2011Sweet SwapCandy Exchange

Thank you to all our wonderful patients and families who donated their Halloween candy to the troops. The event also benetted Smiles Change Lives- an organization that provides low-income families the opportunity to get necessary orthodontic care. We gave away some great prizes and enjoyed seeing our awesome patients!

14
Januar y 2012

ISSUE

MONTHLY JOURNAL OF BURLESON ORTHODONTICS

SpectacularSmiles
this issue
Plaque Fighting Foods P.1 Invisalign Facts P.2 Diabetes and Oral Health P.3 2011 Sweet Swap P.4

A New Years Resolution You Can Keep

42 Plasma TV Winners!
Pam H. and family rang in the New Year with a brand new Plasma TV. Want to join in the fun? Simply refer a friend or family member to our o ce and you will be entered in our great giveaways!
We all know the drill: in late December, we resolve to make our lives better in the coming year with the best of intentions, only to nd on March 1st that the resolution was forgotten many weeks ago. This year can be di erent! Resolve to achieve the healthy and beautiful smile

No Toothbrush? Try These Natural Plaque Fighters

Out with friends? On the road? Sometimes, carrying around a toothbrush to keep your pearly whites pearly white isnt so easy. When brushing and ossing isnt a convenient option, you can still keep your teeth and mouth clean and feeling fresh, simply by eating delicious, healthy food. An apple a day keeps the doctor away and tooth decay, too! This goes for most crunchy fruits and vegetables as well. Apples, carrots, and celery are just a few examples of foods that require extra chewing which produces saliva, neutralizing bacteria that can cause cavities. Use natural acidity. Limes, lemons, and oranges contain a natural acidity which helps increase the production of saliva to wash away the food you have eaten. Follow up with a drink of water to remove any excess citric acid though, as this can also eat away at your teeths enamel. Protect your teeth and gums with gum. The xylitol in sugarless gum helps to prevent plaque, aids in producing saliva, and can help remove food stuck to your teeth after a mealPlus, chewing sugar-free gum keeps your breath smelling great! Be green with tea. Green tea contains substances called catechins that kill the bacteria in your mouth that turn sugar into plaque. So, instead of reaching for that can of soda, steep some green tea instead! Be green with tea. Green tea contains substances called catechins that kill the bacteria in your mouth that turn sugar into plaque. So, instead of reaching for that can of soda, steep some green tea instead! Say cheese! Cheese, which is low in carbohydrates and high in calcium, provides several benets to your teeth. It helps to balance your mouths acidity level, preserves and rebuilds tooth enamel, prevents plaque, and produces saliva, which kills the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Keep it hot with wasabi. Isothiocyanates, the substance that makes wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, can also inhibit the growth of cavity causing bacteria. It packs a punch, but a bit of wasabi on your California roll can help keep your teeth plaque free. Water, water, water! Drinking water keeps your gums hydrated and is the best way to stimulate saliva, your body's greatest defense against the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. If you cant brush after eating, the most important thing you can do to prevent cavities is rinse your mouth with water.

Spectacular Smiles Issue 14 January 2012

you always wanted- it will be a resolution you can actually keep! Easy and Convenient Keeping a resolution does not have to be a monumental task! All it takes to get on your way to the smile you have always dreamed of is a phone call to set up your complimentary consultation. With our team of talented doctors and sta who are always available to answer your questions, extended hours to accommodate your busy schedule, and the newest technology available, it has never been easier to achieve a goal. This is a goal you can start
4151 N Mulberry Dr, Ste 210 Kansas City, MO 64116 (816) 929-6916 phone (866) 253-1590 fax www.BurlesonOrtho.com

working towards today- call our o ce to talk about your options with our friendly o ce sta .
4151 N Mulberry Dr, Ste 210 Kansas City, MO 64116 T : 816.929.6916 F : 866.253.1590 www.BurlesonOrtho.com

Thank you for your referrals!

RECENT REFERRALS :

VIP MEMBERS (3 or more referrals)

Sean Sumpter Nicolas Black Emily Ngo Krista Evans

Invisalign: How it Works

One of the most exciting innovations at our practice is Invisalign, a special technology that allows us to give you a straighter, healthier smile using clear aligners instead of more invasive treatment with braces. One of the most common questions we get from patients is how Invisalign treatment works, and how it differs from traditional orthodontic treatment. using a state-of-the-art proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and ossing when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap! Throughout the course of treatment, you will wear these clear aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer to their nal, perfectly aligned position. Your teeth will be steadily straightened by your aligners with no one knowing youre wearing them! Questions to Consider While Invisalign aligners can be more convenient than traditional braces, good oral hygiene is still crucial during your treatment. To ensure good hygiene habits throughout treatment, ask yourself the following questions: 1. Invisalign works by gradually straightening your teeth through a series of clear custom-made plastic aligners that are virtually invisible. Before beginning your treatment, we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth Am I eating with my aligners on? Its still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat. 2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? Though it's not necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean. 3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

