Want a White, Healthy Smile? 6 Tips to Naturally Obtain a White Smile

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A bright white smile is highly desirable in our society these days. All around you are commercials and advertisements of a smiling young man or woman with white teeth trying to sell a certain product. We see friends and neighbors smile with a bedazzling set of pearly whites and maybe even find ourselves thinking, “I’d give anything to have teeth as white as him or her!”

If you find yourself wishing you had whiter teeth, then I have 6 tips for you to help you naturally obtain that white, bright smile you have been dreaming of having. Check out my tips below!

Avoid Dark Liquids – There are certain liquids that will stain your teeth over time, namely, dark liquids. To maintain a beautiful white smile, avoid drinking red wine, black tea, dark cola, dark gravy, and dark juices. Remember, if it’s dark before it goes into your mouth, they will more than likely stain your teeth!

Eat Crunchy, Crispy Foods – I am not talking about those delicious potato chips you love here! Crunchy, crispy fruits and vegetables have an abrasiveness that can help lift stains from your teeth. Try eating healthy, crunchy foods like apples, celery, and carrots to help “clean” your tooth surface without posing any harm to your delicate, irreplaceable enamel.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum with Xylitol – Gum lovers, rejoice! Chewing sugar-free gum can help you obtain and maintain a whiter smile! Just make sure that the gum has xylitol, a natural sweetener that can help prevent plaque. Xylitol will also neutralize the pH levels in your mouth and increase your saliva production, which naturally cleans your mouth.

Brush Your Teeth At Least Twice a Day – This might seem like a no-brainer, but it still needs to be stated! You technically should brush after every meal, but the minimum stands at twice every day. The most ideal times to brush are first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed at night because saliva dries up at night, allowing bacteria to build up in your mouth as you sleep.

Floss Every Day – Hand in hand with brushing, you should strongly consider flossing every single day for a healthier, whiter smile. Many people underestimate how much staining can occur in between your teeth. Flossing can remove much of the staining that occurs between your teeth along with plaque buildup. If you find yourself less likely to floss at home, try placing small flossing boxes in your desk at work, in the bathroom, in your car, or even in your nightstand!

Drink With a Straw – To avoid as many stains as possible when drinking a beverage, remember to use a straw instead of allowing the liquid to slide over your teeth. Remember, the less contact potentially damaging substances have with your teeth, the better and the whiter they will be!

Want more tips? Need to book an appointment? Just call my office at (618) 288-0600 or visit online at www.amazingsmiles.com! Your new amazing smile is waiting for you!

Want Clear Braces? You Can With Invisalign!

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Do you hate smiling because your teeth are not straight yet think that you are just too old for traditional metal braces? You are never too old for braces or for a straighter smile but if you do not want metal braces, there is an alternative - Invisalign!

Invisalign aligners are comfortable, smooth, and nearly invisible plastic trays that stealthily straighten your teeth. They are a series of aligners that are designed specifically for you! With these aligners your teeth will gradually start to shift to the correct position based on the schedule your orthodontist has planned out for you.

With Invisalign there are no metal brackets or wires that need tightened. This helps reduce the amount of time you must spend in our office while giving you more time to do more of what you love. All you have to do is pop in your new set every two weeks or whenever your orthodontist tells you to, and you will be on your way to obtaining a straight and beautiful smile!

Don’t get too comfortable, though - office visits are definitely not a thing of the past! Every 10 weeks you must come visit your favorite orthodontist (Dr. Jeff, of course) so he can make sure your teeth are moving the way they are supposed to and to give you your next sets of aligners!

So why Invisalign? Besides being able to stealthily straighten your teeth, one very big key point of wearing Invisalign is that you can brush and floss your teeth normally so you can clean better and more fully without having to spend more time and effort to achieve it.

One other big advantage deals with what you can and cannot eat. Traditional braces limit what you can eat; when wearing traditional braces, you will have to bid a temporary farewell to hard, sticky, and crunchy foods like pretzels, corn on the cob, chips, popcorn, apples and other similar foods. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign does not have the same restriction since you take them out to eat. However, you are advised to avoid consuming dark colored liquids and soda while you are wearing your Invisalign as the liquids may cause stains and cavities.

Please do remember that just because your Invisaligns can come off doesn’t mean you get a constant reprieve from them! You will need to keep them in as long as possible, up to 20 to 22 hours each day, so that your teeth are aligning correctly.

