Don't Try It At Home: DIY Braces

A popular trend has taken the internet by storm, but unlike a selfie challenge we don’t want you trying this at home. “Do it yourself” (DIY) orthodontic treatment is a new, dangerous trend.

A series of YouTube videos have appeared showing users how to create their own braces. We want you to know that anyone trying this is putting their teeth, gums and bones of the jaw at risk for serious damage. This quick fix offers rubber bands as the DIY orthodontic solution.  Consumers are being told that by simply putting a special rubber band around teeth their spaces or gaps will close. Because of the known risks, orthodontists consider the unsupervised movement of teeth using just elastics to be below the standard of care, and it can result in permanent tooth loss.

Any time a dental procedure is undertaken by an untrained, unsupervised individual there is a substantial risk for irreparable damage. For the health and safety of the public The American Association of Orthodontists is urging anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist.

Dr. Beim is a trained, qualified specialist who can diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment please contact our office and never consider do it yourself dangerous short cuts.

Beim Orthodontics 

345 Waymont Court

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

 407.323.0600

Smile Safety

Sports-related dental injuries are reportedly the cause of over 600,000 emergency room visits per year. You can take precaution to prevent dental injury during sporting activities by wearing a mouth guard. Mouth guards help protect the teeth and jaw from injury while participating in sporting activities. In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they’re not wearing a mouth guard. Mouth guards are made of flexible material that is fitted to protect your upper and lower teeth from hard hits.

• Types of dental injuries that can occur without a mouth guard:
• Fracture: Broken tooth or chipped tooth.
• Avulsion: Entire tooth knocked out from the root.
• Luxation: Tooth mispositioned in socket.

If you are involved in sporting activities, you must take extra precaution to protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouth guard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, limiting the risk of soft tissue injuries.

Without a mouth guard injury can result in permanent damage. Need a mouth guard? Consult with Dr. Beim about choosing the best mouth guard for you. We offer to our patients complimentary orthodontic mouth guards that are designed to fit over your braces.

Beim Orthodontics 

345 Waymont Court

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

 407.323.0600

Say Cheeeesssee!

The first day of school is an exciting time! You’ve had the whole summer off and now it’s time to get back in the classroom. Social media is starting to be filled with first day of school photos. Whether you’re in middle school or college, back to school selfies are everywhere! To get you in the back to school spirit, we're giving away 4 tickets to see Disney On Ice at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL on September 5, 2015! To enter our new contest, all you have to do is share a photo from your first day back to school.

We want to see big happy smiles from all of our patients in their back to school photos! While you’re under orthodontic treatment you should still be proud of your smile. Smiling naturally may not come as easy for some people as it does for others. But just like with anything we do in life, the more we practice, the easier it gets!

Helpful Tips for a Photographic Smile

1. GET IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR - Take time to practice your smile in front of a mirror. See how it looks when you hold your shoulders back and strike a natural, unforced smile. Play around with turning your head and finding your best angle. Figure out which smile you like best, then practice, practice, practice 'til you get right. Remember how great that smile feels so that you'll be able to replicate it without looking in a mirror.

2. SMILE WITH YOUR EYES...or as Tyra Banks would say, Smize - A genuine smile will naturally draw in the eyes. And a natural smile is not something you can fake. The eyes are essential for a genuine, warm smile. When you are practicing your smile in the mirror, focus on your eyes and which muscles are working and how.

3. MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE - One thing that can cause you to fear flashing your pearly whites, is when they might not be that pearly. Be sure to brush your teeth after each meal and carry floss with you...just in case. We all know that good oral hygiene is important...but the fact is, a healthy mouth will make you feel more confident about your smile.

You can submit your pictures to entries@beimortho.com or upload it to Instagram. Be sure to tag us @Beim_Ortho and use our hashtag #BeimBack2School. All entries must be submitted by Thursday, August 27, 2015. The winner will be selected at random and notified on Monday August 31, 2015. Good luck and have a great first day Back2School!

Beim Orthodontics 

345 Waymont Court

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

 407.323.0600

The Clear Alternative

Looking for an alternative to traditional braces? Well we have an option for YOU. ClearCorrect is the clear and simple alternative to braces.

What’s ClearCorrect?

