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!

Tell Dr. Stein what’s on your mind!

Week after week, Dr. Jeffrey Stein and our staff blog about important topics pertinent to your orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques we offer at our convenient offices in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey.

This week, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our amazing patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

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!

Dr. Stein wants to know: will you join the Braces Brigade?

How would you like to share your experience in braces by blogging about it AND come away with a $100 American Express gift card for your work?

Our team at Braces by Stein is looking for current, former and future orthodontic patients, as well as parents of orthodontic patients, to join the AAO's Braces Brigade and blog about their unique experience.

All applicants must either be an orthodontic patient here at Braces by Stein or the parent of an orthodontic patient (pre- and post- treatment stages are fine).

To complete the Braces Brigade application, you'll need:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100 word minimum)

If you're under 18, you must get your parents' permission and have them fill out this form along with your submission.

Dr. Stein and team encourage you to apply today! GOOD LUCK!!

Summer heat safety tips with Dr. Stein

With the summer in full swing and the heat wave sweeping through the majority of the United States this week, Dr. Stein and our entire staff want you to be extra careful when you’re out and about. This week, Dr. Richard Besser appeared on Good Morning America and talked about the many ways you can protect yourself from heat stroke and other heat-related conditions this summer. And, here are a few summer safety tips from our friends at WebMD.

We encourage you to watch this short clip and remember to always have a bottle of water handy when heading out!

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.

Pasta pomodorini, a delicious and braces-friendly summer recipe!

Summer is finally here, and that means it’s time for some refreshing recipes! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) summer dish that is sure to delight during the long, hot summer days. Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, Florida orthodontist Dr. Jeffrey Stein wants you to remember that a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment at Braces by Stein.

Pasta Pomodorini

Ingredients:
• ¾ pound spaghetti or spaghetti
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ¼ cup sliced garlic
• ½ teaspoon finely minced Calabrian chilies, or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pint small cherry tomatoes, stems removed, crushed between your thumb and forefinger
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, each torn into 2 or 3 pieces
• Wedge of Parmesan cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta. While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook until the slivers are golden brown and crisp, then add the chilies and cook for about 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and add the tomatoes. Simmer briskly to soften the tomatoes and thicken the juices, about 3 minutes. Season with salt.

When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the warm pot off the heat. Add the sauce and the basil and mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and grate Parmesan over the top to taste. Drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy this great summer dish and have a great rest of the week!