Avoid a Cold or the Flu with these Simple Steps

It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some simple steps you can take to help yourself avoid colds and the flu this season:

• 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 toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Zoltan Berky and our team give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

The Importance of Retainers, from Dr. Berky

If you recently completed treatment at Berky Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Zoltan Berky will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always 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 Dr. Berky is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. There is also some helpful information on the Retainer Page on our website.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Berky, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

This month’s featured Berky Orthodontics employee, Kathy Zienert

Kathy is a great team member at Berky Orthodontics who is always looking for ways to make our patients feel comfortable and happy while visiting our practice. She enjoys working with patients of all ages, and making sure they each person’s orthodontic experience is as positive as possible. Kathy has been working with Dr. Zoltan Berky for over five years.

Now here’s Kathy to tell you a little more about herself:

“I have been married to Keith for 14 years. I have 2 Sons (Billy & Chris). Chris is married to my wonderful daughter-in-law Jordan and lives in Arkansas and Billy is engaged to Heather whom is also wonderful and he lives in High Point. I have a very cute Chihuahua named Doti, who is the little girl of the family. My husband loves running marathons for special causes and his favorite is in Florida for Breast Cancer. We enjoy traveling there for this wonderful event. In my spare time I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friends.”

Kathy and her husband Keith.

Kathy's son Billy and his fiance Heather

Kathy's son Chris and his wife Jordan

Keith and Kathy's little girl, Doti


Come meet Kathy and the rest of the amazing Berky Orthodontics team by coming in for a complimentary consultation. Give our office a call to schedule your visit.

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces at Berky Orthodontics and Dr. Zoltan Berky has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy!

-Your friends at Berky Orthodontics