Diabetes and Oral Health - What You Should Know

Nearly 250 million people across the globe are affected by diabetes, and that number is growing by 7 million per year. As diabetes becomes more commonplace, its important to be aware of the health complications involved. While its well-known that diabetes is linked with heart disease, stroke and other ailments, many people dont understand that oral health is compromised in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Following are some FAQs to help acquaint you with the issues: What types of oral health problems are common in people with diabetes? Uncontrolled diabetes results in a higher risk for tooth decay, taste impairment, gum disease, fungal infections such as thrush, dry mouth (a condition of reduced saliva), and slow or poor recovery of gum tissues after dental procedures. Smoking exacerbates these risks; please talk to us if you are having trouble quitting we can offer resources to help you. If my diabetes is well controlled, am I still at risk? Those whose diabetes is well controlled are at the same risk level as people who dont have diabetes. Thus taking control of your diabetes is a key factor in maintaining good oral health. What do I need to let your office know about my diabetes? As with any overall health concern, let us know about the situation so we may take it into consideration as we plan your dental care. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, let us know. We need to be aware of how you are controlling the disease, what medications you are taking, and the contact information for your diabetes doctor. Depending on the state of your oral health and what treatments we are planning, we may need more detailed information about your diabetes. What do I need to let my diabetes doctor know about my oral health? If you have any type of dental treatment planned, talk to your diabetes doctor about it. In some cases, your doctor may instruct you to delay any non-emergency dental work until your diabetes is better controlled. If you need oral surgery, check with your doctor about the need for medications or adjusting your eating and insulin schedule. Does diabetes affect the occurrence and severity of gum disease? Diabetes increases the risk of infection throughout the body. Periodontal disease more commonly known as gum disease is an infection of the gums and bones that anchor your teeth. People whose glucose levels are poorly controlled are at a higher risk for gum disease than those whose levels are well controlled. They also experience more severe cases of gum disease, because the healing process happens more slowly due to the diabetes. Can gum disease affect blood sugar levels? Recent research points to a two-way relationship between diabetes and gum disease. In other words, while diabetes increases the risk of gum disease, gum disease may affect the ability to control blood sugar levels and thus advance the development of diabetes. Also, gum disease can result in loose or missing teeth, which makes it difficult to maintain a balanced diet. What are the signs of gum disease? Watch for red, sore, swollen or bleeding gums, loose teeth or dentures, sensitive teeth or gums, bad breath, and receding gums. Its possible to have gum disease without all the symptoms, so if you suspect there may be a problem, call us immediately.

Patient Spotlight

TWO REFERRALS
Nikolas Ru ni Michelle Atkinson Katherine Wald Icil Gittings Kaitlyn Roos Bryan Shockey Johnny Conforti Alex Benton

Travis Geier
Travis is a ninth grader who stays busy doing the things he loves. He currently is a member of both the Jr. High and High School Jazz bands playing alto saxophone. He takes lessons once a week at UMKC. He additionally performs with the 5-Star Jazz Band, which recently showcased their talents at the Briarcli Lighting Ceremony. Travis also spends time working on his baseball skills. He is a pitcher for the Regal Bandits and takes lessons on pitching and for core training on a weekly basis. When Travis is not practicing for jazz band or baseball, he spends some time helping others in need, and has volunteered for the Harvesters Organization. Travis also loves biology and is currently taking an Honors Biology class. He plans on using this knowledge to someday pursue a career as a physician. We are very lucky to have such talented and generous patients. Thank you Travis!

ONE REFERRAL

Riley Covington Lauren Woelk Anthony Garcia Emily Williams Brandon Reed Shane OGrady Ti any Coleman Madeline Sharpe Anthony Palacio Rylie Estes Katie Pohl Kelsey Coulston DAmonte Stewart Garret Prendergast Natalie Rigdon Gabriella Hernandez Payton Stan eld Annie Dow Mandi Turner Shawn Lloyd Mackenzie Nelson Tyson Cathy Amelia Pelaez Tristan Wald Endia Ashby Karen Lindsay Kaitlyn Morris Zachary Ohrenberg McKenna Hill

How it Works

If you have any questions about Invisalign, please give us a call. Wed be happy to answer them and help you consider your options.

DEAR DR. BURLESON...

I love the experience I have at your o ce...Everyone always remembers my name!

This Months Q&A Braces Tips

Q: I am missing a tooth. What can I do? We understand that you may want the space left behind by a missing tooth dealt with on the way to your new spectacular smile. Here are just a few of the options about which you should speak with your general dentist: 1) Close the space. If you and your general dentist agree that this is the best option for you, we can use braces to close the space left behind by a missing tooth. 2) Place an implant. An implant is a tooth-like replacement that is surgically placed into the remaining bone where a tooth is missing. Certain patients are not candidates for implant placement, so make sure to speak with your general dentist about this option. 2) Replace with a bridge. A bridge involves your dentist preparing the two teeth around the area of the missing tooth and placing two crowns connected together by a fake tooth- or pontic- in the middle.

-David S.

BurlesonOrtho.com