3 Reasons To Get Braces in 2013

With a new year upon us, everyone is going to be caught up in making New Year’s Resolutions, and while resolutions are good, people quite often lose sight of their good intentions and have left their resolutions in the dust come April.

With that in mind, I want to give you 3 reasons why you should seriously consider looking into getting orthodontic treatment for the upcoming year.

Braces help correct an underbite or an overbite - One of the main reasons people get braces is to help correct underbite or overbite. An underbite is a situation in which the lower jaw juts out a bit too far causing the bottom teeth to extend out past the upper teeth. Conversely, overbite occurs when the upper jaw pushes the upper teeth too far forward. These two conditions can cause undue stress on the jaw and the teeth, and lead to permanent damage. Braces can help correct both of these situations and potentially save you lots of grief in the future.

Prevent tooth decay - This one might not be very obvious at first glance. Having crooked teeth can make brushing and flossing rather complicated. Plaque builds up in the spaces between teeth, and if the teeth are too close together, or resting at awkward angles with one another, that buildup can easily grow and get out of hand, causing cavities, tooth decay, and many other oral health problems. With straight teeth, flossing is much easier and much more effective at removing plaque.

Better Self-Esteem - Having a nice straight smile will definitely lend itself toward giving you higher self-esteem. No more worrying about awkward half-smiles in pictures! Plus, you will not feel the need to hide your teeth in photos!

So there you have it. If you have been considering getting braces or Invisalign for your teeth or your children’s teeth, call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or at (618) 622-3377 and set up an appointment. You will be glad you did!

Feast on Thanksgiving? We Say YES!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just about here? Well, it is, and we have so much to be thankful for, especially for our loved ones, friends, and, of course, our dental health!

Want another thing to be thankful for? Recent research has shown that the typical, bountiful meals that you make for Thanksgiving (if planned correctly) are not only delicious but also healthy for your body, teeth, and your gums, too!

Our bodies need many different essential vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy. Well, so do your teeth and gums! Guess what? Many of those essential vitamins and minerals can be found in many of the foods in the Thanksgiving meal that you prepare!

See below which foods are the best for you and why!

Turkey – The highlight and main event of any Thanksgiving meal, turkey is high in phosphorous, which is healthy for developing teeth. The high amount of phosphorous also helps rebuild and remineralize your teeth and the bones in your jaw! That’s just one more excuse to gobble all the turkey you want this Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potatoes – Are you a sweet potato fan? Have you been told over and over that sweet potatoes are bad for you? Well, you’re in luck! Recent research is showing that sweet potatoes are much healthier and nutritious than what was once thought, even more so than regular white potatoes! Sweet potatoes are also loaded with nutrients and lots of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and B6, so load ‘em up on your plate!

Green and Winter Vegetables – Vegetables are important for a well-balanced diet as it is, but green vegetables and winter vegetables are even more essential for your gums! They are packed with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which are essential for gum health and also for the repair of gum diseases like gingivitis and even periodontitis!

Cranberries – Rejoice, cranberry lovers! You can eat cranberries without any shame or remorse! These fruits contain flavonoids, which can prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth and forming plaque! Remember, bacteria are the ones responsible for tooth decay and gum infections, so be sure to chow down on some sweet cranberries!

Pumpkin Pie – Yes, we said it. Pumpkin pie is actually a good source of Vitamin C and calcium, which is essential for gum health and developing teeth and bone maintenance. Now, we’re not saying that you can go and eat whole pumpkin pies, but you most certainly can indulge in a piece or two!

Remember, wellness for your whole body, including your smile, starts with prevention and good nutrition. All of us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics wish you an enjoyable, nutritious, and stress-free Thanksgiving and holiday season!

And if you want to come in for an appointment, be sure to call us in Glen Carbon at (618) 288-0600 or in Swansea at (618) 622-3377 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com!

Mastroianni Orthodontics School Spirit Video Contest - We Have a WINNER!

The results are in! We have a winner from our school spirit video contest!

Weeks ago, we challenged students around the area to create their very own school spirit video that would show just how much spirit they have for their schools. Contestants were then told to upload their videos to YouTube and also on our Facebook fan page wall. The entrant’s video with the most “likes” by October 24 at 8 a.m. would then be declared the winner.

