Glaser Orthodontics

Many orthodontics patients with braces are unsure of what foods are restricted in their diets. Many also believe the list of foods to avoid is longer than it actually is. Dr. Barry Glaser of Glaser Orthodontics shares some ideas about what foods are safely enjoyed and which foods are best to avoid eating while wearing braces near Yorktown, NY.

It is true that during your treatment with braces there are limitations on what you can eat. But the time (and money) invested in them is well worth coping with these limitations. The payoff is a perfectly straight, healthy, and attractive smile.

What foods can be enjoyed during your treatment?

There are many delicious food options that can be eaten while wearing braces including:

• Bananas
• Yogurt
• Soup
• Cheese
• Pasta
• Mashed Potatoes

Dr. Barry Glaser wants to make sure that every patient with braces eats healthy food and gets enough daily nutrients. Here are some meal ideas that are safe for patients with this orthodontic treatment. Perhaps there is a family favorite among some of these delicious meal options:

• Lasagna. Lasagna is a great dinner because it provides many food groups in one dish, is tasty, and is soft.
• Grilled Chicken and Vegetables. While meat from a bone can cause damage to your braces, deboned meats like chicken breast can be eaten. Chicken pairs nicely with vegetables like broccoli.
• Chicken Noodle Soup. Chicken noodle soup gives you many necessary nutrients because of the variety of ingredients that can be added. Soup is also a filling and tasty meal and will not damage your braces.

What foods should be avoided?

While wearing braces, the three types of food that should be avoided are hard, sticky, and chewy foods. These types of food should be avoided because they can get stuck in your braces easily and be difficult and sometimes painful to get out. Some food categories that should be avoided are:

• Gum
• Popcorn
• Ice
• Caramel
• Pretzels
• Raw vegetables
• Steak
• Hard candies

Some of these foods do not have to be completely avoided, however. Foods like vegetables, steak, and pretzels can be broken or cut up into smaller pieces and then eaten safely.

There are many foods which are nutritious, delicious, and are friendly to your braces. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Barry Glaser and Glaser Orthodontics near Yorktown, NY, or for more information, please call: 914.739.6400

Orthodontic treatments can help a patient achieve a life-long healthy and straight smile with an orthodontist. The length of treatment is always as different as each patient and their treatment goals.  Dr. Barry Glaser and the team at Glaser Orthodontics near Ossining, NY can help give you a better understanding of the processes of orthodontic treatment and which approach may provide their patients with the best outcomes possible.

Schedule a consultation

During the initial consultation, Dr. Glaser will complete a new-patient exam and diagnose your orthodontic treatment needs. This assessment usually lasts about an hour and allows the doctor to evaluate your needs as a patient and answer all of your questions about your proposed course of treatment. X-rays and/or photographs of your teeth may be taken and will help Dr. Glaser identify which treatment option is the best for you.

Once you’ve decided on a course of treatment, Dr. Glaser will provide you with an estimated cost of treatment, a timeline for how long the course of treatment will take, and any options for finishing your treatment. 

The time that you have to actually wear your braces will vary depending on your needs and the type of treatment indicated. The typical treatment time is 23 months. Some patients have their braces on for only six months, while other patients can have them for longer than three years. 

Getting your braces

Dr. Barry Glaser and his team will walk you through the entire course of treatment from beginning to end, schedule a series of appointments to get you started, and can discuss with you options for funding your treatment. The team will review your dental records and show you samples of braces, Invisalign aligners, and other appliances that may be integrated into your treatment.

The appointment to affix your braces to your teeth takes about 2 hours and can be scheduled almost immediately after your consultation. A Glaser Orthodontics associate will first prepare your teeth for the brackets, and then your orthodontist will carefully position each bracket on each tooth. Because this is such a critical step in the process, Dr. Glaser invests a lot of time sweating the details (including bracket type, positioning, and wire selection) to help each of his patients achieve the best treatment outcome possible. 

Throughout your treatment, the Glaser Orthodontics team will help you schedule routine checkups; brief appointments to adjust your brackets, answer questions, and check your progress. These meetings usually average 15 to 20 minutes and take place every 8 to 10 weeks. If you’re using Invisalign aligners, these checkups occur every 4 to 6 weeks.

Concluding Treatment

When your course of treatment with braces is coming to an end, your doctor will schedule you for a “debanding.” Removing your braces will take a little over an hour, and you will be pleased at how easy and comfortable the process is. It is then important that you arrange with your dentist to have a thorough cleaning, check-up, and fluoride treatment after the removal of your braces. 

