Saturday, November 19, 2011

DentaKit.com's BIG annual holiday sale! Now through Nov. 28th

Dentakit.com is having a BIG holiday sale! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming, and that means that it's time to save money on the dental products you or your loved ones need in the coming year! 

SAVE 15% on an order of $30 or more* with Coupon Code:
Save15Percent

- OR -

SAVE 20% on an order of $100 or more* with Coupon Code:
Save20Percent

These coupon codes are valid NOW through Monday Nov. 28th. Only one coupon code can be used per order. Enter the coupon code on the Shipping Page when you check out. (*Your merchandise total, before shipping, must be this amount or more.)

The more you buy, the more you save! It's a great time to stock up, and take advantage of your flexible spending benefits before the year ends!  

SHOP NOW on your computer or our new mobile site!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Shock Doctor Sports Mouthguards for Braces

We've been wanting to add a braces sports mouthguard to our product lineup for a long time. The over-the-counter mouthguards we examined just fell short of our expectations: they were all rather uncomfortable in the mouth and frankly didn't offer the best protection. Until now. Shock Doctor makes an excellent sports mouthguard for braces, and we're happy to say that we now carry this product.

There are two types of Shock Doctor Braces Mouthguards:
  • Single, which protects the upper teeth only
  • Double, which protects both the upper and lower teeth (includes holes for air flow and easier breathing).
Shock Doctor Braces Mouthguards are made of medical-grade latex-free silicone. They are extremely comfortable in the mouth and immediately conform to the teeth and the brackets. Every time you wear your mouthguard, it conforms to your teeth that day. Then when you remove it, the silicone "bounces back" to original shape. So the next time you wear it, it will conform to your teeth perfectly again, even if you've had an adjustment or your teeth or brackets have moved.  Because of this, it will not interfere with your orthodontic treatment, and you get a "custom fit" each time you wear it!

These Shock Doctor Braces Mouthguards are available in both adult and youth (ages 11 and younger) models, and come in two colors: blue or pink.

Keep your mouthguard clean with a specially designed Shock Doctor Mouthguard case, which includes a metal carabiner hook to attach your mouthguard case to your sports duffle bag or backpack. 

DentaKit.com strongly suggests that you ask your team coach, and dentist or orthodontist which type of mouthguard is right for your sport.  This product meets NFHS wrestling regulations.

Now get out there and tear up the field, or the court, or the mat...whatever....go team!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

DentaKit has Gone Mobile!

DentaKit.com has launched a new mobile site. Now if you visit us from your smartphone or tablet, it will be easier than ever to browse products or gather information. Our mobile site is simple and easy to navigate. You can shop there just as easily as on our regular website. All of our product are there, in addition to our new informational articles.

Checkout is totally secure, with TrustWave security and buyer protection powered by Unbound Commerce. You can use our coupon codes to save money, too. The next time you're on your iPhone, Android, iPod, or iPad -- or any other smartphone device -- take a few minutes to check it out!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

We have a new logo and a slightly new look!


If you've visited DentaKit.com in the past, you may have noticed recently that something has changed....our logo and some of our site's layout! We are in the middle of a site re-design, which is being done in phases. We just finished Phase One, which includes a snazzy new logo and new headers and footers for the site. Personally I love the new logo. I think it looks happy and friendly -- just like our site! In the months ahead, other elements of the site will be changing and improving to make your shopping experience with us more convenient. We haven't changed our site very much since we began almost 10 years ago and we thought it was time for a facelift. We hope to have the entire site re-done by the end of this year.

Don't worry, we're the same family-run small company we've always been. Only the look and feel of our site will be changing. Our prices and our excellent customer service will stay the same.

Anyway, to celebrate completing phase one of our project, we are offering you a special 15% discount off ANY size order of ANY products in our store. Just use coupon code PhaseOne when you check out. This coupon is good until July 19th and (sorry!) cannot be combined with our free shipping coupon.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Guest Blogger: Pamela Waterman


Today we welcome Pamela Waterman, co-author of the award-winning braces-friendly cookbooks, The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love and The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort Foodwith a Gourmet Touch.

