Eating With Braces

Photo provided by oralb.com

Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Always remember to maintain a good oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to keep your teeth looking their best, and they’ll look even better when your braces are removed. 

If you have any questions regarding your braces, please be sure to talk with the staff at Beim Orthodontics during your next visit.

Tips and Tricks

Beim Orthodontics

We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact Beim Orthodontics as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. 

 

If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. Call our office for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-bonded as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. 

 

In an emergency, you can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain until your appointment. 

 

Don't hesitate to contact Beim Orthodontics at (407) 323-0600 immediately if you experience any issue with your braces.

Back To School Smiles

Healthy teeth do more than provide your child with an opportunity to show off their smile. Healthy teeth enable your child to be more confident, allow for easier social development and help to promote over-all good health.

Most orthodontic problems are inherited, and therefore cannot be prevented. However, early diagnosis and treatment by Dr. Beim can often guide facial development and tooth eruption, and thereby prevent more serious problems from occurring. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

The upcoming school year is like a clean slate just waiting to be filled with good memories and opportunities for growth and adventure. So embrace the summer months and give your child a happy, healthy smile!

Just the Facts: According to surveys taken by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry:

• 9 out of 10 Americans agree that an attractive smile is an important social asset.
• 3 out of 4 Americans agree that an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success.
• 1 out of 2 Americans are satisfied with their smile.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment! 

Invisible Braces...No Magician Needed

Need to fix your smile, but the idea of traditional metal braces has you thinking twice? Well guess what, you can get a perfect smile and no one will know you're wearing braces.

Whether you're a teen facing alignment issue or you're an adult wanting a little cosmetic improvement for a great smile and you'd prefer not to have braces, the nearly invisible ClearCorrect no-braces system may be the treatment for you. A quick evaluation by Dr. Beim will tell if you are a candidate for this convenient treatment.

We know that many people are eager to achieve a beautiful smile without wearing braces and that's why the ClearCorrect system is so great! ClearCorrect is an express aligner system. A series of aligners are customized for your teeth to apply pressure to the teeth that you want to move. Dr. Beim will check your progress and give you new sets of aligners every 4–6 weeks. You’ll wear the aligners for at least 22 hours per day, progressing through each step until your treatment is done.

ClearCorrect is the solution for adults and teens that have experienced crowding, spacing issues, overbites, underbites and crooked teeth. ClearCorrect provides the benefits of braces without the limitations found in other clear aligner products:

Superior clarity 
ClearCorrect is one of the clearest aligner products available. ClearCorrect aligners are virtually invisible. They're also resistant to clouding from wear.

Excellent hygiene 
ClearCorrect is removable so you can brush and floss like normal; plus the smooth surface finish of ClearCorrect aligners won’t trap bacteria so you can clean them easily, unlike braces and other aligner products.

Enhanced control
ClearCorrect gives your doctor a level of control during treatment previously only available with braces, ensuring at the end of treatment, you get the straight smile you’ve always wanted.

Check out this ClearCorrect patient testimonial 

If you want straighter teeth but are concerned about how you'll look in braces talk to us about ClearCorrect!

Why Your Child Needs An Early Evaluation

Orthodontics deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are not in the right position. Beim Orthodontics has been a versatile help in creating a straight and healthy smile to patients who are affected with crooked teeth and other oral problems such as: 

• Overbite: In which the front teeth lie so much far forward, protruding quite the lower teeth.

• Underbite: In which the lower teeth lie too far forward, sticking out more than the upper teeth.

• Crossbite: In which there is a wide opening between the upper teeth and the lower teeth in front.

• Crowding: This is when there are too many teeth growing on a dental ridge more that it can accommodate

These problems are easily solved with orthodontics through the use of aligners, traditional braces, and various appliances to mention a few. It is factual that orthodontics effectively manages oral problems when discovered early, especially when the patient is a child and yet to develop a permanent tooth. A recommendation from the American Association of Orthodontists, the ideal age for a child’s first orthodontic exam is age seven when the orthodontist is fortunate enough to monitor closely the eruption of their permanent teeth and follow the growth of the jaws through its critical years of development. It is obvious that early evaluation enables us to catch the problem while it is at its metamorphosing stage, rather than after the patient has already developed, thus making it much more effectively managed with imminent invasive treatment needed in the future avoided.

When orthodontic problems are left undiagnosed and untreated, many of these issues can result in severe and permanent oral health problems. These may include abnormal wear of the tooth surface or enamel, inefficient chewing, and even excessive stress on gum tissues and supporting bones which can lead to gum recession or bone loss. Early treatment of these problems not only protects the teeth but can be more cost effective to fix the problems before they cause damages

Early treatment phase is provided from ages 7 and older when the treatment is majorly aimed at eliminating bite problems which can damage the teeth or gum tissues, treating down the road less invasive thus minimizing tooth extraction or jaw surgery.

