What were your favorite foods growing up?
Bananas and strawberry icecream

When did you decide you wanted to be an orthodontist?
I had 2 sets of braces as a child and loved the environment of the office. I thought that would be a cool profession, but it wasn't until after dental school that I decided I wanted to pursue that area of dentistry. I was debating between pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, and ultimately chose orthodontics.

If you didn't become an orthodontist, what would you be?
I would be involved in the healthcare sector of finance, or a consultant in the healthcare industry.

If I am trying to eat healthy and still enjoy the variety and flavor that good food brings, what can I eat?
It is not so much what you eat, but more the frequency of eating as well as how you care for your teeth after you eat. Foods that are good for your teeth would be fiber-rich raw foods like carrots, and celery sticks. These foods will keep the saliva flowing, which acts to cleanse the mouth and neutralize the acidic environment. Other foods that are rich in calcium like milk, cheese, and yogurt are always good to eat. Calcium builds strong teeth, replaces minerals lost by an acidic environment, and prevents bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface. Water is so important for teeth. It is best to have at least 2-3 hours between snacks so that the mouth can neutralize itself. After meals, make sure to rinse you're mouth with water or chew sugarless gum if you're unable to brush your teeth.

What is the most challenging obstacle you come across when it comes to dealing with people and their eating habits? Why?
The frequency of eating; a lot of snacking is done in our culture and it's not good for the teeth.

What foods do the most damage to our teeth?
Foods with a high sugar content, foods with a high acid content, foods that are very sticky and get caught in your teeth, gummy candies, very hard foods, especially ice chips.

If I'm looking for a natural whitener, are there any particular foods I can steer towards? I've heard strawberries, is this true?
Yes, there are a few products that can be used as natural tooth whiteners: baking soda and lemon juice and also strawberries.
The citric acid in baking soda and lemon juice acts to remove plaque and impurities. The salicylate content in strawberries has an antibacterial effect. There are a variety of recipes for these, where they must be crushed and placed on the teeth, but ultimately these are left on teeth for a short period of time, i.e. 10-30 min and then all must be rinsed off. A flouride toothpaste then must be used to further brush off the acid content. Eating strawberries alone is not going to whiten teeth.

Beverages, what's the deal? Is any carbonized drink good for the teeth? What beverage is?
Carbonized drinks are not good for your teeth; even diet sodas, which don't have sugar, have a high acid content that is bad for your teeth. Sports drinks are bad as well as they have high sugar content. Water, milk, and clear liquids are best.

Over the span of your career, what has been the most detrimental food or candy you have observed for those going into braces?
Frozen Snicker bars are a big culprit for patients in braces.

Are teeth something we should be conscious of protecting?
YES!! They are a lot more complicated than people think and they help with many crucial functions, like eating and speaking, and have a large esthetic component. While technology has come a long way in strong long-lasting dental restorations, there is no better substitute than a real tooth. People are living longer and keeping their teeth longer due to better products and awareness, and we must continue this trend.

What do you eat when you are out?
Lately I have been on a Thai food kick, and I have really gotten into pork belly. I generally like all foods, except those very spicy.

What do you eat when you are home?
I do not cook very much; so when I am at home, I mostly do take-out and get very basic foods, like grilled chicken salads and pasta dishes.

Hot soups or cold drinks? Which do more damage and why?
Any food extremely hot or cold can harm your teeth. Some people have teeth which are more sensitive than others. Those with gingival recession, and thus less enamel coverage on their teeth should be wary of these foods.

Is Invisalign as productive as standard braces? Many people are wearing Invisalign, can you eat with them in?
Invisalign is a great alternative to braces as it is barely visible as well as removable. However, there are some limitations on treatment, and not all patients are good candidates which is why it is best to visit an orthodontist to see if you are a good candidate. You can't eat with them in, and when they are in, you can only drink water.