Pam says:

Guest Blogger Pamela Waterman here, COO (Chief Orthodontic Organizer) at Metal Mouth Media - home of The Braces Cookbook series. I’m always looking for tips, recipes and ideas that help make life in braces easier for children, teens, adults, and parents. The world is turning to apps for fast, handy information on gazillions of subjects, so I’m not surprised that orthodontics is now one of them.

iBracesHelp is an app by The Dental Specialists that came out last year and was recently updated. Information, photos and video clips give you a quick summary about caring for braces and what to do if you have a problem. You’ll see how to use a toothbrush to best clean around your traditional braces, what to do if your archwire starts sticking out the back (actually a good thing overall – it means your teeth are starting to move the way they are supposed to), and more information than I have ever seen about how elastics can be used to connect various hooks and brackets throughout your mouth.

This latest version (v1.3) includes a new food section with ideas on what foods are good to eat, what kinds are best to avoid, and several recipes for tender food treats.

You can download the iBracesHelp app at the Apple iTunes website, at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibraceshelp/id381328159?mt=8.

Or, if you don’t have a smart phone, you can access the complete app online at www.BracesHelp.com.

Check it out, especially if you’re out and about and you suddenly pop a bracket. iBracesHelp can be your on-the-spot rescue.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

ComfortBrace: Like a "whitestrip," only better!

Braces are literally a pain, especially when you first get them on and they begin rubbing the inside of your mouth raw. Mouth sores are not fun when you have braces, and people are always looking for a way to prevent them, or at least make them stop hurting for a while. So when a new product comes along that will make those first weeks in braces less irritating, I get very excited.

That's where a new product called ComfortBrace comes in. It looks like a "whitestrip," but contains no whitening chemicals. Like those infamous whitening strips, it totally covers your teeth -- or in this case, your teeth and your braces -- creating a barrier between your brackets and the inside of your mouth.  ComfortBrace Protective Strips are a bit thicker than a "whitestrip" and will stay on your teeth all day, even when you are eating or drinking. They're also ideal to wear overnight. Clear and discreet, Comfort Brace Strips also have a minty fresh flavor.

ComfortBrace strips do not contain any harsh chemicals and will not harm your teeth or your braces. They are latex-free and BPA-free. Application and removal of the strips is easy. Full instructions are included with the product.

ComfortBrace strips are made from the same superior trade ingredients found in most dental products on the market today: Carbomer 980, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC), Sorbitol, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Polyethylene & Polypropylene, Acrylates Copolymer, Water, and Mint Flavor.

Each box of ComfortBrace strips contains 24 individually foil-sealed strips. Each strip is meant for one use (they are not re-usable). It's a great product for people in speaking positions whose braces are irritating their mouths, or any braces wearer who just wants to be a little more comfortable.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Sleep Apnea and Dental Snoring Appliances

Recently, my husband was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea that bordered on severe. The fact that he had sleep apnea was no surprise -- he'd suspected it for years. But severe? Now, that was shocking! He now uses a CPAP machine at night. He wishes he'd done his sleep study sooner, instead of continuing to put it off.

Why am I mentioning this in our dental blog? Many people go to their dentist to get an oral appliance fitted to help stop their snoring. Or they buy some sort of over-the-counter device at their drugstore. While this is generally a good thing, it's important to realize that a mere snoring problem may only be the tip of the iceberg.  If you have a problem with snoring, it is possible that you also have sleep apnea. While a dental device could help, it may not solve your entire problem. And it's really important to know whether you have a larger problem!

Think that snoring is no big deal? It turns out, it really IS a big deal. When your nighttime breathing is obstructed, even mildly, it affects your cellular metabolism and can lead to a huge host of problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression and anxiety, fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, body aches and pains, restless leg syndrome, frequent nighttime urination, and more. Believe it or not, sleep apnea could cause you to gain weight or not be able to lose weight. And if you have a severe problem, you could be setting yourself up for a heart attack or a stroke.

While most people associate sleep apnea with snoring, that it actually only one symptom. You can have sleep apnea and not snore at all. Snoring occurs when the soft palate and the uvula vibrate against the back of the throat or base of the tongue. Apnea, however, closes off the airway and creates “pauses” in breathing that can occur anywhere from five times to 100 times per hour, as if you're holding your breath many times per hour. Some people don't have a physical obstruction causing the apnea; sometimes, it's caused by the central nervous system.

