Ask Dr. Styrt: What's the deal with all that Halloween candy?

For parents worried about kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event.

Drs. Styrt and Job know all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as your 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 can ruin enamel.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends 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 Dr. Styrt and our staff as soon as possible.

Hope this helps! Happy Halloween!

Unused Flexible Spending and Health Savings Funds

Greetings!

Believe it or not the 2011 year is quickly coming to an end! As the calendar winds down to 2012, we know many of our valued patients will be anxiously eyeing their Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account balances---trying hard not to squander any of the hard-earned dollars socked away for medical and dental expenses for the past year. We are all too painfully aware of the “use it or lose it” nature of these plans. Especially given the condition of our economy over the past months, we understand that now, more than ever, it is very important to use these pre-tax funds before the year ends and they are gone.

As a courtesy to all of our patients, we wanted to take this time to remind you that if you have available funds in either your FSA or HSA account, it pays to schedule the dental and orthodontic treatment that you and your family need now. We have reserved additional time in our schedule to accommodate these requests ---simply call our office at (858)458-1088 to set up an appointment.

In addition, you can still take advantage of available funds if you currently have an active payment plan for treatment in our office. Our Financial Coordinator would be happy to adjust your current payment schedule to allow you to use your available FSA/HSA funds before they are lost.

If you have any questions regarding planning your 2012 FSA/HSA, open-enrollment for your dental insurance, or your account and treatment, please contact our office either by phone or e-mail, at request@drstyrt.com. Our team is available to help with your planning and scheduling needs.

We wish you all a successful year-end!

Sincerely,

Dr. Styrt, Dr. Job, and Team

Cold season is here, from Dr. Paul J. Styrt

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Drs. Paul Styrt, Allen Job and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our San Diego office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Dr. Paul J. Styrt, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

"I just turned 34 - am I too old for braces?"

Of course not.

Recently, we came across an article that reported adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! In fact, did you know one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21?

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 that promotion, adults are choosing to invest—rather wisely—in orthodontics. While orthodontics are often associated with teenagers, adult orthodontics and braces at our San Diego office can achieve amazing results for adult patients. With treatments such as Invisalign, patients can have their teeth straightened less noticeably. Orthodontic treatment at Simply Spectacular Smiles can be successful at any age, and our dedicated staff knows that adults especially appreciate the benefits of a gorgeous smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Drs. Styrt and Job would love to have you visit for a free consultation this month. Please give us a call to set one up!

We are offering complimentary orthodontic evaluations this month!

October is here. The leaves are beginning to fall, the weather is getting a bit chilly here in San Diego, the days are getting shorter and all that Halloween candy is beginning to make its rounds. For Drs. Paul Styrt and Allen Job, as well as for our entire staff, October is known as both National Dental Hygiene Month and National Orthodontic Health Month!

So, you can probably imagine how busy we are in trying to spread the word on proper oral care! In fact, we are offering complimentary orthodontic evaluations this month!

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have created 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 wearing braces.

Also, here are a few tips to help you build good oral hygiene habits this month:

* Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes. Make sure to get the outer and inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of each tooth.

* Floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth. Help children learn healthy flossing habits so when they’re capable, they know how to do it properly.

* Visit Dr. Styrt's office on a regular basis. Children should start seeing a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth.

* Ask us what toothpaste family members should use. Remember that not all toothpaste is appropriate for all ages.

* Eat a healthy diet, rich in fruit and veggies. Avoid sugary foods and eat a high fiber diet of fruits and veggies such as apples and carrots to help prevent tooth decay.

If you have any question, we invite you to ask us on Facebook or give us a call at (858) 458-1088.