Surprising Facts About Smiling

Happy New Year!

Seeing a child’s smile creates as much pleasure as 2,000 chocolate bars—or $25,000 in cash. That was the surprising finding of a British study conducted by Hewlett Packard, using an electromagnetic brain scan machine and heart-rate monitor to measure “the mood-boosting value” of various stimuli. The study also found that seeing a loved one’s smile was worth about 600 chocolate treats or 8,500 Pounds Sterling ($13,175), while a friend’s grin was valued at $225, or 200 chocolate bars. In a subsequent survey, 1,000 British adults ranked smiling as more likely to give a short-term high than sex, candy, or shopping (in that order).

Smile often—and the people around you will literally feel like a million bucks. And here are more ways it pays off to supersize your grin: Research suggests that the size of your smile may predict how successful you’ll be at love and work, how inspiring you’ll be to others, and even how long you’ll live. To learn more, I talked to Ron Gutman, author of Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act (TED Books, 2011). Here’s a look at some of the intriguing research from around the world that he’s compiled.

Babies are born smiling.

3-D ultrasound imaging has captured vivid pictures in which developing babies are smiling in the womb, says Gutman, the CEO of Healthtap, Palo Alto, California-based healthcare social networking company. “Even before birth, babies seem to be practicing this uniquely human expression.” Initially babies smile in their sleep, but by three months of age, they learn they can inspire smiles in others through a deliberate smile—launching one of the first childhood games: the “smile exchange,” as the American Academy of Pediatrics terms this milestone in infant development.

We can detect a smile from more than 300 feet away.

That’s more than twice the distance at which we can distinguish other facial expressions. It’s thought that this ability evolved so we could quickly tell friend from foe and react accordingly. Studies at both the Institute of Cognitive Science, in France, and the University of Manchester, in the UK, separately report that a smile can even make us feel that a complete stranger looks familiar.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, our entire team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.
We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

For those who don't know, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. This month-long event is organized by our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Drs. Bernard & Eimer and our team realize this is a great opportunity for us and to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Drs. Bernard & Eimer and other dental professional.

The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Drs. Bernard & Eimer: What Can I Eat When My Teeth Are Sore?

Here are some soft food suggestions for patients to consider:

• Yogurt
• Soft cheeses, such as brie, cottage cheese, and sliced swiss, cheddar, and havarti
• Instant breakfast drinks
• Custard
• Pudding
• Pasta-fully cooked and soft
• Noodles
• soup
• Rice or risotto
• Bulgur wheat
• Polenta
• Grits
• Soft cooked carrots
• Baked fish
• Tofu
• Mashed potatoes
• Hummus
• Mashed bananas
• Milkshakes or smoothies
• Jell-o
• Pudding
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat

**Remember- Nothing HOT with new “Heat activated” wires and Advil works well for tender teeth.

Our 20th Annual Theatre Party

Because we appreciate our patient families, for the twentieth year, the practice of Drs. Bernard and Eimer held a Theatre Party on the Sunday before President’s day. We send each patient two tickets for a day at the movies at the famed Palace Theatre in downtown Canton.

The patients can use the extra ticket to bring a friend and often parents have been known to get into the party; even without a ticket.

The ticket entitles the patient and a guest to a recent movie, a soft drink, and a box of popcorn. It’s the one day our practice allows the patients to enjoy popcorn although we keep our fingers crossed that no one bites on an un-popped kernel and damages their braces.

This year we showed the movie: “Despicable Me” and had over 300 patients and family members enjoy the event. Before the movie, the giant organ rises up and serenades the attendees for 15 minutes and then descends back into the pit in front of the stage. In past years, we have had over 1000 in attendance although the winter weather sometimes holds the crowd down.

We hope our patients realize that we appreciate their loyalty to our practice and this party is our way of saying “thank you” to the families that have chosen us to provide their orthodontic treatment.

How will YOUR smile look after orthodontic treatment?

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, we know it's sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Drs. Bernard & Eimer and team love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles,” which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Using the tool will also earn you a free orthodontic consultation coupon, which can be redeemed at our office by yourself, a family member or friend.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!

Love your new smile? Tell the world all about it!

Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics are orthodontic specialists or dentists with many years of University training in growth and development and tooth movement. Braces is all we do! We have a friendly, caring staff and a modern and comfortable facility in North Canton.

Whether you have visited Drs. Bernard or Eimer for a week, months or 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 on our Google local listing. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here.

Thank you in advance and have a great holiday weekend everyone!

Complimentary Consultations at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, we have a friendly, caring staff and a modern and comfortable facility in North Canton. One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. This includes a complimentary x-ray and digital photos. All observation visits prior to treatment are also at NO CHARGE so you can bring your child at age 7 and not be charged until treatment is necessary.

During your consultation, you'll have time reserved with Drs. Bernard and Eimer, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call.

See you soon! Have a great weekend!

Drs. Bernard and Eimer & team, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Each February for the past 61 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Drs. Bernard and Eimer are available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited our North Canton, OH office? Give us a call and schedule a complimentary new-patient exam!

We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook!

Are you wearing your mouth guard?

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, we know spring sports are just around the corner, and we would like to remind our young athletes in treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) as well this spring. Drs. Bernard & Eimer will tell you that only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - we will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment!

If you have further questions or are ready to schedule your consultation, just give us a call at our North Canton orthodontic office.

January featured patient reviews!

