"Hey Dr. B! What's the deal with retainers?"

If you recently completed orthodontic treatment, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Badalamenti will provide you with retainers. After braces are removed the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receiver your retainers from Dr. Badalamenti:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Badalamenti instructs otherwise.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments.

* Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

* Keep retainers away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions! Happy Holidays!

Season's greetings from Dr. Badalamenti & team!

Happy Holidays! Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team are looking forward to the holidays and hope our patients enjoy them also. We are looking forward to sharing 2012 with all our patients and helping with their orthodontic needs. We are planning some fun, and our office calendar has the dates for some activities we have planned - stay tuned!

Safe and happy holidays to our patients!!

Recently, a 20 year Veteran Fireman who was considering orthodontics told me his smile was his best tool for communicating confidence and strength to victims during rescue. He sought to improve his smile not for himself, but for how he best served others....

What an awesome statement to hear, and I've been sharing his thoughts with people who I know will appreciate his inspiration.

- Dr. Badalamenti

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: “I’m 36 – am I too old for orthodontic treatment?”

Great question, and you are absolutely not "too old" for braces! At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, nobody is “too old” for braces! In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Also, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment nowadays is over the age of 21. Of course, braces help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But we’d like you to know orthodontic treatment with Dr. Badalamenti can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

In fact, we are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation at our office. Please give us a call to set one up!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Dr. Badalamenti's office!

Love your new smile? Tell the world about it!

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we proudly work with children, teens, and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment.

Whether you’ve just come in for a free consultation with Dr. Badalamenti or your family has been visiting our St. Clair Shores office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our blog or on our Google listing!

We look forward to reading your reviews!

The advantage of Invisalign Teen™ at Dr. B's office

Dr. Badalamenti and our team know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! Today, Dr. B and team thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

So how does Invisalign Teen work, you ask? Much in the same fashion as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact our St. Clair Shores orthodontic office and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Giving thanks this holiday season

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, it's a great time to ask ourselves what we're thankful for. With our friends and family around us, we celebrate the blessings given to us in the past year. Our staff at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti thought we'd ask: What are you thankful for this holiday season? Do you have any Thanksgiving wishes you would like to share?

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It’s a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or photos to share with us, we’d encourage you to send them along or post them on our Facebook page!

"I'm 25 - am I too old for braces?"

Of course not! At Dr. Badalamenti's office we treat quite a few adult patients. Once they make the decision to come in for an evaluation, they are ready to get going on treatment. Dr. Badalamenti gives them the best options for the correction they need, and they are receptive to his expertise. We have adult patients in braces (usually the clear brackets), some in lingual braces (on the inside of their teeth), and some in invisalign trays. We enjoy our adult patients, they are extremely cooperative with care.

Dr. B and team proudly offer FREE consultations!

Since 1980, we have been working with children, teens and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer free consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Philip Badalamenti, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

Please contact our practice at (586) 293-5200, and receive a FREE initial orthodontic consultation. See you soon!

Ask Dr. B: What's the deal with Halloween candy?

Happy Halloween! 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!

What's going on at Dr. B's office?

We enjoy celebrating holidays and special events with our patients. We have “Theme Week” at the end of October, and patients that dress in Halloween attire can earn extra “Smile Rewards” and draw from the “OrthoBox”.

We have been sponsoring a pumpkin decorating contest for the past couple of weeks, see above photos, and head to our Facebook page to see more amazing decorations!!

Our patients are invited to share their candy from Halloween and have it sent to our troops. We have a flyer at our front desk that gives the information. Please be sure to stop by and pick up the flyer-it will explain about “Operation Gratitude”.

Remember to stay away from those hard and sticky candies-trade them for “brace friendly” candy.

Thanks to all our great patients who participate in our fun events.

Ask Dr. B: "What do you love about being an orthodontist?"

Recently, Dr. Altherr was asked, "What does your job mean to you—and what makes it so special day after day?"

Here is his response!

An orthodontist enjoys creating beautiful smiles for great patients. But a little known plus that I treasure is that every day you get "The Happy Ending". Every day someone says "Thank-You". I tell my children "Do something that contributes to the well being of others, and you will achieve happiness as well as financial reward."

Year-end insurance reminder from Dr. Badalamenti

Now that October is upon us, we wanted to send you a friendly reminder to take full advantage of any flex spend, health savings or insurance benefits that you may have before the end of the year. We realize enrollment deadlines are sometimes a concern. If so, please call our office.

And don't forget ... October marks National Orthodontic Health Month! Straight teeth are important because they are functional, letting you chew and digest food that your body can use. Straight teeth are easier to clean and floss, preventing bacteria from collecting in your mouth. Straight teeth look great in addition to these other positive qualities.

