National Orthodontic Health Month

Keeping your teeth happy and healthy during any orthodontic treatment is important. Without healthy teeth, your orthodontic treatment time might need to be extended, or might fail entirely. Tooth health is also important when it comes to post orthodontia. Tooth stains acquired during braces may become permanent, or require costly whitening treatments to remove. With October being National Orthodontic Health Month, Reed Orthodontics wanted to take this time to refresh everyone on some braces basics.  

Brush, Brush, Brush!

We know, we know, you hear this from just about everyone, but we cannot overstate the importance of brushing your teeth on a regular basis when you have any type of orthodontia! This means taking a toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste with you wherever you go, and making a habit to brush as soon as possible after every meal. Food particles can easily get wedged in metal or plastic braces and trapped under Invisalign aligners. The longer these particles stay stuck, the more likely they are to lead to infection. And no one wants an infection!

Watch What You Eat

Caramel, peanut butter, hard candies, and all of the delicious sticky, ooey, gooey things are a big no-no when you’re receiving an orthodontic treatment. Just like not brushing your teeth, these yummy treats can easily get stuck in your braces and teeth leading to halitosis and infection. It’s better to stay away from these sweets and have a braces off party, than pay the price of tooth decay!

Follow Up with Your Follow Ups

Going to see your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks might seem like a pain, but it’s so important! Without frequent visits, something might be going awry in your mouth that could cause permanent damage. Your Orthodontist can spot a problem before it becomes a problem, which is essential to ensuring that your treatment is successful. Because, let’s be honest, there isn’t anything much worse than thinking your braces are coming off and being told that they need to be kept on longer because of an avoidable mistake.

So, if you’re considering braces, let us talk you through the process. We will ensure that you’re up-to-date on all of the new orthodontic tips and tricks to make your time with braces easier, and to make sure that your teeth come out better and healthier than before. Schedule an appointment today!

A Broad History of Orthodontics

Today, more than four million people in the U.S. wear braces. Straight teeth are desirable for both health and cosmetic reasons. In fact, 25% of the people who wear braces in the U.S. are actually adults. Orthodontics have come a long way over the years. In fact, the history of orthodontics dates back further than most people realize.

Early History

The first traces of orthodontics were in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists discovered that Egyptian mummies were so well preserved that some of them still had the catgut or other animal intestines wrapped around their teeth to induce movement. You’d have a hard time convincing someone to use that orthodontic tactic today!

Next, from 700 BC to 270 BC the Etruscans  were worried about having straight teeth in the afterlife. They were so worried that they utilized gold bridges to straighten their teeth after someone’s death.  Now that’s some expensive orthodontia.

The first big step toward modern orthodontia happened in 50 AD. Aulus Cornelius Celsus, an ancient Roman medical writer, transcribed his experimentation with straightening teeth. Though this was attempted by using finger pressure and not with the assistance of braces, his experimentation was the first documentation of attempts at practicing orthodontia.  

The Road to Modern Braces

In 1728 a French dentist named Pierre Fauchard designed the first set of contemporary braces. He used metal and threads as the materials. He also was the first to introduce the concept of examining the teeth and jaw before attempting to straighten the teeth. He referred to his work as “straightening” or “arranging” teeth. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the term “braces” actually came about.

One of the newest advancements in  orthodontics is Invisalign. In 1997, the clear, plastic trays were invented by two people who did not have any dental experience at all! Still, their efforts have been extremely successful and 2.5 million people around the world use Invisalign today.

Orthodontics have come a long way since its origin. Today, people have more options than ever to straighten their teeth. If you’re ready to take the next step to a straight smile, set up an appointment with Dr. Reed today to discuss your options!

Running Shadyside

Reed Orthodontics is very excited to be a part of another great opportunity to get fit and healthy in Pittsburgh while supporting a great cause. Supporting our community is something that we’re very passionate about and we are very proud to announce that we are a sponsor for this year’s Run Shadyside 5K Run and 1mile Family Fun Walk!

Run Shadyside 2015 will be taking place at 8am on Saturday, October 3rd at the intersections of Walnut and Ivy. You can register for the run here. Registration ends September 30th at 8pm. The run / walk has been described as a “fast-moving house tour” of Shadyside’s beautiful streets and architecture. After the event you are welcome to join the Boys and Girls Club and the Shadyside Chamber of Commerce for a celebratory pancake breakfast!

