Reminder! Mouth guards are important!

April is National Facial Protection Month and we urge all athletes to protect their teeth whether wearing braces or not. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation indicates more than 5,000,000 teeth are knocked out each year in organized sports or other activities.

Our Practice will provide you with a special orthodontic mouth guard while braces are in place. This type covers the braces on top and bottom to protect the lips and cheeks as well as the braces and teeth. It is more loose fitting than a regular mouth guard because the teeth are constantly moving and a form-fitted mouth guard would prevent tooth movement or would not fit from day to day unless re-made. You are much less likely to lose a tooth while in braces because they are wired together but they can still be fractured or the lips and cheeks can be lacerated by the braces or impaled on them.

Once your braces have been removed, you should ask us or your dentist for a custom mouth guard which not only protects your teeth and jaws but serves as a retainer to hold the teeth in the proper position. Then remember to wear it for all contact sports, including those played in the playground or backyard. One quick blow to the mouth can spoil a smile and a few years of braces.

Ask Dr. Bernard: Why did you become an orthodontist?

It was the middle of the dark ages. I was 13 and my mother did not like my front teeth which were spaced and sticking out a bit.

The closest orthodontist was in downtown Cleveland; an hour and a bus transfer away. He was at least 80 years old and was on the 10th floor of an inner-city high rise. He used metal rings on all my teeth, which he fitted over the teeth by “driving” them on with a mallet and chisel. I’ll never forget the chisel slipping off the band just as he swung the mallet, this puncturing the roof of my mouth.

After each appointment, I would run for the elevator which would deliver me to the drug store on the first floor. My drug of choice was a chocolate ice cream soda which temporarily relieved the tightening of the heavy, steel wires until the bus delivered me home for some Bayer aspirin.

My decision to be an orthodontist was not fostered during my treatment years. Dentistry was the furthest thing from my mind as a teen. But 15 years after my brace experience, I decided to become an orthodontist because of the young people whose lives I could positively affect with the resultant healthy, happy smile.

Ask Dr. Bernard: What makes a great patient?

All orthodontists have an image of the ideal orthodontic patient. The first quality that we look for in the initial exam is a patient that wants the treatment for a specific reason. People who have a goal of a better bite or smile generally cooperate better with the orthodontist and staff. Many patients are having treatment because it is their parents’ wishes; not theirs.

The second quality is great brushing habits and a concern about the health of their teeth and gums. Teeth do not move well when the gums are puffy and the final result never looks good; even though the teeth are straight. The teeth have white patches and are covered by fat, red gum tissue.

The next quality that makes a great patient is compliance with wearing rubber bands or removable appliances. Patients who wear rubber bands 24 hours a day get done faster with an ideal result.

Of course, a positive attitude and a pleasant demeanor makes the orthodontist day more satisfying and in turn, encourages him or her to spend more time with the patient encouraging them to continue progressing toward the final, ideal bite and smile.

Featured patient review for Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Dr. Bernard received a letter last week from Michael G., a former patient and thought he’d share it on the blog today:

Several years ago my wife and I were looking for an orthodontist. After several conversations one name kept coming up, Drs. Osborne, Bernard and Eimer. We had spoken with a few different orthodontists, and Drs. Osborne, Bernard and Eimer seemed the best fit. The doctors took the time to explain their plan on how they would align the kid's teeth.

After which I had spoken with Judi in accounts she walked us through the payment options. I especially liked that it was one price period, no hidden fees. Even for Emergency Visits or a broken bracket or if treatment took longer than expected. This is true, one price does cover it all.

The doctors are great, but the staff is wonderful. I can not explain how nice Terri and her staff treat each patient. They take the time to make sure the braces are as comfortable as possible. And if you need supplies (Christmas trees, wax) they are quick to hand you a handful. (Again no fee).

The wahoo program is a great incentive for the kids to maintain their braces. Once you call into the office Anita or Kelly are always willing to set appointments convenient to our needs.

We have had three kids with full braces and one with a quad helix. I was so happy with the results from the kid's braces; I had braces put on myself.

~ Michael G., 3/11/2010