4 Surprising Dental Health Lessons You Can Learn From Your Car

Blog provided by MouthHealthy.org

Getting oil changes, stopping for gas and going through the car wash are the things you do without a second thought to keep your car in tip-top shape. So what are you doing for your teeth? Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to taking care of the things you depend on most. Get the most mileage out of your mouth by using these strategies in your dental care routine.

Watch What Gets In Your Grill
A grill on a car keeps harmful things from getting under the hood. Think of your own grill as a filter system for your entire body. Everybody’s mouth is full of germs—some good, some bad. The bad ones can cause cavities and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Severe gum disease is also associated with other medical problems, like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Keep Your Fuel Tank Full
You wouldn’t put just anything in your fuel tank, so be aware of what you're putting in your mouth. Keep your engine running with a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Practice Preventative Maintenance
Your car won’t get very far without fresh oil and proper tire pressure. Your teeth also need regular care. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy.

Get a Tune Up
Taking your car in for a tune up can extend the life of your vehicle and catch small repairs before they turn into big fixes. Regular visits to your dentist and good dental habits can prevent many dental diseases and will keep you smiling for years to come.

While under orthodontic treatment it is vital that you maintain great oral hygiene habits. At Rhode Island Orthodontic Group were all about creating beautiful and healthy smiles.

Ready, Set, SELFIE!

Every one is taking selfies to show off their smiles and posting them online. But did you know that taking selfies is a great way to show off your personality and confidence?

Taking a selfie is an art form in and of itself. A great selfie is more than just point a click…a great selfie takes skill. But no worries, after practicing these few simple techniques, we just know you’ll be a selfie master in no time at all.

Capture Your Best Angle. Instead of taking the picture head-on turn, your head a little to the right or left or maybe hold your camera a little higher.  Try different angles to show off your best features.

Show Off Something New. If you decide to take a selfie to show off something new, like oh we don’t know, maybe your braces, make sure that you frame the photo in a way that highlights the new accessory that has you so excited.

Have Expression. You can never go wrong with smiling! Play around with different smiles…but know that no matter what, a smile is the best expression you can wear.

Focus on Lighting. A great light source is an essential part of taking any photograph. Natural light is best, so start taking those selfies near a window or outdoors.

Don't Use a Mirror. Just stretch your arm out, point the camera toward your face and click. It may take some practice, but eventually you'll know exactly where to position the camera to make sure you capture your whole face.

No your selfie ready! Upload those selfies to all of your feeds Instagram, Facebook, even share you photos with us.

What's a Cavity?

What is a cavity?

The term cavity is used often within dentist offices. It is very likely that you have heard the term used before, but do you know what it actually means?

A cavity develops when a tooth begins to decays. A cavity is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. But why would your tooth develop a hole? This is because of plaque. That's a sticky, slimy substance made up bacteria that causes tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away the enamel of your teeth.

If you have a cavity, it's important to visit your dentist to get it fixed, but more importantly it’s important to avoid getting cavities. Here are 5 tips for providing cavities.

• Visit your dentist twice a year
• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Floss to remove food particles and plaque not captured by brushing
• Avoid treats loaded with sugar
• Drink a sufficient amount of water daily

While under orthodontic treatment it is vital that you maintain great oral hygiene habits. At Rhode Island Orthodontic Group were all about creating beautiful and healthy smiles.

It's Family Fun Time!

It’s June so you know what that means, summer is upon us. Schools are beginning to go on summer break and the children are now home during the week.  This is the perfect time to plan a family vacation.

A family vacation should be fun and exciting for everyone. Vacation time is when you and your family can bond and enjoy each other’s company. You may be thinking “how are we going to get this trip together?” well, the best vacations are those that are thoughtfully planned out.

Here are a few tips you can use to plan a memorable family vacation this summer.

Tip 1:
Get together as a family and agree on a place where you would like to travel. You want to make sure this is a trip the entire family will enjoy, so get together just pick a vacation theme before you choose your destination. For example, if the family picks an amusement park themed vacation then you know you don’t have to look at national park destinations. It would be no fun if you got to a location and not everyone was happy.

Tip 2:
Set a date in advance. Although the kids are out of school, mom and dad are still working. Select a date that you know works well with everyone in your family. You want to be sure that everyone is able to make the trip of the year.

