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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.

Attention all former and current patients of Pinamonti Orthodontics! Are you a senior in high school who will be graduating in May 2018? Then you are eligible to win some awesome prizes from Dr. Gina and the Smile Out Loud team.

We’re hosting the “Share Your Confident Senior Smile” contest from now until December 1st, 2017 and we want to you to enter to win.

Our entry process is easy - submit a senior picture and write a short essay!

We are asking that you email nancyb@smileoutloud.com the following elements:

• Tell us in 140 characters or less how orthodontic treatment helped you gain a more confident smile.
• Attach your favorite photo of yourself that shows off your confident smile.
• Give us a few details about yourself such as your name, phone number, the high school that you attend, and what your plans are after graduation.

It’s that simple.

By entering the contest, you are granting us permission to share your photo and written description. As each submission is made, we will be sharing it on Facebook in an album titled “Share Your Confident Senior Smile Campaign Submissions” that can be found on our Facebook page, Pinamonti Orthodontics. Make sure to “like” our Facebook page to see your photo when it is shared!

We will be choosing three winners at a date to be announced after January 1st, 2018 to win our awesome prizes. The winners will be chosen by Dr. Gina and her Smile Out Loud team. The first place winner will win $200 cash, the second place winner will win $100 cash, and the third place winner will win $50 cash. All prizes must be picked up at our office in Pittsburg, Kansas unless other arrangements are made.

We can’t wait to see your submissions! In the meantime, take a look at our FAQ sheet below for any questions you may have. If you have a question that is not answered below, then please call Pinamonti Orthodontics at 620-231-6910 for help. Thank you and good luck!

Share Your Confident Senior Smile Contest FAQ

• To be eligible to enter and/or win the contest, you must be a former or current patient of Pinamonti Orthodontics in Pittsburg, Kansas.
• To be eligible to enter and/or win the contest, you must be a senior in high school with an estimated graduation date of May 2018.
• To enter the contest, you must submit a photo that is only of yourself that shows off your smile to Pinamonti Orthodontics and a short explanation of 140 characters or less telling us how orthodontic treatment helped you gain more confidence. You must submit the photo and essay via email to nancyb@smileoutloud.com. Please also submit your name, phone number, the high school that you attend, and what your plans are after high school.
• The essay must be longer than 100 characters but no longer than 140 characters.
• The essay must describe how orthodontic treatment, specifically from Dr. Gina and the Smile Out Loud team, has helped you gain a more confident smile.
• Winners will be selected by Dr. Gina and the Smile Out Loud team. They will also be posted on Facebook at a date to be announced on Facebook.
• Winning submissions will be announced in a live video by Dr. Gina on Facebook after January 1st and then each winner will be contacted individually with details.
• One winner will be chosen to win the first place prize and contacted via phone and email.  It will also be posted on Facebook.
• One winner will be chosen to win the second place prize and contacted via phone and email. It will also be posted on Facebook.
• One winner will be chosen to win the third place prize and contacted via phone and email. It will also be posted on Facebook.
• All winners must pick up their prize at Pinamonti Orthodontics after being contacted. If there are circumstances that prevent a winner from picking up their prize, then they will need to make new arrangements with Pinamonti Orthodontics.
• All submissions must be made after August 18th, 2017 and before December 1st, 2017.
• All submissions must be sent to nancyb@smileoutloud.com.
• All submissions will be posted on Facebook once approved by Dr. Gina as they come in in an album titled “Share Your Confident Senior Smile Contest.”
• By submitting a photo and written description to Pinamonti Orthodontics, you are giving us permission to post it on Facebook.
• If you are submitting a professional grade photo, then please make sure you own the rights to the photo before submitting. We will automatically assume that you have done your due diligence to your photographer before using the photo.

You can learn just about anything on the Internet these days. You can also order just about anything on the Internet these days.

But would you order your braces on the Internet? There’s a new trend involving websites that claim to offer a solution for straightening teeth, without your ever seeing a dentist or orthodontist in person.

These companies usually have patients take an impression of their teeth using putty and a tray. Then you mail the impressions back to the company where a dentist reportedly examines them and suggests a course of treatment using 3D modeling software.

A series of clear aligners are made, to be worn by the patient in order to attain the desired result. Although this form of orthodontic treatment may cost less than seeing an orthodontist in person, there are several reasons why you should avoid it:

• Potential health hazards are missed: If your oral health is not up to par (e.g., you have cavities, gingivitis, chipped teeth, etc.), an orthodontist would not suggest orthodontic treatment. Only after these issues are addressed would treatment be considered as an option. Whether this is the case with a person can’t be known when all the doctor sees is a set of impressions.
• Lack of information about the patient: Before you receive any orthodontic treatment, an orthodontist will have X-rays taken to make sure you are a good candidate. If the bones or teeth do not look like they would align properly with treatment, another course of care may be suggested, even necessary. None of this background is available to over-the-net orthodontic providers.
• No regular checkups: The purpose of regular checkups with Dr. Gina Pinamonti is to ensure that everything is moving properly, on schedule, and most important, safely. This lack of hands-on care with Internet orthodontics could be a hazard for you as a patient and has the potential to do more harm than good.

It’s not worth the risk of getting orthodontic treatment over the net just to save some money. Our Pittsburg, KS office is committed to working with you, whatever your financial situation may be.

Let’s work together to give you the smile you deserve!

Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team correct the alignment of your teeth and jaws so that you can speak clearly, chew food effectively, and look attractive when you smile. We do this by putting sophisticated gadgets in your mouth. While many of these dental devices look similar, we use a wide variety of orthodontic appliances to straighten your teeth and repair jaw problems.

Orthodontic appliances are devices that move your teeth, change the position of your jaw, or hold your teeth in their finished positions after your braces are removed. These devices may be attached to your teeth or removable.

Braces straighten your teeth. Brackets, bands, and wires characterize traditional braces. Braces are attached to the teeth, so they are not easily removable.

Spacers are small plastic rings fitted between your back teeth before your braces are placed by Dr. Gina Pinamonti. These spacers create space between your teeth to optimize the alignment your braces provide.

Retainers hold teeth in their finished position after your braces come off. A Hawley retainer is the most common type of retainer; it features an acrylic plate that rests against the roof of your mouth and a wire crossing in front of your teeth. Essex retainers are quite popular, as they are durable and nearly invisible.

Bite plates correct a deep bite, where the upper front teeth come down too far over the lower front teeth to cause bite problems.

Holding arches prevent the back teeth from moving forward to crowd the front teeth. A lower lingual holding arch prevents your permanent molars from migrating forward. The Nance holding arch maintains space between teeth after you lose baby teeth and before the permanent teeth come in.

A palatal expander widens your upper jaw by separating the bones of your palate. This appliance helps your top and bottom teeth fit together better. The Quad Helix widens your jaws to create more room for crowded teeth.

Contact our Pittsburg, KS office today to learn more about the ways we can improve the appeal and function of your smile.