Our Blog

If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, or as recommended, in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing. (And visiting Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics for regular adjustments, of course.)

Dental checkups are crucial for maintaining good oral health. Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of tooth decay, as well as catch and treat oral health problems early. During an oral exam, your dentist can also check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next adjustment visit and we will provide a few great references in the Pittsburg, KS area!

Kids can be picky eaters. How many times have you seen your child try to hide the peas under a mound of mashed potatoes?

At Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics, Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team understand how hard it can be to get your child to eat the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables. The task of providing fun, nutritious meals becomes even more challenging if he or she wears braces. It's an age-old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. These five braces-friendly recipes are not only nutritious, but they will have little Jimmy flashing his “tin grin” when he sits down at the kitchen table in the morning.

1. Scrambled eggs are soft and easy to eat if you have braces. If you drown them in ketchup (which many kids love to do), eggs become even mushier. Minimal chewing is required, and that’s the key to a braces-friendly recipe.
2. A healthy breakfast provides energy and jump-starts metabolism. A smoothie is not only a good source of fruit, but it’s also gentle on braces. More importantly, smoothies are fun to create. You can toss anything in the blender (bananas, mangoes, strawberries, spinach) and create a drink that’s loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
3. If you wear braces, eating crunchy cereals or granola for breakfast is out of the question: Bite down the wrong way and you might snap the wires or dislodge the brackets. However, you can get your grains and oats by substituting oatmeal for cereal. This mushy breakfast treat has a host of health benefits.
4. Pancakes are not the healthiest breakfast choice. Still, this Sunday morning favorite is braces-friendly. The idea is to make it healthier by hiding blueberries in the pancake batter just like your child hides peas in the mashed potatoes.
5. Toast with jam is ok, but skip slathering peanut butter on the bread. If you have braces, the general rule of thumb is to steer clear of foods that are hard or chewy. These types of foods can break wires. Of course, most kids will agree that toast isn’t the most exciting breakfast recipe. Make it a Pop-Tart instead!

For more braces-friendly recipes, please give us a call at our convenient Pittsburg, KS office!

June 2017 Employee Spotlight - Debbie Ausemus-Grosstephan

Debbie Ausemus-Grosstephan has been the first face that every patient who walks through the door at Pinamonti Orthodontics has seen for the last 11 years. She works as a receptionist, schedule coordinator and has been cross-trained to be an assistant to Dr. Gina at the chair when necessary. Her favorite part of working at Pinamonti Orthodontics is seeing patients come in for the first time as very shy people and leaving as excited, outgoing individuals.

Outside of the office, Debbie chases her 17-year-old daughter around and watches her play volleyball and softball. A fun fact about her is that she still enjoys going outside and hitting the volleyball around with her daughter.

Debbie’s favorite memory while working at Pinamonti Orthodontics happened at a patient pool party when Dr. Gina hula-hooped in the middle of all the patients.

When asked what she loves most about working at Pinamonti Orthodontics, Debbie said, “I love working for such an honest orthodontist like Dr. Gina. She always looks and finds the best treatment option for every patient. She truly wants to give the best possible outcome to every patient who walks through our door.”

As we start our summer, our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics wants to remind our patients who have completed treatment that it is very important to wear your retainer as prescribed even while away for vacations and summer camps.

If you are away from home and only wearing your retainer at night, here is a helpful tip: after removing and brushing your retainer in the morning, place it back in the case and then put it with your PJ’s or on your pillow. That way you have a reminder to put your retainer back in at night.

Remember, retainers should be worn every night, not just some nights.

We wish you safe travels and adventures this summer!