Understanding Cavities from Dr. Vardy

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities from Dr. Vardy:

--Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
--Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
--Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
--Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
--Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

It's Never Too Late for the Perfect Smile! --Vardy Orthodontics

They turn you away at the kiddy roller coasters once you've surpassed the three-foot height limit. You have to leave school and start punching the career clock at some point. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy other privileges we usually associate with youth: nobody's stopping you from drawing a chalk dinosaur on the sidewalk - and it's never too late to straighten your teeth!

Many people think that if they didn't have braces in junior high, they've missed the only chance to straighten their teeth. But more and more, we see a strong trend in orthodontics: adults who realize the time is still ripe.


Chicago resident Sally Borla, retired and in her 50s, didn't dream she'd ever wear braces. After treatment, she couldn't imagine why she hadn't started earlier. "I'd always related braces to young people, but I guess I'm living proof that it doesn't matter how old a person is," Borla said. "When I look in the mirror, I can hardly believe that the smile looking back at me is mine."

And because orthodontics closes up spaces between teeth or eliminates crowding, patients have found it's easier to keep them clean. Michael Smith of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said he noticed fewer problems with tartar buildup since braces had realigned his teeth and jaws when he was in his late 20s. "I do believe my teeth will last a lot longer," said Smith, now in his 30s.

Maria Castro of Brandon, Florida, was 91 ("and a half," she'd add) when her braces came off. Castro said her smile was a source of pride until one of her teeth began to slip behind its neighbors when she was in her late 80s. When her family dentist told her that her teeth, gums and supporting bone were in good shape – and her son, an oral surgeon, concurred – she said, "Why not?"

Why not, indeed? One out of every five people in orthodontic treatment is over the age of eighteen. So if your teeth aren't as straight as you'd like, and you find yourself jealously eyeing your pre-teen's braces, give us a call at Vardy Orthodontics. Remember there's no age limit on the perfect smile!

First Graders Learn about Dental Hygiene at Vardy Orthodontics

On January 26th, we at Vardy Orthodontics received a very special visit from the first graders at PS166. They came to tour our office and learn why it is so important to take care of your teeth.

Our beloved Jehona has been on staff with us since 1996 and arranged the field trip as her daughter is a student in the class. Nancy, our lovely patient and photographer, came to take photos of the special event.

We want to thank all of our visitors for their considerate behavior and the beautiful, thoughtful “Thank you” cards they made for Dr. Vardy and Jehona. We look forward to seeing you all in the future!

What's So Special About an Orthodontist Like Dr. Vardy?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Vardy started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Vardy decided she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So she stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Halloween Party on 78th Street Recap

This year’s Halloween trick-or-treat night on 78th Street was a great success! Dr. Vardy, her children, her staff and her staff’s children handed out glow-in-the-dark toothbrushes and “braces friendly” soft chocolates to trick-or-treaters who stopped by Vardy Orthodontics on their way down 78th Street. Festivities were in full swing from 4pm-9pm with over 200 people participating. It was so much fun to see everybody dressed in costume and enjoying themselves. Thank you to everybody who stopped by and said hello! We hope everybody had a great time and we look forward to doing it again next year.

Take a look at our slideshow below, or visit our MySpace page to see the full photo album!

Trick-or-Treat with Vardy Orthodontics!

It’s Halloween – time for costumes, candy, and fun. At Vardy Orthodontics we want you to enjoy every moment of your Halloween, including the sweets; but, if you have braces we encourage you to consider trading your hard/sticky/chewy candies with a friend or sibling for softer candies.

If you can’t find anybody willing to trade with, don’t worry, you can bring in your candy to Vardy Orthodontics for our Candy Buy Back Program! Come trade in your “braces breaking” candy for some softer chocolates and “braces safe” treats and sweets. Have a fun, safe Halloween – from our family to yours!


Halloween Safety Tips

• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Happy Halloween!

It’s almost Halloween, and at Vardy Orthodontics we can’t wait! On October 31st, things get spooky here on 130th W. 78th Street when the entire block is closed off and trick-or-treaters take over! Ghosts, goblins and ghouls, along with our dental hygienists, appointment schedulers, orthodontic insurance specialists, and Dr. Vardy will be there, in costume, to hand out chocolate and glow-in-the-dark toothbrushes.

While you’re out and about on Halloween, be sure and stop by Vardy Orthodontics at 130 West 78th Street; New York, NY 10024. We’d love to see your costume and we look forward to joining you for another frighteningly fun, and safe, Halloween!

$1.50 for a Cavity

Vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger. You put in $1.50 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda…but that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that “sweet tooth”, but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities.

Here are some savory options!

• Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)

• Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)

• Bread

• Pretzels (low salt)

• Milk (low or non-fat)

• Cheese (low or non-fat)

• Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)

• Sliced meat