To hold your teeth in their new position, Dr. Glaser will evaluate which retainer is appropriate for you and make you a set of retainers and recommend a practice for wearing them. Most patients are advised to wear their retainers indeterminately in some capacity. The general rule is, “Wear your retainers for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight.”

Go show the world your healthy, gorgeous, new smile!

Before you leave the office after your final treatment, you will be given a photo of how your teeth looked before you had braces so that you can compare how your beautiful smile looks now. 

If your dentist recommends braces for you, then Dr. Barry Glaser and the team at Glaser Orthodontics near Ossining, NY can help. To schedule an appointment, call: 914.739.6400

There is no “yes-or-no” answer to the question “Can pre-teens get Invisalign, too?” The decision, ultimately, will be made by the patient’s parents and their dentist or orthodontist. As long as your pre-teen has a fully developed set of teeth, Invisalign can be used in treatment. The clear aligners are generally safe for developing pre-teens, and the resulting tooth placement lasts a very long time. A consultation with Dr. Barry Glaser and the team at Glaser Orthodontics can help you determine the best course of orthodontic treatment for your child near Yorktown, NY.

Imagine being treated with a set of braces that are virtually undetectable.

That’s the beauty of Invisalign clear aligners. Treatment with the clear aligners costs around the same as treatment with traditional braces, but they are more discreet, more comfortable, and more easily cared for than metal braces. Being treated with Invisalign near Yorktown, NY by Dr. Barry Glaser of Glaser Orthodontics can correct a patient’s orthodontic issues without anyone ever noticing that they are wearing braces. 

Invisalign as an alternative to metal braces. 

Image and self-esteem are critical personal issues for children, teens, and adults with a less-than-perfect smile. Dr. Barry Glaser says that the real appeal of Invisalign Teen clear aligners is the freedom to eat and drink whatever you want without worrying about damaging your dental work. The clear aligners are removable by the wearer, making cleaning, eating, and active pursuits more comfortable. When consuming acidic drinks such as soda and orange juice, Dr. Barry Glaser always recommends removing your Invisalign to prevent the acids from getting trapped in the aligners and damaging one’s teeth.

Traditional braces are fixed. 

That means they can’t be removed by the patient, and the various metal parts associated with metal braces can cause irritation in the mouth. The trays are made of clear plastic and can be removed and replaced as necessary. They require only a few simple cleanings each day. Invisalign is more comfortable and easier to care for than traditional braces.

Follow the instructions.

Pre-teens being treated with the clear aligners risk interrupting the progress of their treatment by forgetting to wear the appliance. An Invisalign patient is afforded the opportunity to remove the trays before eating, and a pre-teen patient may forget to replace them in their mouth afterward.

Assuming your pre-teen is qualified for this treatment, make sure too that they understand how to wear, clean, and store the the clear aligner trays. For some pre-teens, it is easy to follow instructions at home, but in school your child may forget some of the responsibilities that come with being treated with Invisalign. With conscientious care and application, your pre-teen’s treatment with the clear aligners will ensure a great set of healthy, straight teeth that will serve them well for a lifetime.

Invisalign works well for adults and teens, but only a professional like Dr. Barry Glaser can help you decide if Invisalign treatment near Yorktown, NY. is the correct course of action to take in regard to your child’s orthodontic care. To learn more about treatment with Invisalign, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barry Glaser, call Glaser Orthodontics at: 914.739.6400

If you have recently been fitted for Invisalign near Ossining, NY, the team at Glaser Orthodontics would like to congratulate you on getting one step closer to a confident and healthy smile! Dr. Barry J. Glaser knows that while the clear aligners are in your mouth doing the important work of straightening teeth, it’s also crucial to maintain good oral hygiene and keep your Invisalign tray clean. The Glaser Orthodontics team recommends that their patients follow these tips to keep their Invisalign clear aligners clean and working properly.

Tips to keep your Invisalign clean.

• Saliva and plaque may collect on the plastic trays, and that creates the perfect home for harmful or odor-causing bacteria. It is important to clean your aligners every time you take them out. (You take your aligners out before you eat, right?) Brush your aligner the same way you brush your teeth; with a little bit of toothpaste and a toothbrush. You should also brush and floss your teeth while you’re at it. That will help to reduce bacteria also.
• Soak your aligner in a product like Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, Retainer Brite, or even denture cleaner once or twice a week. Avoid a colored denture cleaner; it may stain or color your aligners. 
• Avoid foods that may stain your aligners. Tea, coffee, wine, and sodas stain the aligners most often. Hot drinks may warp the plastic trays into a position that no longer fits on the teeth, thus extending treatment time.
• Wear Invisalign conscientiously. The clear aligners need to be worn to work. The trays are removable to eat, but they need to be worn to be effective. Do not keep the plastic trays out of your mouth for longer than is necessary to eat, brush, or floss.