Tip 3: 
Set your budget. Set a budget and stick to it, you want to make sure the trip is feasible and won’t put a financial damper on the entire summer. Fun doesn't have to break the bank. There are many affordable vacations for families. For more information on affordable vacation destinations click here.

We hope that all of our patients enjoy their summer to the fullest. Before you go on vacation remember before you go on vacation, summer time is the best time for your child to visit the orthodontist and dentist to check up on their oral health. Schedule your appointment with Rhode Island Orthodontic Group today!

Let's Celebrate Memorial Day

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. (source: History.com)

At Rhode Island Orthodontics we believe it is important to remember and honor those that have served our country. Being that we have patients throughout the West Bay area we want to let you all know where you can celebrate Memorial Day with us.

Memorial Day parades in Rhode Island:

Barrington
When: May 25, 9 a.m.
Where: Lincoln Avenue to Upland Way, Barrington and Maple aves. and County Road.

East Greenwich
When: May 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Academy Field, 111 Peirce St., over to the World War II memorial on Cliff Street, then down Main Street and ending with a ceremony at the town hall. The Leap Frogs US Navy parachute team will jump onto Academy Field to open the parade.

Glocester
When: May 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church, Putnam Pike, and continues down Route 44.

North Kingstown
When: May 25, 10 a.m.
Where:  West Main to Brown and Phillips sts., then over to Tower Hill Road for a Memorial Day ceremony at Elm Grove Cemetery. Don't miss a pre-parade concert by the the Lafayette Band in Updike Park. Parade will be canceled in the event of rain.

North Providence
When: May 25, 1 p.m.
Where: North Providence High School, Mineral Spring Avenue, to Douglas Avenue and Governor John A. Notte Jr. Park, where a festival of food vendors, music and more will take place until 6 p.m.

Scituate
When: May 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Berkander Field on Institute Lane to Main Street, Silk Lane and Greenville Road.

South Kingstown
When: May 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Holly Street to Main Street, ending at Saugatucket Park on High Street.

West Greenwich
When: May 25, 1 p.m.
Where: Coventry line, Route 102, to the town hall, where a memorial service will be held directly following the parade.

Westerly
When: May 25, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Pawcatuck Shopping Center, West Broad Street, Connecticut, to Westerly's High Street and Wilcox Park.

For other Memorial Day events in Rhode Island click here.

Mother's Day Sweet Treats

Are you ready for Mother’s Day? One of your Mom’s favorite holidays is only 4 days away! Have you figured out how you’re going to show appreciation for the number 1 lady in your life? Mother’s Day is the when we take time to say “Thank You Mom” in an extra special way. Cards and flowers are just fine, but how about a new way to show Mom you care. Let your mom know she’s the sweetest by serving her a sweet treat. 

Check out these 3 sweet treat recipes for the #1 Mom: (click the dessert name for recipe info)

Chocolate filled Raspberries 

Red Velvet Nutella S’mores 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake 

These desserts will be great for Mom to enjoy after a day of appreciation. We want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to our patients and parent of patients, we appreciate you all! Let us know how you spent your Mother’s Day, share your photos on our Facebook page!

Ceramic Braces, the Clear Choice

Your smile is an important part of who you are and you want to make sure it looks great. Now that you have decided to perfect your smile you must pick an option that is best for you. Yes, there is more than one option. Technology within the dental world continues to advance, and with advancements your options for treatment is expanding.

Current options:

• Traditional Metal Braces
• Ceramic Braces
• Lingual Braces 
• Invisalign

Which option is the most popular?

We are beginning to see a trend among teens and adults choosing clear ceramic braces.

We are seeing clear braces become more and more popular among young adults, and now you can take the clear route at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group with Dr. John S. Kacewicz. Dr. Kacewicz is now offering Clarity Ceramic Brackets. Clarity Ceramic Brackets work like traditional metal braces, but they are better. Ceramic braces blend in with your teeth for a less noticeable look during treatment. “They are the perfect combination of strength and beauty.”


Benefits include:

• Less noticeable than metal braces 
• Designed to blend into the natural tooth color
• Resistant to staining and discoloration
• Brackets are very comfortable
• Brackets are made of innovative new ceramic materials

Want braces but not feeling the metal look? Going for a discreet look during treatment? Try clear braces! Give Dr. John S. Kacewicz a call at 401-884-6500 to further discuss the clear option.