Join us on the Web!

In the past year our office has made several new and exciting technological advances. We have enhanced our ability to communicate with you, through several new sites; beginning with Ortho Sesame, which is new inter-active software that allows patients/parents to view their account. This also gives them the ability to either cancel or confirm their appointment or contact us through e-mail.

Dental offices are able to receive mutual patient information through Sesame Interactive, (there is a link for this on our website) or through e-mail. We have also joined several networking sites, which include: facebook, youtube and myspace. On these pages patients have the ability to click on a “directions icon” to print street to street directions directly from their home to our office. Our address is already listed.

These sites allow patients to learn more about our office and to post comments. Dr. Bernard writes interesting facts about orthodontics and writes articles for our blog. Our website, which is www.drsosbern.com, contains information about our doctors, staff and valuable information about treatment, along with emergency information. Please stop at the front desk and fill out a form with your e-mail address (you can submit several addresses), you can give this to one of the receptionists.

Happy holidays!

Drs. Bernard, Eimer and staff would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season!! Thanksgiving is a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat, especially with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you post them on our Facebook page!

Rubber bands

We call them “Elastics” and in Western Pennsylvania they call them “Gum Bands”. But whatever you call them everyone in braces wears them at some time and without them we have no good way to establish an ideal, stable, fit of the teeth.

Rubber bands normally go from teeth or wires on one jaw to teeth or wires on the other jaw. The orthodontist decides the direction needed to get the teeth to fit and the size and strength of the force needed. The ideal force to get the desired movement is determined by the doctor so do not “double-up” or wear different size rubber bands to get done faster. Rubber bands have larger diameters for longer distance and smaller diameters for short. The band material itself is thicker when more force is needed.

When rubber bands are attached, it takes 10 hours or more for the teeth to start moving. This is when the teeth may be sore. Once the teeth are moving, they will not be sore unless the rubber bands are stopped for over 30 minutes. Then it will take 10 hours to start them moving again and they may be sore (again!).

Some short, tight rubber bands may have to be removed to eat certain foods but most can be worn to eat and the chewing motion helps move the teeth. If they have to be removed for eating or brushing they should be re-inserted within the 30 minute time frame.

You need to know that if you cannot wear them full-time due to the need to wear mouthguards for several hours a day, your treatment time will be extended or you will finish with less than an ideal bite.

We now have “rainbow” or multi-colored rubber bands for a fashion statement but the goal is still 24/7 wear. They should be changed at least once daily and always have a pack with you in case they break or shoot across the room while away from home.

Yogurt can help to prevent gum disease!

Yogurt is the newest superhero in the battle against gum disease. Researchers have found that those with higher intakes of lactic acid foods like yogurt exhibited significantly fewer signs of periodontal (gum) disease. The study concluded that regularly eating yogurt will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

You should look for unsweetened yogurt if possible. If you cannot find it make sure you don’t buy any with sugar or high fructose syrup in the ingredients. That won’t help your gums at all.

You should eat about 60 grams of yogurt each day. Breakfast is one of the best times because it boosts your energy level while the lactic acid works to balance your mouth. However, any time of the day will have similar benefits.

Combine your yogurt consumption with daily flossing and brushing at least twice per day. Yogurt cannot take the place of good oral hygiene but together with it, it will certainly help to reduce periodontal disease. Remember to keep your regular dental cleanings and exams up to date. By eating yogurt daily you will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics celebrate Halloween!

Drs. Bernard & Eimer and staff get in the Halloween spirit every October by dressing up for our patients. This year we decided to adopt a "theme" for the occasion, so we decided to go with a "Bug Theme". We had a great time (some more than others- I won't mention any names) and alot of laughs! Any theme suggestions for next year?