Orthodontics patients of Beim Orthodontics are advised to see Dr. Beim early so that they can attain the best oral health and have a nice straight, healthy smile with a strategized treatment plan.

For more questions and information, you can contact Beim Orthodontics today.

Beautiful Smiles Have NO Age Limit

Don't let age stop you from having the straight teeth you've always dreamed of. Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Parents are still making regular trips to the orthodontist's office, but these days more and more are leaving their kids in the waiting room.

It's sad, but true…over time our bodies start to wear out, including our teeth. As you age, your teeth break down. Unfortunately, it's one of the most visible signs of aging. As teeth wear, the lower and the upper jaw move closer together. Shortening of your teeth causes your lips to change, creases to form on the sides of your nose and mouth, a deep crease develops between your chin and lower lip and jowls develop on the sides of your jaw. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can also contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay and abnormal wear of the tooth enamel.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Numerous technological advances have made braces less noticeable, less painful and even less time-consuming.

As America's baby boomers have become more health conscious, they're rejecting the notion that loosing teeth and dentures are a routine part of growing older. These days people are exercising more and eating healthier and braces are another way of demonstrating that you care about yourself and your overall health.

Don’t believe us? Still think you’re too old for braces? Check out these adults who decided it was time to improve their smiles…you might be surprised.

Faye Dunaway - Age 61

Tom Cruise - Age 40  

Gwen Stefani - Age 30  

At Beim Orthodontics are committed to excellence in orthodontics and life-long results for our patients, no matter what your age is. For more information regarding adult orthodontic care give us a call today! 

Your Smile Can Be Perfect For You

There are many factors that go into creating the perfect smile. From proper alignment of the teeth to correct jaw position and facial structure, each play a role in the appearance of your smile.

Do you have a perfect smile? Get yourself in front of a mirror and have a look.

1. The ideal relationship between the upper and lower front teeth should provide some vertical overlapping. Ideally, the upper front teeth should bite approximately 2 millimeters in front of the lower front teeth. And…the upper and lower front teeth should be angled slightly forward, toward the lips, thereby providing adequate support for the lips.

2. The center line between the upper front teeth should line up with the center line between the lower front teeth, and both lines should coincide with the midline of the face.

3. When smiling, the upper back teeth should fill the width of the smile from the corner of the mouth to the corner of the mouth. A broad, healthy smile evenly fills the entire area of the smile, minimizing the dark triangles at the corners of the mouth and provides proper support for lips and cheeks.

4. Upon smiling the upper lips should elevate approximately to the gumline. The lips usually elevates more when we are younger and less as we age.

5. When smiling the bottom edge of the upper front teeth should follow a curve that mirrors the curvature of the lower lip.

If you think your smile might be less than perfect, Dr. Beim can help. Your perfect smile is just a phone call away.

You're As Young As Your Smile Looks

Trying to find ways to preserve your youthfulness as you age?  How about starting with your smile.

Your teeth are probably the only thing on your face that doesn’t get wrinkles, but your teeth certainly do show signs of aging. So if you want to look younger and healthier, your teeth are a great place to start! Although our teeth are extremely resilient, over the years all of the chewing and the overall natural aging process can take a toll on our smile. Here are three ways to make your smile look as youthful as you feel.

Brighten Up
Teeth naturally darken as we age. One reason is that your teeth absorb color from food and drinks. Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will eventually yellow over time. Whitening your teeth with custom whitening trays is the best way to achieve a deep and thorough color change that can take years off your appearance. Our office provides Zoom Whitening, ask us about our services. 

Straighten Up
Even if you start out with perfectly straight teeth, something called mesial drift will cause them to shift over time. Crowded teeth are an instant giveaway of age and straightening your teeth can often take 10 to 15 years off your appearance. Crowded teeth also increase the risk of tooth decay, premature tooth loss, and gum recession, all of which guarantee looking old.

Keep it Up
Maintaining your oral health is important to making sure your smile is healthy and vibrant. You can do this by keeping up with your oral hygiene, this includes: brushing, flossing, eating foods that do not harm your teeth and visiting your dentist every 6 months.

A large percentage of our patients are adults, and they agree that it’s never too late to improve your greatest asset – your smile. During the initial examination, we will be able to determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs. At this time, we can outline the treatment plan, time of treatment expected and the approximate cost.

Contact us today and find out how we can help improve your smile.

Take The First Step

At Beim Orthodontics, one of our number one goals of treatment is to give you or your child a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. One of the first things people notice about others is their smiles, so we highly encourage you to take the first step towards getting the smile you’ve always wanted and make your initial consultation at Beim Orthodontics.

We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Whether you're an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable doctor and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve.

Did you know orthodontic treatment is not just for cosmetic purposes?