Invisalign is a modern approach to braces. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, go to http://www.invisalign.com/Pages/Smile-Assessment.aspx and take the smile assessment. You can also call us at (618) 288-0600 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com. Let us help you find the best treatment option to help you get that beautiful, straight smile you have been dreaming of all this time!

Look Out, Kansas City! Dr. Jeff Is Heading Your Way Soon!

When you think of Kansas City, Missouri, usually you will picture a sprawling city full of fun things to do, Kauffman Stadium, and, of course, those gorgeous fountains. When we think of Kansas City, we think of Invisalign!

Pretty soon, Dr. Jeff will be coming to Kansas City to be one of five keynote speakers for the upcoming Regional Invisalign Expo at Westin Kansas City at Crown Center! The expo, which is for orthodontists only, will be held on Friday, May 17, and Dr. Jeff will be discussing how orthodontists can improve their outcomes, increase their confidence, and serve their patients by using Invisalign Teen on non-adult patients.

Dr. Jeff aims to show other doctors how they can reach their treatment goals by using Invisalign Teen on non-adult patients and how patients will see improved results on their treatments.

So who all is going to this expo to hear Dr. Jeff and four other hand-chosen speakers? This event is THE expo to go to for all orthodontists in the Midwest. Orthodontists from Oklahoma to Michigan and everywhere in between are invited to attend and learn from the best.

He won’t be speaking alone either. The other doctors leading discussions at the expo include Dr. Kent Hall of Duncan, Oklahoma, Dr. Kyle Childers from Benton, Illinois, Dr. Anil Idiculla from Denver, Colorado, and Dr. Brian Amy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All 5 doctors practice in the Midwest, are Elite Preferred Providers, Designated Invisalign Teen Providers, and own Itero digital impression scanners.

So why was Dr. Jeff chosen to speak at this expo? He was picked because of his dedication to his patients, his excellent work that he does every day here at Mastroianni Orthodontics, and his unquenchable thirst to further his education, especially in the realm of Invisalign and Itero. Besides, who could be bored when Dr. Jeff tells a good story?

Remember, Dr. Jeff will be going to Kansas City on May 17 to tell his story to his fellow orthodontists, so be sure to stop in sometime beforehand to wish him luck and congratulate him on this awesome achievement!

Dr. Jeff Answers Your Retainer Questions!

Throughout my career as an orthodontist, I have heard countless questions about retainers. After wearing braces for a few years, my patients tend to have a good deal of questions about their new retainers, and with good reason, too. They have invested time and money in the endeavor of obtaining a straight, amazing smile; they want to make sure they do the right thing.

Many of the questions I receive about retainers revolve around the duration of the retainers. “How long do I need to wear these?” and “Do I have to wear these?” are typical questions I receive.

Well, I am here to answer all of your questions! In fact, I have a video just for you that might explain a few things concerning retainers. Go ahead and check it out below for all of your answers including how long you need to wear braces and much more!

If I haven’t answered a burning question you have been dying to ask or if you want more information, please feel free to give us a call at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea. You can also visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com for more information or to make an appointment!

The Mastroianni Team - Storming Las Vegas to Better Serve You!

When you think of Las Vegas, do you tend to think of bright lights and casinos? Well, we at Mastroianni Orthodontics think of just one thing when the words “Las Vegas” come to mind – furthering our education to better serve you!

Recently, six people from Mastroianni Orthodontics attended topFest 2013, which was held from January 31 to February 2 at the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas. The courses that we participated in offered something for everyone in our practice from hands-on workshops, lectures from guest speakers, doctor-only sessions, roundtable discussions, and much more.

Here are the courses we as a team attended during the 3-day conference and a brief synopsis about what they are and how they will allow us to better serve you!

*Clinic Know-How: We learned in this course about treatment notes and treatment planning, lists, and reports, which should all help us in our daily activities and help us become more effective and efficient on the job.

*Letters Workshop: We created more detailed letters in this conference. We all found out how to use placeholders, add images, and use other faucets in tops. We also learned how to customize statements and receipts and how to add additional information that you, our patient, might request.

*Insurance and E-Claims: In this course, we learned what information we will need to obtain from patients, policyholders, and insurance companies in order to file insurance claims.

*Clinical Training = Clinical Excellence: Lack of training can set a new employee up to fail. In this course, we learned how to develop new employees and retain high quality of employees and, of course, how to help them succeed through training.

*Managing Your Claims and Statements List: Here we gained a better understanding of e-filing insurance claims!

*Contracts Workshop: This course showed us how to create a contract with discounts, single insurance, dual insurance, and splitting initial fees.

