Hoppy Easter!

So April Fool's day has come and gone and now it is time to celebrate a popular holiday for many individuals in the United States. A holiday where millions of children and families spend their weekend partaking in Easter egg hunts, dying hard boiled eggs, and indulging in those sugary goodies left by the one and only, Easter Bunny! We want to share a few great Easter basket ideas for kids who have braces and have to avoid those sugared candies, but can still feel included in all of the Easter holiday treats!


-Chocolate
Chocolate is a great choice for children with braces because it is soft. Great choices for Easter would include the traditional chocolate bunnies, regular M&M's and Reese's Peanut Butter cups or eggs. It is important to avoid chocolate containing caramel, nuts, raisins, or any other sticky ingredients.

-Baked Goods
Baked goods are a great option as decorated cupcakes and brownies are safe for braces. Look for recipes with reduced-sugar or sugar substitutes to help maintain the taste and texture of regular baked foods. As with chocolate, these goods are safe choices if nut free. You can incorporate fun Easter designs with reduced sugar icing or non-edible toppings.

-Non-Edible Easter Treats
Who says Easter treats all have to be edible? Why not go for other basket-fillers such as gifts cards, pastel nail polishes, CDs, magazines or cell phone accessories. These are all great options for kids with braces who can be rewarded with Easter goodies other than sweets.

Be sure to remember to brush after eating your favorite candy or sweet to keep your smile beautiful and healthy!

We hope you all enjoy your holiday plans and have a safe and hoppy Easter!!

-Dr. Valeriano and Team

Top Tips for Cleaning your Braces

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Here are some tips for keeping those braces sparkling:



-One tooth at a time. Brush one tooth at a time for at least 10 seconds per tooth.

-It's all about the angle! Brush each tooth and bracket at an angle with your toothbrush to make sure you get in all of the crevices. Proxy brushes (the tiny cone shaped brushes) are great at reaching difficult areas.

-Eat & Clean.. when in braces it is very important to brush after every meal.

-Like a Boy Scout- always be prepared! Making a to-go kit with a travel toothbrush and floss is the best way to keep your teeth clean.

-Flouride is your friend! Flouride helps prevent cavities. This also includes the MI Paste that we often talk about at your appointments.

-Don't forget the Pro's! It is your job to keep your teeth clean everyday, but it is equally important to visit your dentist for routine cleanings and exams throughout your orthodontic treatment.

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.

Keep your teeth Clean & Healthy

If you are looking for a great way to keep your teeth clean and healthy in addition to brushing and flossing, we recommend using new MI Paste. This product has the ability to deliver calcium phosphate and fluoride directly to the teeth, helps prevent tooth decalcification, can repair any permanent stains, and can also reduce tooth sensitivity.

So how do you use MI Paste?

• Apply the paste at bed time after a thorough brushing

• Place a pea sized amount on your finger and rub onto teeth at the gum line and areas of decalcification (permanent staining). Repeat for other arch

• Leave the paste in place for 3 minutes and then rub the teeth with your tongue

• Do NOT eat, drink or rinse after use for at least 8 hours

This product is not recommended for anyone with an allergy to milk protein or hydroxybenzoates.

Lactose intolerant patients CAN use MI Paste.

MI Paste is not to be used in place of your regular toothpaste. This is a wonderful product that can give great results if used regularly. This product is available for all of our patients to purchase in our office, and makes a wonderful stocking stuffer!

Always on time!

An on-time office – It's always the perfect time to discover your perfect new smile, and by running on time, we make it simple to stay right on schedule. From on-time appointments to accommodate your busy life to completing treatment as expected, we make your time with us easy and amazingly efficient. Why wait for the smile you've always wanted when you can witness the transformation in perfect time?

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.

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