Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Absecon, Brigantine, Somers Point, Marmora, and Wildwood, NJ areas!

Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

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. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Brayces Orthodontics 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, please give us a call.

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with our team, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Brayces Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

When should you call Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty of chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Finger sucking or other oral habits
• Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
• Speech difficulty
• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding teeth
• Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
• Facial imbalance or asymmetry
• 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,

-Brayces Orthodontics

Tackling sports injuries with Brayces Orthodontics

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Brayces Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund are trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Brayces Orthodontics.

At Brayces Orthodontics, what puts you at ease?

Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting 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 Brayces Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund?

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

Ask Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Brayces Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund 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. Bray & Dr. Pfund would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Burning Invisalign® questions, with Brayces Orthodontics

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Brayces Orthodontics.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit Brayces Orthodontics during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Brayces Orthodontics will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Kids getting braces at a younger age

Dr. Bray will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for us to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from Brayces Orthodontics

Trust us when we say our staff knows there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Brayces Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

What’s on your summer reading list?

With summer in full swing, some of us at Brayces Orthodontics have been thinking more and more about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Drs. Bray & Pfund would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

With Dr. Bray & Dr. Pfund, 24/7 access to your account

At Brayces, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? 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!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Congratulations to our Fathers Day Contest Winners!

Recently “BRAYCES” Orthodontics held a contest to honor their patients’ fathers. It was well received. Winners included: Louis and Alexis from the Marmora office who like to wrestle with their father, Louis. Ava from the Absecon office who has many different pastimes she enjoys with father, Bill. And Elizabeth from the Somers Point office who enjoys riding “her” Harley with father, Edgar. Check out all the photos on our Facebook page, and be sure to "Like" us to stay up to date with news and events at Brayces!

Invisalign - How It Works

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign manages to straighten teen without using braces at all? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at Brayces Orthodontics at all five of our New Jersey offices. We also have plenty of resources on our web site to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call today to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Meet Dr. Bray

Dr. Robert Bray received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton and later attended the University of Maryland School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Bray went on to obtain his Certificate of Orthodontics at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, completing his Masters in Science at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry the following year with a major course in genetics.

Dr. Bray is the current president of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). As president, he also facilitates meetings with the American Dental Association and the Dental Specialty Group, which includes periodontists, pediatrics, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oral and maxillofacial radiologists, oral and maxillofacial pathologists, public health dentists, pediatric dentists, endodontists, and general anesthesiologists. Dr. Bray is also involved in chairing the Board of Trustees, an international board made up of eight components across the United States and Canada.

Facilitating relationships with foreign orthodontic societies has been a goal of Dr. Bray's and has led to meetings between the American Association of Orthodontists and the Australian Orthodontic Society, British Orthodontic Society, European Orthodontic Society, Japanese Orthodontic Society, Chinese Orthodontic Society, Taiwan Association of Orthodontists and the Indian Orthodontic Society.

An active member of the community, Dr. Bray has served on Shore Memorial Hospital's Howard S. Stainton Society and Shore Tomorrow fundraising campaigns for over 16 years. In 1998, during his service to the Shore Health Enterprises, Dr. Bray served as the secretary. Previously a trustee on the Shore Memorial Hospital Board he also held the position of treasurer/assistant secretary during the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 terms. Presently Dr. Bray is vice chairman of Shore Memorial Hospital's Executive Committee.

Dr. Bray is an avid supporter of education. He has served on the Brigantine Board of Education, including working as the president of the Board for eleven years. Dr. Bray continues to serve as an Associate Clinical Professor at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry in the Orthodontic Department and a visiting professor at the Eastman Institute of Oral Health, Rochester, New York.