*Blending Clinical and Front Desk: We learned how to make things operate more smoothly with the flow of patients, including knowing what list we need to generate for information that will be needed for the day.

*Check and Balances End-of-the-Day Duties: In this course, we learned how to create elastic set ups, remove teeth, change brackets in order to help assist our patients while they are in the chair, which will help patients be even more compliant.

*Mac Course: Yes, we learned about technology, too! Here we worked with different tools and applications on the Mac. This will be used to help our day flow more smoothly and be more efficient at our job.

*Procedures and Schedule Templates Workshop – Increasing Your Daily Production: This course showed us the ins and outs of creating new procedures and groups and placing them on the template where we need them. We also learned about doctor time and the best way to plan out Dr. Jeff’s schedule.

*Financial Arranging Strategies to Maintain the House Advantage: We learned how to measure the relationship between production and financial arranging to making policy decisions, examine alternative arrangements to offer our patients, which helps us become more flexible. We also learned the advantages and disadvantages of soft credit checks!

*Understanding Clinical Reports – The Key to Clinical Excellence: Here we were shown different ways of handling clinical reports to better serve our patients and use our time wisely and efficiently.

*The Schedule is the Driving Force of the Practice: Here we learned different ways for evaluating, updating, and facilitating an efficient and effective orthodontic schedule!

*Patients Are Watching! Instrument Reprocessing and Sterilization: In this course, we learned basic compliance with CDC guidelines and how to implement changes into the practice. This course made us aware that the patients and parents observe every move we make, and it will help us improve our patients’ awareness and assure them that every step is in place to protect their health.

*Photography Workshop: Finally, in this workshop, we were shown the different methods on cropping our photos that we take of new and existing patients to make them even more beautiful.

Attending these courses is just another way that we at Mastroianni Orthodontics are innovative and invest in our staff to better serve you, our loyal patients, with utmost care and the most leading technology. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or have any questions, feel free to call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea. You can also see all that we can do for you when you visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com.

5 Tips to Avoid Plaque Like the Plague

We at Mastroianni Orthodontics know that plaque, while inevitable, is something that nobody wants to deal with. When kept unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your teeth and can cause irreparable damage.

But do not fret! Just check out our 5 tips that we have for you to help you decrease or avoid plaque!

Brush Regularly – We cannot stress it enough. Brush, brush, brush! You should brush your teeth at least twice every day with toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to maintain a healthy mouth. Keep in mind that brushing your teeth hard won’t help one bit; brush all of the surfaces of your teeth (and your gums) softly, otherwise you can risk damaging your gums and enamel.

Floss Every Single Day – We know, it is not something you really want to hear, but flossing every day is so imperative to maintaining a healthy smile. Did you know that 30% of you’re your enamel is in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach? Flossing between teeth helps to clear away debris before it can cause damage. It also helps keep your gums clean and healthy. Besides, there are many simple tools you can use to floss your teeth. Just be sure to take your time and floss lightly!

Don’t Dodge Your Dentist – You might brush and floss daily, but that does not give you a free pass to dodge your dental appointments. Remember, plaque still happens, and that plaque over time will turn into tartar, which can’t be removed with a toothbrush. Visit your dentist twice every year, and you will lower your chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies – These foods actually play a vital role in fighting off plaque, they are great for your body’s health, and you can also eat several types of fruits and vegetables while you have braces on. So what are you waiting for? Dig in!

Avoid Sugar and Sweets – Before you guzzle that favorite soda of yours, think twice. Consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food allows the sugar to stick to your teeth. The bacteria then become plaque. The less sugar you consume, the greater chance you have of avoiding cavities!

Want some more tips? Need to make an appointment? Just give us a call at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 or check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com! We will help give you an amazing smile!

Don't Want the Flu or a Cold? It Starts With Your Toothbrush!

The cold and flu season is upon us, and while it is early in the season, we are already having a moderate to severe season. Currently, Boston is in a state of emergency with the many people who come to the hospital having the flu, and several states throughout the nation, including Illinois, have widespread cases of the flu already.

While washing your hands is crucial to staying well, it is just as important to pay attention to your toothbrush, the place in which germs and bacteria can collect and be spread. Here are four oral health tips to help you from potentially catching a cold or the flu this season!

Replace Your Toothbrush Often – This is perhaps something many people will overlook when it comes to fighting the flu or the common cold. Be sure to keep replacing your toothbrush every 3 months, and always use a new toothbrush at the end of the cold or flu so that you won’t expose yourself to the old bacteria again.