Having a good bite not only makes it easier to eat and speak but will enhance your dental and overall health as well. Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy too. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Let your smile express yourself! Give us a call at our convenient Lake Mary, Florida office to schedule your consultation today!

Win An Apple iWatch!

Summertime is lurking around the corner, and at Beim Orthodontics that means it's time for another fun contest! This year, we're hosting the Flat Dr. Beim contest again and giving you another chance to win an Apple iWatch! This contest is fun, easy, and FREE to participate in. All you have to do is take Flat Dr. Beim with you this summer and take pictures! Post your pictures on our Facebook wall, tag us on your pictures on Instagram, or email them to be entered! 

Download your printout now, just CLICK HERE!

Sports Equipment You Need To Know About

Spring break has passed and once again our patients are ready to begin the spring sports season! April is National Facial Protection month and because many of our patients are active athletes in the Lake Mary, Florida area, the staff at Beim Orthodontics encourages spring sports safety. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent we want to remind everyone to play it safe during organized sports to help prevent serious facial injuries that can take the fun out of the game.

Here are 4 pieces of equipment you can add to your sports bag to stay safe during the sports season.

1. Remember to wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard is less expensive than an injury, and not painful to your mouth or wallet. Keep your smile safe and prevent your orthodontic appliances from injury by habitually wearing a mouth guard during sports.

2. Wear a helmet when needed. Helmets can greatly prevent damage to the head so be sure to always wear one when necessary.

3. Protective eyewear can make a difference. Keep your 20/20 vision with sports eyewear that will keep your vision clear and your game at its best.

4. Face shields may be necessary. If you are a hockey, football, or baseball player face shields can prevent severe damage to your face.

These are all great accessories to have when playing sports. This equipment can prevent impact and damage to your head and mouth, all while not interfering with your MVP skills on the field.

No-Bake Braces Friendly Dessert

No-Bake Strawberry & Cream Pie

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs 
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar 
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• ⅓ cup butter, melted 

Strawberry Pie Filing:

• 1 (3 oz.) package strawberry jello 
• ⅔ cup boiling water 
• ½ cup cold water 
• ½ cup ice cubes 
• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip topping 
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 

Instructions

1. Using a food processor, pulse graham crackers until crumbly. Mix in sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until crust forms.

2. Press graham cracker crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Place pie crust in refrigerator.

3. In a large bowl, add boiling water and gelatin powder. Stir gelatin powder until completely dissolved.Then, add ½ cup cold water and ½ cup ice cubes, stir until gelatin is slightly thickened. TIP: Let the gelatin mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly before you add the cool whip otherwise it won’t set up.

4. Add cool whip topping to gelatin mixture and whisk together until light and fluffy. Stir in sliced strawberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture has thickened.

5. Add strawberry pie filling to pie crust. Refrigerate for up to 6 hours or until firm. Top with cool whip and a slice strawberry. Serves 8.

BAKING TIP: When making the gelatine mixture: add the hot water to the gelatin and let it dissolve, then add your cold water and ice cubes, let it sit for about 5 MINUTES to let it thicken slightly before you add the cool whip otherwise it won’t set up and it will be runny/soupy.

For more braces-friendly recipes subscribe to the Beim Orthodontics blog and connect with us on Facebook!

Peach Ice Cream | New Recipe Alert

Are you ready for the easiest Peach Ice Cream recipe you’ll ever find? Not only is it easy, but it’s quick! You can also control the sweetener and kind of milk used, so it’s adaptable to many different diets. Best of all, it's braces friendly & taste buds approved! 

Ingredients

• 3 cups Peach Slices, frozen
• 1½ cups Milk
• 2 Tbs Honey

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients into blender.
2. Blend on the "puree" setting until mixture reaches soft serve ice cream consistency.
3. Taste ice cream and adjust sweetener as needed.
4. Serve immediately or place in a 9x13 baking pan and freeze for later.
5. If ice cream is too hard after freezing, place pan in warm water to loosen, break up the frozen mixture and run through the blender again to soften.

Serving size: ¼ of recipe 

• Calories: 135 
• Fat: 3g 
• Carbohydrates: 26g 
• Sugar: 23g 
• Sodium: 37mg 
• Protein: 4g

More Than Meets The Smile

It’s no secret that a majority of those interested in orthodontic treatment are striving for a straighter smile that will make them more confident. Dr. Beim and staff at Beim Orthodontics deliver straight beautiful smiles to all of our patients, but we want to inform those who are looking into orthodontic treatment that there are greater benefits to wearing braces than just cosmetic reasons. Are you aware of the health benefits of braces?

Braces can do more than just give you an attractive smile. Check out the following oral health problems that can be assisted when being treated by Dr. Beim:

• Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
• Digestion
• Difficulties with Speech
• Bone Erosion

Beim Orthodontics is happy to explain more to you if you have further questions about the benefits of braces. Visit us for braces in Lake Mary, Florida. 