Check out what a few of our patients are saying about our office! At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, braces is all we do! We have a friendly, caring staff and a modern and comfortable facility in North Canton. We feature clear braces and removable aligners along with digital imaging and advanced computer graphics.

Your initial consultation is FREE!

"I don't know why anyone would go anywhere else for their orthodontic needs. A friend recommended your office when we were in need and I cannot thank her enough. You all are really the best!!"

"What I really liked is no matter how scared Tiffany was about what was going to happen, you all made her feel better and more relaxed. I want to thank you very much. Her teeth look wonderful."

"Your organization is a model for the entire business community. Like the 'Wahoos'. Good incentive for the kids."

"From the very first visit, your staff was extremely friendly and professional. I've never seen a better run organization. I like the way each person has a specific duty and how well they communicate with the parents and child. Also, as a working mother I appreciated the timeliness of their appointments and an up-front estimate of how long the visit would take. Thank you!"

Ask Dr. Bernard: Why are regular dental checkups so important during orthodontic treatment?

Thanks for the question. If you're brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing during your orthodontic treatment, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit your general dentist every six months in addition to your visits to our North Canton office. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s definitely time to schedule an appointment! If you don't have a general dentist, just ask us - Drs. Bernard & Eimer know plenty of great dentists in the greater Canton area!

We hope you have a great weekend!

When to stop, from Bernard and Eimer Orthodontics

Most young children keep something in their mouth to soothe or comfort them. After breast feeding and the bottle, that something is usually a “pacifier”. There are even “orthodontic pacifiers” with a shape which is supposed to help in proper upper arch formation although this has never been proven.

The problem with a pacifier is that it will cause an openbite or prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming in contact which effects chewing and speech and can develop poor and harmful tongue posture. To prevent this condition permanently, the pacifier should be stopped at 18 months.

My daughter had a 5 mm openbite (measured from upper to lower front teeth) from her pacifier or “binky” at 22 months. The solution was to take it away and hide it! After one week of withdrawal (crying, restlessness), the habit was broken and after two weeks, the front teeth were touching!

Of course, a finger or thumb habit is harder to stop because you can’t take it away like a pacifier. More later on when to stop that harmful habit.

Ask Dr. Bernard: What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in correcting crooked teeth and jaw growth problems that affect the bite, smile and face. To be an orthodontist, the dentist must complete a 2 to 3 year residency program at a major university which usually results in a masters degree. As an orthodontist, the specialist only works with malfunctions of the jaws and teeth and does not do any “general” dentistry such as fillings, extractions or caps.

The family dentist can use braces and aligners to straighten teeth but cannot call themselves orthodontists because they are not specialists and do other types of dentistry a majority of the time. Most orthodontists in our area (including us) do not charge for an initial consultation so it pays to have an opinion from an orthodontic specialist before undergoing any orthodontic treatment.

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.

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.

What's new at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics?

Check it out! We now have Wi-Fi anywhere in our building so bring your lap top and surf away in the reception area or clinic. The wireless connection is secured so you will have to ask the receptionists for the code to enter into your computer.

Forgot your laptop? We have created a desktop computer station for your use any time you are in the office. Look down over the railing as you enter the building and you will see the station on the lower level. A printer is attached to the desktop for office work, boarding passes and internet information. No password is needed!

Forgot your umbrella and it’s raining? We now have a rack of umbrellas in a stand next to our entrance. Take one to get to your car and home and return it on your next visit.

Too chilly in the office or out of the office? We have Medium and large zip-up hoodies for your use whether inside or outside. If you leave the office with one, we ask that you return it on your next visit so we can launder it and make it available to others.

If you have any suggestions on how we can make you more comfortable or serve you better, please let us know.

This Season’s Quote, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

A smile is nature’s best antidote for discouragement. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to those who are frowning, and hope to those who are hopeless and defeated. A smile is so valuable that it can’t be bought, begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will. You have to be willing to give a smile away before it can do anyone else any good. So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile, let him have one of yours anyway. Nobody needs a smile as much as the person who has none to give.

~Anonymous

Myra onstage with the Jonas Brothers!

Myra Sabolesky is an enthusiastically devoted fan of the Jonas Brothers, a young trio of singers who achieved fame on the Disney Channel and now tour the country giving concerts to thousands of screaming teens.

The closest tour stop for Myra on the Jonas Brothers “World Tour” was Pittsburgh and she not only was in attendance but was awarded a “meet and greet” backstage. She stated; “When it was my turn, I ran in there and asked Nick to the prom and talked to Joe about running”. The brothers were impressed by Myra’s enthusiasm and boldness so they sent their manager to find out where she was seated for the concert and then they called her up on stage during the concert and sang to her.

Even though she likes Nick the most since he is her age (17), he respectfully declined her invitation to the prom! But at least Myra has the distinction of being “the infamous girl that was on stage in Pittsburgh.” Her final quote was: “I love the Jonas Brothers and they made my dream come true”.

Dr. Bernard at the Schulman Study Group meeting in St. Louis!

This weekend, Dr. Michael Bernard, Lyn and Kelly are in St. Louis for the annual Schulman Study Group meeting. Drs. Bernard and Eimer are both members of The Schulman Study Group (SSG), a nationally-recognized association of prominent—among the top 1 percent—orthodontic practices, and is comprised of 125 orthodontic practices in the U.S. and Canada.

The Schulman Study Group meeting is a time for Dr. Bernard to consult with some of the top orthodontists and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows our staff at Bernard and Eimer Orthodontics to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend! :)