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!