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!