American Association of Orthodontists

We love October, and not just for the changing weather and Halloween excitement! It’s National Orthodontic Health Month.

Every year, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recognizes October as a time to raise awareness of the benefits of orthodontic treatment. The AAO is the largest, oldest professional association for orthodontists in North America, and is comprised of more than 16,000 members – Drs. Geller and Cohen included!

In a month full of hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy treats, it’s more important than ever to encourage patients to be kind to their teeth during treatment. If you have braces, try to avoid caramel, taffy, bubblegum, and candy with nuts. If you can’t keep yourself away from the sugar, opt for softer candy such as peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth treats.

As always, remember to brush and floss after consuming sugary foods. Exposing your teeth to sweets increases your risk of cavities, and allowing it to sit there can lead to decalcification, the loss of calcium from the teeth.

If you have any questions about what foods are best and worst during orthodontic treatment, feel free to ask during your next visit!

Ever thought about sharing your experience in braces in writing? Well, thanks to our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, here's your chance! The AAO is proud to offer the Braces Brigade campaign, where you can blog about your experience in orthodontic treatment with millions of people and come away with a $100 American Express gift card!

All applicants must either be an orthodontic patient here at Geller Orthodontics or the parent of a patient (pre- and post- treatment stages are fine).

To complete your Braces Brigade application, you'll need to provide:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100-word minimum)

In your blog, we encourage you to answer the following questions:

• Why did you decide to get orthodontic treatment at Geller Orthodontics?
• What advice would you share with other orthodontic patients?
• What does it feel like to get braces on?
• What foods do you miss the most?
• What new foods have you discovered?
• Do your friends have braces or retainers?
• Where is the first place you’re going to show off your new, beautiful smile?
• How has your new smile changed your life?

If you happen to be under 18, your parents must fill out this form along with your official entry, giving you permission to enter the contest.

We encourage you to apply today! GOOD LUCK everyone!!

If you know Dr. Geller and our team at Geller Orthodontics, you know we embrace continuing education and adding innovative treatments to our repertoire. That includes reading and being up-to-date on all the latest treatment options and attending important seminars and conferences. One of those important conferences was this weekend's AAO Annual Session in Washington D.C.

Dr. Geller attended this all-important conference, meeting with orthodontists and dental experts across North America and discussing effective treatment options. After all, Geller Orthodontics strives with each and every patient to be the orthodontic team that provides the highest level of orthodontic and personal care in Plano and Dallas.

In addition to being a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Dr. Geller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and has served as president of Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, Texas Association of Orthodontists, Greater Dallas Association of Orthodontists and the Plano Dental Society. Dr. Geller is also an active member of the Texas Orthodontic Study Club, Dallas County Dental Society, Baylor College of Dentistry, Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and is a Fellow at the International College of Dentists.

Isn't it comforting to know you have a complete dental expert taking care of your perfecting your smile? Happy Monday!

You may remember that back in February, our staff blogged about the importance of wearing a mouth guard when playing sports. Well, as it happens, April is National Facial Protection Month, and a great time to remind our patients about the importance of protecting their pearly whites. After all, nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while participating in sports activities, and teenagers account for 80 percent of all sports-related trips to the emergency room.

Above is a helpful video from our friends at the AAO about staying safe on the ball field this spring. If you have any further questions about any of the tips offered in the video, please contact Geller Orthodontics. And remember to have fun and stay safe!