Speaking of the Boys and Girls Club, proceeds from Run Shadyside go to support the programs and efforts of the Boys and Girls Club in Shadyside. A huge part of the Shadyside community for over 100 years, the Boys and Girls Club enables over 900 boys and girls aged 6-17 to reach their full potential.

We are very proud to be a part of this run and are partnering with the PTO at Colfax Elementary School to make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club for every Colfax student who registers and runs. We are also adding a coupon for $400 off the price of Invisalign or Invisalign Teen to the race bag for those who register.

So, please come out for a morning jog while supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Shadyside, enjoying some pancakes, and touring the historically beautiful neighborhood of Shadyside!

We’ll see you there!

For more information about Reed Orthodonitics, please visit www.tinareedorthodontics.com

Choose Your Braces Colors Wisely!

What are the toughest choices you’ve ever made? Was it choosing an elective class? Choosing which sport you want to play? Deciding what to put on your Christmas list?

Nope! We’d argue that choosing the color of your braces is one of the hardest decisions in life! This is an opportunity to express yourself through your appearance, match your outfits with your braces, display school spirit, and generally make wearing braces a little more fun!

But what do different braces colors say about you as a person? Here are our ideas.

Blue

You’re relaxed and you keep your composure when under pressure. You are also reliable and trustworthy. You always think before you speak and act and take the time to process your thoughts before making any decisions.

Red

You are extroverted, optimistic, brave, and confident. You don’t mind being the center of attention and you find a sense of excitement in everyday situations. You have a passion and enthusiasm for life and are not afraid to pursue your dreams and goals.

Green

You’re the type of person who’s always on the move. You also have a keen sense of kindness and generosity. Green also represents Mother Earth, so you may be inclined to have an eco-friendly vibe about you. Green is also the color of good luck! When you outfit yourself with green braces, you are telling the world that you’re a practical, down-to-earth person with a love of nature.

Orange

Orange bands on your braces mean you have a bit of a fun (and sometimes wild!) side. It can also indicate an artistic sensibility. You also are independent and don’t care much about what people think about you. Finally, orange also communicates energy!

Purple

You like to march to the beat of your own drum. You also might have a mysterious side to you. Purple is also the color of royalty! Wearing purple bands on your braces might also tell people that you are sensitive, compassionate and supportive -- and you always put others before yourself.

Of course, you shouldn’t necessarily limit yourself to one braces color. You can get combinations, too! Black and yellow is a Pittsburgh classic, or choose your school colors to show your pride.

You can learn more about Reed Orthodontics at tinareedorthodontics.com. Call us today at 412.369.0600 to make an appointment.

Support Run Around the Square! (And a Special Invisalign Deal!)

If you know us at all, there are two things we’re really passionate about: health and the community. That’s why we’re super proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Run Around the Square charity run in Regent Square.

Run Around the Square is an annual event that raises money to improve the Regent Square community. All proceeds for the race will support the Wilkins School Community Center, the Frick Environmental Center, Regent Square Civic Association, and the Environmental Charter School.

You can register for one of the three race options here -- whether you want to do the full 5K, the 1.5-mile run/walk, or even the 1.5-mile run/walk with your family dog, you know you’ll be supporting a good cause. The race will meet at 8:15 am on Saturday, August 22 at the Environmental Charter School (7604 Charleston Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA US 15218). If you plan on going, make sure you share the Facebook event with your friends as well! In addition to the race experience, participating humans will get t-shirts and participating dogs will get free scarves! And of course, if for any reason you can’t participate in the run, you can also contribute by volunteering (you’ll get a t-shirt for that as well!).

As a sponsor of Run Around the Square, we’re also offering a special deal for participants! When you register, you can access to the event’s Virtual Bag, which features lots of great deals from local businesses. We’ll be offering event participants a $400 discount off of Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment!

You’ve probably heard of Invisalign -- they’re those “invisible” braces made up of custom-molded aligners that gently move your teeth into place, with absolutely no metal! You can learn more about Invisalign on our blog.

So if you’re up for a run and available in the morning of August 22, we’d love to see you there! Have a great run, everybody!

