Smile! June is National Smile Month!

According to the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Bronsky Orthodontics to support National Smile Month this June.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.

* Floss every day to clean between your teeth.

* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Bronksy, Matos and Moon.

* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call.

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces at our office, and our team has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.

• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy!

-Your friends at Bronsky Orthodontics

Happy Memorial Day!

It's Memorial Day weekend, 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 New York City, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom means sweet, sweet relief. At Bronsky 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!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month

At Bronsky 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 consultation at our Park Avenue and TriBeCa offices. 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 for today’s image-conscious teens, and invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Bronsky Orthodontics at the 2011 AAO Annual Session

At Bronsky Orthodontics, we are very proud to serve so many families in our community. Our greatest goal is to help you achieve a healthier, happier, more confident smile. Our team are both lifelong learners 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 provide 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 weekend- 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. Dr. Bronsky will be attending the event this year, which runs from today through Tuesday. We are excited to attend, and look forward to sharing news and photos from the event once we return!

Celebrities get braces, too!

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Drs. Bronsky, Matos & Moon!

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give us a call.

Play it safe this spring, from Bronsky Orthodontics

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Bronsky, Dr. Matos, Dr. Moon and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
Wear a helmet
Wear protective eyewear
Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact your Manhattan Orthodontist. Stay safe and have fun!