Happy New Year!

The year is almost over, so we wanted to ask what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from Dr. Goldknopf & Team!

Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Goldknopf would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Top ten tips for keeping your BRACES sparklin’ clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

Dr. Goldknopf and Team

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, we will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at The Brace Place if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

A season of thanks

With Thanksgiving and the holidays here, it’s a great time to ask ourselves what we’re thankful for. With our friends and family around us, we celebrate the blessings given to us in the past year. What are you thankful for this holiday season?

Dr. Goldknopf and our entire team at the Brace Place would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It’s a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or photos to share with us, we’d encourage you to send them along or post them on our Facebook page!

Dr. Goldknopf, reminding you to wear your mouth guard

Fall sports season is upon is, and Dr. Josh Goldknopf would like to take this time to remind our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) as well.

If you play fall sports, or are planning on participating in winter sports, please remember to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you're in for a visit with Dr. Goldknopf, be sure to ask him for a mouth guard! Have a great weekend.

October Contest Winner

Congratulations to our October contest winner, pictured above with Dr. Goldknopf and his prize- 4 tickets to the movies! We asked contestants to guess which staff member dressed each of the pumpkins decorating our office for Halloween. This patient was the lucky winner of the drawing- Congratulations!

We hold a new contest each month, so stay tuned for all the details on our Facebook page.

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Delayne!

We are sure you are busy getting your costume ready and carving pumpkins for Halloween, but this Sunday, October 31st, is also Delayne's birthday. Happy birthday Delayne! We wish you all a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Goldknopf and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Congratulations to our Monthly Hygiene Program Winner!

Each month, we award a winner for our hygiene program, designed to encourage patients to maintain strong oral hygiene habits while in orthodontic treatment. While daily brushing, flossing, and visits to your general dentist are always important, these habits are absolutely crucial during orthodontic treatment, especially with all the extra nooks and crannies that come with braces. Congratulations to our winner, and thank you for being such a great patient!

Guess Who Dressed the Pumpkin!

To get in the Halloween spirit, we are proud to announce our October contest- "Guess Who Dressed the Pumpkin"!

On your next visit to the office, guess which staff member dressed each of the pumpkins, and enter for a chance to win four tickets to the movies! Give us a call to learn more, or "like" us on Facebook to receive automatic updates!

-The Brace Place Orthodontics in Jacksonville Beach, FL

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Jacksonville Beach, FL area!

What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.
Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask us the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Congratulations on Getting Your Braces off!

We love to celebrate when our patients get their braces off at The Brace Place! Check out all the recent braces off photos we've posted on our Facebook Page!

Dr. Joshua Goldknopf and his talented orthodontic team serve Jacksonville Beach, FL. We strive to offer the highest quality treatment possible with innovative treatment options.

Call us today to schedule your free, complimentary orthodontic consultation, and visit our web site!

Julie's Baby Contest

Our September contest is all about Julie's new baby! Be the closest to guess the weight, date of birth and if it is a boy or a girl for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card!

What do you love about The Brace Place?

From your very first visit to our Jacksonville Beach, FL orthodontic office, our team strives to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by our work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

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

Thank you,
The Brace Place Team

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Goldknopf, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited The Brace Place for a consultation yet? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from The Brace Place

Trust us when we say Dr. Goldknopf and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at The Brace Place in Jacksonville Beach, FL, feel free to give us a call.

A few patient reviews for Dr. Goldknopf & Team

The Brace Place, serving Jacksonville Beach and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Goldknopf & Team!

My daughter went in for her appointment the other and day and came out after she was finished and told me that they wanted to talk to me. I was a little curious why, but then the lady came out and told what was going on with my daughters treatment and I was impressed. I felt very good knowing that they really wanted me involved in the treatment process. ~ Sarah G.

Two children with great smiles, thanks Dr Goldknopf! We received excellent service and follow up. ~ Michael U.

Best staff at the beach and its a great, comfortable environment. I love going there for all my orthodontic care. They make every thing so easy and very kid friendly. I wouldn't go anywhere else! ~ Alexa P.

Would you like to leave a review about your experience? Head to our Google Places Page and write one today!

Congratulations to our Share a Smile Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our "Share a Smile" Contest, Sofie R. She won a $200.00 American Express gift card, and says she is going shopping for something cool with it. We can't wait to hear what she has used it on!

Looking for more fun contests and events from The Brace Place of Jacksonville Beach, FL? Check out our Facebook page, or head the contest page on our web site. See you there!

What’s on your summer reading list?

With summer in full swing, some of us at The Brace Place wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading during the summer, but reading during the summer is a vital step in brain development and warding off the dreaded “summer slide”—and it's fun!

What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great summer reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff (and Dr. Goldknopf) would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas or check out these summer reading ideas that we came across today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

With The Brace Place, 24/7 access to your account

At The Brace Place, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at The Brace Place

We know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! The team at The Brace Place thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Smile Wide- June is the National Smile Month!

Now that we’re in June, our staff at The Brace Place Orthodontics thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to us and your general dentist.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call.

Meet Our Orthodontist

As an orthodontist Dr. Goldknopf is honest, down to earth, calm and detail oriented. His demeanor sets the tone for the entire practice. We respect our patients and their families. Dr. Goldknopf prides himself in taking the time to answer any and all questions that his patients or their families may have regarding treatment.

Dr. Goldknopf received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Miami. Following college he pursued advanced science training at Drexel University (formerly MCP Hahnemann University) where he received a master's degree in Medical Science. After his time in graduate school he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in dentistry and received his dental training at the University of Maryland Dental School. Following dental school Dr. Goldknopf completed a two-year residency training program in the specialty of orthodontics at the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Dr. Goldknopf is actively involved in his community at both educating children on oral health and making charitable contributions to many organizations. Dr. Goldknopf enthusiastically supports local schools, churches, athletic teams, health societies, The Girl Scouts and The Boy Scouts. Dr. G welcomes his patients to discuss their affiliations and special events and whenever possible he will contribute his time or make a donation.