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September 2017 Employee Spotlight - Sandee Reeves-Bennington

Last month, we spotlighted Nancy Bishop who has been with Dr. Gina at Pinamonti Orthodontics from the beginning 17 years ago. This month, we are spotlighting a second employee who has been with Dr. Gina since the beginning - Sandee Reeves-Bennington.

Sandee began working at Pinamonti Orthodontics in 2001. Sandee’s role is the treatment coordinator which means she assists Dr. Gina with the new patient exams and answers any questions that patients and parents have about treatment.

Her favorite part of working at Pinamonti Orthodontics is building relationships with the patients and parents that come into the office. She also loves watching patient's blossom with confidence when their treatment is complete. Sandee also noted that it’s enjoyable to watch the excitement of just how much a patient’s smile changes from the beginning to the end.

Outside of the office, Sandee has many hobbies that she enjoys. She likes taking motorcycle trips with her husband, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends, and playing with her dogs. She has two Australian Shepherds named Molly and Murphy and a new puppy named Chester who is a long haired Dachshund. A fun fact about Sandee is that she loves to bake sweet treats for her friends, family, and the office.

When asked what her favorite memory while working at Pinamonti Orthodontics, Sandee had quite a few. She narrowed it down to her top four. Those included going on a cruise with the office, the annual tradition of dressing up for Halloween, the annual tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, and constantly working with a great staff.

It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics are sure that you’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans in no time. But wait! First, we want to know about your favorite parts of the summer! Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday each September here in the United States, is a holiday devoted to the American working community. The purpose of the holiday is honoring the country's workers and their contributions to the strength of our country as a whole.

How Labor Day Started

There is actually some debate as to the origins of Labor Day. It is uncertain whether Peter McGuire, a cofounder for the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, who was the secretary of Central Labor Union of New York, had the great idea. However, the Central Labor Union's plans were what launched the first Labor Day in America.

The First Labor Day

The very first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th, 1882. The Central Labor Union then held annual celebrations on September 5th for what they called a working man's holiday. By the year 1885, the Labor Day celebration had spread to many different industrial areas, and after that it began spreading to all industries in the United States.

Labor Day Today

Labor Day today is a huge United States holiday during which we honor the country's workers with a day of rest and relaxation or a day of picnics and parades. This holiday is truly one to honor the many people who work hard to contribute to the economic well-being of our great country!

Our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics hopes all of our patients celebrate Labor Day, and every holiday, safely and happily. Whether you stay in the Pittsburg, KS area, or travel out of town, have fun, and don't forget to brush!

A solid oral health routine begins with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Without a consistent oral health regimen, you may begin to experience tooth decay and bacterial infections. Few patients ask Dr. Gina Pinamonti about different mouthwash options, so we’ve put together a list of the conditions that mouthwashes can treat. This should help you decide which oral rinse would be best for you.

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce large amounts of bacteria on and near the gum line and generally help to decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. The key ingredients of antiseptic mouthwashes are antibacterial and antimicrobial items. Antiseptic mouthwash is a preferable option if you are concerned about the general gum health of your mouth.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a great tool for preventive tooth decay treatment. It prevents tooth decay and is great for oral health in general because it kills germs that can live in your mouth. Fluoride also builds stronger teeth. If you’re a bottled water drinker, Dr. Gina Pinamonti may recommend that you purchase a simple fluoride rinse to use after brushing.

Bad Breath

Fluoride mouthwash can be used to fight any bad breath issues you may be facing. It’s designed to combat any bacteria that might be building up in your mouth. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate bad breath, but some are specifically designed to address this difficult problem. If you feel as though this might be turning into a chronic problem, please contact Dr. Gina Pinamonti to discuss other options that would be effective for treating your symptoms.

American Dental Association (ADA Approval)

The ADA reviews all mouth rinses for safety measures and to prove effectiveness. Any mouthwash approved by the ADA has met strict guidelines according to whether the manufacturer’s claims are supported with scientific evidence. If you’re looking for a quality mouthwash, look for one that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure you have a great rinse for your mouth.

Considerations

When you’re trying to decide which mouthwash to pick, contact our Pittsburg, KS or ask Dr. Gina Pinamonti during your next appointment. If you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth, be sure to discontinue use immediately. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and be sure to keep all mouthwashes out of the reach of children, because they contain alcohol and other substances that could be harmful.