The Blog of Wendy Katz, DDS

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mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:07:05 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts!

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:18:21 +0000

Our team at Innovative Orthodontics wants to know: Will you be wearing your green this Saturday? Whether Irish or not, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with toasts, parades and “the wearing of the green.” Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day we know you will enjoy:
• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.
• The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”
• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia
• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.
• St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.
If you have something special planned for St. Patrick’s Day, let us know by posting a comment on our Facebook page.

Adult Orthodontic Treatment at Innovative Orthodontics

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:24:38 +0000

Are you unhappy with the way your teeth look? What are you waiting for? This is the best time to consider straightening your teeth. At Innovative Orthodontics, we have many options available today that were not around 30 years ago. You say you don’t want braces or metal mouth. Invisalign or a series of clear plastic trays can be used to move teeth. No one will know you’re having your teeth corrected. It could be for functional reasons; you have a bite problem, tooth wear or need some tooth replacements. It could be for cosmetic reasons, crooked, overlapped or worn edges. We have braces that are metal or tooth colored. We even have braces that go behind the front teeth (lingual)! There are many choices to consider. Some modalities may be more appropriate for certain issues.

I’ve never heard an adult say they’ve regretted their decision to do something to benefit themselves. Most adults say they never wanted braces, but after the fact they are extremely glad and proud of themselves. Face it, we live in a society that places heavy emphasis on looks. Why not strive for a perfect smile?

Technology helps shave off treatment time of braces. You may need treatment as short as 6 weeks for minor crowding to 15 months for most adult treatment. Don’t wait! Make the commitment for self improvement now. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be done. Your straight beautiful smile will give your ego a huge boost and you’ll have highest confidence. Your contagious smile will show off your happiness to the world.

-Dr. Wendy Katz and our team

How do I prevent tooth decay during my treatment?

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:24:20 +0000

Great question!
If you are brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment with, we think that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.
Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.
If you have any questions, please be sure to ask our team during your next adjustment appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

President’s Day Fun Facts!

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:26:31 +0000

Monday was Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents’ Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called “20-year curse,” in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Valentine’s Day and your teeth, from Innovative Orthodontics

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:08:42 +0000

Valentine’s Day is here and there is a lot of candy making the rounds this week. It’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, please call us as soon as possible.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Innovative Orthodontics!

Ask Dr. Katz: How long does orthodontic treatment take?

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:46:38 +0000

Your smile is totally unique, so the time you’ll need to spend undergoing orthodontic treatment will also be unique. Generally, orthodontic treatment will take about two years, and this is for good reason. During this time, your teeth will slowly move into their desired positions, leaving you with a great smile with as little discomfort as possible. Rushing treatment can result in a less than perfect smile with a greater chance of tooth movement after your treatment is complete. At Innovative Orthodontics, we don’t want to waste your time with treatment that won’t retain your smile for the rest of your life.

Of course, treatment time will vary depending on your specific situation. Very minor tooth movement may only take a few months to correct, while serious malocclusion (poor bite) may need more than two years to correct. Only Dr. Wendy Katz will be able to accurately estimate the time your treatment will take. But trust us—it’ll all be worth it in the end!

Has your child or teen visited Innovative Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help him or her begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:56:02 +0000

Each February for the past 62 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign Teen, which is removable, make it easier for kids to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Wendy Katz is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited us lately? Give our office a call and schedule an appointment!

The benefits of a beautiful smile

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:23:04 +0000

Dr. Wendy Katz and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Innovative Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Ask Dr. Wendy Katz: “I got my braces. Now what?”

mynetworks0031@sesamecommunications.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:33:50 +0000

We love when patients ask us that question! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did prior to your orthodontic treatment.

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is whyDr. Wendy Katz and our team at Innovative Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; just ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Dr. Wendy Katz and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Marietta office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting Innovative Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below or on our Facebook page. You may also give us a call!