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!

Help! I HAVE BAD BREATH WITH BRACES!

We understand bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about but unfortunately it happens to most people for several different reasons. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath (or know someone who is) is to determine the root of the problem. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by poor oral hygiene, personal habits such as smoking or eating certain foods, or medical problems. The most common factor for bad breath in patients with braces at Beim Orthodontics is almost certainly caused by poor oral hygiene.

After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth correctly. Brushing your teeth is simply not enough, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles left in your mouth, and this bacterium creates odor. It’s important to remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash as tiny bits of food can get stuck in brackets or between teeth which can contribute to bad breath.

Because braces contain so many small spaces to trap food, the habits that worked great for cleaning your teeth before braces may no longer be enough. It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack, or to at least vigorously rinse your teeth with water or mouthwash if you absolutely can't brush. Bad breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontics (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only eating a small amount.

For more information on bad breath with braces visit our website or give us a call at 407-323-0600.

What To Ask At Your First Appointment

As you consider orthodontic care, it is likely that a few questions may naturally arise. Don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Beim questions you might have at your first appointment. The Beim Orthodontics team is eager to help make your orthodontic experience amazing.

Here are a few examples of questions you may want to ask at your first appointment:

• Is there an estimated length of time that I will likely require braces? 
• How much should I expect to pay for my treatment? What are the payment options? 
• Does getting braces hurt? Is there anything I can do to prevent or minimize pain? 
• Is it likely that I will be wearing extra appliances in addition to braces to correct my overbite or other problems? 
• Are there specific foods I will need to avoid when I get braces? 
• Will braces prevent me from playing my favorite sport or musical instrument? 
• How can I keep my teeth clean with braces? 
• How often will I be expected to come in for check-ups and other appointments?

With answers to your questions from the Beim Orthodontics team, you can be confident about any necessary orthodontic treatments. From your first appointment to the day your braces come off, your orthodontic treatment at Beim Orthodontics can be a smooth and simple process.