What was the prize, you ask? We awarded $500 to be dedicated to the school department of the winner’s choice!

This year, we are proud to announce that Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, Illinois, is the winner of our school spirit video contest! Congratulations to all of you, and job well done!

You can watch their video here:

We also had an entry from Maryville Elementary School that featured the school’s 1^st graders! You can see their video right here!

Thank you to everyone who entered our contest, and congratulations once more to Marquette Catholic High School! You are a great example of school pride and dedication! We are excited for next year’s contest, so be sure to keep an eye out for further details after the start of the 2013-2014 school year!

Keep Your Teeth From Getting Scary This Halloween!

To the excitement of children and children at heart everywhere, Halloween is finally upon us! You have your costume all ready and together for the big day, and you are ready to traverse through your neighborhood for some Trick-or-Treat goodies!

Before you get ready to step out the door, though, you might want to inform yourself which treats you should and should not consume, especially if you are currently receiving orthodontic treatment! Check out Mastroianni Orthodontics’ Official No-Eat List below!

Gum:

*bubble gum

*Bubble Yum

*Trident

*Freedent

*sugarless gum

Taffy:

*Laffy Taffy

*Airheads

*Starburst

*JuJu Bees

*Gummy Bears

*Now & Laters

*jelly beans

*licorice

*Gummy Savers

Caramels:

*caramels

*caramel apples

*Tootsie Rolls

*raisins

*Sugar Daddies

*Marathon Bars

*Snickers

*Milk Duds

Hard things:

*ice cubes

*pens and pencils

*whole apples

*whole carrots

*celery stalks

*popcorn seeds

*hard pretzels

*hard taco shells

*hard corn chips

*nuts of any kind

*hard bagels

In addition to all of the above is the infamous group called SWEETS. Sweets can be eaten but it is very important that you brush or rinse your mouth immediately after eating them! The sweets will not cause damage to your braces but they will cause damage to your teeth. This is how you get those white spots on your teeth while wearing braces.

What is the absolute worst offender of all the sweets? Why, soft drinks, of course! It does not matter if the soft drink is a diet soda or not - it will have the same effect on your teeth! We ask that you please try to stay away from soda during your treatment.

Let’s say you are enjoying some Halloween treats and one of your braces becomes loose. What should you do? Well, should one of your braces come loose before an appointment, please call the same day that you find out that it is broken. We are not going to be upset with you but we do want to make sure that we have enough time to fix it during your regular scheduled appointment. Some broken brackets can wait to be fixed while others need to be repaired as soon as possible.

The last thing that we would like you to know is that if one of your braces comes loose you run the risk of making your treatment take longer because that tooth is no longer moving in the right direction and may in fact be moving back toward its original position. If you cheat and eat everything you are currently eating, you will only be cheating yourself in the end. Just remember these things from the start and your treatment will run more smoothly.

We all want this to be a positive experience for you and we want to get the job done as quickly as we possibly can. This will only happen with your cooperation. Let’s work together to give you the best possible smile in the shortest period of time. Call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea if you have any questions or are interested in receiving orthodontic treatment from us. You can also check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com! Have a safe and fun Halloween for both you and your teeth!

It's National Orthodontic Health Month - Celebrate Having and Maintaining a Healthy, Happy Smile!

Happy October, blog readers! It is hard to believe that we are already just 2 months away from the end of the year. Time has really flown by this year!

With the beautiful month of October comes wonderful fall weather, apple cider, pumpkin patches, lots of Halloween fun, and, of course, lots of Halloween candy and sweets. But did you know that October is also National Orthodontic Health Month?

Every year the American Association of Orthodontists focuses on promoting good oral hygiene and taking the time to recognize the outstanding work of orthodontists around the country. It is a time to remind people not only how important it is to have a healthy smile, but also to keep in mind how to care for braces, retainers, and any other orthodontic appliances they may have.

When it comes to treating yourself to sweets, no one is more enthusiastic than Dr. Jeff! After all, that is why we have our very own Otis Spunkmeyer cookie-making machine in our office. We would like to remind you, though, that not every sweet treat, snack, and piece of candy is ideal for consumption. Be wary of anything crunchy such as tortilla chips, nuts, or popcorn, as these can potentially cause damage to your braces. The same goes for sticky candies such as caramels, licorice, and taffy.

