Tips to help you beat the heat, from Dau Orthodontics

These are the “dog days” of summer, and with the heat wave sweeping through the majority of the United States, our team at Dau Orthodontics want you to be extra careful about sun safety when you’re out and about this summer. Here are a few summer safety tips we thought we’d pass along.

Dr. Steven Dau and our team also encourage you to always have a bottle of water handy when heading out!

Have a great summer!

Ask Dr. Dau: “I’m 31 – am I too old for orthodontic treatment?”

Absolutely not.

In fact, our staff at Dau Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic not too long ago: the number of adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! It's true that 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 teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely—to invest in orthodontics. Treatment with Dr. Steven Dau can be successful at any age, and we know that adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile.

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

Connect with Dau Orthodontics on Facebook!

At Dau Orthodontics, we provide the highest quality of orthodontic care with personalized service and a comfortable atmosphere. You and your family have our undivided attention starting the moment you enter our practice. We are here for you, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure you leave us with a smile!

Even if you visit our New Tampa or Lutz, FL office for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Dau on Facebook?

There, we share office news and updates, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook!

Patriotic Fun Facts with Dau Orthodontics!

America turns 235 years old tomorrow, and because we know our patients love fun facts, we thought we’d provide you with some fun facts about Independence Day! Have a great Fourth of July everyone, and we’ll see you soon!

- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

- An estimated 2.5 million people lived in America in July 1776. Today, an estimated 309 million people reside in the United States.

- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn’t want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.

- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

- America’s mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.

- The American flag patch is backwards on U.S. Army uniforms. The reason? The blue field on the flag (the part with the stars) faces forward to symbolize carrying the American flag into battle.

- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.

- The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’

- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.

- Speaking of food, there’s a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard this Independence Day weekend grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is America’s leader in the production of cattle and calves.

What are patients saying about Dau Orthodontics?

Our team at Dau Orthodontics have been receiving some great patient testimonials lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Dau and our team!

"Dr. Dau really seems to care about my concerns and comfort as a patient. He always treats me with respect and explains my orthodontic care in a way that I understand. His staff is great; always nice, smiling, and seem happy to see me and note how well we are doing with my braces." ~ George K.

"The Personnel (very professional), The facility (clean, fresh, decorated with good taste), convenient location, the doctor. All." ~ Paula A.

"Everyone in the office is so nice, the assistants as well as Dr Dau are very gentle and make my daughter feel very comfortable." ~ Jennifer P.

Share your summer adventures with Dr. Dau!

As the school year comes to an end for a lot of our patients at Dau Orthodontics, the days get longer and the hot Florida sun begins to warm up, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or chill under the shade with a cool beverage.

For most of our patients, summer brings a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief from homework and studying, among other activities.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Our entire staff (as well as Dr. Dau) would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re headed to an exotic destination, awesome! If you're going camping, we'd like to hear about it! Going to an Rays game? Tell us! Even if you're staying at home and hanging out here in the Tampa area, let us know!

Please feel free to share your summer plans and adventures on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

June is National Smile Month

According to a recent poll by Glamour Magazine, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Dau Orthodontics to support National Smile Month this June.

Show off your pearly whites by posting your favorite smile photos on the wall of our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing what you share!

Dr. Dau and team proudly offer complimentary consultations!

At Dau Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! You and your family have our undivided attention starting the moment you enter our practice. We are here for you, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure you leave us with a smile!

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Steven Dau, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call. We have two convenient offices in New Tampa and Lutz.

See you soon!

Dau Orthodontics, honoring our veterans

Memorial Day weekend is a time Americans remember all those who bravely gave their lives for our country. It’s also the unofficial start of summer, and for many kids, getting out of town for three days with parents after being in school all these months is sure to be sweet, sweet relief.

At Dau Orthodontics, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s unofficially the start of summer and time for a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories with parents or friends. What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? What will you be doing on your day off from school or work?

Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the Florida sun this weekend, we’d like to hear all about it! Enjoy the holiday!

"My son is turning 7 - when should we visit for a consultation?"

Great question! The truth is, many parents in the Tampa area assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Dr. Steven Dau for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

Yes, seven. At that age, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Dau to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what Dr. Dau calls “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

An evaluation by Dr. Dau at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Dau Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Dau at the 111th AAO Annual Session

Patients at Dau Orthodontics can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Dr. Steven Dau‘s goal is to help you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! Dr. Dau and our staff are committed to making your orthodontic experience a positive one. Dr. Dau is devoted to continuing education and furthers his learning through reading, attending conferences and continuing education courses. One of those conferences includes the 2011 AAO Annual Session in Chicago, where Dr. Dau will head next weekend.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It’s also a time for Dr. Dau to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows Dr. Dau to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

In addition to being certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, which is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Dau is also an active member of professional organizations such as the Southern Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association and Hillsborough County Dental Association.

Isn’t it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Dau taking care of your perfecting your smile?

What’s on your reading list?

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients at Dau Orthodontics wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks "Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Steven Dau & team would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

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

Myths about braces, explained

We hope you had a wonderful & relaxing Easter weekend so far! Dr. Dau and our team know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics circulating around nowadays. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! We came across a great resource recently that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontics. Check them out today!

Hope this helps. Give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!

What do you love about Dau Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to Dau Orthodontics, Dr. Dau and our dedicated team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Dau? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love 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 here on our blog or on our Facebook page!

Love your child's smile? Tell the world about it!