Sterilize Your Toothbrush Once a Week – You should especially do this if a loved one of yours is sick. To sterilize your toothbrush, simply place it in a microwave-safe cup with 2-3 inches of water and bring the water to a boil in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. Try adopting this habit year-round the help prevent the numerous germs and bacteria in your bathroom from clinging to your toothbrush.

Store Your Tooth Brush Properly – Airborne bacteria can move quite easily from brush to brush, so do your best to limit contact with the other toothbrushes in the room. Always store your toothbrush upright and away from the others, and, if you can, use a toothbrush cover to protect it. Keep in mind also that the tube of toothpaste may also contain germs from touching the bristles of a germ-covered toothbrush, so use a clean finger to transport a squirt of toothpaste onto your toothbrush to ensure your health.

When In Doubt, Wash Your Hands Before and After Brushing – While encountering bacteria is inevitable, you can help decrease the amount you come in contact with when you wash your hands. Washing them before AND after can help prevent the spread of diseases that are caused by these types of bacteria, so wash up!

Remember, good dental habits are essential to having a strong and healthy body! Take care of your toothbrush and your general health, and you should have higher chances of evading the flu and cold this year!

For more tips or to make an appointment, feel free to call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea or check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com!

6 New Year's Resolutions That Will Benefit Your Teeth

Believe it or not, it is getting to be that time of the year again! Before you know it, 2012 will be gone, and we will begin another new year, and with a new year come new beginnings.

Those new beginnings can start with you in 2013! This year, resolve to make goals that will help improve not only your overall health but also your dental health! Check out these 6 great New Year’s resolutions that will benefit both your teeth and your overall health!

Eat Well – Okay, I admit. I probably had one too many cookies this holiday season! There is no shame in treating yourself once in a while, especially during this time of year in which we celebrate the holidays together with family and friends. For 2013, resolve to eat more healthily overall. Say yes to more fruits and vegetables, and do your best to cut back on sugary and processed foods, which can cause problems with your teeth. Aim for a healthy, well-balanced diet. Not only will your teeth and gums be healthy and happy, but your entire body will also benefit from the vital nutrients you consume, AND you can help yourself maintain a healthy weight!

Lose Weight – This resolution is a rather common one that countless people in the nation make every single year. According to recent surveys, 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. Being overweight puts you at risk for several diseases, including Type II Diabetes, which has been known to increase your risk of periodontal disease. Trust me, you do not want to mess with periodontal disease! Resolve to become more physically active and eat more healthily in 2013 for the health of both your body and your teeth!

Brush at Least Twice a Day – Yes, that is right; we said AT LEAST twice a day! Thoroughly brushing your teeth will help protect your teeth from tooth decay and gum disease, and it will help ward off your teeth’s mortal enemy – plaque! Aim to brush your teeth as thoroughly as possible for roughly two minutes at least twice every single day to make sure you are keeping your teeth in tip-top shape!

Quit Smoking – Are you a smoker? Why not resolve to stop smoking or using tobacco once and for all in 2013? Tobacco harms your lungs, teeth, and gums, and partaking in smoking puts you at risk for tooth discoloration and decay, cavities, gum recession and gum disease, disease of the throat and lungs, and even oral cancer or emphysema. In fact, you are twice as likely to lose your teeth than non-smokers! So do your teeth a favor and aim to stop smoking!

Floss Every Single Day – As people grow older, the big reason that they lose their teeth is not because of cavities but because of periodontal disease. When you floss, you remove the plaque between your teeth that brushing cannot do. If you find flossing too difficult, don’t worry! There are many simple devices that can help you floss. Be sure to take the extra few minutes out of your day in 2013 to floss!

Come Visit Me! Resolve to visit your favorite orthodontist frequently. When you stop by for your appointments at Mastroianni Orthodontics, we can help monitor your teeth and keep tabs on your teeth’s conditions. You should also visit your local dentist once every 6 months.

Will you be making any New Year’s resolutions this year? I hope you resolve to take better care of your teeth and to come visit us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics! We will ensure that you leave with a beautiful, amazing smile! To make an appointment, just call us here at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or at (618) 622-3377 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com. We hope you have a happy, safe, and successful 2013!

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!

Get Rewarded for Great Oral Hygiene with the Mastro Bucks Program!

We all have to take care of our teeth; there is no doubt about that. While the benefits of getting your teeth cared for by professionals should be a great reward in itself, it is always nice to get rewarded for following your orthodontist’s instructions, taking care of your teeth, or simply showing up to appointments on time.

