Safety first this winter! From Dr. Cram

Winter is just about here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable and inclement weather. This week, Dr. Cram and our team would like to share a few winter safety tips that we found on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Enjoy!

• Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
• Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
• A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
• It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
• Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
• When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe and sound this winter season. Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Red Deer Orthodontics.

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Stay nice and healthy this busy holiday season. To avoid a cold or flu or if you are currently recovering from being sick, Dr. Cram will tell you one of the most important steps you can take is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Red Deer Orthodontics if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Getting Social with Red Deer Orthodontics

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Cram and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog?

Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

When should you call Dr. Cram?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Cram. 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, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

-Dr. Cram and team

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Cram has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Red Deer Orthodontics on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

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!

Red Deer Orthodontics, reminding you Mother's Day is next Sunday!

Mother's Day -- which falls next Sunday, May 9 -- is special to each and every one of us. Everyone looks forward to this day to let our mom know how special she is to us. As you probably know, the day is typically observed by giving gifts, visiting our moms or taking them out to celebrate. Tell us, what are your special plans on mom's special day this upcoming Sunday?

Out of ideas? Then check out this helpful video about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas. We're sure mom will absolutely love whatever you come up with!

Happy Monday!!

Ask Dr. Cram: What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Cram calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment at Red Deer Orthodontics may be necessary to correct the issue.

Untreated malocclusion can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, chipped and cracked teeth, as well as uneven tooth wear. The most common solution for malocclusion, however, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of the malocclusion. If overcrowding is causing the problem, Red Deer orthodontist Dr. Cram may need to remove one or more teeth as part of treatment.

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results during your treatment. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

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!

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!

What are patients saying about Red Deer Orthodontics?

Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you most liked about Dr. Cram and our team at Red Deer Orthodontics. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Cram and our team love getting patient testimonials!

"Dr. Bob and his team have made our experience very pleasant and stress free." ~ Carey H.

"He is funny and very nice. He answers the questions I have. He explains what he is doing to me. And I just plain like him." ~ Kennady G.

"I have just started my treatment, however, so far he seems to be honest and very knowledgeable. I'm very excited to have straight teeth and my service so far has been very fast and friendly! Thanks so much!" ~ Teresa S.

"I like the way Dr. Cram gets on my daughters level and explains things so that she can understand as well. All the staff are warm and friendly. And we also like Dr. Cram's cartoon voices!!!" ~ Taralee M.

"I love the atmosphere in his office. It is obvious that leadership he provides to his staff is strong by the way people do their jobs, get along with each other and care for their patients." ~ Wayne C.

Have any personal reviews you'd like to share? Please post them here or give us a call!

What do you love about Red Deer Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to our office, Dr. Cram and our team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Cram? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting Red Deer Orthodontics for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call.

Have a great weekend!

All About Dr. Cram from Red Deer Orthodontics

What makes Dr. Cram stand out from the competition is his personable and friendly approach to orthodontics. His employees love his "sense of humor," his "down to earth" personality, his "dedication to patients," his "cartoon voices," and the "fun caring environment" that he creates. He has superior qualifications and stays abreast of the ever-evolving field of orthodontics by attending continuing education courses. He is currently the president of the Canadian Association of Orthodontics.

Dr. Cram is a member of and frequently holds position in the following national and international professional organizations.


--Alberta Society of Orthodontists (ASO)
--President of the ASO (1992-1993)
--Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO)
--President of the CAO (2008-09)
--American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
--Pacific Coast Association of Orthodontists (PCSO), a component of the AAO
--World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO)

Is Invisalign Really Customized for Each Patient? -- Dr. Cram

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next 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. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Cram is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at Red Deer Ortho.

Gummy Tummy -- Red Deer Orthodontics

We know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances. And give us a call at Red Deer Orthodontics to come in and talk about your teeth.

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

Age 7 is the Magic Number for an Orthodontic Check-Up

Many parents assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

What’s so great about age seven? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for an orthodontist to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age 7, give us a call at Red Deer Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Red Deer Orthodontics Patient Reviews

At Red Deer Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing Alberta with the latest orthodontic technology with a personal touch. But don’t take our word for it, see what our patients have to say!My orthodontist is very cool and funny. I like that he explains exactly what he is going to do. He is very conversational and I like to talk.
-Juanita F.

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.

He is very friendly and I liked all his stuffed animals.
-Casey B.

I have just started my treatment, and Dr. Cram is honest and very knowledgeable. I'm very excited to have straight teeth and my service so far has been very fast and friendly! Thanks so much!
-Teresa S.

He is funny and very nice. He answers the questions I have. He explains what he is doing to me. And I just plain like him. :)
-Kennady G.

I love the atmosphere in his office. It is obvious that the leadership he provides to his staff is strong by the way people do their jobs, get along with each other, and care for their patients.
-Wayne C.

Dr. Cram and the staff are very kind and caring.
-Jeff B.

I like the way Dr. Cram gets on my daughters level and explains things so that she can understand as well. All the staff are warm and friendly and we also like Dr. Cram's cartoon voices!!!
-Taralee M.

He's friendly, up to date with technology and easy to deal with.
-Paul L.