The importance of regular checkups, from Dr. Stein

Dr. Stein wants to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your treatment this summer? If the answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our New Port Richey or Palm Harbor office, of course). Regular dental checkups, after all, are important for maintaining good oral health.

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 Dr. Stein know during your next visit and we will provide a few great local references!

Wear those mouth guards this summer!

We're now halfway through summer, and Dr. Stein thought today would be a good time to remind our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports.

After all, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious mouth injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - Dr. Stein will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment! We hope you're having a great summer so far!

Patriotic fun facts with Braces by Stein!

This Sunday, our staff at Dr. Stein's office - Dr. Stein included - will be celebrating our nation's 234th birthday. And because we know our patients love fun facts - LOVE THEM! - here are some fun facts about Independence Day we thought you might enjoy! Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!!

- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn't want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.

- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

- America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.

- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.

- The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’

- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.

- Speaking of food, there's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is America's leader in the production of cattle and calves.

Connect with Dr. Stein and team on Facebook!

At Braces by Stein, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Tampa and surrounding communities. Even if you only see us for your appointment every three or four months, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Stein and team on our Facebook page?

We invite you to “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JeffreySteinDDS. We share office news, updates and contest announcements on our Fan Page, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically on Facebook!

See you on Facebook and have a great week,

- the Braces by Stein team

The social media adventure, with Dr. Jeffrey Stein

Isn’t social media great? Dr. Jeffrey Stein and team love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our interactive Facebook fan page. For social media to work, we know that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, we know it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Stein and our dedicated team take a little time to research and decide how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!