Well, guess what? At Mastroianni Orthodontics, you can earn money while you are in treatment! We have an incentive program called “The Mastro Bucks Program” to help encourage our patients to be active participants in creating their amazing smiles.

At Mastroianni Orthodontics, we feel it is super important to celebrate our patients’ achievements and to let them know how proud we are of their successes, so we are giving our patients the chance to earn wooden nickels for being great patients!

Every time you come into our office, we will rate your hygiene as “Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.” You must be given either an “Excellent” or “Good” rating for the day to earn wooden nickels, which are small wooden tokens that can be collected throughout your treatment and turned in after your braces are removed for a prepaid Mastroianni Orthodontics American Express credit card!

The number of wooden nickels you collect throughout your treatment will determine dollar amount on your card. Here is how the amounts are broken down:

Wooden Nickels                                                         Dollar amount

25                                                                               $10

50                                                                               $20

75                                                                               $30

100                                                                             $40

Want to know how to earn your wooden nickels? Here is how you can do it!

1.     Keep your teeth clean – When you come in for a visit, your brushing will be evaluated. If you are given an A or B grade, then you will earn 1 nickel, and, more importantly, you will qualify to earn more. Your teeth must be clean to qualify to earn coins in this and in other categories.

2.     Come to your appointments on time - Our computer tracks what time you arrive for your appointments, so we will use it to determine if you are on time or not. (1 nickel)

3.     No broken or “loose” brackets – Help keep your braces attached to your teeth by avoiding foods on your “do not eat” list! (1 nickel)

4.     Be compliant – If we ask you to wear rubber bands or headgear, then please do so for the proper amount of time each day. (1 nickel)

Here are some special ways that you can earn more nickels:

*Refer a Friend – When you refer and friend and that friend starts treatment with us, you will receive 20 nickels!

*Good Grades – Get A’s and B’s on your report cards (NO C’s or below!) for nickels! You can bring in your report cards twice each year and earn 5 nickels each time!

*Get Your Teeth Cleaned Twice a Year – Simply bring a note in from your general dentist that your teeth have been cleaned, and you will receive 5 nickels.

*Appear in the Newspaper – When you appear in the newspaper or win a special award (such as trophies, medals, ribbons, etc.), show us, and you will earn 5 nickels!

*Send a Postcard on Vacation – Going on a vacation? Be sure to send us a postcard! We will post it to our bulletin board at the office and will give you 5 nickels in return!

You can collect up to 5 wooden nickels at each of your regularly scheduled visits. Keep the nickels in the cup we will provide you and turn them in at the end of your treatment. It is that simple!

We believe that by rewarding your good behavior you will take pride in your treatment – we want to give you the credit that you deserve!

If you are ready to receive orthodontic treatment, give us a call at our Glen Carbon office at (618) 288-0600 or at our Swansea office at (618) 622-3377 or make an appointment online at www.amazingsmiles.com! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

We've Got School Spirit! How 'Bout You? Then Show Us and Win $500!

Summer is ending soon (to the dismay of many students), and the new school year is beginning in full force locally and nationally.  Some students may be, well, less than thrilled when it comes to returning to school, but the patients whom we see in our office are often talking about how excited they are for school to begin once more, and we have to say, we’re excited FOR them!

That is why we plan on holding a fun School Spirit video contest for them this year!

What is this video contest all about, anyway? Well, it is quite simple! All you have to do if you want to enter is create a brand new school spirit video! Make a video about how much school spirit you and your friends have for the upcoming school year, and then upload it to YouTube. 

After you have done that, email us the link of your school spirit video on YouTube at marcia@amazingsmiles.com to officially be entered into our contest! You have until October 1 to enter your video into our contest. By the way, our contest began August 1st, so start making your video now!

After all the videos have been submitted, we will then post all entrants’ videos to our Facebook fan page on October 1 (if you haven’t liked our Facebook page yet, then you totally should, especially since you can see your video there!).

Now here is the important part – the entrant’s video with the most “likes” by October 24 at 8 a.m. will be the winner! He or she will then receive $500 to be dedicated to the school department of his or her choice!

So if you want to give an extra 500 bucks to your music department, athletic department, language arts department, science department, or whatever, then put on your thinking cap and start devising this year’s winning School Spirit video!

Oh, and we almost forgot! We need to give you guidelines! Follow these guidelines below to make sure that your video still has a chance to win $500:

*Your video must be less than 5 minutes in length.
*Your video must be “ family-friendly.”
*Your video must also be submitted on time – no later than Mon., October 1!

