Ask Dr. Badalamenti: What's the deal with Halloween candies & treats?

For parents in St. Clair & St. Clair Shores worried about their kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

Dr. Philip Badalamenti and our staff will tell you all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty goodies.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Trick-or-treaters who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, around brackets and at the gum line. If damage occurs, call Dr. Badalamenti as soon as possible.

We hope that everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

How do we reward our patients?

Dr. Badalamenti and team know how difficult it can be to take good care of your teeth between visits during your orthodontic treatment.

The day braces are placed, we go over daily oral hygiene and care for braces. We give them orthodontic toothbrushes, floss threaders, and proxy brushes to help make their part of treatment easier.

We have a grading system in our office for brushing, and offer incentives for great brushing and taking good care of the appliances. This is our "ORTHO BUCKS" program. Patients can then trade in their earned ortho bucks for various gift cards.

We also encourage our patients to continue regular visits to their general dentist. This is our "CLEANING SPECTACULAR" program. Every 3 months we do a drawing for a prize for both our patient, and their hygienist.

Encouraging great oral hygiene is a priority in our office. We want those newly straightened teeth to be "sparkly, bright"!

Dr. Badalamenti & team, dispelling the myths about orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. Phil Badalamenti knows there are a lot of myths and half-truths floating around these days when it comes to orthodontics (and orthodontists in general). But, before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts about braces, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment with Dr. B, feel free to give us a call at 586-439-5494 or ask us on Facebook!

We hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

Spartans vs. Wolverines this weekend!

Football rivalry weekend! Who will be celebrating on Monday morning? The Michigan State Spartans or University of Michigan Wolverines?

Pumpkin decorations at Dr. B's office!

We're in the midst of a pumpkin decorating contest at our office. We are giving our patients a pumpkin to decorate. We are "decorating" the office with their creations, and will be giving a prize to the best decorated. The contest runs through October 31st!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Happy Monday! October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti wanted to remind our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this Halloween season. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Check out these delicious braces-friendly recipes, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (623) 566-4800, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Philip Badalamenti during your next visit at our convenient St. Clair Shores office!