We recommend an initial evaluation of patients at age 7. Dr. Badalamenti can evaluate your child's dental growth and follow their development.

At Dr. B's office, October marks 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!

Frequently asked questions, from Dr. B

This week, Dr. Badalamenti was asked, “What are some of the questions patients ask you the most? What important questions would you wish they had asked you? What is the most important question one should ask their orthodontist?”

At the initial appointment, we answer many questions, as well as anticipating others. A few frequent ones are "how long will treatment take," and "can treatment be done using Invisalign?"

The individual treatment plan is diagnosed for each patient, so times and treatment options are specific for each patient's orthodontic needs.

When patients start their orthodontic treatment, one of the first questions is: "will it hurt". We let them know it does not "hurt", but there is sometimes a feeling of pressure. They are always pleasantly surprised that there is no pain.

How has the Internet helped Dr. B's office?

We hope you’re having a great week! At Dr. Badalamenti’s office, we use the internet for many aspects of the practice of orthodontics. We can share much information with our patients, in both professional and personal areas. We communicate with other dental professionals regarding patient care. We work with companies such as Invisalign and SureSmile to help evaluate progress of appliances. We order online, and can track items when needed. Recently we added Smile Rewards to our practice promotions, and our patients can track their progress and order rewards online!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: why is continuing education so important?

We participate in continuing education as a regular part of our professional development. Most of us that work at Dr. Badalamenti's office have licenses that we update yearly with educational credits.

Our staff attended a SureSmile seminar this past winter. Continuing education is something we value and enjoy. We all highly value continuing education here at Dr. Badalamenti's. It helps us keep current on what is new and what is working well. When we attend continuing education opportunities, we usually network with other orthodontic or dental professionals and learn of successes along with acquiring information that will help us deliver the best orthodontic care to our patients.

The great success we have had with SureSmile treatment is something we can offer in many different types of appliances. Dr. Badalamenti is committed to the best treatment available for our patients!

Happy Friday!

Questions, questions...

From the moment patients enter our St. Clair Shores office, they feel a sense of warmth, welcoming and individual care. Some ask a lot of questions about their orthodontic treatment, while others choose to just "go with the flow."

One of the most frequent questions Dr. Badalamenti hears is, "Is it going to hurt?" And our reply is that wearing braces usually does not hurt, although with wire change, there is some pressure felt.

Another popular question is, "How long until the braces come off?" And that usually depends on how the teeth move, patient cooperation, and care of appliances and appointments. The less breakage of both appliances and appointments guarantees speedier treatment.

Do you have a question you've been meaning to ask Dr. B and haven't quite found the time? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Back to school with Dr. B

Now that many of the schools in our area are back in session, Dr. Badalamenti would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Dr. B's office this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients’ busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you’re unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give Dr. B and team a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We’ll see you soon and hope summer is winding down nicely for all our patients!

New Smiles at Dr. B’s office!

Look at these beautiful smiles! There’s nothing more we love seeing than a patient getting their braces off! In fact, Dr. Badalamenti and team keep a running album of new patient smiles on our Facebook page, and we encourage you to check it out! While you’re there, we’d love it if you “Liked” our page! Happy Monday!

Also, it's Hawaiian theme week at Dr. B’s office! Catch a wave! Hula into your appointment in Hawaiian attire and draw from our Ortho Box!

Contest reminder from Dr. Badalamenti

JUST A REMINDER!!! There are only 2 weeks left to enter our "Smile Through The Seasons Calendar Contest". Your art work will be displayed in our 2112 calendar. Mail it or drop it off.....any questions call (586) 293-5200.

Dr. B and our team hope you're all having a wonderful summer!

Show us how much you "Like" us!

We are excited to announce our new Facebook contest!


• Ask all of your friends and family to Like our facebook page.

• Once they have clicked the "Like" button on our page make sure to
have them type your full name on our facebook wall.

• The patient who gets the most friends and family to Like our page
and who’s name appears the most times on our facebook wall will be our grand prize winner.

Remember to let your friends and family know that each person you get to our page can only post your name one time on our wall.

Multiple posts of a patients name made by the same person only count as one!

What helps you relax at Dr. B's office?

Dr. Badalamenti and our team offer our patients state of the art technology that makes orthodontic care more efficient and more comfortable. We offer the best treatment for the orthodontic care indicated after a thorough examination and http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifevaluation of orthodontic records we take on each patient. We are proud of our relationships with our patients' dentists. We strive to communicate and work together for the best care for our mutual patients.

