A Sour Smile is not a Happy Smile From SR Orthodontics

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at SR Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from SR Orthodontics(even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From SR Orthodontics.

The Damon System: Better Results in Less Time at SR Orthodontics

A lot of our patients, (especially you parents!) come to the orthodontist thinking traditional braces are the only answer. Here at the orthodontic practice of Drs. Selke and Reily, we offer the Damon System, a revolutionary new braces system that can give you better results in less time!

Am I right for the Damon System?

Drs. Selke and Reily will evaluate your eligibility for the Damon System, and the procedure can be performed for children and adults alike!

What makes Damon braces better?

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Drs. Selke and Reily can often cut months off of the total treatment time for patients using the Damon System, and less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.
In addition, the Damon System brackets are:

• Cleaner- Damon brackets don’t have the elastic of traditional brackets, and are less prone to all the plaque buildup that your dentist warns you about!

• Discreet- Damon braces are smaller and have fewer parts than traditional brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.

• No tightening- With the Damon system, Drs. Selke and Reily can position your teeth and avoid frequent adjustments. This also reduces the need for complicated tooth extractions or surgery.

If you have been thinking about an orthodontic procedure, come see us at SR Orthodontics for an assessment to see if the Damon System is right for you!

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles, from SR Orthodontics

We at SR Orthodontics want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at SR Orthodontics regularly.

What’s so special about an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" At SR Orthodontics, we hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming orthodontists, both Drs. Selke and Reily started out in dental school and each earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Drs. Selke and Reily decided they wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. They both stayed in school for a few more years and became experts in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Patient Testimonials- SR Orthodontics

Dr. Selke and the rest of the SR Orthodontics team are known for their effective and timely service. Take a look at a few patient testimonials below!




The receptionists are incredibly nice and the wait is always minimal. ~ Laurie W.

Dr. Selke is very friendly and has given 3 of my children great smiles :) The staff at the office in Grayslake has always treated my children and I with great respect and caring. The service is incredible. ~ Bonnie M.

Every time I go to SR Orthodontics I feel very welcomed and the people at the front desk remember my name. I don't even have to sign in, they call me by my first name and make me feel as if I'm their only patient! =] ~ Micheal M.

The service! When I go in I know I'll never wait long! The staff is wonderful, efficient meanwhile being as gentle as possible! ~ Nancy U.