Mybraces for iPhone and iPad Touch

MyBraces Version 1.1

MyBraces gives you the ability to create and share your unique thoughts and stories about the experiences you have had while in braces

• Choose to make your journal entries public or private
• Take pictures of your teeth to track and compare your progress
• Personalize your ligature colors
• Share your journals and ligatures with your friends on facebook
• Optimized for the iPhone 4 Retina display
• Now in LITE version!

Available on the iPhone App Store

Requirements:
Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iOS 4.0 or later. WiFi, Edge, or 3G network connection required.

All Star Patient Contest

All-Star Patient Contest


Our patients get entered into drawings for fun prizes based on many different things, some of which include the following:

Cooperation with Orthodontic Care, such as keeping teeth and braces clean, intact, making and keeping appointments
Community Service
Good Grades in School
Sending us postcards from your vacations
Getting regular cleanings and good check-ups with your dentist

Our patients earn entries at each regular qualifying visit, and we have monthly, quarterly, and annual prizes!
How to earn tickets at your appointment:
1) EXCELLENT BRUSHING
2) NO BROKEN/LOST APPLIANCES AND IF APPLICABLE, GOOD COOPERATION WITH ELASTIC WEAR OR GOOD COOPERATION WITH REMOVABLE APPLIANCES
3) ARRIVING ON-TIME

*If you have to come in for a repair appointment you forfeit your no “NO BROKEN APPLIANCES” at your next visit.
*If you fail to come to your appointment without notifying us, you forfeit “ARRIVING ON-TIME” at your next visit.
*Gum chewing forfeits ALL tickets the day of your appointment!
*Patients who are being observed (no appliances) are only eligible for 1 Blue ticket per visit.
*NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED!

No Ticket = 0 or 1 out of 3
Blue Ticket = 2 out of 3
Green Ticket = 3 out of 3


BONUS TICKETS!!!

BLUE TICKETS

• Every A (or equivalent number) on your quarterly report card earns one blue ticket
• Every hour of community service since your last appointment
• Every food item donated to us during food drive times of the year
• Sending our office a post-card from your vacation
• Seeing your dentist for a check-up and cleaning since your last visit (Must show appointment card with your dentist office’s stamp on the back.)

GREEN TICKETS

• Straight A's on your quarterly report card
• Referring a friend to our office
• No cavities and good brushing report from your dentist (Must bring a note from your dentist confirming no cavities)
• 3+ hours of community service since your last appointment
• Informing us if you are in the local or school news, so we can post it on our Facebook page and/or website
• Becoming a "LIKER" of our Facebook page, and write on our wall so we know www.facebook.com/MarbleHillOrtho
• Checking in to our location on Foursquare

Prizes:

Monthly Drawings for a pair of movie tickets (both blue and green tickets can win)

Quarterly Drawings for a $50 gift certificate to the store of your choice (only green tickets can win)

Annual Drawing (Jan 1st) for your choice of one of the following (only green tickets can win):

One night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge
Apple iTouch 32GB (or equivalent from Apple Store)
X-box 360 or PS3 Game Console

Marble Hill Orthodontics, P.A. reserves the right to make changes to the contest and its rules at any time. There are a few appointments that do not qualify for any tickets, we will inform you of these appointment when you are here. Any patient related to Marble Hill Orthodontics staff or any other referring dental practice staff members are not eligible for this and/or any other contest hosted by Marble Hill Orthodontics, P.A.

You can now follow us on Twitter!

Follow us on Twitter today!

Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods Dr. Bruce Jiorle 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 Marble Hill Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at Marble Hill Orthodontics already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:

• An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
• A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
• A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontists). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

If you have more questions about two-phase orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bruce Jiorle, please give our office a call.

A great braces-friendly spring recipe! From Marble Hill Orthodontics

Winter is over, and the weather is finally starting to get warmer. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) spring dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Soy Simmered Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:
• 3 boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 large onions, chunked
• Small flour tortillas (pkg. of ten) wheat or white
• (optional: 10-16 oz. of cooked chopped broccoli)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 2 Tablespoons peach or apricot jam
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

In a slow cooker, or a large pan on the stove, layer the onions and the chicken breast. Allow at least three hours in the slow cooker on medium, or at least one hour on the stove—the longer the better, but you don’t have to do anything to it while it cooks. Spoon out the chicken onto a cutting board, and with a knife and fork, shred the chicken as finely as you’d like. In a small saucepan, stir all sauce ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, then let it simmer for five minutes on low heat to thicken. In a serving bowl, stir sauce and onion into chicken; if you’d like, add cooked chopped broccoli. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great spring dish and have a great week!

--From Dr. Bruce Jiorle and staff

Operation Shoebox

OPERATION SHOEBOX NEW JERSEY

 

This drive is sponsored by the local Girl Scouts from our area and our patient Kathleen GSHNJ SU93 Manager/Trainer.