We hope you all will have a safe and fun October and Halloween, but if you find yourself suffering from fright of a more orthodontic nature, feel free to call us at (618) 288-0600 if you are in the Glen Carbon area or (618) 622-3377 if you are in the Swansea area. We are always ready to help if you have any orthodontic emergencies!

For more information on the American Association of Orthodontists, please visit their website at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Setting Aside Money for Medical and Dental Procedures in 2013? Plan NOW For Invisalign Treatments and SAVE!

Have you wanted to straighten your teeth lately but fear that you will not have the funds necessary to put toward your treatment?

Well, if you happen to have any extra dollars from your flex spending account(cafeteria plan), what are you going to do with all the extra money before the end of the year? After all, those funds will not roll over; you have to use it or you will lose it!

It hardly seems possible, but the holidays are approaching rather quickly.  With that in mind, we would like to remind you to take advantage of the “flex plans” that many businesses offer their employees for medical and dental procedures.

Whether you have money that needs to be spent before the year’s end or if you are planning ahead for the procedures you would like in 2013, we urge you to make sure that you are utilizing your flex plan to your best advantage!

When considering procedures for 2013, please be aware that orthodontic treatment is considered an acceptable expense for flex spending accounts. Plan now to get the smile you have always wanted with Invisalign, the gold standard in invisible orthodontics.

This method of straightening teeth without bands or wires has helped millions of patients achieve a beautiful smile in a discreet, comfortable manner – as an Elite provider we can do the same for you!

Our office offers free Invisalign consultations and has financing options that makes starting treatment comfortable for you. Now that should give you something to smile about!

If you are interested in this or would like to know more about Invisalign or braces, feel free to call us at Mastroianni Orthodontics! You can call at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or at (618) 622-3377 in Swansea! Be sure to check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com for more information!

What are you waiting for? Don’t put off giving yourself a beautiful smile another year! Give yourself something to smile about when you visit the experts at Mastroianni Orthodontics!

Retainers - Take Care of Them and They Will Take Care of YOU!

As school begins, students of all ages are excited to see their friends again and get back into the routine of learning. Sometimes the excitement can make students forget about their homework, their pens or pencils, and - if they recently finished orthodontic treatment- their retainers.

Well, guess what? Dr. Jeff is here to give you an exclusive checklist to all of you students out there who wear retainers to keep your retainers nice and safe and your teeth beautiful!

Use Your Case – Your case is there for a reason, so use it! Be sure to place your retainer back in your case when you eat lunch in the cafeteria (or anywhere else, for that matter). Not only will you keep your retainers safe and sound, but you will also be much more likely to remember your retainer after you eat your lunch!

Avoid Using Napkins – I know that the idea of simply placing your retainer on your napkin for temporary safe-keeping while you eat is tempting, but I beg you, resist the temptation! Placing retainers on napkins while eating is the #1 reason that retainers go missing. Think about it – if you are late to lunch and need to scarf down your sandwich, you might be more worried about being late to class and may forget all about your retainer! Do yourself a favor – put your retainer in your case!

Handle With Care – Your retainers are not toys; they are very valuable (and breakable), so be sure to treat them with care! Clean them thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste and warm water. This will help remove the plaque on them and eliminate any odors that maybe be lingering. Be sure to rinse your retainer under warm water after you eat and place it back into your mouth right away. If you take good care of your retainers, they will last you for years to come!

Your Retainer is NOT a Treat for Fido – You know who wants to chew on your retainer? Your pets do! If you do not have your retainer in, please do not leave them in the reach of pets; they will destroy your retainers if given the chance.

Always Be Aware of Your Retainer’s Location – I know that there is a lot of information to remember in school, but please remember to be aware of where your retainer is at all times! Be sure to keep your retainer away from hot water, hot car dashboards, your pockets, napkins, and, of course, the washing machine.

Follow Dr. Jeff’s Instructions – Want to have an amazing smile? Just follow our instructions! Wear your retainers full-time until we instruct otherwise, always bring your retainer to your appointments, and never try to adjust your retainer on your own.

If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, be sure to call us at Mastroianni Orthodontics at (618) 288-0600 for our Glen Carbon office or at (618) 622-3377 for our Swansea location! Check out our website at www.amazingsmiles.com to see what we can do for you!