Meet Marisa, our new orthodontic assistant (RDA)

Some of you may have noticed a new face in our office the last time you came in for an appointment. We would like to introduce you to our newest staff member, Marisa.

From the first minute we met with Marisa, we felt comfortable with her outgoing and friendly demeanor. She has a wonderful down-to-earth inviting personality that makes everyone feel like they have known her for years. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is willing to go out of her way to help others.

Marisa is a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and has worked in the orthodontic field for over five years. Her favorite orthodontic procedure is removing braces because she says, “I get so excited to see their beautiful smile without their braces on for the very first time.”

A couple of her favorite things to do (outside of work) include watching movies and going out to listen to Reggae Bands perform with her friends and family. In addition, she loves to sing and listen to music with her little pet Chihuahua, Lulu.

We hope that you get to meet Marisa in the office soon. She certainly is a true professional. We are happy to add her to our outstanding staff.

The common cold is back, from Brodsky Orthodontics

Here we go again: it's officially cold and flu season, and once again time to remind our patients at Brodsky Orthodontics to try and steer clear of that cold that's been going around lately.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Lakewood office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients, Drs. Brodsky and Van Allen and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps! Stay healthy!

- The Brodsky Orthodontics team

Refer a friend, win an iPad at Brodsky Orthodontics!

With the holidays rapidly approaching and the end of the year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about gift giving. Why not give a friend or relative that perfect gift (a beautiful smile). It's easy to do, with no cost to you.

Just give them a referral for our office to receive a FREE examination and consultation. For each referral that begins treatment, you will receive a gift or prize and a chance at the grand drawing for an Apple iPad!

Here's how it works:

1st referral: 400 Brodsky points and ONE drawing entry ticket
2nd referral: 600 Brodsky points and TWO drawing entry tickets
3rd referral: 800 Brodsky points and THREE drawing entry tickets
4th referral: 1,000 Brodsky points and FOUR drawing entry tickets
5th referral: 1,500 Brodsky points and FIVE drawing entry tickets

You'll receive your prizes after new patient begins treatment with us between October 1st and December 31st, 2010.

GOOD LUCK!

Brodsky Orthodontics, reminding you September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month

Fall is almost upon us, which means it's a great time for Drs. Brodsky and Van Allen to remind all our patients (especially you athletes) to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in sports this fall. Let's face it: this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether you're kicking the soccer ball around in the park or training for high school football around Orange County.

With September being National Childhood Injury Prevention Month, our entire staff at Brodsky Orthodontics want you to know that only by using a mouth guard can athletes with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. So, the next time you're in for a visit at our convenient Lakewood office, we encourage you to ask Drs. Joel, Charles or Van Allen for a mouth guard, and we will provide one! For more info on sports injuries and how to avoid them, check out this article.

We hope you've had a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend!

Summer heat safety tips with Brodsky Orthodontics

Let's face it, it gets pretty darn hot in California during the summer, and with the heat wave sweeping through the country recently, we want you to be extra careful when you’re out and about. A few weeks ago, Good Morning America ran a segment on the many ways you can protect yourself from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other heat-related conditions this summer.

We encourage you to watch this short clip and remember to always have a bottle of water handy when heading out! Lastly, here are a few summer safety tips from our friends at WebMD. We hope you’re having a GREAT summer!

Ask Brodsky Orthodontics: What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Drs. Brodsky and Van Allen call “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Drs. Brodsky and Van Allen will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Brodsky Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Brodsky Orthodontics present: Patriotic fun facts!

This Sunday, our staff at Brodsky Orthodontics will be celebrating America's 234th birthday. And because we know our patients love fun facts, here are some fun facts about Independence Day we thought you might enjoy! Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!!

- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn't want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.

- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

- America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.

- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.

- The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’

- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.

- Speaking of food, there's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is America's leader in the production of cattle and calves.

Brodsky Orthodontics want to know: What do you love about summer?

At Brodsky Orthodontics, we can't believe summer is already in full force! Today, we thought it'd be a good time to ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the hot California sun? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard and relaxing?

Drs. Joel, Charles and Van Allen (as well as our entire team) would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page!

Happy Friday!

More happy patients at Brodsky Orthodontics!

About a month ago, we asked our patients to write reviews about their experience at Brodsky Orthodontics. And boy, did they! Thanks so much for your kind words, everyone - here are just some of the things they wrote!

"The staff so far have been outstanding and do their best to work with you. I have to have a gadget screwed to my upper palate and am mortified but have confidence in the staff when they say it will not be that bad. The staff are also very friendly. ~ Janira B.

"Everyone is very friendly, gentle, and personable. I look forward to my orthodontist oppointments to say hi to old friends. I can't wait until my next visit!" ~ Brandi B.

"The staff (of course!!) All of you are so personable to myself and my whole family. I appreciate the time you take to make us comfortable while in your office. My twins love it there and cannot wait to get their appliances on!!!" ~ Traci G.

