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!

Mastroianni Orthodontics, Your Metro East Invisalign Premier Provider

For patients looking for an esthetic alternative to traditional braces, we are proud to offer the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen systems, which use a series of removable, clear aligners. Dr. Mastroianni is an Invisalign Premier Provider, and having treated hundreds of patients in the Metro East community, is one of the most experienced providers in the area. Dr. Mastroianni was also the very first provider in the Metro area for Invisalign Teen!

Want to learn more? Call us at our Glen Carbon or Swansea offices today to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Mastroianni to determine if Invisalign will work for you!

Flossing with Braces

Many people think that flossing is only to get the food out from in between your teeth, when actually flossing should be done every day on every tooth to help protect your teeth and gums. Flossing is even more important when in braces, as food can easily be caught between the brackets and wires. If you need a refresher on how best to floss between braces, check out this video from Bracesquestions.com below. You can also give us a call or ask during your next appointment!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile through orthodontic treatment with Mastroianni Orthodontics? If not, give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation!

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Mastroianni Orthodontics, we know that our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade Blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with us!