Friday, October 29, 2010

Dr. Yamada & Buena Vista Orthodontics with the 411 on Halloween treats

Dr. Merilynn Yamada and our staff at Buena Vista Orthodontics know a lot of parents are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this weekend, sugar and other sweets. We get it - Halloween is a dreaded annual event for a lot of you (no pun intended!).

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as 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. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Buena Vista Orthodontics as soon as possible.

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

What is Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]



We've touched on the power of Invisalign treatment before, but today thought we'd share a helpful video for those who are intrigued by the idea of straightening their teeth without using traditional metal braces. The Invisalign system at Buena Vista Orthodontics is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer to adults and teens at our convenient Burbank, California office. We have plenty of resources on our website to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call at (818) 846-3774 for a complimentary consultation to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in our office getting adjustments. Dr. Merilynn Yamada is a Certified Invisalign® Provider in Burbank and surrounding communities.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Love your smile? Then we invite you to review Buena Vista Orthodontics on Google!


Dr. Merilynn Yamada and our team at Buena Vista Orthodontics have a passion for excellence and are committed to achieving your orthodontic goals. Dr. Yamada combines her education at UCLA & UCSF with over 20 years of experience to give her patients something to smile about.

Whether you've visited our Burbank office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about your experience. There are lots of places on the Internet where you may share your reviews, but we'd like to direct you to our Google Local Page to write a review of us - it only takes a moment!

You may write your review here.

Thank you in advance and enjoy the rest of your week! :)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Dr. Yamada and Buena Vista Orthodontics support National Orthodontic Health Month!


Would you believe it's already October? This is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the AAO put together a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Potato chips
• Ice


If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (818) 846-3774, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Merilynn Yamada during your next visit!