National Orthodontic Health Month

During the Halloween season, the most pressing question we hear from our patients is, “What can I have that’s fun to eat on Halloween?” To avoid harming your braces, stay clear of the following treats, or recipes with these ingredients, as they could lengthen treatment time:

• All hard candies • All chewy candies • Caramel • Nuts • Licorice • Taffy • Jelly Beans • Hard Pretzels • Bubblegum • Popcorn • Taco chips • Ice

For alternatives, look for foods that are softer, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups. Candies that are sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy are generally out. Of course, as usual, it’s vital to keep your teeth, gums, and braces clean in order to maintain good oral hygiene. Remember to brush and floss after any Halloween treats!!!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. We have all been touched by breast cancer somehow, either by a friend or family member. The Cancer Project is a great resource for those with cancer. The Cancer Project has made it their mission to educate people affected by cancer with nutritional information that can help reduce the risk of a recurrence. The research   provided show that diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, along with other healthy lifestyle choices are what reduce the risk of the recurrence. The Cancer Project has classes in our greater Phoenix areas that offer cooking classes, research and press releases, and even recipes! Here is the link to the Cancer Project if you are interested in learning more www.cancerproject.org.

Here is some helpful information for anyone you know who’s going through Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Treatment. Our Orthodontic Practice Rep, Roz, is also a Medical Rep for a Specialty Oncology Pharmaceuticals company.  Roz can provide patients an oral rinse product (MuGard),  by making it available through their medical provider.  MuGard can help prevent, protect and treat patients with Oral Mucositis (mouth sores), a common symptom for those going through treatment.

Below is a link with more information on MuGard.  Please feel free to share this link with anyone who you believe would benefit from the information.  Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to Roz by phone (602-762-6262) or by email (roz@directmedx.com) with any questions, etc.

http://www.mugard.com/

Back to School with Braces

Summer vacations are coming to an end. After having a great time and lots of fun in the sun, the new school year is here!! It’s a fun time seeing all your friends, sharing your summer stories… and we do not want your braces getting in the way.  Serrano and Kyger Orthodontics would like to share with you some tips on how to take care of common orthodontic emergencies, so you can all smile in style!!

1- If you have a loose band or bracket you can place wax over it if it is bothering and if it comes completely off just save it for us.

2- In case of a loose wire, you can try putting it back in place with tweezers. If that does not work for you, use a nail clipper to cut your wire behind the last tooth where the wire is securely fastened. If it still bothers you a little, place some wax over it.

3- Pokey wires… Those are not fun… If you have one, try using the eraser on the back of your pencil to tuck it in. That should do the trick.

4-  When a colored elastic tie comes off, let us know at your next visit.

5- Feeling sore teeth or gums? For the first, use some Tylenol or the medication you are used to taking at home. For sore gums, a warm salt water rinse does wonders. Also remember to keep up with good brushing.

6- And last but not least, in the event you have a loose appliance in your mouth, place wax on it so it does not bother you and give us a call!! We will be happy to help!!

And just a reminder, we have a section on our website (www.SKorthodontics.com) to help you with orthodontic emergencies.

Hope you all have a wonderful school year!!

Check out this video on orthodontic emergencies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMmre-jSb6o

Turner’s Syndrome

Dr. Serrano recently participated in an event for children affected by Turner Syndrome. Turner Syndrome is a genetic condition. This syndrome effects only women and can led to many complications among some of them are vital organs, hormones, the lymphatic system, and (Dr. Serrano’s specialty) teeth. This event was put together by a non-profit organization that helps bring together families in Arizona that are looking for answers and support for themselves and their children that have Turner Syndrome. Some of the questions that Dr. Serrano covered during the event were the types of orthodontic treatment that is available for children with Turner’s and the dental precautions that need to be taken with orthodontics and dental care. Turner syndrome can cause abnormalities in tooth development such as: reduced tooth size, thinner enamel, as well as a greater risk for root resorption during orthodontic treatment. Dr. Serrano is one of few orthodontists in Arizona that specialize in treating patients with Turner Syndrome. For additional information you can visit the Turner Syndrome Society website www.turnersyndrome.org/ or contact Rzieba@yahoo.com for information on our local group.

Teen Invisalign

What a better way to start off the New Year then with a new smile. Did you know that Invisalign offers Teen Invisalign? You can take them out as needed as long as you are wearing them the prescribed number of hours each day. Since Invisalign Teen aligners are comfortable and smooth, it’s easy for you to keep doing the things you want, like football, soccer, field hockey, and basketball. You can remove them to eat your favorite foods and you can brush and floss with ease. And since they are invisible, no one will know that you are straightening your teeth!!

