given for good brushing, cooperation, appliance care
21. Quote exact fee at the Initial Exam appointment

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Patient reviews for Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Drs. Bernard & Eimer, who serve North Canton and surrounding areas, have been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about our doctors and their team!

"Dr. Bernard and staff are very nice. They make you feel welcome. We like how Dr. Bernard calls after certain appointments to see how the kids are doing" ~ Jeff F.

"Having my 3rd child in Dr Bernard's care, I can personally say, I am so happy with the treatment plans, the caring staff, the cleanliness of the facility & the value you all put on my time as a mom. In the 11+ yrs of coming, I do not remember ever waiting more than 10 min for an appointment. All the staff members have always been friendly & helpful. You all seemed to be doing what you love & it shows! Thank you for your continued professional care & support you give to the teens! Our family thanks you!!!" ~ Daniel R.

"I love the entire staff. They have been great and very patient with a not so good patient. Getting braces and having surgery was a difficult ordeal for me to go through. They have all been very understanding and supportive" ~ Diane B.

"What I like best is knowing that Dr. Bernard knows what he is doing. He also had my Mom, Aunt and Uncle as patients. So it was a comfort to look at there teeth and know how well mine were going to look when I got the braces off. And sure enough they looked FANTASTIC!" ~ Nicole B.

"Everyone in the office is so friendly and they are always on time!!" ~ Joseph D.

Drs. Bernard & Eimer want to know: How was your Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving has once again come and gone, but the calories remain. Drs. Bernard & Eimer want to know: What did you do? Where did you go? Anything exciting? Also, what are you up to in December?

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Dispelling rumors about chewing gum, from Drs. Bernard & Eimer

Drs. Bernard & Eimer know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing! From Drs. Bernard & Eimer and team.

Braces 101, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Should you need to call Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer and team

Let Drs. Bernard & Eimer know how they're doing!

Whether you have visited Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics for a week or for years, we’d love to hear your feedback about your experience with our doctors and staff! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here.

Thank you and have a great week!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Dr. Bernard Separates the Myths and Facts of Orthodontics

Drs. Bernard and Eimer know there are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around these days. Before you buy into those myths, they think you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

Here’s the link: http://www.braces.org/mythsandfacts/index.cfm

Hope this helps. Contact us if you have any questions!

--The team at Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Cardiodontics: The Heart Mouth Connection

If you have been told you have periodontal disease (also known as gum disease or periodontitis), you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease! Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health, say Drs. Bernard & Eimer. Research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. So we at [Practice Name] want to let you know some interesting facts and ways to treat the disease.

What is Periodontal Disease?

"Perio" means around, and "dontal" refers to teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth, including the gums and the bones that hold the teeth. The earliest stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis – an infection of the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved, including the bone. Bacteria that live and reproduce on the teeth and gums cause periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms may include the following:
--redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or using dental floss
--halitosis, or bad breath
--gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth
--"pockets" between the teeth and gums indicating that the bone which holds the teeth in the mouth is dissolving
--loose teeth
Gum inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless. Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after teeth cleaning is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis. If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it's normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.

Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Periodontal disease is a putrid, festering infection of the mouth. Bacteria and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated and bleeding gums and travel to the heart and other organs. In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems. Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:
--Heart disease: Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
--Stroke: Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries
--Diabetes: People with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
--Premature births: A woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy may be more likely deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight.

Combating Periodontal Disease

--See your dentist! See your dentist every six months for a checkup! Regular professional cleanings and checkups make you feel good, look good, and could be a lifesaver!
--Brush and floss daily. Take your time and do it right!
--Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash helps to disinfect the teeth and gums, and reduces the number of bacteria.
--Straighten your teeth. Crowded teeth are nearly impossible to keep clean. Orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce inflammation and periodontal disease.

--Bernard & Eimer staff

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 330-470-7785 to set up a consultation. At Drs. Bernard & Eimer, we can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Softly Brushing Your Way to Clean Teeth

Just as there are so many different types of toothbrushes to choose from, each brush also has a different type of bristle! There are generally three different types of bristles; hard, medium, and soft. We always recommend that our patients, especially children and seniors, use a soft bristled toothbrush.