Braces Approved Super Bowl Snacks

The big game Super Bowl LI is just around the corner, and there is more to be excited for than just the game.  Almost all of us have 3 things on our mind when it comes to the Super Bowl: the game, the commercials, and the food! Just because you have braces, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the yummy game food you will be surrounded by. We understand chicken wings and popcorn may not be the best choices, but there are so many other treats you can indulge in as you enjoy the action. The staff at Beim Orthodontics compiled a list of their favorite braces-friendly super bowl treats just for you!

Nacho Loaded Potato Skins

Bacon Wrapped Sausages

Grilled Chicken Sliders

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

These are just a few of our favorite braces friendly Super Bowl food options. Get creative and find ways to take your off limit treats and recreate them into braces approved eats! 

What Floss Should You Buy?

Similar to several oral hygiene products, choosing the best dental floss to use is dependent on the consumer's preference. The fact is, there is a ton of different floss options on the market with a variety of flavors, coatings, and other variations. Essentially, they all do the same thing and the most important thing to remember is to buy the most functional floss for your teeth, and use it daily.  If you want to know what the best dental floss is, the answer is the kind that enables you to successfully and regularly clean the areas between your teeth. To help you find the right type of floss for you, here are some options.

Flossers
Flossers usually consist of a plastic instrument with a floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers also come flavored in mint and various other varieties.



Gentle Dental Floss
Some people find that dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, some companies make floss with soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, these types of floss are just as effective as regular floss and ideal for those looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing.
Flavored Dental Floss
Most people that floss purchase a flavored dental floss because it freshens their breath even more than unscented floss. The latter can also take on the smells associated with bacteria in your mouth which can be pretty bad from case to case. We suggest if flavored dental floss is what you prefer, and it allows you to floss your teeth regularly, then it is automatically best for your mouth.

Of the options, it is difficult to name an absolute best type of floss because the answer varies from patient to patient. However, Dr. Beim and our team say that the type of floss that works best for you, giving you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing, is the best choice. For more information on floss or flossing with braces contact Beim Orthodontics or click here to visit our website.

Happy Holidays From Beim Orthodontics

Take some time this holiday season to be appreciative of those who work when they should be with family and friends, those who are away from those they love, and those who sacrifice for our needs.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year. May this holiday season find you surrounded by those you love, filled with a lot of fun and cheer, and the New Year bring happiness, health, and prosperity.

New iTero Scanner At Beim Orthodontics

It’s time to say goodbye to those messy molds associated with beginning orthodontic treatment and say hello to the iTero Intraoral Scanner. The iTero Intraoral Scanner is a more comfortable procedure that can capture an extremely accurate digital impression of teeth within minutes. Once complete, we can use this model to start your orthodontic treatment and help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Also, the 3D digital impression can be used with all Invisalign related services.

If you’re interested in beginning orthodontic treatment, contact Beim Orthodontics today!

Watch this video to learn more about our new iTero Intraoral Scanner!
 

We're Thankful for Our Patients!

For most of us, Thanksgiving means time with family, eating tons of turkey, and a chance to reflect on what we’re thankful for from the past year. When we look back on this year, we can’t help but be thankful for some amazing patients whose lives we've been a part of. We are so grateful for all of you. Your support, your focus on personal growth and health, and your willingness to journey with us in creating healthy beautiful smiles is appreciated.

Wishing you all a luxurious holiday filled with love, joy, great food and wonderful company. Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Beim Orthodontics!

Montage At Beim Orthodontics | Photo Booth Fun

Our goal at Beim Orthodontics has always been to provide our patients with the absolute best experience when they visit our office. We love seeing our patients enjoy their time at our office, and strive to provide a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. As we continue to do this, we also like to stay up to date with today’s latest technologies. One of our high-tech additions to the office is our Montage touch screen display. Have you had the chance to use the Montage display yet? There are so many cool features that you can use next time you’re at Beim Orthodontics!

Check out some of the fun features of Montage, our patient friendly touch screen display system.

Educational

Montage has several educational videos to teach you more about orthodontic topics. You can learn useful information about treatments, appliance care, procedures, and more with the ScreenPlay orthodontic videos available.

Photo Booth

Montage has an interactive Photo Booth! Next time you’re in Beim Orthodontics, click the camera button to activate the camera booth and take fun pictures that you can share on your favorite social media sites!

Website, Facebook, & Reviews
On the Montage display screen, you can visit our website, social media, and read some of our raving reviews. Not only can you read our reviews, but on Montage you can actually post a review about your experience while you’re in the office.

There are many more features of Montage, so next time you come in for an appointment be sure to use the Montage touch screen display and enjoy all it can do. We want you to have fun with this display, so a future contest will be centered around the photo booth on Montage! Stay connected with us online to find out more about the upcoming contest.