Which toothbrush should my child use?

Dr. John Pobanz will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give Pobanz Orthodontics a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. John Pobanz has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Pobanz Orthodontics on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Ask Dr. Pobanz: When Are Two Phases of Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at Pobanz Orthodntics 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 with Dr. John Pobanz 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.

Give our office a call if you have any questions.

Straight Teeth and Your Oral Health

Some people wonder why South Ogden and Pleasant View orthodontist Dr. John Pobanz 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 Pobanz 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. Pobanz can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

January's Case of the Month - Jessica

Jessica, a patient at Pobanz Orthodontics, recently completed a 21 month orthodontic treatment with temporary anchorage devices which ended up saving Jessica $7,500! The pictures below contain before and after photos of Jessica's treatment with Dr. John Pobanz.






If you are considering orthodontic treatment, give Pobanz Orthodontics a call.

Safety first this winter! From Dr. Pobanz

Winter is officially here, and with it comes unpredictable and inclement weather. This week, Dr. John Pobanz and our team would like to share a few winter safety tips that we found on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Enjoy!

• Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
• Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
• A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
• It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
• Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
• When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your loved ones stay safe and sound this winter season. Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Pobanz Orthodontics.

What are patients saying about Pobanz Orthodontics?

Dr. Pobanz and our team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Pobanz Orthodontics, serving South Ogden, Pleasant View UT and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Have a great weekend!

"I always enjoy coming to see Dr. Pobanz. He is fantastic and so are all of those around him."

"I feel so lucky to have found Dr. Pobanz. I tell everyone I know how awesome his practice is. Thank You Dr. John!"

"Dr. Jon definitely keeps the kids' enthusiastic about keeping good oral hygiene and ortho process."

"The gals at the front desk (Shannon and Susie) are outstanding. They both are very friendly and helpful. They are always on the ball and make for a welcoming experience when you enter the office. They deserve a pat on the back...."

Thank you everyone for the kind words. We appreciate all of our patients so much!!