So, before you head to your dentist to get an oral appliance to help stop your snoring, please consider doing a sleep study first. Usually, you need to get a doctor's referral to schedule a sleep study. Most sleep studies are done as outpatient procedures in hospitals, but some private companies that do it, as well. A few companies let you do the sleep study in your home; they give you a monitor to wear at night. Personally, knowing what I know today, I would advise anyone who suspects sleep apnea to get a sleep study done in a hospital, because they monitor just about every part of your body, your brain, and your breathing -- in other words, it's extremely thorough.

Many people don't want to get a sleep study because they are afraid it will mean needing to use a CPAP machine. However, there are many types of sleep apnea, and the type you have may be able to be treated with a simple dental device. You'll never know for sure until you get a sleep study! And if it turns out that you need a CPAP machine, it's not the end of the world. Think of it this way: would you rather use a CPAP machine at night, or be sicker than you should be, and possibly die younger than you should have?

If you would like to know more about sleep apnea, here are a few links to give you more information:

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/default.htm
http://www.sleepapnea.org/
http://www.ihatecpap.com/oral_appliance.html
http://www.cpaptalk.com/wiki/index.php/Sleep_Apnea

Thursday, March 24, 2011

New! Plackers OrthoPick Flosser for Braces

Flossing with braces is not easy, and we're always on the lookout for products that make it faster and more convenient.

We're so excited to be carrying this great new product from Plackers, a company that makes high-quality dental products. Plackers Orthopick Flossers for Braces are designed to clean braced teeth without shredding or breaking. Just slide the thinner flatter arm of the tool between the teeth and the arch wire and work it up and down as you normally would when you were flossing. 

This product has a lot of neat features:
  • You can bend and angle the head of the tool to move the flosser so it accommodates your back molars.

  • The patented "Super Tuffloss" used in this tool is among the strongest on the market and will last for an entire flossing session, unlike other similarly designed products.

  • The "handle" end of the tool doubles as a soft, flexible pick for removing food and plaque from between your braces and stimulating gums.

  • It has an ergonomically designed comfort grip to make flossing faster and more convenient.

  • It includes a plastic travel pouch that can hold one or two Orthopick Flossers, for on-the-go convenience.
Each package of Plackers Orthopick Flossers contains 24 flossing tools and one plastic travel pouch. We are really impressed by this product and are sure that you will be, too!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Do Invisalign and Other Plastic Aligners and Retainers Cause Allergy or Illness?

Do plastic or acrylic Invisalign aligners and other types of plastic retainers make people sick? Some readers at ArchWired.com's Metal Mouth Message Board seem to think so. For more than four years, members across the country have reported getting symptoms that include sore throats, upper respiratory symptoms, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and swollen glands -- allegedly from their plastic aligners or retainers.

There is no official clinical evidence that these products contain substances that are harmful or potentially allergic. There have been no official reports or investigations into the matter. According to an article in the San Jose, CA Mercury News, in November 2010, the FDA issued a warning letter to Align technologies, stating that it could face federal fines or other penalties because it hasn't disclosed enough information about patients who suffered serious side effects after using the product. In the article, Align CEO Thomas Prescott said in an interview that he knows of only "a small handful of what appeared to be potentially allergic reactions" to the product. Nonetheless, he said, "we take this very seriously." Align Technologies provided the agency with information it hopes will resolve the matter.

Nevertheless, several ArchWired.com readers claim that they developed symptoms of illness shortly after starting Invisalign treatment, or wearing similar clear plastic retainers made by other companies.

According to Align Technologies' website, Invisalign aligners do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. Quoting the company's product FAQ, "These aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your health professional about your aligner or retainer treatment and any applicable risks of use."

Align Technologies goes on to state, "Invisalign aligners are classified as Class II medical devices by the FDA, and Align Technology, Inc., received the necessary 510K clearance from the FDA to be able to sell and market the Invisalign system in 1998."

