The oral health benefits of straight teeth

Some people wonder why Austin orthodontist Dr. David Nelson 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 Austin 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. Nelson can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Ask Dr. Nelson: What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Austin Orthodontics in Austin, TX found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affects your oral health.

Nail biting, or Onychophagia, is a common habit that is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, and unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.

• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.

• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.

• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Nelson for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Good luck!

-Your friends at Austin Orthodontics

What are patients saying about Austin Orthodontics?

Austin Orthodontics, serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Nelson and team!

"I absolutely love my orthodontist and his staff. They are so amazingly friendly. I felt welcomed when I entered the office and everyone had the most beautiful smiles on their faces. It felt like they were a family and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than with my family, so thanks Dr. Nelson and staff for making my visits and care there a comfortable and exciting experience." ~Deirdre

"Dr. Nelson is really smart and he knows his stuff. He also has very high ethical standards and only recommends treatments that are appropriate for each patient. I had visited four other orthodontists for initial consultations and they all recommended that I should have jaw surgery - a couple of them barely looked at me for 30 seconds and recommended surgery. Dr. Nelson was honest and sincere when he said that I did not have any facial abnormalities that would warrant surgical intervention. I appreciated his honesty and decided to choose him for my treatment. After I started my treatment with him, he has remained extremely involved in my oral health." ~Harini

"I'm thrilled with our orthodontist. All staff is friendly, courteous, and efficient." ~Diana

Austin Orthodontics are adding a second office!

Austin Orthodontics is very excited to announce a second office to accommodate our growing practice. In March 2010 we will be opening the second office temporarily located in The Shops at Riverplace located at 10601 RR 2222, Suite P, Austin, TX 78730. We will be in the same shopping center as Rice, Pizza Hut and PostNet.

Above are the plans for our new temporary location. We will be breaking ground on a permanent new office behind the IBC Bank connected to the parking lot of the temporary office. The new permanent office should be completed early next year. We are beginning to take appointments for this new, temporary office. Drs. Nelson and Burgess will continue to treat at both locations.

Check back soon for updates!

Dr. David Nelson, helping America's wounded soldiers

Dr. David Nelson enjoys flying, but not for the reason one might think. He is part of a group that has helped more than 1,700 wounded soldiers with their recovery.

The Center For The Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio is where some of the most seriously injured U.S. soldiers go to heal. For some of them, flying with Dr. Nelson is their best way of reconnecting with the outside world.

Dr. Nelson is an Army veteran himself, having flown AH-1G or "Cobra" attack helicopters during the war in Vietnam. As a private pilot, Dr. Nelson volunteers his time and his twin engine cessna 425 with Veterans Airlift Command. VAC, as it's called, is a completely civilian organization of pilots helping wounded soldiers reunite with family or attended special events ... at no cost.

Dr. Nelson recently headed to New Mexico -- just south of Albuquerque -- to meet another VAC pilot and meet two soldiers returning to rehab at Intrepid.

"My friends who were hurt and killed in Vietnam with me... what are we 38 years later and I still get emotional about it. I really do," Dr. Nelson said. "I still remember their names and their faces and stuff like that."

According the the Department of Defense 35,944 U.S. service members have been wounded in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom since 2003.

"America has matured to the point of understanding that you can disagree with an action of the government but the people who carry it out still deserve your support," Dr. Nelson says in the video. "And I just think that's incredible. I think these guys deserve everything we can give them."

If you have any comments you'd like to add, or have questions for Dr. Nelson, please post them here or give us a call at Austin Orthodontics!

What do you love about Austin Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to our office Dr. Nelson and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We consider it a privilege to work with you and look forward to knowing you as friends as well as patients. By providing excellent personal and technical expertise to all of our patients, we are confident you will be pleased with your experience.

We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Nelson? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting Austin Orthodontics for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our networks. Or, you can tell us by giving us a call!