Gum disease...try salmon!

An article in the Journal of American Dietetic Association revealed that DHA, an omega-3 fat found largely in fish oil, may lower the risk of periodontitis, a chronic inflammation of the gums that leads to gum and bone loss and eventually tooth loss.

They studied 9,182 adults aged 20 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2004. Periodontitis was assessed by dental exam. Intake of n-3 fatty acids was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall. The survey included approximately 9,000 people who were examined for gum disease.

The results revealed that those who consumed some DHA were about 20 percent less likely to have periodontitis, than those who reported consuming none.  The results also showed a weaker link for another major omega-3 fat in fish called EPA and no link between alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fat found in soy, canola and flax oil.

These findings only demonstrate an association between periodontitis and DHA. Further experimentation will be required involving people who are at risk or have periodontitis to actually see if DHA is effective at reducing the risk of periodontitis.

For now it is still recommended that you have 2 servings of fatty fish a week for other reasons such as lowering your risk of heart disease.

J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 110(11):1669-1675, 2010.

Orthodontic Emergencies

What to do in case of emergency Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.



Loose brackets or bands Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.


Wire irritations Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.


Bite Turbos off  Some patients may have their bite turbos come off during treatment. Do not worry especially if only one comes off but call our office so we may schedule more time at the next appointment to place it back on. If both are off and brackets become loose because of it, call our office immediately so we may schedule an appointment for you.


Lost separators Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.


Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.

Make 2011 the Year to Improve your Oral Health!

It’s the New Year and the time when everybody makes New Year Resolutions! If you haven’t already decided on one, consider a New Year Resolution to improve your oral health.

Resolve to brush twice a day and floss at least once. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health, especially while in braces! At RiteBite Orthodontics, healthy teeth are as important as straight teeth so helping our patients keep their teeth clean during orthodontic treatment is our priority. Regular brushing with the right technique will prevent your gums from swelling and white scars from developing during treatment.

Straightening your smile through orthodontics can also play a big role in your overall oral health. If you have been considering orthodontic treatment, give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation, and learn how we can help you achieve your goals of a healthier, more beautiful smile!

Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!