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Happy Self-Care Awareness Month! Taking care of yourself can look a little different for everyone, but at Kuhlberg Orthodontics, practicing self-care includes a healthy and happy smile. This means no plaque on the teeth, pink gums, and tissues that don't bleed easily when brushing. Taking care of your smile with regular visits to the dentist, brushing, flossing, drinking water, and eating healthy all lead to a happy and healthy smile. Let’s ensure you are on the path to excellent oral hygiene!

For brushing, we recommend patients use whichever toothbrush they are most comfortable with. As long as they are brushing and keeping their teeth healthy, that is what is important to us. Patients should brush for at least 2 minutes twice a day, especially before bed. We don't recommend any specific brand of toothpaste but we do recommend toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.

Flossing should also be done several times a week. Water picks are not absolutely necessary but some patients may find them helpful. Floss or flossers are great for patients as long as they take their time with keeping their oral hygiene in top shape.

Practicing and maintaining good oral health will benefit you in many ways. Your teeth will look and feel better while giving your teeth less of a chance for complicated dental issues caused by bad oral hygiene. It is important to make time to take care of your teeth properly!

It’s also crucial to remember that nutrition goes hand in hand with oral health. What we eat affects our teeth so if we eat healthy our mouths will be happier. Especially limiting your intake of sugar in drinks and food will improve your diet.

Self-care is important for everyone to make time for in their busy schedules. Beyond oral hygiene, self-care includes eating healthy, staying active, exercising, and getting a good night's sleep. Maintaining balance in your life helps you become the best you can be!

We hope you are having a wonderful and healthy start to your fall. We can’t wait to see you in our office again soon.

It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment. Kristin’s treatment began in sixth grade when she was fitted with a device Dr. Kuhlberg and our team call a palatal expander, which is used to guide upper jaw growth in our younger patients.

What is a palatal expander?

A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on your upper molars, and is used to make the bottom and upper teeth fit together better. In addition, palatal expanders work to create more room for teeth, as well as promote a broader, more appealing smile.

Do palatal expanders hurt?

Palatal expanders are usually not painful, however you may experience difficulty speaking and swallowing for the first few days. Adjusting your palatal expander as instructed by Dr. Kuhlberg will ensure there are no delays in regards to your treatment plan.

Typically, it takes a few weeks to achieve the desired amount of expansion, after which you will keep wearing your expander for about six months, giving time for the new bone to form and stabilize. Dr. Kuhlberg and our team at Kuhlberg Orthodontics will give you detailed instructions about how to adjust your appliance and can answer any questions you may have about your palatal expander.

If you have any questions about your palatal expander or your treatment plan with Dr. Kuhlberg, please give us a call at our Avon, Connecticut office!

It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and Dr. Kuhlberg and our team at Kuhlberg Orthodontics are sure that you’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans in no time. But wait! First, we want to know about your favorite parts of the summer! Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday each September here in the United States, is a holiday devoted to the American working community. The purpose of the holiday is honoring the country's workers and their contributions to the strength of our country as a whole.

How Labor Day Started

There is actually some debate as to the origins of Labor Day. It is uncertain whether Peter McGuire, a cofounder for the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, who was the secretary of Central Labor Union of New York, had the great idea. However, the Central Labor Union's plans were what launched the first Labor Day in America.

The First Labor Day

The very first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th, 1882. The Central Labor Union then held annual celebrations on September 5th for what they called a working man's holiday. By the year 1885, the Labor Day celebration had spread to many different industrial areas, and after that it began spreading to all industries in the United States.

Labor Day Today

Labor Day today is a huge United States holiday during which we honor the country's workers with a day of rest and relaxation or a day of picnics and parades. This holiday is truly one to honor the many people who work hard to contribute to the economic well-being of our great country!

Our team at Kuhlberg Orthodontics hopes all of our patients celebrate Labor Day, and every holiday, safely and happily. Whether you stay in the Avon, Connecticut area, or travel out of town, have fun, and don't forget to brush!