How Can Early Detection of Sleep Apnea Help You?

Beginning early in my residency I have been interested and intrigued by the effect of compromised nasal breathing on the development of the facial form and the alignment of the teeth and bite.  Much has been published in our orthodontic scientific papers about the shape of the palate, facial proportions and yes the difficulty of treating my patients when nasal breathing is compromised.

A lot of our interceptive treatments deal with dealing with the early detection of these facial changes and appliances that restore some of the effects. Appliances like expanders, headgears, herbst and face masks all have an orthopedic type correction intended when used as instructed.

Sometimes improving the airway by diagnosing and treating enlarged tonsils and adenoids is hugely effective in combination with the orthopedic appliances.

Recently more and more interest in the medical community about the effects of compromised airway and sleep disturbances (also known as sleep disordered breathing) is being studied. Conclusions are being reached that associate these sleep disturbances with ADHD, bed wetting, tiredness and a drop in cognitive levels.  The levels of sleep apnea   (stopping breathing for more than ten seconds on multiple times an hour and dropping of oxygenation of the blood) are being discovered in snoring children.

We continue to be sensitive to compromised airway symptoms in our younger patient population and vigilant in referring for consultation or testing of these Sleep Disordered Breathing findings. Dr. Serrano is board eligible with the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry

In addition we have been treating our adult patients with Oral Appliance Therapy. Our patients usually have significant symptoms of sleep apnea and we confirm their clinical findings with either referral to a sleep center for overnight testing. Or we administer a much more convenient home test for confirming the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Our patients report the appliance therapy has literally changed their life as the symptoms of apnea are reduced.

If you are interested in being tested or treated for OSA ask for an exam.

http://www.sleepapnea.org/info/index.html

The Dangers of Snoring

Snoring is caused by the airway narrowing or even occluding during sleep.

What causes snoring?

Snoring is caused by a narrowing of the upper airway during sleep.
However, the most common cause of narrowing of the upper airway is a tongue muscle that becomes too relaxed during sleep. When relaxed, the muscle is sucked into the back of the throat with each breath taken.

Snoring occurs when air travels faster through a narrow tube than through a broad one. This rapidly moving air causes the relaxed soft tissues of the throat (tonsils, soft palate, uvula or excessive flabby tissue) to vibrate. It is this vibration that created the sound of snoring.

Is snoring harmful?

Problem snoring, in which the tongue is completely sucked against the back of the throat and blocks breathing, can pose serious health risks.

Symptoms of snoring:

Gasping, irregular or stopped breathing during sleep
Hypertension/high blood pressure
Diabetes
Morning headaches
Extreme daytime sleepiness
Memory deficit
Depression
Nighttime reflux/heartburn/GERD
Nocturia
Increased ricks factors for snoring:
Genetics
Gender (more common in men)
Large neck (>15.7” women, >16.9” men)
Obesity (BMI >30)
Diagnosis of hypertension
Excessive use of alcohol, sedatives and tobacco

Prevalence of snoring:

Sixty percent of men and 40 percent of women between the ages of 41 and 65 are habitual snorers. Snoring increases greatly once people reach the age of 35.¹

Snoring is common in children aged 2 to 7, particularly at times of upper respiratory tract infection when the tonsils enlarge.²

Women in the third trimester of pregnancy commonly experiences problem snoring.³

Snoring is linked to:

Hypertension/high blood pressure
Strokes
Cardiovascular disorders
Diabetes
Obesity
Dementia
Depression
Reflux/heartburn/GERD
Nocturia
Insomnia
Nocturnal asthma/COPD
Impotence

1. Young T, Peppard PE, Gottlieb DJ. Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002.

2. Ali NJ, Pitson D, Stradling JR. Natural history of snoring and related behavior problems between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Arch Dis Child 1994.

3. Santiago JR, Noliedo MS, Kinzler W, Santiago TV. Sleep and sleep disorders in pregnancy. Ann Intern Med 2001.

Brace Friendly Halloween Recipes

October is National Orthodontic Health Month. It is also the month we celebrate Halloween. When you think of Halloween, you think of ghosts, goblins, witches and CANDY.  Patients often ask what they can eat. We want our patients to enjoy this fun holiday with their family and friends, so we have found these yummy brace-friendly recipes to share with you.

Orthodontic Friendly Recipes