Salins Orthodontics, wishing you a relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend is a time when Americans everywhere stop and remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives for our country.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2011, and for many folks in Northern California getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom means sweet, sweet relief. At Salins

Orthodontics, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting the great open roads or hanging out in your backyard this weekend, we want to know about it!

Have a nice and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

“My son is turning 7 – when should we visit for a consultation?”

Great question! Our team at Salins Orthodontics will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages 9 and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened at our convenient Union City and South San Francisco offices no later than age seven for Dr. Salins to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! We invite you to give us a call 650-952-1010/ 510-475-4153 if you have any questions about your child’s treatment and have yourself a relaxing and wonderful weekend!
You may also ask our team at Salins Orthodontics on Facebook!

Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods we at Salins Orthodontics want you to avoid while you’re wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you’ll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you’ll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you’re wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Salins Orthodontics at the 2011 AAO Annual Session

At Salins Orthodontics, our greatest goal is to help you achieve a healthier, happier, more confident smile. Dr. Salins is a lifelong learner, and spend countless hours every year to acquire and share the knowledge, skills, and expertise that directly benefits you, a member of our patient family.

One of the ways we provides a “complete” orthodontic treatment experience for our patients is by attending important seminars and conferences. One of these gatherings — the American Association of Orthodontists’ Annual Session in Chicago this May– is an educational event that is one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world – and one that allows us to stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, in turn, allows us to give you, our wonderful patients, the best treatment experience possible. Our team will be attending the event this year, which runs from May 13th- 17th. We are excited to attend, and look forward to sharing news and photos from the event once we return!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month

At Salins Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a free consultation to Salins Orthodontics. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation?

We proudly provide traditional braces and Invisalign Teen for today’s image-conscious teens.
We invite you to give us a call to schedule a free consultation or ask us on Facebook!