Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush This Holiday Season

Everyone here at Surrideo Orthodontics understands that with holiday goodies everywhere you look, keeping your braces clean is exceptionally difficult this time of year. But keep in mind, making sure you properly clean your teeth is even more important when you have braces and should not take a back-seat in the run up to the New Year. Here are some tips to keep in mind when brushing up your holiday grooming routine:

1. Don’t forget your toothbrush. Even though it is a busy time of year don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. This is the most effective way to keep your teeth healthy. Whether is be an all day shopping spree or a week-long trip to a sunny destination, make sure to pack your toothbrush. Designate a special container for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

2. Floss that turkey away. Flossing helps prevent plaque and tartar build up, both of which can cause gum disease. Regular floss works for some patients but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

3. Leave the Cookies and Candy Canes for Santa. Try to avoid over-indulging in sugary and starchy foods which generate plaque acid and can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease. Stay away from sticky, chewy sweets like caramel and candy canes which can cause wire damage and break off brackets.

4. Hold the fizz. Try to avoid too many fizzy drinks this holiday season. The real danger of fizzy drinks is the acid, it dissolves the enamel of your teeth making them sensitive, prone to decay and can even make them more yellow.

5. Get thee to a dentist! It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Make sure to check out our Oral Hygiene tips and Patient Information page on our website at www.calgarybraces.com

The Clear Alternative to Braces®—Now for Teens!

Invisalign Teen used the same Invisalign technology as adult aligners, moving teeth gradually with each set of clear, comfortable plastic aligners. But because teens are constantly on the go, Invisalign teen has added a few special features:

•Blue wear-indicators fade from blue to clear to help your teen gauge wear time.

•Six free individual replacement aligners are included with Invisalign Teen to replace lost or broken aligners.

•Designed to compensate for the growth of new teeth and molars.

Aligners are removable so patients can continue to eat their favorite foods and brush and floss normally to help keep teeth and gums healthy. Best of all, Invisalign Teen works so teens can smile with confidence and so can their parents!

Invisalign – Straighten your Teeth with the Clear Alternative to Braces

Many of our new patients tell us that they'd like to improve their smile but they don't want to wear braces. They are looking for something that will suit their lifestyle, won’t be as obvious as metal braces, and will be comfortable and easy to keep clean.

With Invisalign, we can offer patients the alternative they are looking for. Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without traditional brackets and wires, using aligners. With Invisalign, you can get the smile you want, discreetly and comfortably.




What are Invisalign Aligners?
Aligners are a clear and removable orthodontics solution which are custom-made for you, and only you. Because they are removable, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Also, there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.


How do they work?
Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place.
· You wear each set of Aligners for about two weeks.
· Remove only to eat and drink, brush and floss.
· Your teeth will move gradually each week.
· Visit us every 8-10 weeks.


What is an Invisalign Preferred Provider?
Invisalign Preferred Providers have achieved a level of clinical training and experience in treating patients with the Invisalign system. At Surrideo Orthodontics, we have the experience and training you can rely on.

Myths About Braces

There is so much information out there about braces and orthodontics that it is sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction. We decided to set things straight by highlighting some of the most common misconceptions.

Myth: I am too old to get braces.
Fact: Adults can get braces at any age. In fact, approximately 30 % of our current patients are adults ranging from 18 – 71 years of age!

Myth: After your braces are ‘tightened’, your teeth hurt so much you can’t eat for a week.
Fact: The days of 'tightening' your braces are gone! Today’s braces don’t have elastics tying them together. They use a slide mechanism that doesn’t require as much force or friction be applied to the teeth. New technologies and flexible wires mean there is significantly less discomfort associated with tooth movement. These days, you can have straight teeth with minimal discomfort.

Myth: Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
Fact: Today's braces may be nearly invisible, made from clear plastic, or unseen, mounted on the back (lingual) side of the teeth.

Myth: I can’t play a musical instrument if I have braces.
Fact: Yes you can! That is, if you could play a musical instrument before you got braces.

Myth: I need a referral to see an Orthodontist.
Fact: No referral is required! Anyone can have a consultation with an Orthodontic Specialist.

Myth: Braces will set off the metal detectors in airports.
Fact: No worries! The lightweight materials used in braces will not affect metal detectors.

Myth: Once I get my braces off, my teeth will stay straight forever.
Fact: Teeth move throughout one’s lifetime, therefore it is important to wear retainers as prescribed by your orthodontist to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

The Damon Difference

The days of getting your braces “tightened” are over!

With traditional braces, the archwire is tied in with elastics. This causes friction and pressure on the teeth, making treatment slower and less comfortable.

With the Damon System, no elastics are used. Instead, passive self-ligating brackets allow you to experience treatment without tightening. The brackets use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, allowing teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably.

This means that far lighter forces are applied to teeth, reducing friction, delivering faster treatment, greater comfort, and consistent high-quality results. With the Damon System, most cases can be treated without extractions and a full, natural 10-tooth smile awaits you at the end of treatment.

Damon System Braces deliver more than straight teeth – they are a gateway to greater confidence, a better self-image, personal and professional advancement – a new and better you!

We Look Forward to Seeing You Smile!

At Surrideo Orthodontics, our doctors are experts at giving you the smile you've always wanted. Dr. Warren Cohen and Dr. Chung Yue are certified specialists in orthodontics providing the most advanced and comprehensive orthodontic care for patients of all ages.

Our team is dedicated to exceptional patient care and committed to staying current with the latest technological advances. We will work with you to find the orthodontic solution that best fits your lifestyle while taking into consideration treatment time, aesthetics, and the health of your smile.

We use state of the art Damon System braces that use less friction to provide quicker and gentler tooth movement. We are a Preferred Provider of Invisalign, the clear removable aligners. We are also one of the few offices in Calgary to offer Incognito Braces, the "hidden braces" which are placed behind the teeth. Keeping on the forefront of technological breakthroughs, we use OrthoCad IQ, a digital and 3D computer imaging system, which provides increased precision and decreased treatment time.

We hope that you will feel at home in our conveniently located office in South West Calgary. You will find a comfortable and friendly atmosphere where you can help yourself to complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water, as well as a wide selection of Nintendo DS games, and wireless Internet access.

We look forward to posting blogs on current orthodontic topics and staying connected with our patients, colleagues, and anyone interested in finding out more about Getting Things Straight!

Welcome to the Surrideo Orthodontics page!

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Look forward to seeing you soon,