"I'm 37 - I'm too old for braces, right?"

Nope - absolutely not! At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, no one is "too old" for braces. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. In fact, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21 and - not only that - but Dr. Poggio and our staff recently read a statistic that the number of adults getting orthodontic treatment has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996!

Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: folks in Chula Vista and everywhere else want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely—to invest in orthodontics.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Poggio would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call at (619) 482-2412 to set one up!

Announcing our fall contest!

Dr. Poggio & team are happy to announce our Fall Contest!

We invite you to Enter by Sharing with us: “WHAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR”

Take time to tell us by either:

•Posting on Otay Lakes Orthodontics’ FACEBOOK wall

•Fill out an entry form in the office

GOOD LUCK!

September is Self-Improvement Month, from Dr. Poggio

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as clear braces, Damon System and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Poggio would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Breaking bad habits with Dr. Poggio

At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Dr. Poggio.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Poggio if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Otay Lakes Orthodontics or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!