Our cosmetic dentists offer patients, young and old, excellent general, restorative and cosmetic dental treatments, including dental crowns, composite fillings, and dental implants. We are especially proud to offer the Invisalign® teeth straightening system, Zoom!® teeth whitening and LUMINEERS® porcelain veneers. These treatments can beautifully remedy cooked, stained or flawed teeth. https://images.plurk.com/2jaxiyizMdKFwkQtY7kvcC.jpg

If you brush and floss before you eat, there will be much less plaque. The less plaque in your mouth, the easier [it is] for your saliva to get to your teeth and neutralize the acids from the food you eat that can cause decay. https://images.plurk.com/7nj0Nnhzg2ipNzkXJavsVB.jpg

Avoid dental decay

Visit your Orlando dentist at Orange Dental Associates regularly! https://images.plurk.com/18GGqB4Ye6Q7RzL5p7vvkp.jpg

Prevent Cavities!

Happy MOUTH, Happy BODY!!

Give yourself a big hug!

Keep calm and keep on brushing!

Dr. Shrager & Associates Serving Central Florida With a Walk-In, One Stop Dental Experience!

At Orange Dental Associates, Dr. Joe Shrager and our entire team believe strongly in offering all our patients superior care and an unmatched standard of personal attention. Our entire dental staff is committed to treating each patient in as complete and customized a manner as possible.

Our cosmetic dentists – serving Orlando, Kissimmee and Central Florida patients – offer general and restorative dental treatments, including dental crowns, composite fillings, and dental implants. We are especially proud to offer the Invisalign® teeth straightening system, Zoom!® teeth whitening and LUMINEERS® porcelain veneers. These treatments can beautifully remedy cooked, stained or flawed teeth. Indeed, we can dramatically improve the appearance and health of your smile.

To learn more about how you can achieve a smile makeover, contact a cosmetic dentist at Orange Dental Associates’ Orlando office today. We can help you obtain the brilliant smile that you deserve.

Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

Take the following steps to prevent tooth decay:

• Take good care of your own oral health.
• Take good care of your baby's teeth.
• Birth to 12 months. Keep your baby's mouth clean by gently wiping the gums with a clean baby washcloth. 
  After the first tooth appears, ask your child’s doctor if your baby is getting enough fluoride. Use a just a smear of fluoride toothpaste (or an amount about the size of a grain of rice).
• 12 to 24 months. Brush your child's teeth at least 2 times a day. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste on the brush (or an amount about the size of a grain of rice). The best times to brush are after breakfast and before bed. Since the fluoride found in toothpaste is clearly meant to be swished but not swallowed, make sure to help or watch the child while brushing. When she is old enough, tell her to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.​
• Never put your child to bed with a bottle or food. Not only does this expose your child's teeth to sugars, it can also put your child at risk for ear infections and choking.
• Give your child a bottle only during meals. Do not use a bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier or let your child walk around with or drink from them for long periods.
• Check to see if your water is fluoridated. If your tap water comes from a well, your child's doctor or dentist may want to have a water sample tested for natural fluoride content. If your tap water does not have enough fluoride, your child's doctor or dentist will prescribe an appropriate fluoride supplement if your child is at increased risk for tooth decay.
• Teach your child to drink from a regular cup as soon as possible, preferably by 12 to 15 months of age. Drinking from a cup is less likely to cause the liquid to collect around the teeth. Also, a cup cannot be taken to bed.
• If your child must have a bottle or sippy cup for long periods, fill it with water only. During car rides, offer only water if your child is thirsty.
• Don't let your child eat sweet or sticky foods, like candy, gummies, cookies, or fruit roll-ups. There is sugar in foods like crackers and chips too. These foods are especially bad if your child snacks on them a lot. They should only be eaten at mealtime. Teach your child to use his or her tongue to clean food immediately off the teeth.
• Serve juice only during meals and limit it to 4 to 6 ounces per day. Also, juice is not recommended for babies younger than 6 months.
• Make an appointment to have your child see the dentist before age 1 if you have any concerns, see any problems, or need more information.

 http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Preventing-Tooth-Decay-in-Children.aspx

Smile More, Feel More Confident

A white smile doesn’t just indicate healthy teeth and gums; your dental health also plays a significant role in how confident you feel. Think about it -- if you’re self conscious about your smile you’re not going to feel very good about interacting with others. With that in mind, we turned to psychologist Ann Demarais, Ph.D., and dental hygienist Kristy Menage Bernie, to get the scoop on why having a great smile matters – and how to get your pearly whites looking their brightest.

Great smile = confidence

Research shows that the better you feel about your looks, the better you feel about yourself, explains Demarais. "When your teeth look white and sparkly, you can relax, be in the moment and laugh. You are more confident and radiant," she says, adding that the mere act of putting your mouth in the shape of a smile changes the blood flow to the brain and actually makes you feel happier. The fact that smiling itself boosts your mood has a further positive impact because smiling has a contagious effect. "When you smile, others are more likely to smile back, and are more drawn to you, thereby increasing your confidence and happiness even more."

Smiles and perception

You might not realize it but whether or not you're smiling can have a significant impact how others perceive you. Having a radiant smile sends a huge positive message to those around you, Demarais explains. It tells people that you are happy to be in their presence, and it creates an optimistic feeling in others. When you smile, people are more likely to assume you have positive qualities -- they perceive you as more sociable, trustworthy and intelligent, compared to when you aren't smiling. So whether you're at a party, in a job interview or simply walking down the street, the fact that you're smiling will work to your advantage.

Poor smile confidence

Being unhappy with your smile usually means you don't do it very often – which means you aren't reaping the benefits outlined above. People who avoid smiling usually do so because they are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. They may feel that their teeth aren't as white as they'd like, or that their teeth have lost their youthful sheen, which can make them feel ashamed about the appearance of their smile. When this happens people fall out of the habit of smiling or they do a closed-lip grin, which comes across as awkward or not genuine. "Most people are not aware of how important a smile is in how others perceive them or in how they feel about themselves," says Demarais.

Best whitening options

There are really only two options for optimal, long-lasting tooth whitening – and both are achieved by seeing a dental professional, explains Bernie. The two options are in-office whitening with a light (such as Zoom!) or laser treatment, or professionally dispensed whitening gels for use in custom trays. It is critical to consult a dental professional before any whitening process, for a few reasons. Whitening agents can only work when external stains, plaque and tartar have been thoroughly removed (which your hygienist can do), and a visit to your dental hygienist and an examination by your dentist will assure that your teeth and gums are healthy, as well as provide you the best options to whiten your smile.

Daily smile care

Research has shown that using sonic power toothbrushes can maintain whitening results and keep surface staining from forming, Bernie says. And it turns out we need all the help we can get. Studies have confirmed that we tend to spend 24 to 60 seconds on our oral hygiene and a mere 10 to 20 percent of us floss regularly and effectively. "With those statistics, it is clear that power brushes will dramatically improve daily plaque removal," she says.
It's also important to avoid habits that will stain your teeth such as tobacco use and consumption of coffee, cola or other foods and liquids that cause the teeth to pick up stain. Bernie also stresses the importance of routine visits to your dental hygienist to remove hard tartar or stains, which will ensure that you not only have a white smile but also a healthy smile. Your hygienist will also be able to recommend an optimal whitening option for you.
http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838185/a-healthy-smile-means-healthy-self-esteem

How much FLUORIDE should your child get?