 

The following list contains items frequently requested by U.S. soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please note that aerosol products cannot be shipped overseas. Also, all items must be in their original packaging. When in doubt, think small, it is easier to ship smaller packaged items than large, economy size. Also a little advice, think The Dollar Store, Walmart, and Target. They have small travel size products available, for very reasonable prices.

 

Items Needed:

• Lip balm
• Sun block - non-aerosol
• Moist wipes small or travel
• Bug spray - non-aerosol
• Bars of soap
• Disposable razors
• Small bottles of shampoo
• Deodorant - non-aerosol
• Powdered drink mixes
• Cereal/Snack/Granola bars
• Instant oatmeal - individual packets
• Boxes of hot chocolate that contain individual packet
• Small cans of tuna with pop-tops
• Small cans of fruit with pop-tops
• Microwave popcorn - individual bags can be sent
• Athletic socks (white)
• Batteries - all sizes
• Feminine products (travel size)/individually wrapped
• GUM/Candy (chocolate can melt)
• Small boxes of cereal
• Small bags of trail mix, peanuts, pretzels
• Beet jerky, slim jims, etc.

All Star Patient Contest:

 

For every 5 items brought into us at your appointment, you will receive 1 Blue Ticket. And for every 10 items you will receive 1 Green Ticket! More then 10 items will earn you additional tickets in intervals of 5 items. We will accept items up to May 14th. So get to work earning those tickets and helping our Soldiers overseas!

Visit http://www.opshoeboxnj.org/ to help.

Ask Dr. Jiorle: "What's the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?"

"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. Bruce Jiorle started out in dental school and earned a DMD (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Jiorle 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 Marble Hill Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

You're Never Too Old to Treat Yourself to a New Smile!

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Marble Hill Orthodontics!

Can Braces Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bruce Jiorle. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give Marble Hill Orthodontics a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

What Will YOUR Smile Look Like After Orthodontic Treatment?

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. Marble Hill Orthodontics loves to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bruce Jiorle, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment.

Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call Marble Hill Orthodontics to get started on improving your smile today!

Visualize your new smile with the Brace Painter!

Braces at Marble Hill Orthodontics are more fun than ever! With the Brace Painter, parents and children are able to “paint their braces,” and visualize how teeth will look with different colors of bands.

Would you like to try out green and gold bands this March, without the commitment of an all-out St. Patrick's Day look? The Brace Painter allows for you to select different colors, and then assign those colors of bands to certain teeth. Now, you can visualize your braces before you even come in for your appointment!

As always, please let Dr. Bruce Jiorle know if you have any questions about the Brace Painter, or your orthodontic treatment at Marble Hill Orthodontics. Have a great week!

The Oral Health Effects of Smoking

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco users are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75 percent of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health, we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Marble Hill Orthodontics! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Marble Hill Orthodontics, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Marble Hill Orthodontics encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Bruce Jiorle!

Staying connected with Marble Hill Orthodontics

At Marble Hill Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook Page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our Facebook Page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Bruce Jiorle and our staff take a little time to research 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?

Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

The benefits of dairy, from Marble Hill Orthodontics

Dr. Bruce Jiorle wants to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Bruce Jiorle and team at Marble Hill Orthodontics thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and pearly whites while playing sports.

Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Marble Hill Orthodontics. Stay safe and have fun!

Looking for a delicious braces-friendly winter dessert? We’ve got a great recipe!

You have braces from Marble Hill Orthodontics, and you’re probably wondering what to eat. You can’t have gum, popcorn or other delicious but braces-unfriendly foods. But fear not! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have a delicious recipe that will satisfy both your sugar craving and hunger when the weather gets cold.

Apple Bombolini
Ingredients:

Rustic dough
• 9 ounces cake flour (about 3 cups)
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch sea salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into large pieces
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoon cold water

Apple sauce filling
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Diced apples:
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

For the dough: In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, add the dry ingredients and mix for 5 seconds to blend. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until the butter is about the size of peas. Add the cold water and blend until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a roughly shaped ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Applesauce filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Put the apples with the rest of the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and cook until the apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Diced apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into large slices. Toss with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and set aside.

Assemble the bomboloni: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to1/4-inch thick round. Cut into 6-inch rounds. Place about 1/4 cup of the Apple Sauce Filling onto the center of each round. Top with a few pieces of the Diced Apples. Pull the sides up towards the center to form a bundle, pinching the dough together towards top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before baking

Bake the bombolonis: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the bombolonis from the refrigerator and place them on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 5 servings.

Enjoy!

Invisalign® tips, from Marble Hill Orthodontics

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Bruce Jiorle wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Marble Hill Orthodontics, give us a call!

Straight Teeth and Your Oral Health

Some people wonder why Phillipsburg orthodontist Dr. Jiorle and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Marble Hill Orthodontics can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Jiorle can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

A great braces-friendly winter recipe!

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the staff here at Marble Hill Orthodontics more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
• ½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and have a great week!
--From Dr. Jiorle and staff