You can learn more about Reed Orthodontics at tinareedorthodontics.com.

Eliminating Crowded Teeth with an Expander

If you have overcrowded teeth or a crossbite, which are common issues in teens and adolescents, an orthodontist might recommend a palatal expander. Often times, once a patient finds out what an expander is, they get a little scared. These appliances require the patient or a parent to turn the expander themselves, which can feel a little daunting at first.

When someone has a crossbite or overcrowded teeth, it’s necessary to expand the arch of the mouth. The expander is attached to the upper arch of the mouth using rubber bands that are placed around the teeth or bonded to them with plastic. (Although removable expanders do exist, the fixed ones tend to be more effective -- and much more difficult to lose!)

It’s Not So Bad!

Although any orthodontic treatment will have some initial discomfort (and expanders are no exception), the expansion of the upper arch is usually quite painless. You may experience some pressure in the roof of your mouth, behind the nose, or between your eyes while your expander activates. However, in a few minutes, you’ll feel back to normal!

For the first few days wearing your expander, you also might speak differently or “slurp” a bit due to some extra saliva that might be produced. You might also notice a space opening between your upper central incisors -- this is exactly what we want! When your treatment is over and the expander is removed, this space might close again on its own -- this is fine. As long as the underlying bone remains expanded, you’ll be fine. Finally, after treatment, you may experience a “loose” or “sore” sensation in your front teeth -- again, this is completely safe and normal.

Adjusting to...Well, Adjusting

When you first get an expander, taking some key preparation steps can go a long way. When you go grocery shopping, find some foods that don’t need to be chewed much: yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, and ice cream are all great options. After two or three days after installation of the expander, a normal diet should be fine. However, particularly hard or sticky foods should still probably be avoided -- they tend to get stuck in the expansion screw.

Finally, we’d also like to mention that each patient’s expansion treatment will be slightly different. Some palates need to be over-expanded -- that’s why the initial appointment is so important. After treatment is complete, you’ll have to wear a retainer to stabilize the results.

Learn more about orthodontic treatment options in North Hills and Greater Pittsburgh Area!

Where to Get Ice Cream in the North Hills

As if you needed yet another reason to celebrate summer, July is National Ice Cream Month! Yes, your favorite creamy, sugary treat is, in fact, braces-friendly -- so if you have that craving this summer, feel free to indulge with some friends or family.

We thought we’d take this special month as an opportunity to round up ice cream options in the area, near our new office in the North Hills:

Sincerely Yogurt

4885 McKnight Rd

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Okay, so maybe it’s not exactly ice cream -- but some good frozen yogurt can be just as refreshing and delicious as actual ice cream. Sincerely Yogurt on McKnight Road features a self-service frozen yogurt bar (you pay by weight), so you can mix and match toppings and flavors to your heart’s desire. Some cups even have dividers, for those who hate getting their flavors mixed. Try their original, strawberry, cinnamon roll, and peanut butter flavors!

Joezeppi’s Frozen Treats and Homemade Ice Cream

915 Mount Royal Blvd

Pittsburgh, PA 15223

This little gem on Mount Royal Blvd. features great prices and service. Come hungry, though! This family-friendly shop is also known for its pretty hefty serving sizes and a selection of other treats. Try their upside-down banana split (served in a bucket), and their large variety of toppings, fruits, and syrup flavors.

Bruster’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Yogurt

493 Lowries Run Rd

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Whether it’s their delicious homemade ice cream (with real ingredients) or  their milkshakes (made with any of their flavors), Bruster’s on Lowries Run Rd. is a great choice for your summer snacking needs. Their mint chocolate chip, raspberry, chocolate, and double chocolate chunk flavors are particularly good. Ask them about their free frequent visitors’ card and their summer ice cream day camps!

Kool Cones

8130 Perry Hwy

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

With their homemade soft-serve and their divine hard flavors, Kool Cones is a surprisingly charming stop along Perry Hwy. According to our “investigators,” the red velvet cheesecake flavor is a must-have, with its large chunks of cheesecake! Other favorites include their raspberry soft-serve and peanut butter soft-serve varieties. Also, keep in mind that their portions are pretty generous, although reasonably priced.

Learn more about Reed Orthodontics today!