Ask Dr. Brown & BFO: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

With Halloween here, our team at Brown Family Orthodontics know a lot parents here in Metairie, Mandeville, Covington and Franklinton are worried about their kids going overboard on candies this weekend.

For those undergoing orthodontic treatment, it's important to be careful of the types of candies you consume this weekend. We encourage you to watch the video above about which candies you should avoid, but feel free to ask us if you have any questions about what is and isn't braces-friendly!

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

From Dr. Brown & the BFO team

Emergency care with Dr. Brown & BFO

Dr. Brown and staff will tell you true orthodontic emergencies are very rare during your orthodontic treatment, but when they do occur, we want you to know we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call Brown Family Orthodontics 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 to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.

Please give us a call if you have any questions about emergency care of your treatment at Brown Family Orthodontics. For four decades, Brown Family Orthodontics has set the standard of excellence in orthodontic care. We have built a reputation on care, expertise and convenience. With offices in Metairie, Mandeville, Covington, and Franklinton, Brown Family Orthodontics maintains a network of convenient locations to accommodate patients and parents.

Don't skip those regular checkups, especially in October!

Dr. Brown wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Brown Family Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

It's the perfect time for a visit to the dentist. Why? Because not only is October National Orthodontic Health Month, it's also National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

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 been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in Metairie, Mandeville, Covington, Franklinton, New Orleans or surrounding areas!

"Dentists,Orthodontists ... What's the Difference?"

“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Brown started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Brown decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert in Dr. Brown to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

At BFO, October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

Did you know October is National Orthodontic Health Month? This month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Drs. Ed & Jessica Brown and our team at BFO realize this is a great opportunity for us and to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Brown and other dental professional in greater New Orleans.

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
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Brown during your visit this month!