Friday 31 July 2015

Aging & Your Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about aging and your oral health.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Teen Orthodontics

Orthodontic Aligners That Are Nearly Invisible

Dr. Raman is pleased to offer Invisalign Teen as an alternative orthodontic option for young adults over the age of 15. High school is an exciting time in a young person’s life, with a whole series of smile-worthy occasions: homecoming, proms, senior pictures, and graduation. Invisalign Teen gives our young patients who are good candidates for this treatment a discreet, removable option for enhancing their smiles. Because the aligners are removable, they can be left out for special occasions like the junior prom or senior photos.

Each set of aligners is marked with a blue dot indicator, which helps teens keep track of when to replace them with the new set of aligners. Also, because the active lifestyle of the typical teen can cause mishaps like lost aligners, Invisalign Teen allows up to six free replacement aligners.



Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Monday 20 July 2015

Oral Care On The Go

Ways And Products To Maintain Oral Care On The Go

These days, it seems like everybody is going non-stop. But just because you’re busy or traveling - whether for work or play - that’s no excuse for neglecting your daily dental care routine. One of the easiest ways to maintain oral care on the go is to carry a small container of floss with you. If you’re hiking or camping and want to travel light, floss takes up less space than your electric flosser.

A variety of products make oral care easier when you are traveling or time-strapped. Soft flosses, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, can be used by anyone. They slide easily between the teeth to make flossing faster and easier. Also, interdental brush cleaners, made of nylon bristles and narrow enough to fit between teeth, combine brushing and flossing for surfaces between the teeth.

If you are hiking, camping or traveling where space is at a premium, buy a small travel toothbrush that folds up. The brush will stay clean and it will take up less of your valuable space.

Another point: If you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, and especially if you will be traveling overseas or in the wilderness, be sure to schedule a checkup with your dentist before you go. The last thing you want is a dental health problem to erupt when you are far from reliable dental care. Problems can still occur, but you can reduce the risk by being as prepared as you can before you travel.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Oral Health for Senior Citizens

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about dental care for senior citizens.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Monday 13 July 2015

Quick Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.

Limit Soda, Coffee and Alcohol
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Drink Tap Water When Possible
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.

Monitor Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
Despite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.

Increase Your Calcium Intake
After age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and D
These vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.

Put Out the Cigarette
Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Sunday 12 July 2015

Early Orthodonitc Prevention

Starting Early with a Full Range of Orthodontic Options
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children see an orthodontist by the age of 7 to screen for potential growth and tooth eruption problems. While the large majority of these young children do not require treatment, often minor preventive procedures can prevent major problems later in life. Dr. Raman’s thorough knowledge of craniofacial growth and development allows him to identify and correct teeth and jaw disharmony early, preventing big problems later on.

Raman Orthodontics 
Jim Raman, DMD 
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard 
Columbia, SC 29212 
(803) 212-0996 
RamanOrtho.com

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Dental Plans

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about dental plans.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Monday 6 July 2015

Dental Grills: The Bad Things

Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.

Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.

Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com

Sunday 5 July 2015

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontics are Not Just for Kids
Orthodontic treatment is often associated with being for children or teens because the majority of people you might see in treatment are in those younger age groups. Certainly, treatment is encouraged at a young age, when the bone in the jaw is not as dense and therefore resistant to change. But it’s never too late to correct your bite or straighten your smile!

Adults have different issues to address when it comes to orthodontics and other dental care. Teeth may be worn or missing, which doesn’t cause the same issues as teeth that grow in with poor alignment. Jaw problems might have worsened over time, as well. We have the ability to create a plan that incorporates several different types of treatments as well as basic orthodontics.

Many adult patients had braces as teenagers, and either want to take their care a step further, or correct some backsliding that may have occurred since then. We can use Invisalign and accelerated orthodontics methods for correction in half the time.



Adults are often more sensitive to the appearance of braces and other appliances, perhaps because they have fewer peers with braces than pre-teens do, or simply because of jobs and activities at which appearance is important. No one wants the glint of braces to distract from their major presentation or stage debut or ID photo. That’s why we offer such discreet options as clear brackets and Invisalign™ clear aligners.


Raman Orthodontics 
Jim Raman, DMD 
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard 
Columbia, SC 29212 
(803) 212-0996 
RamanOrtho.com

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Great American Smokeout

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about quitting smoking.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Raman Orthodontics  
Jim Raman, DMD  
1600 Lake Murray Boulevard  
Columbia, SC 29212  
(803) 212-0996  
RamanOrtho.com