What's the deal with coffee and tea?

At The Smile Zone, we know most folks enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth, because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can't give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Drs. Rob Andrew and Jerome Caouette and team suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, Drs. Andrew and Caouette encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

Our team at The Smile Zone also invites you to visit our convenient Edmonton office for whitening options. We can help bleach your teeth with proven and professional products. To learn more about whitening options at our office, please visit our website, ask us on Facebook or give us a call!

Breaking bad habits

At The Smile Zone, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes a day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your adjustment visits with Drs. Rob Andrew and Jerome Caouette.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health during your orthodontic treatment, as well as preventing gum disease. More care and time are needed to adequately brush your teeth when you are wearing braces. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Drs. Rob and Jerome if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. The use of a mechanical toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B can aid in removing plaque around braces. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact The Smile Zone or ask your general dentist during your next scheduled visit! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Dr. Rob Andrew and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly-aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at The Smile Zone can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Andrew and Caouette can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Rob Andrew has been practicing dentistry since 1986. He attended the University of Stellenbosch near Cape Town, South Africa, where he received his degree in dentistry. Dr. Rob also completed a two-year postgraduate course in esthetic dentistry (cum laude) at the same University in 1998 and is experienced in all phases of general dentistry. He wrote the University Co-ordinating Council's equivalency exam at the University of Alberta in 1999 and is a registered member of the Canadian Dental Association, the Edmonton District Dental Society, The International Association for Orthodontics and Functional Jaw Orthopedics. Dr. Rob completed a two-year mini-residency program in orthodontics and TMJ disorders in 2002 and believes that advanced education keeps his clinical skills perfected for the benefit of his patients.


Dr. Jerome Caouette earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1997 from the University of Alberta after practicing for a few years as a professional engineer. He has gained extensive general dentistry experience while located in Peace River, Hinton and Edmonton including dental surgery and pediatric dental rehabilitation in hospital settings. Dr. Jerome has additional education and training to provide in-office conscious sedation via inhalation, oral and IV routes of administration. In addition to general dentistry, he also provides services such as wisdom tooth extractions, dental implants and bone augmentation procedures. Other interests include being a part-time clinical instructor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Oral Health Science. Also, Dr. Jerome joined the "Kindness in Action" group in 1999 and has traveled to Honduras on several occasions to provide volunteer dentistry in remote villages. Dr. Jerome's personal interests include spending time with his family and golfing when time permits.