Orthodontic fun facts, from Dr. Ginsberg

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Ginsberg and our team thought you might enjoy. • 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.

The benefits of dairy, from Dr. Ginsberg

Dr. Gerald Ginsberg wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) 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.

Need a New Year’s Resolution? How about a healthier, more beautiful smile?

2012 is here, and it's a great time of year to get started on a lifetime of straight, dazzling and confident smiles. Dr. Gerald Ginsberg offers some of today's most innovative orthodontic technologies that can straighten your smile in less time than you ever imagined. Not only do today’s braces and other orthodontic treatments straighten teeth quicker, they also offer greater comfort for the patient and require fewer visits to our office.

So if obtaining a healthy, beautiful smile is one of your New Year’s resolutions, we invite you to give us a call to schedule an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Ginsberg.

Are you wearing your mouth guard?

With winter sports right around the corner, many patients of Dr. Gerald Ginsberg will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields and courts for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Dr. Gerald Ginsberg and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this fall and winter, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps! Dr. Gerald Ginsberg and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook. Stay safe!

What Will YOUR Smile Look Like After Orthodontic Treatment?

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Dr. Ginsberg loves to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Ginsberg, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Using the tool will also earn you a free orthodontic consultation coupon, which can be redeemed at our office by yourself, a family member or friend.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!

Dr. Gerald Ginsberg and team want to know: what should we blog about this summer?

Last week, you might recall, we asked you about your summer plans. Today, however, we thought we'd write another summer-related post. With summer finally here, our staff at Gerald Ginsberg DDS strives to continue blogging about topics related to braces and your treatment with Phoenixville and Plymouth Meeting orthodontist Dr. Gerald Ginsberg.

To help us continue blogging through the course of the long summer, however, we'd love your help: What would you like us to focus on our blog this summer? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Ginsberg for a while about your treatment and just haven't found the right time or opportunity? This is your chance! Give us your ideas by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Happy Tuesday and have a great rest of the week!

What are patients saying about Dr. Gerald Ginsberg?

Dr. Gerald Ginsberg and our dedicated team deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment, serving Phoenixville, Plymouth Meeting and surrounding communities here in Montgomery County. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"Dr. Ginsberg is a very easy going nice guy. He truly cares about his patients." ~ Julie B.

"He is very good with kids!" ~ Dan L.

"Dr. Ginsberg and his staff are very talented, professional, and accommodating to busy families." ~ Katie G.

"Very impressive. Eloquent - intelligent - well equipped with information - on the ball - knows what he does well - knows his patients and can easily diagnose a problem. My wife and I were very much impressed on our first visit. His assistant was rather good too. Good luck to them and their business." ~ Sherley M.

Access your account anytime at Gerald Ginsberg, DDS

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Patients of Dr. Ginsberg's have access to their account, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on our web site. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this service:

"Allowed me access to information that I didn't have before and let me double check my appointment time." ~ JiSun L.

"This saves me a great deal of time. It is difficult to make phone calls during the day, as I home-school my three children. With this website, I can check information on my time, which is later in the night." ~ Jennifer B.

"I can see my balance. I can see my next appointment." ~ Hannah K.

"I've been able to share my progress to distant relatives using the electronic version of my Invisalign movement." ~ Jessica L.

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the team at Gerald Ginsberg DDS if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Ginsberg: When should my child come in for a check-up?

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Ginsberg, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

Ok, you say, what’s so great about age seven? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Ginsberg and our team 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 to schedule an appointment.

What helps you relax at Gerald Ginsberg, DDS?

Dr. Gerald Ginsberg understands people aren't always thrilled to see their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Gerald Ginsberg D.D.S. that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our friendly staff? Dr. Ginsberg himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call! Have a great week!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Gerald Ginsberg D.D.S.

You already knew that Dr. Ginsberg was a certified Invisalign provider, but did you know he provides Invisalign Teen treatment as well?

For many teens, Invisalign Teen offers a trouble-free, clear alternative to traditional braces; and not only that, but it offers them the chance to have straight teeth without losing self-confidence!

Invisalign Teen works in the same way as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Ask Dr. Ginsberg: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Dr. Ginsberg and his team work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Ginsberg and team can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Happy New Year from the entire team at Gerald Ginsberg D.D.S.

Happy Holidays from Dr. Ginsberg and team!

The holidays are here, and as Dr. Ginsberg and his team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay safe and warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--The team at Gerald Ginsberg Orthodontics

Who can benefit from Invisalign®? Dr. Ginsberg has the answer...

Part of what makes Invisalign work is that it's available for just about everyone, Dr. Ginsberg says. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Ginsberg and his team 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. Ginsberg 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!

Patient reviews for Dr. Ginsberg

Dr. Ginsberg and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, our office, which serves Phoenixville, Plymouth Meeting and surrounding areas, has been getting some pretty great testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Tuesday!

"What's not to like! He is professional (always very busy) but very kind and considerate. His staff is fantastic!!!!! We are extremly pleased with all services received thus far!!! Thank you very much!" ~ Maria D.

"The office staff is fabulous. I recommend you to everyone. My family and friends always comment on the results my daughter achieved. It took 4 years, but we never felt rushed about getting her braces off. Thanks again." ~ Rhonda P.

"Everyone was very nice and professional. Any questions I had were answered and appointments were on time without a long wait." ~ Colleen K.

"Very knowledgeable and open. Dr. Ginsberg explained the treatment plan and period in detail. Flexible communication options, such as online accounts, text messsaging, etc. are in line with busy schedules." ~ Robert T.

"The practice is extremely organized and gets results. They are wonderful with the kids and make sure they understand what is happening step by step. This eliminates any anxieties or fears. The experience is actually fun for the kids most of the time. All of the employees seem to be in sync with each other and there never appears to be any tension. It's a team atmosphere and it shows from the moment you walk through the door." ~ Scott W.

Ways to stay young & healthy, from Dr. Ginsberg

Whether you’re five or 50, your health depends on your awareness of what’s good for you. But in a world filled with fad diets, blaring advertisements, and unintelligible ingredient lists, we at Gerald Ginsberg Orthodontics know it can be difficult to determine exactly what is good for you – and what’s not.

For straightforward guidance on how to live a long, healthy life, we recommend Brush Your Teeth! And Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy by Dr. David Ostreicher. The book sums up good health in six fundamental principles: hygiene, diet, attitude, exercise, sleep and personal safety.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience as an orthodontist and professor of health and nutrition, Dr. Ostreicher definitively answers age-old debates, like the best way to prevent colds and flu (your mom was right: wash your hands). He provides straight talk on a variety of diet choices including salt, fats, carbs and organic food, and he documents the importance of regular sleep, stress reduction and positive thinking to your overall health. His suggestions throughout are simple, clear, and inexpensive.

Dr. Ostreicher advocates a back-to-basics, common-sense approach to staying young and healthy. We at Gerald Ginsberg Orthodontics couldn’t agree more, and we’d like to repeat the title of his book as our favorite piece of advice: don’t forget to Brush Your Teeth!

Who benefits from braces? Everybody, says Dr. Ginsberg

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore, says Dr. Ginsberg. Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

--Dr. Ginsberg and team