What Type of Floss is Best?

If you’ve visited the dental care aisle recently, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming. We often have patients ask us which floss is the “best” type of floss. In essence, all of the options on the market today do the same thing, and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. We’ve listed a few of the options below.  

Flossers: Flossers are small plastic instruments with a single floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers come in flavored varieties as well. They are a great “on the go” option.

Gentle Dental Floss: Some people will find that regular dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, several options are available that have soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, gentle floss is just as effective as regular floss and an ideal match for anyone looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing.

Flavored Dental Floss: Flavored dental floss will freshen your breath while you floss! We suggest flavored dental floss if it prompts you to floss your teeth regularly.

Of all of the options, it is difficult to choose the absolute best type of floss.  However, our team feels that the type of floss that works best for you, giving you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing, is the ultimately best choice. For more information on floss, or flossing with braces, ask us at your next appointment. There are many ways to make it both easy AND effective.

Bad Breath & Braces

After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth properly. Simply doing a quick job brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth in great shape, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles leftover after you eat, and this sneaky bacterium creates an unpleasant odor.

We certainly understand bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it happens to most of us. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath (or know someone who is) is to determine the root of the problem. The most common factor for bad breath our patients is almost typically caused by poor oral hygiene.  It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack or at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you aren’t able to 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 having a snack.

If you're new to braces, or simply want to improve your dental hygiene, just ask us for a few helpful tips at your next appointment, we're here to help!

March Charity of the Month

It’s hard to believe we’re already in the third month of 2018! We’re excited this month to talk about a great local organization, the Harbor Dental Society. All of your check ins on Facebook this month will help generate donations for this worthwhile cause.  

The Harbor Dental Society was founded in 1915 by a small study club of ten dentists in the city of Long Beach. It has grown to include more than 700 dentists in 28 cities in the Los Angeles Harbor area. The Harbor Dental Society is comprised of local dentists who are members of both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA).

The Harbor Dental Society has a strong commitment to improve the dental health of the communities that it serves. The Society was a major force in establishing the Children's Dental Health Clinic in 1931 and spearheaded a twenty-year fight for fluoridation in the Long Beach water system.

What started many years ago as a small study group of dentists has grown to embody the commitment of our member dentists to the dental health of all children we are able to serve. Please join all of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists in supporting this wonderful local organization during the month of March. 

Have a Loose Wire or Bracket?

We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact Pediatric Dental Specialists as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

In an emergency, you can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain until your appointment.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us at (562) 377-1375 immediately if you experience any issue with your braces. 

Eating With Braces

Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

Chewy foods — bagels, licorice

Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice

Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum

Hard foods — nuts, hard candies

Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks

Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts

Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice

Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats

Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes

Crowd Pleasing Game Day Recipes

If you're still searching for a few more snacks to add to your Super Bowl menu, we've got two that will be sure to score with your friends & family.

Hot Ham & Cheese Party Rolls

• 1 can refrigerated pizza crust
• 1 lb. deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved)
• 12 slices Swiss cheese

     Glaze:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
2. Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board. Press into an approximately 13x18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face side down. Cut into 12 slices. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. 
3. Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and glaze is smooth. Pour evenly over the top of the rolls.
4. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden brown. 

Tip: Make these rolls a day ahead! Refrigerate rolls up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to warm up the glaze so you're able to pour it on top of the rolls!

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

• 1 bag frozen meatballs (any brand)
• 1 jar chili sauce
• 1 can jellied cranberry sauce

Directions:

1. Add chili sauce and cranberry sauce to a medium mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix ingredients until semi-smooth.
2. Add half the bag of meatballs to your crockpot. Top with half of the sauce mixture. Repeat with remaining meatballs and sauce. 
3. Cook on low until heated through, typically 3-4 hours. 

This crowd-pleasing favorite can easily be adapted for a larger group! Just double the recipe and increase your heating time to 5-6 hours. In a time crunch? Heat meatballs and sauce on your stovetop until warm. Transfer to your crockpot for a quick, delicious addition to your game day party!

Beautiful Smiles Lead to Beautiful Speech

Let your smile help your words flow!

A smile is often worth a thousand words, especially for the many people who struggle with speech problems. Sadly, many people get in the habit of keeping their mouths closed and keeping their words inside because of a variety of dental or orthodontic issues. The good news is that Pediatric Dental Specialists not only can help you light up the world with your beautiful smile, but Drs. Cervantes, Cortez, Planells, and Sanchez may be able to help correct problems that exist in your facial structure that lead to several speech problems.

In order to create speech, the parts inside our mouths have to work together to form the sounds we use for communication. If the teeth, tongue, and palate are misaligned, patients may experience difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. These mispronunciations may be thought of as cute in toddlers, but for older children and adults who suffer with this speech problem, it is a hardship that can lead to self-confidence issues later in life. Orthodontic treatment can correct this misalignment and facilitate correct speech pronunciation patterns.

Another common speech disorder related to misalignment is called a lisp, which exists when a person is unable to make specific sounds. Many preschoolers lisp as they learn speech patterns. However, pediatricians recommend an orthodontic evaluation if the child lisps as he or she begins elementary school age. Again, orthodontic treatment may be able to correct the structural misalignments that lead to lisping.

A third form of speech problem occurs when you slur your speech. Often, slurred speech is categorized by the poor pronunciation of words, change in speed or rhythm during talking, or mumbling during speech. Sometimes people slur their speech because the structure of the jaw or placement of teeth restricts the movement needed to speak clearly and distinctly. Orthodontic treatment may be just the tool to help people speak clearly, distinctly, and fluidly.

Though orthodontic treatment might not result in a remedy for all speech problems, many people who struggle with speech problems benefit from orthodontic treatment. Come in today to discover how our talented doctors and caring staff can give you a beautiful smile that frames beautiful speech.