The perfect braces-friendly summer recipe from Dr. Steven Covino!

Summer is finally here, and that means it’s time for some refreshing recipes! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) summer dessert that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Lime-Graham Cheesecake Nibbles

Ingredients:

Crust:
• 1½ cups graham-cracker crumbs (about 9 double-square crackers, crushed)
• 3 Tablespoons margarine, melted
– or –
• 1½ cups gingersnap crumbs (about 24 to 30 gingersnap cookies, crushed)
• 3 Tablespoons margarine, melted

Filling:
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 drops green food coloring
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. Line two muffin tins with 24 cupcake papers. In a medium bowl, stir together the crumbs and margarine. Spoon 1 Tablespoon of the crumb mixture into each paper. Press down the mixture firmly with the bottom of a small juice glass. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together egg whites and the salt until the mixture forms soft peaks. Set aside. In a large bowl, use the mixer to beat together the cream cheese, sugar, food coloring, lime juice and flour, until fluffy. Add the yolks until well mixed, then use a spoon to fold in the whites. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the lime mixture into each paper. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool on the counter for 20 minutes, then keep refrigerated. Makes two dozen.

Enjoy this delicious summer recipe and have a great week!
--From Dr. Steven Covino and staff

Invisalign treatment at Covino Orthodontics: How does it work? [Video]

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign treatment at Covino Orthodontics manages to straighten your teeth without using metallic traditional braces? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient locations in Doylestown and New Hope.

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Dr. Steven Covino also provides plenty of resources on our website about Invisalign, or give our office a call to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Dr. Covino, who will provide a complimentary consultation, is the trusted orthodontist of Doylestown, New Hope and all of middle Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Ask Dr. Covino: Are retainers that important?

In short, yes, retainers are hugely important after your treatment at Covino Orthodontics. If you've recently completed treatment with Dr. Steven Covino, our staff would like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Covino will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth may - and do - shift out of position if they are not stabilized.

Retainers, however, provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

If you have additional questions about retainers or your treatment here at Covino Orthodontics, please give us a call. Our staff would love to hear from you!

We hope you're enjoying a great weekend!

Dr. Covino wants to know: What should we blog about this summer?

As summer quickly approaches, our staff at Covino Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to braces and your treatment with New Hope and Doylestown orthodontist Dr. Steven Covino.

To help us continue blogging through the course of the long, hot summer, however, we'd love your opinion: What would you like us to focus on our blog over the summer? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Covino for a while and just haven't found the right opportunity? Give us your ideas by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you have a great Sunday! See you soon!