We offer a few extras at the office here, such as wireless internet. We have juices, coffee, and cookies available to our patients and their families when they are in the office.

We have a great incentive for patients to take care of their teeth and their appliances. We give "ortho bucks" based on a scale of grading at each visit. Learn more about these incentives on our website.

The myths & facts 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, ask him during your next visit, feel free to give us a call at 586-439-5494 or ask us on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: “I’m 32 – am I too old for orthodontic treatment?”

Great question, and you are absolutely not "too old" for braces! At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, nobody is “too old” for braces! In fact, we read a fascinating statistic recently: adults getting braces has actually jumped 24 percent since 1996! Also, one of every five patients in orthodontic treatment nowadays is over the age of 21. Of course, braces help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But we’d like you to know orthodontic treatment with Dr. Badalamenti can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

In fact, we are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation at our office. Please give us a call to set one up and have a wonderful rest of the week!

Does Dr. B have your current contact info?

We hope you’re having a great week and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Dr. Badalamenti, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient during that time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Happy Fourth from Dr. Badalamenti and team!

America turns 235 years old today! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers - past and present - who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team would like to know: what are your plans for the 4th of July? Are you out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear all about it.

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Lastly, we want to thank all our patients who participated in our Patient Appreciation Day at Mastros Ice Cream Parlour. We had a lot of fun visiting with you outside the office and enjoyed great ice cream that day. It was a great day for sitting outside at the picnic tables, which a lot of people took advantage of. We were glad to share the afternoon with all of you!

This summer, don't take a vacation from good oral health

This summer, one of the most important things we remind our patients is to NOT take a vacation from brushing and eating the right things with their braces. The extra time they have on vacation from school is good to spend on brushing, making sure they wear their rubber bands and appliances, and making good food choices. That way, their vacation time is also spent as they would like, and not with us, except for their regularly scheduled appointments.

While you are away on vacation, it's best that you pack your toothbrush and aids used during treatment, like appliances and rubber bands. The most important thing is that you enjoy their vacation and return to share your great experiences with us!!

Dr. Badalamenti and team proudly offer FREE consultations!

Since 1980, we have been working with children, teens and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer free consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Philip Badalamenti, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

Please contact our practice at (586) 293-5200, and receive a FREE initial orthodontic consultation. See you soon!

What's on your summer reading list?

With a lot of our patients traveling this summer or grabbing some much-needed R&R, we thought we'd remind our wonderful patients that summer is a great time to read to keep your mind healthy, sharp and strong.

We are an office of readers, and have been known to share books with each other frequently. We enjoyed the popular Twilight Series of books. We consider these in the "FLUFF" category, meaning they are for pure enjoyment. We like a wide variety of topics from true crimes to romance, and anything that peaks our interest. Our patients recommend books to us, also.

Dr. Badalamenti likes to share his practice building and team building books with us, and has been known to buy books for us when it helps us become better orthodontic "care-givers."

Smile! June marks National Smile Month!

Happy Friday!

Now that June is here, our team at the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our convenient St. Clair Shores office, as well as your general dentist to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

That means you too, parents! After all, there's more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist)!

Our priority is to make our patients feel comfortable and at home when they are in our office for their orthodontic treatment. We like to interact with them and explain what procedures are going to be done at each appointment. Our goal is to provide the best orthodontic treatment using state of the art technology, the combination of which gives our patients a good experience here at Dr. Badalamenti's.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Badalamenti and team, wishing you a relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is a time Americans stop and remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom over the course of American history.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of the summer, and for many of our patients, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom is sweet relief. At the office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories.

What about you? What are you and your family up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or hitting the open roads of Michigan with family this weekend, we want to know all about it!

Dr. Badalamenti and our entire team hope our patients have a nice holiday, and we get a little sunshine by Monday here in St. Clair Shores for the big parade that the Parade Council puts on for the residents and their friends. One good thing about all the rain we have had is that it is really GREEN here!

Love your smile? Tell the world ALL ABOUT IT!

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we proudly work with children, teens, and adults to help create beautiful, one-of-a-kind smiles in a warm, friendly, family-friendly environment.

Whether you’ve just come in for a free consultation with Dr. Badalamenti or your family has been visiting our St. Clair Shores office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our blog or on our Google listing!

We look forward to reading your reviews!

New patient contest!

Spring may have arrived in Michigan after all, and we are thrilled to announce our new contest for May! Simply come in and guess the number of baseballs in the jar in our reception area. Our patients seem to love those counting contests!

We would also like to thank our patients who entered their "Mom and Me" photos as part of our April contest ... some lucky moms received a dozen roses!

