A Sweet Tooth

So let's admit it... all of us like to splurge every once in a while and treat ourselves to something sweet. But that isn't always the easiest thing to do when you are wearing braces. Sometimes it means forfeiting your favorite gooey or sticky snack... Well we have found a yummy recipe that is sure to melt in your mouth and is safe for your braces!

BUTTERSCOTCH BROWNIES


1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
(Optional: 1 cup butterscotch bits)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine oil and brown sugar, using an electric mixer and blending well. Add eggs. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt, then add vanilla.

Spread batter into a greased 9″x9″ pan. If desired, sprinkle 1 cup of butterscotch bits over the top. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees. After cooling one minute, swirl the bits with a knife to give a marbleized effect.

Cover pan with foil to keep brownies soft, or cut them in squares and store them in a covered container.

Get rewarded!

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we are always looking for different ways to reward you - our patient - for your efforts throughout your treatment. Maintaining good oral health is important, and it’s also important to continue visiting your dentist for
regular six month checkups even during your orthodontic treatment. We want to reward you for taking care of your teeth, so we’ve started our new oral hygiene program!

Next time you visit our office we will give you an Oral Health (OH) card. Take
this card to your dentist the next time you go for your semi-annual checkup and teeth cleaning. Ask your dental hygienist to sign and date your OH card, then bring the signed card back to us at your next appointment and we will enter you into a drawing to win 50 dollars - cash!

We will also reward your dentist for doing such a great job with helping to keep your teeth clean during your treatment.

Enjoy a fall treat!

Fall is in full swing in the Queen City so while the leaves are changing and we are finally escaping the heat of summer, enjoy this recipe to get you in the Fall spirit!




Marvelous Molasses Cookies

They smell wonderful even before baking, they melt in your mouth, and they are perfectly safe for braces! Yum – the best of gingerbread and ginger snaps in one!

* 1 cup shortening
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup molasses
* 1/2 cup warm water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ginger
* 2 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Baking time 11 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, brown sugar, egg, salt and molasses, using an electric mixer and beating until fluffy. Add cinnamon and ginger. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir the baking soda into the warm water; add water mixture to the molasses mixture alternately with the flour until well blended.

Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about four dozen. Store in a covered container.

Enjoy from Valeriano Orthodontics

Electric vs. Manual...Who is the better toothbrush?

Those of us who swear by Blackberries, Ipods and Tivo's want the latest, greatest gadget and we're convinced that an electric toothbrush must be better than its manual counterpart...right?

It turns out there's not much difference. WebMD.com cites "a review of nearly 30 studies" that was unable to determine a significant difference in plaque removal between electric and manual toothbrushes. There was other research that did find that the electric toothbrushes that have the bristles move side-to-side did perform slightly better.

If electric and manual toothbrushes are so similar, how should you decide what is the best for you?

Your budget. Electric toothbrushes are more expensive however while some high-end options can cost upwards of $100 you can find some in the $10range.

Your dexterity. People who have limited manual dexterity- may find that an electric toothbrush allows them to reach spots that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Your habits. If you have a hard time brushing regularly and you find you enjoy the sensation of brushing with an electric toothbrush, then by all means use the brush that will encourage you to brush most often.

Your patience. Many people do not brush for the full 2 minutes recommended. Some electric brushes come with a timer that helps enforce the proper time of brushing.

No matter what type of toothbrush you choose, it's important to use it correctly. Brush two-three times a day for two minutes each time. And remember that while brushing and flossing daily will help you maintain good oral health, regular professional cleanings are vital in keeping your teeth in tip-top shape.

What is the best age for my child to see the Orthodontist?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Announcing our Flat Dr. V Winners!!

Flat Dr. V once again had a fabulous summer vacation- thanks to you our great patients...

Here are our winners!

The Funniest- Despina did a great job creating Flat Dr V from memory, so he didn't miss out on a great vacation!
-Despina Giotis

Most Historical- The signing room in Independce Hall (The Declaration of Independence was signed here)
-Katherine Burkart

Longest Distance Traveled- Taj Mahal,India
-Ro Panuganti

Best Animal Photo- Miss Lily
-Cameron Maibodi

Most Adventurous- ATV in Wyoming
-Brittany & Alexandra Halberstadt

Best Celebrity- Richard Petty (they also sent in photos of Richard Childress & Rusty Wallace!)


-Drew & Sara Hebeisen

Coldest Location- Switzerland

-Alex & Mia Kosarek


We also had more fabulous entries- thanks to all of our patients who submitted their photos. Flat Dr. V had an awesome summer vacation! Keep on the look out for more photos!