The benefits of dairy, from Red Deer Orthodontics

Dr. Cram wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

Braces 101 with Red Deer Orthodontics

Should you need to call Red Deer Orthodontics, in case you sustain any damage to your braces, 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!

--Everyone at Red Deer Orthodontics

Ask Dr. Cram: What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Red Deer Orthodontics found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!



Here’s why:
• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?
Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Cram or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

A great braces-friendly fall recipe! From Dr. Cram

Fall is here, and sometimes we here at Red Deer Orthodontics crave a hot delicious meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) dish that we would like to share with you today.






Pasta Pomodorini

Ingredients:

• ¾ pound spaghetti or spaghetti
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ¼ cup sliced garlic
• ½ teaspoon finely minced Calabrian chilies, or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pint small cherry tomatoes, stems removed, crushed between your thumb and forefinger
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, each torn into 2 or 3 pieces
• Wedge of Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook until the slivers are golden brown and crisp, then add the chilies and cook for about 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Simmer briskly to soften the tomatoes and thicken the juices, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the warm pot off the heat. Add the sauce and the basil and mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and grate Parmesan over the top to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy this great fall dish and have a great week!

--From Dr. Cram and staff

The importance of retainers, from Dr. Cram

If you recently completed treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Cram will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Cram is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact Dr. Cram and our team if you have any questions!

Orthodontic dental insurance 101 with Dr. Cram

At Red Deer Orthodontics in Red Deer, AB, we’re always receiving questions about dental insurance, so we wanted to share a few points about how insurance works in our office. Many dentists in Canada accept assignment of benefits from dental insurance companies, however there are many dentists that do not accept these third party benefits.

Over 95% of Canada do NOT accept assignment of benefits from any 3rd party, including government agencies, such as Cleft Palate Clinic and Native Affairs. Rather, the CAO Standard Information Form is provided to patients to predetermine their benefits prior to undertaking orthodontics. This insurance form has been designed through the joint efforts of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, or CAO and the Canadian Health and Life Insurance Association of Canada, or CHLIA as a means of simplifying and streamlining the process of receiving orthodontic insurance and treatment.

No other form needs to be generated by the orthodontist’s office throughout the remainder of treatment. The CAO Standard Information Form entitles the patient to be reimbursed by their insurance carrier, after each payment is made by the orthodontic patient. All insurance companies in Canada accept this one particular form.

Our team believes that you should have the freedom to choose which orthodontist you wish to work with. At Red Deer Orthodontics, we strive for excellence in all treatment results of patients. Please contact us if you have any specific questions about orthodontic coverage, we are always happy to help!

Happy traveling, from Dr. Cram and team

For many of us, summer is the perfect time to vacation with friends and family. Although many of us do compile a list of items to pack, it is more common than not to forget to bring a few items when hitting the open road or catching a flight. Recently, our team at Red Deer Orthodontics came across an interesting article from ParentsAsk.com that outlined five important tips for summer travel with children. We strongly encourage you to give this article a read if you’re heading out with the family this summer. Here are even more tips you can use to ensure your vacation packing—and the traveling itself—goes as smooth as possible!

Be sure to share your summer photos on our Facebook page! Our team at Red Deer Orthodontics loves connecting with our patients in between office visits.

Happy traveling!

- Dr. Cram and team

Tell Dr. Cram and team: What's on your reading list this summer?

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago, we asked you, our great patients and readers, about your summer plans.

With summer finally here, some of us at Red Deer Orthodontics have been thinking increasingly about the importance of reading. Our staff and Dr. Robert Cram know it’s easier to go play ball or kick back and spend some quality time in front of the television, but reading during the summer is a key step in being prepared for classes in the fall (or work), as well as maintaining your skill level! In fact, a new study has found that the number of books at home might predict children's future.

Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be happy to provide a few titles. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading lists that we came across this morning, thanks to Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Happy reading everyone!

More happy patients at Red Deer Orthodontics!

Dr. Bob Cram and our team at Red Deer Orthodontics deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment here in Red Deer. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what a few of our patients have to say!

"The office is very comfortable, confident my son is getting great treatment." ~ Brian B.

"My kids really liked how kind and gentle Dr. Cram is and how he explained everything to them." ~ Mark L.

"We don't have this kind of service with our other health care professionals." ~ Bill G.

"Has been a family orthodontist for a very long time. Great chair side manner. All staff are friendly during visits." ~ Paul W.

"He is very thorough, explains what he sees and what his plans are, and he has a wonderful bedside manner with the kids. Also, the staff is always smiling and friendly, which makes the kids and the parents feel comfortable." ~ Anita W.

Share your summer plans with Dr. Cram!

We can't believe it's already June. As the school year comes to a close for a lot of Dr. Cram's patients, the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb in Alberta, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a iced beverage. For a lot of our patients, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape every-day life for a couple of weeks. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and other duties.

What about you?

What are your plans for summer? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a vacation or family reunion planned? We want to see when and how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, tell Red Deer Orthodontics about it! If you're going camping, awesome! Even if you're staying at home, that can be fun as well.

Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Talkin' retainers with Red Deer Orthodontics

If you've recently completed your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bob Cram, our entire team would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed successfully, Dr. Cram will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can - and do - shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, you see, provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Cram and our team is the best insurance that the treatment improvements at our office last a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics, we encourage you to read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call at 403-340-8000.

Write a Review of Red Deer Orthodontics!

Whether you've visited Red Deer Orthodontics for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how Dr. Cram is doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Cram create more beautiful smiles in Red Deer and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week!

Fun fact Friday with Red Deer Orthodontics!!

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we know everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that we thought you would enjoy. Happy Friday and enjoy a great weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Ask Dr. Cram: What can I expect during my consultation?

When you first come in for your initial consultation at Red Deer Orthodontics, our staff and Dr. Cram will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.

At your following appointment, Dr. Cram will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Cram can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the consultation. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

The importance of straight teeth, from Red Deer Orthodontics

People ask our staff and Dr. Cram all the time: "Why are straight teeth so darn important?" Well not only does it feel great to have perfectly-aligned teeth, but straightening your teeth can also keep them healthier. Straight teeth are also less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay. And, straight teeth are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are crooked, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Cram can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics.

Your turn! From Red Deer Orthodontics

By now, you’re probably used to our blog process: Week after week, Dr. Cram and our staff write about important topics pertinent to orthodontics and your well-being, including orthodontic treatments offered at Red Deer Orthodontics. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Cram or our team for a while now? Here’s your chance! Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Give us your best shot, and we’ll try to answer any question you may have!

Red Deer Orthodontics, supporting National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Cram and thousands of orthodontists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Cram and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve your periodontal health.

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association, or ADA, has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, there are many options to find new, fresh foods here in Red Deer and surrounding communities.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Resist, resist: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new health favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call! Dr. Cram and our team want to hear from you!

Ask Dr. Cram: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Red Deer Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: cosmetics. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Cram can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Cram would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!

At Red Deer Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

Dr. Cram and our team understand not everyone always enjoys visiting the orthodontist. But at Red Deer Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our practice that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our amiable professional staff? Dr. Cram himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

A great braces-friendly winter recipe! From Red Deer Orthodontics

Spring may be just around the corner, but it's still winter. And it's still cold. Sometimes, nothing satisfies the staff here at Red Deer Orthodontics more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup grated American cheese, 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
• ½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and have a great week!