Keeping your clear aligners aligners clean is easy, and it’s a very important part of the overall treatment. Just remember, whenever you brush your teeth, brush your aligners too. To make sure you remember, the team at Glaser Orthodontics recommends that you make a small Invisalign cleaning kit for when you’re on the go. Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to keep your teeth and the clear aligners sparkling clean!

If you have any more questions on keeping your Invisalign clean, or anything else Invisalign related, give Dr. Barry J. Glaser a call. You can reach Glaser Orthodontics near Ossining, NY by visiting our website or calling: 914.739.6400

When looking for an orthodontic treatment plan, it can sometimes be hard to see which one is best for you. With so many factors to consider such as price, length of treatment, comfortability, and visibility, it can be difficult to decide which pros outweigh which cons. However, most patients end up choosing either traditional metal braces or Invisalign as their final choice. But what about for those who are choosing between the two? Dr. Barry Glaser of Glaser Orthodontics near Somers, NY is here to discuss which orthodontic treatment, braces or Invisalign, is better for those deciding on which treatment avenue to take.

Both traditional metal braces and Invisalign are known to have pros and cons. Although Invisalign provides patients with an invisible, comfortable, and convenient orthodontic appliance, braces provide you with a reliable and trusted solution which is known to treat even the toughest of cases. Below, Dr. Barry Glaser has broken up both treatments in order to lay out their pros and cons side by side to compare traditional metal braces and Invisalign.

Some differences between braces and Invisalign:

Braces:

• Requires the use of brackets and wires

• Requires extra care and handling when brushing and cleaning teeth

• There are some food restrictions

Today’s metal braces consist of a more comfortable and less noticeable response. Braces are made of three basic parts—bracket, bonding or band, and an archwire—to help with the movement and modification of your teeth, bite and jaw. Braces provide the quick convenience our patients are looking for, especially our younger patients, and will help us make sure you’re receiving the correct amount of treatment necessary.

Invisalign:

• Aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible

• The aligners are removable so you can floss, brush, and eat as usual

• Invisalign aligners are made of a plastic that won’t irritate the inside of your mouth

Using Invisalign gives our patients the easy, form fitting, and comfortable flexibility needed to function throughout everyday life. Dr. Barry Glaser says that through orthodontic treatment with Invisalign near Somers, NY, you’ll be able to eat any foods, brush and floss your teeth, and ultimately take on your day-to-day activities without worry. Invisalign is ultimately hassle-free, and very easy to keep clean throughout the day to guarantee healthy dental development. It will also provide you with an ultimately invisible fix, letting you continue your day without changing the physical appearance of your teeth and mouth.

Although the Glaser Orthodontics associates say that using Invisalign gives you a more flexible approach of treatment, it is recommended more for adults and teens, due to the easy temptation of taking the aligners out or not wearing them for the proper amount of time needed. You are required to wear Invisalign aligners for a maximum of 22 hours a day. It is also important to note that the Orthodontic treatment required may already be too complex to be treated with Invisalign.

Don’t suffer through the effects of teeth and jaw misalignment. If you live near Somers, NY, we  can help you make the difficult decision for your orthodontic treatment between braces and Invisalign. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barry Glaser at Glaser Orthodontics, please contact our office at 914.739.6400 so we can help you create the straight and healthy smile you’ve always wanted.

As a parent, getting your child to do anything they don’t want to do can be a daunting task. And let’s face it, properly caring for their braces is probably not something your child wants to do. However, it is extremely important that braces are properly cared for, or treatment will not go as planned. The trick to getting them to want to take proper care of their orthodontic systems is to make it fun! So, Glaser Orthodontics  has come up with a list of fun ways to get your child to take care of his or her braces in Putnam Valley, NY.

1. Brushing dance party- Glaser Orthodontics  recommends brushing at least twice a day all the time, but especially when children are undergoing treatment with braces in Putnam Valley, NY. Proper brushing entails a full two minutes of thorough cleaning, something that many children fail to do. To get your child excited about brushing, make a playlist or CD with their favorite songs and set up a speaker by the sink. Play this song when they start brushing and dance around with them as they clean for the full two minutes. This will make brushing fun, and will help them keep their teeth spotless!

2. Braces-friendly baking-  Dr. Barry Glaser says that unfortunately, braces can restrict kids from eating certain foods. Taking hard candies away from kids can cause quite a fight, but these foods can be extremely dangerous to braces, and it is very important to follow the rules. So, Glaser Orthodontics  suggests having a braces friendly recipe bake-a-thon. Go online and find sweets that won’t damage braces, such as gooey brownies, fruity cupcakes, or creamy ice cream sundaes, and set aside time to make these sweets with your child. Then, let him or her eat them as a reward for flossing well, for example. This is a great way to help your child stay optimistic about braces in Putnam Valley, NY, and make sure they are caring for their appliances properly.