Remember that May 23-27 is our Theme Week. To prepare for celebrating Memorial Day, wear red, white and blue, or stars and stripes, or military to our office, and be eligible for a draw from the "Ortho Box."

And, lastly, don't forget Patient Appreciation Day on June 17th!!!

Dr. Badalamenti at the 111th AAO Annual Session

Patients at Dr. Badalamenti's orthodontic office can feel confident they are receiving the best in orthodontic health care. Dr. Badalamenti’s goal is to provide the most up-to-date technology and techniques using the best equipment possible. He is devoted to continuing education and furthers his learning through reading, attending conferences and continuing education courses. One of those conferences includes the 2011 AAO Annual Session in Chicago, where Dr. Badalamenti will head this weekend.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It’s also a time for Dr. Badalamenti to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows Dr. Badalamenti and our team to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

If you’ve got an appointment for an adjustment or consultation scheduled with us soon, we invite you to ask Dr. Badalamenti about his Chicago trip, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us treat you more effectively!

What puts you or your child at ease at Dr. B's office?

Dr. Badalamenti and team understand not everyone always enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we always strive to make our patients feel at ease while they are here.

We like to share any information that we can to make our patients feel more involved in their treatment. We stress that they ask questions if they feel they might like more detail regarding a procedure. From the conversations during the day around the office, our patients seem comfortable asking questions and discussing treatment goals.

In addition to feeling comfortable with treatment and our entire staff, the extras we offer our patients include coffee, teas, and juices that are available in our reception room. We have wireless Internet access throughout our office. Check out our website, Facebook page and blog for updates on other incentives we offer!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: Which foods should I avoid while in braces?

Thanks for the question! There are a variety of foods Dr. Philip Badalamenti wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifyour braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should 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

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Dr. Badalamenti and our team a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Happy Earth from Dr. B and team!

At the orthodontic office of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, we have been doing more and more to reduce our carbon imprint on the world, and we can proudly say our office has been "green" for some time now. We have been recycling plastic for a long time (at least 15 years). We are a digital X-ray office, so that eliminates chemicals in the air. We are also paperless with our treatment cards and files.

In addition, digital radiographs are produced without the use of chemicals, helping to keep our water supply free of pollutants. Most xrays can be transmitted digitally instead of being printed and mailed.

This past year we have been scanning documents into the computer, so we are just about paperless. After the documents have been scanned, we shred the paper and donate it to the collections at the schools in our area.

We recycle all plastics, cardboard and other papers. We have gotten used to depositing the different items into their containers, so recycling is easier, and our community reaps some benefit!

In addition, we use rechargeable batteries and try to eliminate spray cleaners, so there is no aerosol spray lingering in the air - our cleaning is done with wipes. Lastly, we give our patients some supplies in reusable grocery-type bags in our effort to help others be "green" !

Happy Earth Day!

Dr. Badalamenti & the AAO Annual Session in Chicago

Dr Badalamenti will be at the American Association of Orthodontists with other Orthodontists from around the world to attend meetings and network. A nice thing about the meeting is that Dr. B comes back to the office with ideas for always finding ways to improve our orthodontic care to our patients. It may be with new technology, or professional and personal enhancements to provide the best for everyone we interact with during each day. We strive for improvements in patient care, phone calls, or just communication among all of us here.

A great highlight to this meeting is that Dr. Badalamenti will be accompanied by his eldest daughter, who is a dentist, and has been accepted to the Orthodontic program at Boston University. He will be introducing her to his orthodontic colleagues, and she will be introducing him to her dental colleagues! Enjoy!

PS, be sure to ask Dr. B what he learned from his trip to the AAO upon his return!

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: What's the deal with retainers?

If you recently completed orthodontic treatment, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Badalamenti will provide you with retainers. After braces are removed the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receiver your retainers from Dr. Badalamenti:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Badalamenti instructs otherwise.

* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)

* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.

* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.

* Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practicing speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them quicker is a good idea.

* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.

* Try to remember to bring your retainers to your appointments.

* Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!

* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

* Keep retainers away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Mother's Day contest!

We want to remind our patients about our April contest....."MOM AND ME" ...Bring in a picture of you and your mom and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a dozen roses to give her this Mother's Day! Get your cameras ready and bring us some great photos!

Dr. B's patients perform in "Oliver"

We would like to congratulate our many patients who participated in the production of "Oliver" last weekend.

We are especially proud of Nick Spatafora, who had the lead! Awesome job, everyone!! "We Want More!!"

