Help Your Children Love Their Mouths More For National Children's Dental Health Month!

It’s February, and you know what that means! Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and stores everywhere are bursting with red, white, and pink stuffed animals, flowers, and sweets.

Know what ELSE is red, white, and pink? The inside of your mouth! February is National Children’s Dental Month, and what better time than this month is there to teach your children about their teeth and the importance of taking good care of them? The American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February to help in raising awareness about the importance of oral health, and their message has reached millions of people across America.

When it comes to oral care, developing good, healthy habits at an early age helps children get in the routine of taking care of their teeth and gums not only through their childhood but also for the rest of their lives.

Here are some tips to help you teach your youngsters how to care for their mouths and ensure that they have healthy teeth and gums for the rest of their lives:

Educate Your Children on Oral Health – Explain to your children why taking care of their teeth and gums is so important. Tell them that if they take good care of their teeth throughout their lives, their teeth will then help take good care of them in return by helping them speak clearly and chew the right foods so they grow up to be healthy and strong. Explain to them the concepts of plaque, gingivitis, cavities and unhealthy gums and why they’re detrimental to their teeth.

Brush At Least Twice a Day – It’s important to properly maintain teeth, and this is essential to teach to your children right away. Make sure they know that they should brush their teeth at least twice a day – after they eat breakfast and before bedtime. If they’re able, tell them it’s good to brush their teeth after lunch or after having a sweet snack. Make sure also that they know why it’s so important to brush their teeth, too, as brushing their teeth frequently and properly will obliterate deadly plaque.

Brush ALL of Your Teeth – Children may have the tendency to brush only their front teeth because they’re easier to reach. Make sure they spend some time on the teeth in the back, too. If you’d like, ask us to show them the best way to brush their teeth efficiently and without damaging their gums.

Remember – It’s Not a Race! Be sure that your children spend some time on their teeth. Two or three minutes is a good time to spend on brushing. If they’re having trouble keeping track of their time, you can play one of their favorite songs to help them pass the time and also get a good idea on how long they should brush.

Get the Right Toothbrush For the Job – Toothbrushes with soft bristles are sure to do the job so that gums aren’t damaged when teeth are brushed. Remember to change out toothbrushes every 3 months. You can help your child figure out when the time has come to switch brushes by purchasing the toothbrushes that have the fading color on the sides of the bristles.

Eat Healthily- Sometimes it’s just not enough to brush your teeth. Sugar and candy can wreak havoc on teeth and begin to form cavities because bacteria go crazy when sugary residue resides on teeth. Be sure your children eat sweets and drink soda in moderation and ALWAYS brush their teeth after consuming sugary treats and beverages. Better yet, make sure they eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda.

Practice Healthy Habits – Brushing teeth is only one way to care for teeth, not the catch-all. Flossing teeth is extremely important in keeping teeth healthy and happy as it helps get rid of the food that’s hidden in places no toothbrush can reach. Your child might think it feels weird to floss the first few times they try it, but soon enough, they’ll get the hang of it.

Visit Us Twice a Year – And of course, visit us and your dentist twice a year to make sure teeth are healthy and are growing in correctly.

Are you ready to visit us? Call us at Mastroianni Orthodontics at (618) 205-6133 or visit www.amazingsmiles.com to make an appointment. You don’t have to have a referral to see Dr. Mastroianni, and we also take all types of insurances.

So what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment today!

Taking steps to reduce our environmental impact

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that our orthodontic team does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with our secure patient login system. You can view all of your account information, and even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

Dr. Mastroianni and team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children - It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Dr. Mastroianni & team!

Can Orthodontics Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Mastroianni Orthodontics. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders. For adults looking for a straighter smile without the appearance of metal brackets, we are proud to offer the Invisalign system. Dr. Mastroianni is an Invisalign Premier Provider, making him one of the most experienced Metro East orthodontists with the Invisalign system.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques like Invisalign have allowed us to achieve incredible results without the use of traditional metal brackets.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give us a call, so we may set up a complimentary consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

What Will YOUR Smile Look Like After Orthodontic Treatment?

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. We love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!

Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

While there are many foods you can eat while in braces, there are certain types that our team at Mastroianni Orthodontics would like you to avoid during the course of your treatment. Some of these foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. You’ll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces. A few examples of foods to avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Additionally, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces, which can cause delay in treatment.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call, or ask during your next visit. As always, if you believe you may have damaged your orthodontic appliances, please give our office a call immediately.

Don’t Forget Your Dental Checkups!

While you’re in orthodontic treatment, proper oral hygiene is critical. Braces and orthodontic appliances can be more challenging to brush and floss around, but an effective daily routine will help ensure the best possible results when your braces come off! While we can help you learn the best methods for oral hygiene with braces, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit your regular dentist every 3-4 months while in treatment, and every 6 months without braces (or as recommended). Because your dental health is important to us, we'd like to remind you to keep up to date with your dental exams and cleanings.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, as your dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, Detect cavities and early signs of decay, and treat other oral health problems early.

Oral exams usually involve checking the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been in to your dentist recently, schedule an appointment right away. Additionally, if you have any questions, feel free to ask us!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Mastroianni & team thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact us! Stay safe and have fun!