Ask Dr. Jung: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

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

Dr. Jung and our team at Family Orthodontics will tell you those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! 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 are the worst for your child’s teeth – these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. This Halloween season, try to limit the amount of these candies that your child eats, and when your child does eat them, either have him rinse his mouth with water afterward or have him drink some milk or eat some cheese. Or, try these braces-free (and delicious) Halloween treats!

A few tips to stay healthy this cold season, from Family Orthodontics

It's fall, and the cold and flu season is once again upon us here in Middletown and surrounding areas. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks, according to the CDC.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Jung and our staff at Family Orthodontics give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Middletown and Port Jervis offices at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff, 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! Happy Monday and stay safe!

Ask Dr. Jung: My daughter is seven years old - when should I bring her in for a consultation?

Our team at Family Orthodontics will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Haesin Jung to assess what the best age for treatment is at our convenient offices in Middletown or Port Jervis!

Hope this helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment at Family Orthodontics! We hope you had a relaxing weekend!

Dr. Jung and Family Orthodontics, supporting National Orthodontic Health Month!

Did you know this weekend marks the official start of National Orthodontic Health Month, and 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 recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while wearing braces.

Dr. Haesin Jung and our staff at Family Orthodontics recommend you check out the AAO's website as well for helpful tips on keeping your braces in tip-top shape. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Drs. Jung or Pachter during your next visit at our Middletown or Port Jervis office!

We hope you've had a relaxing weekend!