3. Colored bands- Glaser Orthodontics  offers the option of adding colored bands to traditional metal braces. These have been a huge hit among kids, as they allow them to customize their experience in a fun way! To make colored bands even more effective for kids, use them to incentivize your child. For example, for every 2 months they go without a break in their wires or brackets, or for every 25 times they properly brush or floss, promise them that you will set up an appointment with Dr. Barry Glaser to have their colors changed. Then, when they have switched to new colors, have a photo shoot of their new, beautiful braces. At the end of orthodontic treatment, use these pictures to make a fun “Before, During, and After” scrapbook!

Starting treatment early is a great way to ensure a lifetime of beautiful smiles. But getting your child to properly care for his or her braces can be tough. By using some of these tips, you can get your child excited about caring for their orthodontic treatment near Putnam Valley, NY. And, make sure to continue to schedule them for regular appointments at Glaser Orthodontics. Call us at 914.739.6400 to set up your child’s next appointment with Dr. Barry Glaser, or for some more fun ideas!

Here at Glaser Orthodontics we have a few recommendations to help care for your teeth when eating sugary sweets. The danger of sweets is that it can lead to tooth decay if not treated properly. Both Dr. Barry Glaser and the American Dental Association encourage proper care of your teeth all year long, but with the abundance of candy available this time of year, it’s time to be extra vigilant. Sour and Fruity Candies. The downside of sour candies is the large amount of acid contained in them. Starburst and Skittles are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel. It’s the low pH, or acid, that makes you pucker and it’s also what wears down the enamel on your teeth! Without the enamel coating, your teeth can get brittle and nerves can be exposed. Glaser Orthodontics recommends that you brush, or at a minimum, rinse your teeth after indulging in these candies. Hard Candies If hard candies are your favorite, keep this in mind. Hard candies take longer to dissolve so it’s like bathing your teeth in sugar and acid. The sugar stays in your mouth longer and the longer the sugar is in your mouth, the more vulnerable your teeth are to cavities and tooth erosion. Sugar creates an environment perfect for cavity and bad breath, causing bacteria to flourish. Again, Glaser Orthodontics encourages its patients to brush or rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. Sticky, Chewy Candies Love those sticky, chewy candies? Guess what, your braces and teeth are not a fan. Candies that include taffy, caramels, peanuts or nuts leave a sticky residue on your teeth and gums. This acts like an adhesive for bacteria which leads to tooth decay. These ingredients can also cause damage to your orthodontia, breaking your wires and brackets. To protect your braces, avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients: All hard candies, All chewy candies,Caramel, Nuts, Licorice, Taffy, Jelly beans, Hard pretzels, Bubble gum, Popcorn (including unpopped kernels), Ice. Some Halloween goodies that are brace friendly include treats such as plain chocolate candies, milkshakes, pudding, cakes, and thinly sliced apples dipped in creamy chocolate sauce. For more information, a consultation, or quote, contact Dr. Barry Glaser and his team. Call Glaser Orthodontics at (914) 739-6400 or visit our office in Katonah, NY today!

Do you cover your mouth everytime you smile? Or are you the closed, tight-lipped smiler? Misaligned smiles are very common and they are an easy fix with Invisalign®! Contact Dr. Barry J. Glaser of Glaser Orthodontics TODAY at 914.739.6400, or stop by Glaser Orthodontics when and if you are in the Montrose, NY area to start your journey with Invisalign®. End result: a confident smile!

Dr. Barry J. Glaser of Glaser Orthodontics knows that most people dread the idea of traditional metal braces, which is why he offers invisible braces with Invisalign® as an option. Stop by Glaser Orthodontics when and if you are in the Buchanan, NY area to start straightening your teeth with confidence, or contact Dr. Glaser TODAY at 914.739.6400.

Many adults in Northern Westchester walk into Glaser Orthodontics with the mindset that it’s too late for orthodontic treatment until Dr. Barry J. Glaser assures them that it’s never too late! This is why Dr. Glaser offers just as many treatments for his adult patients as he does for his younger patients (i.e., In-Ovation R, In-Ovation C and Invisalign®). If you or someone you know requires orthodontic treatment don’t wait any longer, contact Dr. Glaser TODAY at 914.739.6400 or visit Glaser Orthodontics when and if you are in the Yorktown Heights, NY area for more information or to schedule your initial consultation.