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!

Happy Earth Day!

Whether lending your helping hand to plant trees or grasses or getting out volunteering in various projects across NYC, today is our opportunity to get involved in making our year-round impact in the community.We want to know: Did you make a difference today? Tell us, what Earth Day-related activities did you accomplish? How long have you participated in helping our community and planet?

At Bronsky Orthodontics, we support Earth Day, which marks its 41th anniversary today and is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our environment and ecosystem. If you’d like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain our ecosystem, try these helpful environmental tips, courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Enjoy!

Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods that our team will ask 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 Bronsky Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Flossing with Braces 101

Our team will tell you that keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and could possibly reduce your treatment time.

Here is a very concise video explaining the proper way to floss your teeth with braces. Give Bronsky Orthodontics in Park Avenue and TriBeCa a call if you have more questions about flossing. Enjoy!

Dr. Bronsky Meets with MME Consulting

In our continued commitment to patient comfort and orthodontic excellence, our team at Bronsky Orthodontics places a great deal of emphasis on staying at the cutting edge of technology and communication. The orthodontic technologies we use, and our website and social networks are all examples of this. Recently, Dr. Bronsky met with the MME Consulting team from California, who have recently partnered with us to overhaul and upgrade our office computer system. We are excited about the recent upgrades, and continuing to provide the highest level care to you, our patients.

Happy Friday everyone!

The Braces Glossary: Your Guide to Brackets, Bands, and More!

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Bronsky Orthodontics, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Bronsky Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give us a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

What Will YOUR Smile Look Like After Orthodontic Treatment?

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Our team loves to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Using the tool will also earn you a free orthodontic consultation coupon, which can be redeemed at Bronsky Orthodontics by yourself, a family member or friend.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!

Congratulations to our iPod Winner!

Congratulations to May Wyeth for being the winner of a new iPod Nano! Thank You everyone who participated in celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month and "liking" our office. Look to our blog for upcoming contests and a chance to win more!

Don’t Forget Your Dental Checkups!

While you’re in orthodontic treatment, proper oral hygiene is critical. Braces and orthodontic appliances can be more challenging to brush and floss around, but an effective daily routine will help ensure the best possible results when your braces come off! While we can help you learn the best methods for oral hygiene with braces, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit your regular dentist every six months (or as recommended). Because your dental health is important to us, we'd like to remind you to keep up to date with your dental exams and cleanings.
Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, as your dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, Detect cavities and early signs of decay, and treat other oral health problems early.

Oral exams usually involve checking the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been in to your dentist in the last six months (or as recommended), schedule an appointment right away. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us!

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Bronsky Orthodontics, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Bronsky Orthodontics encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why the doctors and team at Bronsky Orthodontics of uptown and TriBeCa thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be a great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. 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 our Park Avenue or TriBeCa offices today. Finally, don't forget about our iPod Nano giveaway going on all month long! Stay safe and have fun!

In Case of An Emergency

Please be aware that any of the following are expected during your time of treatment and we have listed some advice on how to become more comfortable during non-office hours.

Please be advised that emergency appointments are primarily scheduled for the following morning due to appointment length and availability.

If something is poking
You can use wax or sugar-free gum to place on the spot that is poking for immediate relief.
If the back of the wire is poking into your cheek, you can cut it with sterile nail clippers.

After cutting the wire or placing wax/sugar-free gum on the poking area, call during work hours (8am-6pm) and we would be glad to schedule an emergency visit for the following morning.

If you have a sore in your mouth
You can use wax or sugar-free gum on the area that irritates your cheek or lip.
Rinse with warm sea salt water (1 tsp sea salt per 6 oz of water) in the morning and at night to heal the sore area.

If the sore does not resolve in 7 days, please call during office hours (8am-6pm) and we would be glad to schedule an emergency visit for the following morning.

If something is loose
If you can remove the bracket, feel free to do so; if not, you can place wax or sugar-free gum on the area.

Please give our office a call during office hours (8am-6pm) and we will try to get you an emergency appointment for the following morning.

If the chain broke
This is not an emergency. You can call during office hours (8am-6pm) and we will get you in as soon as we have availability.

A broken chain should not cause any form of pain but you can use wax or sugar-free gum in any sore areas.

If the bracket is moving on the wire
If you can remove the bracket, feel free to do so; if not, you can place wax or sugar free gum on the area.

Please give our office a call during office hours (8am-6pm) and we will try to get you an emergency appointment for the following morning.

In case something fell off
This is not an emergency. You can call the office during office hours (8am-6pm) and we will get you an emergency appointment for the following morning.
This should not cause any form of pain but you can use wax or sugar-free gum in any sore areas.

In case of an accident
Call our after hours line and the doctor on call will be able to direct you to the right medical attention.

Do's and Don’ts with Braces

Foods:

Acceptable:
Soft (ex: pudding, mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream)
Do not bite into anything, but you can cut it up (ex: fruits, vegetables, pizza, bagel, sandwiches)
Chocolate (ex: a plain candy bar, cake, cookies)
Corn not on the cob
Meat stripped off the bone

Unacceptable:
Gum
Chewy/sticky (ex: caramel, laffy taffy, starbursts, sour patch kids/worms, tootsie rolls, gummy bears, air heads, twizzlers, steak)
Hard (ex: potato/corn chips, pretzels, lolly pops, nuts, jolly ranchers, ice)

Daily Living:

Do's:
Play sports (we suggest using a mouth guard – we are happy to provide one if needed)
Study/work
Play musical instruments
Go through airport security

Don’ts:
Bite on pens
Bite your nails
Try to open bottles or any other items with your teeth
Chew on meat bones

How To Take Care of Your Braces

Mouth Wash:
Prior to flossing or brushing, we recommend that you use mouth wash to kill the bacteria in your mouth. After killing the bacteria, you will want to floss then brush to remove the dead bacteria from your mouth.

Flossing:
It is highly recommended that patients with braces floss their teeth prior to brushing. We suggest flossing at least once a day.

When flossing with SuperFloss or the floss threader, place the floss under the wire, make sure the floss goes underneath the gum line and is flossed on both the right and left side of the tooth. Then pull the floss down and out from under the wire. Make sure to floss all teeth, even the molars in the back.

While on the run, if you find that you have food stuck in between your teeth, you can quickly go to the bathroom and use a Proxabrush. This compact instrument will help to relieve any food build-up around the brackets and on the teeth. Place the Proxabrush under the wire and move up and down on each side of the bracket to remove the excess food.

Please expect to spend 10-15 minutes when flossing.

Brushing:
It is highly recommended that patients with braces brush their teeth for 2 minutes in the morning, at night before bed and after each meal.

When brushing your teeth with braces you need to brush above and below the brackets as well as in a circular motion to include the gum. It is recommended to use a dime size amount of tooth paste with a soft tooth brush.

Enter for a Chance To Win an iPod Nano!

During February we want to reward you for helping us celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month by giving away an 8 GB silver iPod Nano. It’s as easy as logging onto your or your parent’s Facebook account and going to our Bronsky Orthodontics page and “liking” our office.

Don’t worry we did not forget all of you that are fan’s of our page, you are already entered for a chance to win.

The winner will be contacted via e-mail or phone on April 1, 2011.

For any additional questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail Elisa@bronskyorthodontics.com.

At Bronsky Orthodontics, easy access to your account information

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at our offices In Park Avenue and TriBeCa enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, 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.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater New York City area!

Check out this App designed by one of our patients!

One of our patients at Bronsky Orthodontics designed this new app for the iPad...take a look by clicking the image above!