Ask Dr. Farina: Do germs really live on toothbrushes?

Great question! Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Farina will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• 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 your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Farina Orthodontics if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Giving thanks this holiday season

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, it's a great time to ask ourselves what we're thankful for. With our friends and family around us, we celebrate the blessings given to us in the past year. Our staff at Farina Orthodontics thought we'd ask: What are you thankful for this holiday season? Do you have any Thanksgiving wishes you would like to share?

Dr. Farina and our entire team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It’s a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or photos to share with us, we’d encourage you to send them along or post them on our Facebook page!

Gobble Gobble!

Farina Orthodontics, dispelling the myths about braces

We hope you're having a great Monday so far- Dr. Mark Farina and our experienced 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 braces. 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 fall?

It’s fall here at Farina Orthodontics, a time when families in Tampa begin to make plans for Thanksgiving and the holidays. But before you go celebrating, we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?"

Dr. Farina and team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment here in Tampa and surrounding areas. We are interested in learning about what makes our unique city town “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!