Braces Come in Different Shapes

I know that title sounds odd, but it's true! An orthodontist from Omaha just patented a new fun way to wear braces - as hearts, stars, soccer balls, you name it! Here's the whole story:

Omaha orthodontist Dr. Clarke Stevens tries to run a fun practice.

He keeps videos running in his office. He holds contests. One day, he noticed an 8-year-old patient's little heart necklace. "I thought, 'You know, it would be cute if she had hearts on her teeth'."

So he found a manufacturer to make brackets for braces in shapes. He started in 2001 with hearts and stars. Then he added soccer balls, footballs, flowers and diamonds to the patented WildSmiles Braces lineup.

They're popular with kids, he said, but some adults opt for them, too. Women in their 40s have chosen them. Two 50-year-old guys picked footballs.

The company now sells the braces around the world — they're big in South America — and has representatives in Dubai, London, Australia and Spain, Stevens said. About 460 doctors now use WildSmiles, which he said are made in the United States.

Shaped brackets might add $35 to an orthodontist's costs, he said, but most don't pass that on to patients.

Another Invisalign Patient Testimonial

How to Beat Bad Breath

Yup, you read it right, how to beat bad breath is the topic of the week. I know that it's not the most elegant thing to write about, but that doesn't change the fact that it's important. Here are some quick tips on how to tackle any bad breath problems:

• Gargle with water.

• Brush your teeth, tongue, roof of your mouth, and gums at least twice a day with toothpaste.

• Floss your teeth once each day.

• Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

• Eat less meat.

• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products, such as snuff or chewing (spit) tobacco.

• Avoid foods and drinks that cause bad breath, such as garlic and alcohol.

Tooth Spas in London

Yes, you read the title of this post right. I was scanning the local news about Invisalign and how it has become the huge topic of conversation these days, and found that oral health is now the new big "fad" in London! It turns out, that dentists are getting together and offering their services in much the same way as nail salons with what they call walk in "Tooth Spas."

It's quite an interesting idea. Instead of walking into a nail salon and getting your nails painted, you can step into a tooth spa for a teeth whitening or a "gloss and shine." One noted Tooth Spa in London is called Toothplace. Though this seems like a great idea, my only fear is the level of expertise that can be provided in a walk-in environment. The health of your teeth will effect the overall health of your entire body, so it's important, when choosing an orthodontist or dentist, that you don't take it lightly.

What are your thoughts on this new fad?