Using a hard and medium bristled brush can actually harm your teeth and gums by stripping the enamel from the teeth and irritating the gums so that they become red and sore, and can even cause gum recession. If you do use a hard or medium bristled brush as a personal preference, we recommend using an electric toothbrush.

Soft bristles are much gentler on your teeth and gums, and while patients of all ages are recommended to use soft bristled brushes, they are particularly great for children, seniors, patients recovering from a dental procedure, and patients wearing braces.

Soft bristles, and even extra-soft bristles are every bit as effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth; in fact, if you currently use a hard or medium bristled brush, try a soft bristled brush next time you buy a toothbrush and we bet you won’t even notice a difference!

Drs. Bernard & Eimer, Orthodontists in North Canton, Ohio

National Dental Hygiene Month

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see your dentist every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer

Parsley and Other Ways To Brighten Your Smile

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first step. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics.

--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
--Don’t forget the tongue
Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
--Watch your drinking habits
The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.
--Frequent brushing
Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
--Make your own Gargle
Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.
--Parsley’s there for a reason
Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
--Sugarless Gum
Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.
--Don’t cut that cheese
The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!

A Sour Smile is not a Happy Smile

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics (even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps!

Dr. Bernard is a Big Brother, and you can be too!

Dr. Bernard is highly involved with the community, including his volunteer work with the YMCA Big Brother Organization. The picture above shows Dr. Bernard with his Little Brother, Kodi. The Big Brother Organization is a wonderful mentor program that helps build positive relationships for youth.

The doctor volunteers to share his time with his Little Brother, and serves as a role model and mentor. You can become a Big Brother or Big Sister too! Head to the Big Brothers Big Sisters web site to learn more, or ask Dr. Bernard at your next appointment!

Helping Schools Get Started, By Grace

Our office plans at least two community projects each year. With school getting underway this summer, we called Mr. Benny Griffiths of Northwood Elementary School and asked if we could help one of the teachers equip and set up their classroom the week before school started.

Sue Peldunas (pictured center), who has a new class at Northwood for children with learning differences, gladly accepted our offer to help. Four members of our staff; Rhonda, Judi, Anita, and Grace spent a day at Northwood helping Sue set up her classroom. They put borders on the black boards and in the hallways, labeled books and arranged
them on shelves and cut out letters and numbers for class room walls.

Our office contributed $400 for purchase of books, dry erase boards, and math flash cards and “play” money. We hope to send some staff members back later in the school year to help Sue or other teachers with reading and math projects.

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

What’s so special about an Orthodontist? Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Drs. Bernard & Eimer each started out in dental school and earned their DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, both doctors decided they wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Drs Bernard and Eimer Business Excellence Awards of Greater Canton Video

Did you know Drs. Bernard & Eimer received the 2009 Business Excellence Award from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce? Check out the video that our friends at the Canton Chamber of Commerce put together. We are so proud of this award!

Drs. Bernard & Eimer Around the Web

If you've ever visited us at Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, you already know that we love connecting with our patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics is on many other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Become a "fan" of Drs. Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics on Facebook

* View and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer

Our Mission Statement

Our Practice
The orthodontic practice of Drs. Bernard and Eimer is one of the finest in Ohio with the highest degree of professionalism and advanced clinical expertise. Our practice creates an optimum experience at each visit for those families under our care; ever remaining open-minded to their needs and the needs of the community. We grow by building our practice around early observation and treatment of all ages.

Our Staff
Our team is individually trained in many specialized positions. We are personally interested in our patients and call them by name. We are friendly, considerate and accommodating and will go the extra mile to fulfill the needs of the families under our care. We constantly seek higher education and share this knowledge and insight with each other and those we serve to insure the best treatment and most positive experience for all.

Our Service
Our practice is dedicated to a caring and fun-loving atmosphere in which beautiful smiles are created. We communicate honestly and openly with families and their dentists. We provide gentle orthodontic treatment that is completed on schedule in an understanding and compassionate environment. Everyday we emphasize the improvement of self-image with positive reinforcement as we develop a practice of delighted patients who receive much more than they anticipated.

Positioning Statement
To be recognized as a friendly, compassionate, family-oriented practice with a generous and upbeat attitude that emphasizes the creation of self-worth and features youth and adolescent observation and treatment.