Why Is it So Important to Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at to set up a consultation. Dr. Catania can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Halloween Candy Buy-Back - Dr. Catania Fayetteville, NY

Halloween Candy Buy-Back will be here before you know it!

Remember to bring in all of your hard, sticky, and chewy candies (as well as any other candy) between November 3rd - 13th! More info will follow via snail mail!

* Receive $1 per pound of candy you bring in

* Dr. Catania will donate $1 per pound to United Way to help others in need

* Candy received will benefit local food pantries for holiday treats

Also get ready for our annual Coat Drive! When you bring your candy, you can also bring in your no-longer-needed gently used coats, hats, mittens, scarves, snowpants, and boots.

We will accept all coat drive items November 3rd-December 11. All items will benefit Catholic Charities women's, children's, and men's shelters.

Gummy Tummy

We know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore!

Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry!

You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!