Nifty "Eggs"periment from Dr. Pobanz

Summer is drawing near. If the little ones aren’t at camp, we at Pobanz Orthodontics thought you might need some ideas to keep them occupied. Why not use a fun and simple science experiment to focus their attention for a while? This one includes a lesson about why it’s important to brush teeth to make plaque go away.

Gather the items you will need for this experiment:

--1 hard-boiled egg with the shell on
--12 ounces of Coke, Pepsi or other dark-colored cola
--1 container large enough to hold the cola and egg
--1 plastic bowl
--1 toothbrush
--1 drop of fluoride toothpaste
--Clean-up supplies

Explain to your child that plaque is a sticky layer of germs that collects on her teeth. If she doesn’t brush, plaque can cause serious problems for her teeth, for example holes in the teeth (cavities) or swollen gums (gingivitis). Tell her that you are going to do an experiment to see how plaque coats her teeth, and why brushing twice a day is important for healthy teeth and gums.

Conduct the experiment:

1. Make the comparison between the white color of the egg and the white color of your child's teeth.

2. Place the egg into the container and pour the cola over it, so that it completely covers the egg.

3. Let the egg sit in the cola for 24 hours.

4. Remove the egg from the cola. The egg will be stained and yellowish.
5. Explain to your child that the colored layer that has appeared on top of the eggshell is just like the layer of plaque that occurs on her teeth.

6. Place the egg in the plastic bowl and give your child the toothbrush with the drop of toothpaste on it.

7. Let her brush the "plaque" off of the egg. The yellowish film will disappear, exposing the white eggshell. Explain that the same thing happens when she brushes her teeth.

Enjoy from Pobanz Orthodontics

Appointment Card Contest at Pobanz Orthodontics

Being in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time is all it takes to win a $100 VISA Gift Card from Dr. John! We have changed our appointment card contest. Simply hand your appointment card to one of our front desk girls and IF you are EARLY or RIGHT ON TIME, your card will be entered into the "ON TIME" drawing held once every quarter. The next drawing will be at the end of March 2009! So keep those cards coming!!

Contests for Everyone at Pobanz Orthodontics

TOOTHBRUSH DECORATING CONTEST
Test your design skills! Dr. John and his Team want to see your creative side! Take a toothbrush and work your magic. (Use one of your own or we are providing them in the office). Decorate the toothbrush or use it to create a sculpture or other piece of art work. We will display all the designs in the office. Each toothbrush will get one entry for a Digital Camera! One entry per patient. Contest ends March 31st.

ADULT CONTEST
The next adult appointment card contest is awesome and by far one our most popular! Bring your appt. card to your appointments and if you are ON TIME or EARLY, your card will be entered to win a $150 cleaning spree! That's right we send 'em to you!! Contest ends March 31st, just in time for spring cleaning!

Good luck from Dr. John and the Team at Pobanz Orthodontics.

Smoke Screen -- Dr. John Pobanz

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco 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% 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 Pobanz 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.