ClearCorrect is a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth as you wear them, each aligner moving your teeth just a little bit at a time. These aligners are practically invisible, so most people won't even know you're in treatment, they fit you perfectly, so they're more comfortable than regular braces, and they're removable, so you can eat whatever you like and clean your teeth normally.

What are the benefits of ClearCorrect?

Easy process: Dr. Beim establishes that ClearCorrect is the right treatment option for you, we will take impressions, photos, and x-rays of your teeth that ClearCorrect uses to make your custom aligners.

Discrete: Basically only you and Dr. Beim will know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. ClearCorrect is a discrete alternative to traditional braces for image-conscious adults who are worried about the stigma attached to traditional metal braces.

Removable: Unlike traditional braces, ClearCorrect is removable for cleaning and eating. Cleaning metal braces after eating is difficult, but with ClearCorrect maintenance is easy.  You can easily remove ClearCorrect aligners to brush and floss your teeth normally.

Beautiful Results:  ClearCorrect improves your smile’s aesthetic by correcting a wide range of orthodontic problems. From crowding, to spacing, crossbite, overbite, and underbite. ClearCorrect is your versatile treatment option.

Healthier Results: A crooked and overcrowded smile creates hiding places for bacteria and decay from daily oral hygiene habits. After ClearCorrect straightens your smile, your teeth will be easier to clean and have better defenses against plaque buildup.

ClearCorrect invisible braces are the clear & simple way to straighten your teeth, so you can show off your smile! Want to find out if ClearCorrect is good option for you? Schedule an appointment today.

Beim Orthodontics 

345 Waymont Court

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

 407.323.0600

History Behind The 4th

Every year on the 4th day of July we celebrate a great American holiday, Independence Day. This comes as summer is just heating up. Flags of bright red, white and blue appear everywhere you go. But, beyond fireworks and good food the 4th of July has a very rich history expanding back over 200 years ago.

Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July because it was on July 4, 1776, that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities. Whenever they heard it, patriots erupted in cheers and celebrations. While the Fourth is celebrated across the country, historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia draw huge crowds to their festivities.

What is the Declaration of Independence? Source: infoplease.com

Declaration of Independence, full and formal declaration adopted July 4, 1776, by representatives of the Thirteen Colonies in North America announcing the separation of those colonies from Great Britain and making them into the United States.

Need help explaining the meaning of this holiday to younger kiddies? Here’s a fun video for them to watch

We hope all of patients have a great 4th of July weekend, share your fun with us by posting photos on our Facebook wall and we'll be sure to share with everyone! 

Observation Patients Win While They Wait

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. Our younger patients who have been seen by Dr. Beim, but are not quite ready to start treatment are called "Observation Patients". These patients are asked to return to our office every 6 months to monitor their progress. As a "Observation Patient", when you return to our office every 6 months to monitor your progress you are entered for a chance to win special prizes. Observation patients who visit our office from July-December will be entered in a drawing to win 2 tickets to Disney Quest! 

For more information about early orthodontic treatment please visit Beimortho.com or contact our office today.

Say to NO to Sticky and Chewy and Crunchy... During Treatment

Now that it's summer time sweet treats are everywhere, but remember if your under orthodontic treatment there are foods you have to avoid.

Braces are used as a treatment to bring out your best smile, and with that comes a lot of changes to your mouth including your daily oral hygiene activities and eating habits. While you have braces you will want to avoid certain types of foods. You basically have to steer clear of anything sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy.

Here’s a list of treats you will need to avoid during your braces treatment.

• Gum
• Hard Candy
• Sticky Candy
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Ice
• Taffy
• Hard Chips
• Carrots
• Apples
• Hard/Thick Bread
• Large/Hard Pretzels
• Corn on a cob

It is important to not consume these foods, because eating anything sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy can damage your braces which could make your treatment longer than expected. We want you to have the best experience during your treatment. So here’s a list of great foods you can enjoy while wearing braces.

• Dairy - pudding, soft cheeses
• Breads – sliced lunch bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts, biscuits
• Grains – noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood - fish w/o bones, tuna, salmon, crab and crab cakes
• Vegetables - potatoes, peas, yams, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats - ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, smoothies, Jell-O, cake
• Other – eggs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, beans and much more

Remember with braces, always be mindful of what you are eating, the wrong food can lead to a sooner than expected visit to our office.