Braces Q&A with Dr. Gerlein

It might seem crazy, but there are so many rumors out there about what’s good for your teeth, what’s bad for your teeth, why it's so important to have straight teeth, when you should schedule a consultation at Gerlein Orthodontics, and so on. Below are are answers to some of the most frequent questions Dr. Eduardo Gerlein thought he'd answer about braces.

Q: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

A: It is very important to have straight teeth. Teeth that are straight usually allow people to chew and speak better and they also contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better so after having teeth straightened the smile looks much, much nicer and as you know, an attractive smile is a wonderful asset.


Q: When should people call for a consultation?

A: Anytime is a good time for an orthodontic consultation. If your dentist recommends an orthodontic evaluation, if you want to study options for your smile or simply want to learn about what orthodontics can do for you, you are welcome to come and visit us. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic consultation by age 7.

Q: What should patients avoid eating while undergoing orthodontic treatment?

A: At this time of the year, when there’s plenty of candy around, we tend to see a lot of broken braces. Make sure you avoid hard, sticky foods that can damage the brackets or wires. If you feel like candy, enjoy a chocolate bar or an ice cream but don’t bite into any of those hard caramels, jolly ranchers, tootsie rolls, etc.

We hope you found this informational! Happy Tuesday!

Gerlein Orthodontics at the Taste of Friendship Heights

Our staff will be at the Taste of Friendship Heights this upcoming Saturday, from 12-5pm. The event is a celebration of community and cuisine and will include great food from local restaurants, live music, a moon bounce, face painting, balloon sculptures and much more.

We hope you join us on Saturday!

Lastly, Dr. Gerlein and our staff came across an interesting fact last week: Did you know Chevy Chase, MD got its name because of a land dispute? "Chevauchée" was a French word describing a border raid and "chace" was a hunting ground.

Interesting!

12 early signs of orthodontic problems, from Dr. Gerlein

Our staff at Gerlein Orthodontics hope you're having a wonderful Monday! Our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Chevy Chase orthodontist Dr. Eduardo Gerlein for an appointment. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, please give us a call at (301) 951-4114 as soon as possible! Enjoy the rest of your week!

T-shirt contest at Gerlein Orthodontics

This month, our staff at Gerlein Orthodontics are encouraging our patients to design the official Gerlein Orthodontics T-shirt! You can use your creativity at home or at our office during your next visit! We will design our next T-shirt with the winner's design!!

For more information, please give us a call at (301) 951-4114. We hope you had a relaxing and safe Labor Day weekend!