At Dau Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! Dr. Steven Dau and our staff are committed to making your orthodontic experience a positive one. Serving the beautiful city of Tampa and surrounding Florida communities of New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Land-O-Lakes, Dau Orthodontics offers a warm, inviting, patient-focused environment. We are professional and friendly, and always looking for ways to make your orthodontic treatment more comfortable, convenient and rewarding.

Whether you've visited Dr. Dau and team for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

If you wish, you may also review Dr. Dau and team on our Yelp listing.

Ask Dr. Dau: What's the deal with retainers?

If you've recently completed treatment at Dau Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you, again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Dau will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, you see, provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by our staff at Dau Orthodontics is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment here at Dau Orthodontics, please read this helpful article about retainers or give us a call!

How important is your smile? From Dr. Dau

At Dau Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! Dr. Dau and our staff are committed to making your orthodontic experience a positive one. We want you to SMILE!

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well

Please contact our New Tampa FL orthodontic office at (813) 929-3361, or at our Lutz FL orthodontic office at (813) 909-8200, to set up your FREE orthodontic consultation to learn more about orthodontic treatment and your smile!

New Lutz office! We have moved!

We are happy to announce we moved to our new Lutz location on Friday! The new address is: 21774 State Road 54
Lutz, FL 33549

Our Cross Creek location is still the same. The only change is that we have moved our Lutz office from Van Dyke to SR 54.

AHHH..that new office smell is great!! See you all soon!


We are thrilled to see you at our new office!

Connect with Dau Orthodontics on Facebook!

At Dau Orthodontics, we provide the highest quality of orthodontic care with personalized service and a comfortable atmosphere. You and your family have our undivided attention starting the moment you enter our practice. We are here for you, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure you leave us with a smile!

Even if you visit our New Tampa or Lutz, FL office for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with Dr. Dau on Facebook?

There, we share office news and updates, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook!

"I'm 31 - I'm probably too old for braces, right?"

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our dedicated staff at Dau Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago. In fact, more than 30 percent of orthodontic patients today are adults. Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: cosmetics. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics.

While orthodontic treatment is often associated with children and teenagers, adult orthodontics and braces at our Tampa and Lutz orthodontic offices can achieve amazing results for adult patients. With treatments such as Invisalign®, In-Ovation Braces and clear ceramic braces,you can have your teeth straightened less noticeably. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Steven Dau 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. Dau, as well as our entire team, would love to have you visit for a consultation. Give us a call to set one up!

When should you call Dau Orthodontics?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have put together this helpful list that outlines when you should call one of our offices, conveniently located in Tampa, Lutz and serving surrounding Florida communities. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Steven Dau:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, please give us a call as soon as possible!

Presidents' Day Fun Facts!

Today marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined February birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents’ Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Dau Orthodontics.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents we thought you might enjoy:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, supposedly carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called “20-year curse,” in which every president elected in a year ending in 0 died in office.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

*Fourteen presidents served as vice presidents: J. Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren, Tyler, Fillmore, A. Johnson, Arthur, T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman, Nixon, L. Johnson, Ford, and George H.W. Bush.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

Complimentary Consultations at Dau Orthodontics

At Dau Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy beautiful smile that gives you the comfort and confidence you deserve! You and your family have our undivided attention starting the moment you enter our practice. We are here for you, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure you leave us with a smile!

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Steven Dau, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call. We have two convenient offices in New Tampa and Lutz.

See you soon!

Dau Orthodontics, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

At Dau Orthodontics, February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and Dr. Dau and team thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing our team at our New Tampa or Lutz office during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment at Dau Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Do you know where your mouth guard is?

Spring sports are just around the corner, and our staff at Dau Orthodontics - including Dr. Steven Dau - would like to remind our young athletes in treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) as well this spring. Dr. Dau will tell you that only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - we will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment!

January featured patient reviews for Dau Orthodontics!

Dau Orthodontics, serving Tampa, Lutz and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient testimonials lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Dau and our team! Have a great weekend!

"My daughter, Sami, loves him! She trusts him feels totally comfortable with Dr. Dau, which is pretty rare for her to be with any of her doctors." ~ Ann G.

"The Dr. is Very thorough and is very dedicated to making my lifelong dream of a nice smile closer than i could ever imagine. I also am very impressed with the entire staff. Everyone has been very polite and courteous since my very first appointment." ~ Archie G.

"WE love everything about Dr. Dau and Staff everyone is so helpful & friendly. Thank you." ~ Melissa N.

More than just a day off from school

In the 1950s and ’60s, civil rights champion Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the need to bring about social justice, and worked tirelessly to instill tolerance in our nation, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward. This weekend, tens of thousands of people of all ages and races in Tampa and across Florida will spend their time building, giving and renovating our communities to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Do you have the day off on Monday? If so, what do you plan to do to help your local community?

We’d love to know about your activities and events this MLK Jr. Day. If you have any video or pictures you’d like to share, please pass them along! If you’re not sure how, give us a call!

Dr. Dau and our entire team are proud of your work in our community!

Here comes the Braces Brigade!

At Dau Orthodontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their orthodontic treatment as possible. That includes asking Dr. Dau lots of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health during treatment.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Dr. Dau and team encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our New Tampa or Lutz office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Dau!

Have a great weekend!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

Let’s face it, when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? Our staff at Dau Orthodontics believes the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health during your orthodontic treatment!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too after you’re done with braces! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s resolution, Dr. Steven Dau and our staff wish you the very best for 2011!