adult orthodontist Plano

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment with our office.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you get in to see us…

The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:

Poking Wire: Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Loose Bracket or Band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.
Loose Wire: Using a tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.
Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.
Headgear Does Not Fit: Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it's worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.
General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.
Remember, after alleviating your discomfort, it is still very important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem.

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

Geller and Cohen Orthodontics wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

Even if you brush and floss daily, as well as maintain your braces and visit our office during your orthodontic treatment it is still important to visit your local dentist every 6 months, or as recommended.

Why?

• Your dentist can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow your dentist to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.
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 visited a dentist in the past six months, please let us know! Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen will be happy to provide a few great references here in the area!

Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them to our Facebook page or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

At Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth during orthodontic treatment, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly.. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to the dentist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting your general dentist at least twice a year or as recommended by your dentist, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth while wearing braces.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you have braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be during your orthodontic treatment with Drs. Mark Geller and Glenn Cohen . If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Our team at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics strives to provide the highest level of orthodontic and personal care in Plano and Dallas, Texas. Our expert orthodontists and talented staff work with you and your family to help you achieve that beautiful smile you deserve.And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.Please contact our Geller and Cohen Orthodontics to schedule your consultation at our office. We look forward to meeting you!

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?That’s right—seven. Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Drs. Geller and Cohen to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

It’s fall here at Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the Plano area. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

At Geller and Cohen Orthodontics, it is our priority to provide our patients with the highest level of orthodontic and personal care. Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen and our team recently attended "Escape to the hill country of Texas," the 90th session of the Southwestern Society of Orthodontics. The session was held in Austin, Texas at the Renaissance Hotel, and was a great way for our doctors and team to spend time together and learn from the research and studies of other orthodontists and their staff.

Be sure to visit the Geller and Cohen Orthodontics Facebook page to check out the complete photo album from our trip to Austin.

Trick-or-treat! In celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month, Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. This Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this treat will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
¼ cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions:

Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, and then water.

Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree oven for 60-70 minutes (depending on oven calibration). Cool before removing from pan.

Geller and Cohen Orthodontics will be supporting a local food pantry again this year. We hope to help out as many families as we can for the upcoming holiday seasons. Please join in and help us by donating whatever you can between now and November 17th. All donations can be dropped off at our Plano, TX office.

Thank you,

-Dr. Geller and Dr. Cohen

Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? Drs. Geller and Cohen and our team know how tempting this time of the year can be for your sweet tooth. With all of the sticky, crunchy, and chewy candies that are often passed around to trick-or-treaters, we know that it can sometimes be hard to find hard candy alternatives.

However, there is good news! Today, we would like to share a few braces-friendly holiday foods with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. These treats are delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, these foods will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Orthodontic-Friendly Treats
• Soft, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates
• Peanut butter cups
• Milk shakes
• Gelatin
• Peeled, thinly sliced apples
• Ice cream

At Geller Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. With fall sports, there is often an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Drs. Geller and Cohen also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. Another 67 percent admitted their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when playing sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

That’s why Geller Orthodontics are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Drs. Geller and Cohen 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. 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 Drs. Geller and Cohen are trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Geller Orthodontics.

Have you had a chance to enter the Geller Orthodontics Super Bowl Trivia Contest? Drs. Geller and Cohen, serving Plano and Dallas, Texas, strive to provide each and every one of our patients with the very highest level of orthodontic and personal care in a communicative and enjoyable environment. Our team works together with you and your family to help you achieve that beautiful smile you deserve. To keep that team spirit alive at our office, we are currently hosting a Super Bowl Triva Contest. The winner will receive four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game! To enter, visit our Geller Orthodontics contest board for Super Bowl trivia questions.

The Dallas Cowboys game is Sunday, Nov. 12, 2010, so don't miss your chance to win tickets! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your appointment at Geller Orthodontics.

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, Dr. Geller wants you to 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 necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky 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 simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Geller Orthodontics, give us a call!

Are you ready for some football? Play the Geller Orthodontics Trivia Game at your next appointment for a chance to win four party passes to the Dallas Cowboys November 21, 2010 game.

If you have any questions regarding the contest, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Geller, feel free to give us a call.

Good luck,

-Geller Othodontics

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 such as Invisalign, 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 Dr. Geller, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

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

Our team at Geller Orthodontics would like to congratulate patient Allie for correctly guessing the number of ants that were invading the summer picnic! There were 286 ANTS! We had a few people that guessed the exact amount so we had a tie breaker drawing.

Allie won a $100 Visa gift card for back to school shopping. For everyone who didn't have a chance to enter our "Picnic Invasion" contest, our Trivia Contest will begin September 2, 2010! More details will be posted on the Blog and Facebook page in the upcoming weeks.

Have a great weekend,

-Dr. Geller and team

Our team at Geller Orthodontics, serving Plano and Dallas, TX and surrounding areas, is excited to announce a new trivia contest that is beginning Sept. 2, 2010. The winner will receive four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game! To enter, check out our Geller Orthodontics contest board (beginning Sept. 2, 2010) for Super Bowl trivia questions.

The contest will end Nov. 12, 2010, so don't hesitate to schedule your fall appointment today! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your appointment with Dr. Geller. You won't want to miss your opportunity to win Dallas Cowboys tickets!

Have a great week,

-Geller Orthodontics

Have you entered the Geller Orthodontics "Picnic Invasion" contest? If not, Drs. Geller and Cohen want to remind everyone to stop by our office and count how many ants have invaded the picnic! The contest ends August 18th, so don't wait to enter!

If you guess correctly, you could win a $100 Visa gift card for back to school shopping! We encourage you to visit our Plano, TX office and play!

- Dr. Geller and team

You may not know it, but eight years ago, Tom Cruise - yes, THE Tom Cruise - had braces. At the time, Cruise was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Just check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise dazzling smile in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, people need to look their best, and it wouldn't be possible without people like Plano orthodontist Dr. Mark Geller.

In fact, lots of Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of Hollywood names. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give Geller Orthodontics a call at (972) 596-4502.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!

Dr. Geller and our staff will tell you braces aren't just for kids anymore. Recently, our staff read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Geller Orthodontics offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups, including adults.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, headaches, and jaw joint pain.

The new techniques and appliances Dr. Geller uses greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several options. The days of metal bands wrapped around each of your teeth individually are long gone! During the initial examination, Dr. Geller and team will be able to determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs.

Don't worry - a large percentage of our patients are adults, and they agree that it's never too late to improve their greatest asset: their smile. If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Geller would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!