Play it safe this spring, from Dr. Badalamenti

Dr. B and our team have discussed the importance of mouth guards before, and thought today would be a great day to remind all of young athletes to play it safe this spring and summer.

Using a mouth guard is the best protection against chipped or broken teeth while participating in sports and summertime activities. The great thing is you can wear a mouth guard with braces! You should remove any retainers or Invisalign appliances and replace them with a mouth guard during sports as it gives more protection for your pearly whites.

If a tooth gets knocked out during sports or other physical activities, it's very important that you not clean the tooth. Put it in milk in a container or glass. If no milk is available, keep the tooth in your mouth. Then, contact your dentist immediately.

As far as hydration? Sports drinks contain a lot of sugar and salt. But, as with anything, you should use them in moderation. Water is still the best hydrator, but sports drinks are a good change once in awhile.

Got any more questions about mouth guards or facial protection? Please give us a call at (586) 439-5494, and we'll be happy to answer any question you may have!

Adults & braces, from Dr. Badalamenti

At Dr. Badalamenti's office, we know it’s not easy for adults to admit they need braces. Some don’t like to think about it, others put off treatment as long as they can, many just say they can’t afford braces, while others embrace getting treatment (pardon the pun).

We have many adult patients in treatment. With our SureSmile treatment, time in braces may be reduced by 40 percent. We enjoy their treatment progress almost as much as they do because they are very excited with the changes they encounter throughout their time in braces.

All our adults are positive about the experience and we are fortunate to share in that. Adults are extremely cooperative in their brushing habits, and wearing of auxillary appliances like rubber bands. The motivation of adults to wear retainers is a great benefit.

Ask Dr. Badalamenti: When should my child come in for a check-up?

Typically, patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth. But in some cases Dr. Philip Badalamenti has to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Our staff at Dr. B's office call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, Dr. Badalamenti recommends that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a FREE consultation at our convenient St. Clair Shores office, please give us a call.

Have a GREAT weekend!

At Dr. B's office, access to your account any day, any time

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at the orthodontic office of Philip S. Badalamenti enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started! Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Braces tips from Dr. Badalamenti & team

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, we try to stress the importance of these "regular care and good techniques," such as brushing, flossing, and staying away from the "unfriendly" foods in regard to braces.

One thing we do mention is that our patients brush with water first, then they can see if any plaque remains on their teeth or braces. THEN go over the cleaned teeth with toothpaste on their brush to freshen their mouth up.

At Dr. B's office, we make disclosing tablets available to our patients if they would like that extra help with areas to be sure to brush.

Our "ortho bucks" reward program seems to help encourage our patients to keep up with proper brushing habits.

Let us know if you have any questions by giving us a call, asking Dr. Badalamenti during your next visit or asking us on Facebook!

Valentine's Theme Week!

In honor of Valentine's Day, we would like our patients to wear something red, pink or with hearts when they come for their appointment next week. You are then eligible to draw from our "Ortho Box" for a prize. If they would just like to stop by during that week (if they do not have a scheduled appointment), wearing s...omething red, pink, or with hearts, that's fine, too! You'll also be eligible to also draw from the Ortho Box.

Brushing with braces

There are so many things Dr. Badalamenti's patients do to keep their teeth sparkling clean between appointments. From brushing and flossing, to using mouth wash and keeping on top of their oral hygiene.

We would like to congratulate all our patients for their efforts at brushing. The extra time that it takes to keep those teeth sparkling is something we have found that our patients are proud of as much as we appreciate. Everyone wins with a healthy Smile!

February marks National Children's Dental Health Month

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Philip Badalamenti, February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and we thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing Dr. B our team during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Badalamenti, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Questions, questions...

From the moment patients enter our St. Clair Shores office, they feel a sense of warmth, welcoming and individual care. Some ask a lot of questions about their orthodontic treatment, while others choose to just "go with the flow."

One of the most frequent questions Dr. Badalamenti hears is, "Is it going to hurt?" And our reply is that wearing braces usually does not hurt, although with wire change, there is some pressure felt.

Another popular question is, "How long until the braces come off?" And that usually depends on how the teeth move, patient cooperation, and care of appliances and appointments. The less breakage of both appliances and appointments guarantees speedier treatment.

Do you have a question you've been meaning to ask Dr. B and haven't quite found the time? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

Show your Super Bowl spirit next week!

Dr. Badalamenti and our team want to remind our patients that this next week, starting January 24th, is our "Theme Week" for January. We would like our patients to show their Super Bowl Spirit and wear their favorite football team t-shirt, jersey, hoodie, or hat to their appointments. Anyone who comes showing their "Super Bowl Spirit" will get to draw from our "Ortho Box" for a fun prize.