This doesn't mean that your aligner or retainer is beyond reproach. It's possible that there is some sort of allergy or sensitivity that the manufacturers and the FDA don't know enough about. It's also possible that some of these illnesses occur because people aren't keeping their aligners or retainers clean enough, resulting in an overgrowth of bacteria on the appliances.

If you think that your aligners or retainers are causing illness, there are several things you can do:
  •  If you feel that you are having a life-threatening reaction, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
  • Tell your dentist, orthodontist, and/or medical doctor (but apparently many dentists haven't heard of such side effects)
  • Make sure you keep your aligner or retainer free of bacteria by using a germ-killing retainer cleaning product, such as Retainer Brite, SonicBrite, or DentaSoak. If you're not sure what product to use, or how to kill the bacteria with home remedies, ask your orthodontist. Above all, you want to ensure that your aligner is continually free of bacterial buildup by cleaning it properly every single day. Also make sure that your hands are clean when touching your aligners or touching your mouth.
  • If you keep your retainer or aligner in a case, be sure to keep the case clean, as well. If your case smells bad, that means it has an overgrowth of bacteria.
    • If symptoms persist, contact Align Technologies (for Invisalign) or the manufacturer of any other type of retainer you wear, and report the problem. You may also want to contact the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a formal report.
    • Share you concerns on ArchWired.com's message board, or other dental message boards.
    • Finally, if the symptoms persist, and you truly believe that your orthodontic treatment is making you ill, consider ceasing your treatment (at least for a while to see if you improve) or getting a different type of retainer or traditional braces instead.
     Here are a few links to posts made on the ArchWired.com Metal Mouth Message Board about illness allegedly resulting from plastic aligners and retainers:

    http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13809
    http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=37813
    http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27737
    http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=38531

    Here are a few other links from other websites concerning this issue:

    http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dentistry-966/2008/3/invisalign-systemic-allergic-reactions.htm
    http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dentistry-966/2008/3/f/invisalign-systemic-allergic-reactions.htm
    http://escoforum.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/allergic-reactions-to-invisalign-materials/
    http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=17416
    http://www.bracesreview.com/forums/invisalign/5155-allergic-invisalign-trays.html

    Thursday, February 3, 2011

    SturdyFloss: Back in Stock!

    For a while, we were out of stock of SturdyFloss, which is no way to begin a new year! Good news: it's back in stock!

    If you're not familiar with SturdyFloss, it's a length of unwaxed floss with a stiff but bendable thin plastic tip. It easily fits around orthodontic wires or helps you to floss bridgework or bonded retainers. The great thing about this product is that the tip is bendable and re-positionable. So you can bend it one way to fit under some wires, and bend it another way to help floss some of those really hard-to-reach areas.

    If you like Glide Threader Floss but wish the tip was more substantial, then you might really like SturdyFloss. Each box contains 100 individually-wrapped strands, so you can keep some with you to floss when necessary.

    Thursday, January 20, 2011

    Wrestling and Braces

    Most adults wrestle with their braces. But then there are high school wrestlers who have braces -- and wrestle with finding something to cover them!

    I learn the most about our products from our customers, and this is no exception. It turns out, our Lip Protector product is extremely popular with high school wrestlers! It totally covers the brackets, and since it has such a slim profile, it doesn't interfere at all with the wrestler's breathing. Unlike a mouth guard, the Lip Protector covers only the front of the teeth. In that regard, you must remember that it will not protect a child's mouth or brain from heavy impact. All it does is protect you from your braces -- or other wrestlers from getting scratched by your braces. It is not meant to replace a mouth guard.

    A similar product is the Comfort Cover, which totally encases the brackets. Both products sell for $8.50 per set. One set includes a top piece and a bottom piece. Remember to clean them regularly either with soap and water, or a retainer cleaner like Retainer Brite. Otherwise, they will begin to smell like the inside of your kid's gym bag. And you wouldn't want that inside your kid's mouth!

    If you need more serious protection, we also carry two braces mouthguards by Shock Doctor: a double braces mouth guard and a single braces mouth guard.

    Please check with your wrestling coach to ensure that it is "legal" to wear these braces covers in competition. We wouldn't want you to forfeit a match because you have the wrong equipment in your mouth!