Our Blog

What’s the deal with coffee and tea?

We know a lot of people enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea during their day. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth—especially during orthodontic treatment—because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? We suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

We hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions!

Dr. Rooney is going to be a guest on the “Hey, Coach Tony” show on ESPN 1510 radio this weekend at 9 a.m. You can also listen live via this link. Patients and parents are encouraged to call in with their questions to (855) HEY-COACH or (855)-439-2622.

The “Hey, Coach Tony” show is hosted by coach Tony Fiorino, and is a weekly call-in show for parents and coaches of youth athletes. Tony spent eight years as Director of the Center for Sports Parenting, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents, coaches and officials on the subtleties of the youth sports environment. He also wrote the book, “Kids in Sports: A Tactical Guide for Parents and Coaches. “

On this week’s program, Dr. Rooney will be interviewed about mouthguards, facial protection, and the importance of staying hydrated during athletic activities.

Did you know that dental injuries are the most common types of orofacial injuries in sports? How about the fact that orofacial injuries account for 34% of all sports injuries? It’s estimated that the use of a mouthguard prevents over 200,000 injuries per year in the US: and that’s just in football alone. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, more than FIVE MILLION teeth are knocked out in sporting events each year.

So what should one look for in a mouth guard? Tune in and find out!

Hydration during sports is also crucial. When you exercise, your muscles generate a lot of heat, as much as 20 times its normal temperature. Your body uses water and sweat to reduce its core temperature. As sweat evaporates, it cools the skin. Proper hydration is necessary to keep this process going. When an athlete becomes dehydrated, blood volume decreases, making the heart work harder and decreasing overall performance.

Do you have questions about mouth guards, sports, or hydration? Call in and ask!

Dr. Rooney has officially signed up for The Ironman U.S. Championship Triathlon, which takes place in New York City and New Jersey on August 11, 2012. This grueling race covers 140.6 miles: a 2.4 mile swim in the Hudson, a 112 mile bike ride on the Palisades Parkway, and a 26.2 mile run across the George Washington Bridge and ending in Riverside Park in Manhattan.

The Ironman began in Hawaii as a way to settle the debate over who were the best athletes: swimmers, runners, or bicyclists. Of the 15 people who started the first Iron Man Triathlon on February 18, 1978, only twelve finished. The victor was Gordon Haller, a U.S. Navyman, with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, 59 seconds. The following year, over 50 people competed, and the race has steadily grown since then.

Today, the race is so large, one can only compete by placing in a qualifying event, such as the U.S. Championship which Dr. Rooney is competing in.

Dr. Rooney understands that a healthy lifestyle goes a long way towards a healthy life and a healthy smile.
Even if triathlons aren’t your thing, regular exercise is key to maintaining good health. A study in the Journal of Dentistry found people who exercise regularly have stronger teeth and a reduced risk for developing periodontitis. Even among former smokers, regular exercise reduced their periodontitis risk by 74%.

Regular exercise is also known to lower blood pressure, and decrease risk for cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and even diabetes.
One reason why triathlon training is so great, is that it works every area of the body. Athletes who train for just one sport are more prone to injuries by overworking specific muscle areas. Because triathletes cross-train, different muscle groups are strained and strengthened, increasing fitness overall.

Many triathletes say the challenge of a bike ride after a swim, followed by a long run makes them mentally strong. Doing something you thought you couldn’t makes you feel like you can do anything! Completing an Ironman is such an achievement that just finishing the race earns you the title of Ironman, and the majority of competitors’ only goal is to finish. Here's a clip from the 2009 race, which shows just how difficult the Ironman is.

Whatever your exercise method of choice, just keep moving and flashing that smile!

We’re lucky to have great patients who know how to take care of their braces. They practice good hygiene, stay away from hard, sticky and gooey foods and come in regularly for adjustments.

However, even with the best of intentions sometimes things don’t go as planned. While there are very few true ‘emergencies’ in orthodontics, there are some times when a wire will bend or poke, a bracket will come loose, or an elastic tie can pop off. Your first course of action should always be to call our office. However, if you aren’t able to come in right away, there are easy ways to make your braces more comfortable while you wait for your appointment.

This video shows some common issues with braces, and how to fix them.

Broken brackets: Brackets sometimes beak, bend, or pop off completely. If the bracket comes off and is still attached to the wire, you can use wax to hold it in place and keep your mouth comfortable. Call our office and make an appointment to have it reattached.
Loose bands: Hard and sticky foods are the biggest culprits in bands coming loose. If that happens, call our office right away to schedule an appointment to re-cement the band. In the mean time, try not to play with it, and don’t attach headgear or rubber bands to loose bands.

Poking wires: As your teeth move in your mouth, sometimes the archwire will extend out the back of the bracket and irritate the cheek. If this happens, you can cover the end with wax until you come into the office. Another option is to use the eraser end of a pencil to gently bend the wire in towards the tooth, and away from the cheek.

Sore teeth: It’s not unusual for teeth to be sore after an adjustment or when new appliances are installed. Usually, this only lasts for 24-72 hours. We recommend cold fluids and soft foods. You can also treat it the same way you treat a headache, with the pain reliever of your choice.

Lost ties: Occasionally, the elastic ties that hold the archwire onto the bracket can come off. Call our office if that happens. Often, it can wait until your next appointment. Other times, we can schedule a quick visit to have it replaced.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call the office at 845-621-1222. We’re always happy to answer your questions!