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Are you brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment? If 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 our office, of course). Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Diehl would like to remind patients about the importance of maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent. Oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved because it is often diagnosed very late.

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. 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 the Redlands, CA area!

At Diehl Orthodontics we work with all kinds of smiles! Our mission is to provide a warm, welcoming environment where our patients receive excellence in orthodontic care through personal service.

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care can be a big decision with lifelong benefits. If you are considering orthodontic treatment, we invite you to schedule a complimentary initial orthodontic consultation to find out if orthodontics is right for you.

Dr. Diehl and team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Diehl Orthodontics, serving Redlands, CA and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials. We thought we'd share one with you today!

"Usually, choosing a dentist or an orthodontist proves to be a difficult task. Dr. Byron Diehl and his exceptional staff made my decision so easy! From the moment you enter the jungle-themed reception area and experience the friendliness of the courteous, professional, highly skilled and trained staff, you know your experience will be outstanding. Dr. Diehl is careful to establish a comprehensive treatment plan that can be easily accomplished with the best results possible. His dedication and attentiveness to his patients is unsurpassed. And, he works hard to make his service affordable to everyone. It has been a joy for both my 9-year-old and myself to be included on his patient list. You will not be disappointed!"
-Laura S.

There are a variety of foods Dr. Diehl wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Diehl Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.