So what are you waiting for? Get those creative juices flowing and show us how much school spirit YOU have in your School Spirit video! You never know – you might just win money for your school!

Braces Are Not Just For Kids Anymore!

I see many parents come into my office for their children’s orthodontic needs. It is great that these parents are so involved in making sure their children’s teeth are straight, but I would like to take a moment to address their personal dental straightening needs.

Parents, having recently been given the title of Elite Preferred Provider from Invisalign, I am confident that I can help align not only your children’s teeth, but also yours. Perhaps you had at one time considered getting braces yourself but felt you were past the age of getting them. Maybe you feel that you would look awkward with metal braces while working at your office. With Invisalign this is no longer a concern.

Invisalign uses clear aligners that conform to the shape of your mouth and gradually reposition your teeth into the beautiful smile you have always wanted. Simply keep the aligners in your mouth all day and night, removing them for meals, brushing, and flossing. Also, Invisalign can be easily removed for cleaning- something standard wire braces cannot do.

Using our new iTero scanner, we can have you in for impressions and fitted for Invisalign in a matter of weeks. Since all impressions with the iTero scanner are digital, we can have them immediately sent to the Invisalign lab overseas so that you’ll be working on straightening your teeth in much less time that it would traditionally take with the paste impressions.

It’s never too late to have a great smile! If you are interested in getting fitted for Invisalign for yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (618) 288-0600 for our Glen Carbon office or (618) 622-3377 for our Swansea office. We hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer and look forward to seeing you!

You May Take a Vacation, But Your Teeth Shouldn't! Don't Forget Your Braces!

School is now out across the nation, and summer vacation has commenced for many students. What better time to take some time to kick back and relax with your family on a summer vacation?

At Mastroianni Orthodontics, we hope that you can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with your family this summer, if just for a little bit. Just remember, no matter where you go or what you do, whether it’s camping in your favorite state, soaking up the sun on the east or west coast, or sight-seeing in your favorite city, your teeth are never on vacation!

The first thing to do is to let Dr. Jeff know that you are going away on vacation so that he can make arrangements for your next appointment when you return. You wouldn’t want to miss an appointment for a tightening because you were busy soaking up the sun on a beach in Florida, even if it’s a pretty nice alternative to missing an appointment. Also, make sure to add our office’s phone number (Glen Carbon: (618) 288-0600, Swansea: (618) 622-3377) to your emergency contacts. If a bracket falls off or a wire snaps, be sure to call us immediately!

Secondly, make sure that you bring a kit of braces cleaning supplies for while you are away! The kit should include the following:

·      Toothbrush

·      Proxy Brush (the little thin brush that helps you clean behind the wires of your braces)

·      Floss and Floss Threaders

·      Travel-sized containers of mouthwash and toothpaste

·      Orthodontic Wax

·      Bands (If Required)

·      Pain medicine (Tylenol or Ibuprofen)

The toothbrushes and floss may be common sense recommendations, but you’d be surprised how often those things can get left behind, both at home and in the hotel room!

Make sure to bring plenty of dental wax along. The last thing you want happening is a wire constantly poking you in the mouth during a weeklong outing and not having any wax on hand to cover it up.

On that note, be sure to bring spare bands with you, or pick up some extras from our office if you are running low. If you’ve dealt with bands for any amount of time, you know they sometimes get worn thin and snap, and you don’t want to be far away from home without some backups!

Keep Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or any other over-the-counter painkiller on hand in case your teeth begin to get sore or achy. These dull aches are rare, but they can happen, and you would do well to plan ahead.

Also, don’t forget the travel-sized toothpaste and mouthwash. Many airports won’t allow full-sized bottles of liquids on the plane, and you could find yourself in another country without the proper tools to clean your teeth if you hadn’t planned for this ahead.

Remember to mind what you eat. As always, sticky foods like gum and hard foods like jawbreakers are not recommended as they can cause damage to the brackets and wires of your braces, so avoid those types of foods as best as you can.

Finally, for those of you who have had your braces removed, but are wearing a standard removable retainer, make absolutely sure to keep the retainer with you when you take it out. It’s very easy, and sadly quite common for people to accidentally misplace their retainers, or worse, throw them away as they leave a restaurant. Having to replace retainers can be time-consuming and costly, so it pays to take the effort to prevent any possible mishaps with them.

We hope you all have a safe and fun summer vacation, and spend lots of quality time with your friends and family. Don’t hesitate to take lots of pictures. Dr. Jeff and everyone here at the office would love to see them!