"One of the things i like about my orthodontist is that thier really nice and have a l of of patients with me. even thought my mom gets mad or angry of the most weirdest things we still love you guys. my orthodontist has a lot of patients..is very gentle..makes me laugh and always puts a smile on my face." ~ Kathy C.

"I am new to this office, having never been to an orthodontist. I find Dr. Brodsky and his staff to be quite professional and warm. Professionalism and friendliness of staff, as well as its overall organization and cleanliness, are of key importance to me. Brodsky Orthodontics has exceeded my expectations in each of these areas." ~ Jennifer B.

Brodsky Orthodontics at the AAO Annual Session!

To better serve Lakewood and surrounding communities -- Bellflower, Long Beach, Cerritos and others -- with highest quality orthodontic care available, Drs. Joel and Charles are committed to to staying at the forefront of the field of orthodontics and accomplish this by attending continuing education courses and conferences all over the country.

One of these conferences is the AAO Annual Session, and through Tuesday, Drs. Joel and Charles are in Washington D.C. attending the Annual Session, an always-educational event that happens to be one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It's also a time for us to rub elbows and consult with orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows Drs. Joel and Charles to give you, our great patients, the best treatment experience possible.

If you've got an appointment scheduled with us in the coming weeks, we invite you to ask us about our trip, including what we learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively!

For photos of our trip, head over to our Facebook fan page!

With Brodsky Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

At Brodsky Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site (LAUNCHING SOON!) and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Lakewood and serving surrounding communities.

Did you know that patients at our office 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 our patients have to say about this service!

"I like the reminders Sesame sends me. I also liked to view the pictures of my daughter and see the progress she has made!" ~ Lauren C.

"I was able to check my account balance and make a payment online. Thank You!" ~ Ron T.

"Helps me remember appointments, billing info. I like the fact the I can see the "before" pictures of my children and compare them as treatment progresses." ~ Amina M.

"Complete access to my daughter's account in the comfort of my home to view at my leisure." ~ Natalie G.

"I pay all of my bills online, so when I was told I would be able to pay my daughter account online I could not believe it. I love it and more doctors should take this into consideration." ~ Jessica C.


You may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the professional team at Brodsky Orthodontics at (562) 496-2000 if you have any questions! Happy Monday!

Drs. Joel and Charles visit the 2010 Mid-Winter Conference

What did you do this weekend? Drs. Joel and Charles Brodsky attended a three-day interdisciplinary orthodontic/surgical course on "Dental and Facial Esthetics" in Palm Springs.

The 2010 Mid-Winter Conference, an event sponsored by AAO and AAOMS, held presentations on a variety of topics, including decalcification, restorative dentistry, the ethics of esthetics and facial contour surgery.

Why did we attend? Because the doctors and our entire team at Brodsky orthodontics are committed to continuing education and staying on top of new breakthroughs in the field of orthodontics.

If you have any questions on what we learned at the conference, please ask us next time you're in for an appointment! Have a great week!

Invisalign Tips, from Drs. Joel and Charles Brodsky

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively.

Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, Drs. Brodsky say, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Brodsky Orthodontics, give us a call!

It's January 4th, and we are glad to be back in the office!

What Do You Love About Brodsky Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to our orthodontic office, the team at Brodsky Orthodontics strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by our orthodontists? Did our front office team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for generations, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!

Thank you,
Brodsky Orthodontics and the Brodsky Orthodontics Team

Brodsky Orthodontics want to know: What did you do in November?

Believe it or not, we’re almost in December – and in full holiday mode! But before you go celebrating, Drs. Brodsky and team want to know: Did you do anything exciting this month? Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? If so, we'd love to hear all about it!

You may share your stories with us here, on our social networks or by giving us a call!
--The team at Brodsky Orthodontics

Now that I have braces, what can I eat? Brodsky Orthodontics Explain

You just got braces and the Brodsky Orthodontics has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
•3 cups flour
•2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
•1 tsp salt
•2 Tbl sugar
•4 cups milk
•4 eggs
•1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy this braces-friendly treat! From Brodsky Orthodontics

Keeping you safe this cold & flu season, from Brodsky Orthodontics

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the number of patients canceling appointments because of flu and H1N1 symptoms our office is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients, our doctors and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps! Stay healthy!

--Brodsky Orthodontics

Drs. Brodsky want to know: How was your Halloween?

November is here, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way! We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it.

Before you go: Have you been in for a checkup lately? It’s important that you see your dentist as well as visiting our doctors. If you have questions about your orthodontic treatment or just want some general information, give us a call or stop by for a visit!

From Drs. Brodsky and team.

Let us know how we're doing!

Whether you have visited our doctors for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Brodsky Orthodontics. Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You can review us here.

Thank you and have a great rest of the week!

--Brodsky Orthodontics Team

The Myths and Facts of Orthodontics -- From Drs. Brodsky

There are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! We here at Brodsky Orthodontics came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

http://www.braces.org/mythsandfacts/index.cfm

Hope this helps,

--Drs. Joel and Charles Brodsky and staff