Protect your this spring, from Drs. Bernard and Eimer

April is almost upon us, and Drs. Bernard and Eimer want you, our valued young patients, to stay safe on the field this spring. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, say children up to 14 years old account for 80 percent of all sports-related emergency room visits. Here are five tips to save face while having fun this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Your turn! From Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

By now, you know the drill: Week after week, Drs. Bernard and Eimer and our talented staff write about topics related to orthodontic care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques offered at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics. This week, we thought we’d ask you, our great patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Bernard or Eimer for a while now? Let us know and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

Wishing you Happy St. Patty's Day, from Drs. Bernard and Eimer

Did you remember to wear green when you stepped out the door this morning? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with toasts, parades and "the wearing of the green." Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day Drs. Bernard and Eimer know you will enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

Stephanie shares her success story with Dr. Michael Bernard

My ties to orthodontics and this practice began before I was born, since my mother worked for Drs. Osborne and Bernard as an assistant. From her experience, she recognized my need for orthodontic treatment at a young age. I became a patient when I was approximately five years old. The goal was to curb my relentless finger sucking habit and prevent further disruption of my teeth. As I became older, I eventually entered into full treatment. At each visit, Dr. Bernard and his staff made me feel welcomed and comfortable.

Looking back, the time and effort required during treatment were well worth the results. I recognize that without orthodontics, many aspects of my life would not be the same. Having a nice smile definitely gave me the extra confidence and self-esteem I needed to succeed throughout my many years of school. After graduating from Jackson High School in 2002 and Ashland University in 2006, I decided to apply to Case Western Reserve’s School of Dental Medicine with the hopes of becoming a dentist. During my interviews, I was so glad to have a smile I was proud of, since I was convinced all the dentists would be looking at my teeth.

As I began clinicals at Case, I realized I loved treatment planning and wanted to have the same impact on people’s lives that orthodontic treatment had on mine. Thus, I began applying to orthodontic programs. Recently, I was notified of my acceptance as an orthodontic resident at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health. I am extremely excited to enter into a field that can truly change people’s lives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Bernard and his staff for all of their inspirational efforts.

Sincerely,



Stephanie L. Morgan

Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics and Smile for a Lifetime

Drs. Mike Bernard and James Eimer are proud to be partners of the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontic treatment to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to acquire assistance.

To become a candidate, interested families must be at or below poverty level and must complete a one-page application for their child or candidate. Local Smile for a Lifetime Foundation applications can be picked up at school guidance offices, Stark County YMCA branches, or downloaded online from our web site.

Happy Tuesday!

Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics want to know: What are you up to in March?

It’s almost springtime! The daffodils and buttercups are on their way, the sun is warming up and the smell of freshly-cut grass is wafting from a baseball field nearby. Drs. Bernard & Eimer thought this would be a good time to ask: What are your plans for March?

Are you ready for spring? Are you participating in school sports? Do you have exciting plans? We’d love to know them all! You may share your stories or plans with us here, on our social networks or by giving us a call!

We’re almost there!