"Hey, Dr. Dau! What the heck is malocclusion?"

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Dau calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and, believe it or not, even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Dau will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Dau Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

This Earth Day, what are you up to? From Dr. Dau

Earth Day, designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment, marks its 40th anniversary today. Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970 and is observed every April 22nd on virtually every country on Earth.

If you'd like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain Mother Earth, try these tips, courtesy of www.earthday.net:

• Use energy-efficient light bulbs, which result in the emission of less carbon dioxide (CO2) than regular light bulbs
• Buy recycled products - and recycle your trash. In addition, try to purchase products that use minimal packaging
• Eat locally farmed foods that are grown organically, as these are free of pesticides and less harmful to the earth
• Consider a hybrid car, drive less, and get regular tune-ups - all can reduce CO2 levels and improve fuel efficiency


Happy Earth Day!

The Dos and Don’ts of Facebook for parents, from Dau Orthodontics

Many parents often sign up for Facebook accounts and friend their kids, as a way to keep an eye on their kids’ online activities. But then what? Many parents in this digital age are still lost when it comes time to monitoring their kids online.

Last fall, parenting author Vicki Courtney wrote a helpful post on the things parents should and shouldn’t do on Facebook. Dr. Dau and our team at Dau Orthodontics thought you might benefit from reading Vicki’s piece.

Here is her list of the Top Ten Facebook No-Nos for Parents. Please let us know what you think!

Ask Dr. Dau: What can I expect during my consultation?

At your initial consultation, Tampa orthodontist Dr. Steven Dau will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for your orthodontic needs.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. Dr. Dau will take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric x-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method for your needs. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help Dr. Dau when examining your diagnostic records).

At your second appointment, Dr. Dau will discuss your options with you. We feel it is important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that Dr. Dau can more thoroughly prepare your treatment recommendation. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand Dr. Dau's recommendations before we proceed.

Give us a call today at (813) 235-4730 and schedule a free consultation!