Flat Dr. V Travels the World!

Flat Dr. V and his friends have been traveling the world and sharing stories all summer long, and now he’s returned to Charlotte, North Carolina with tales of faraway places and tons of great photos!

This summer patients of all ages participated in Valeriano Orthodontics’ Flat Dr. V contest. In September each patient submitted photos of their summertime travels to enter the contest and win a special prize. Pictures were judged based on nine different categories, and one winner was chosen for each category. The pictures are amazing and it is clear that Dr. V had a busy summer with tons of exciting adventures!

Here are the winning photographs of each of the nine categories. Contest winners won a gift card to Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream – Yum!

Winners:

Most Creative – Shannon Foster (imitating Flat Dr. V)
Funniest – Tucker Albert (tug-o-war dogs)
Most Historical – Everett Echevarria (Rome)
Farthest – Amy Button (Sydney, Australia)
Tastiest – Morgan and Olivia Gerik (Hershey Bars in Hershey, PA)
Most Daring – Gray Vandyke (scuba diving)
Best Celebrity – Annie Whitney (Mike Minter of the Carolina Panthers)
Strangest – Aaron Dozzi (Albert Einstein)
Best Animal – Jacob Price (picture not available)


Watch our slide show and see some of the great pictures that were submitted for our Flat Dr. V contest. Please click here to view ALL of the amazing pictures we received!

Married? Smile Bright!

It’s Fall. Leaves are turning shades of orange and red, the wind is picking up and getting cooler, and pumpkin patches are full of bright oranges pumpkins. Families gather together, kids head out trick-or-treating, and as always, wedding bells are ringing. That's right, fall is one of the best times of year to tie the knot! If you are gearing up for a wedding this fall, consider matching that white dress to a perfectly white smile!

At Dr. Valeriano's we offer in-office tooth whitening for the bride, the groom, or the entire wedding party! You get the girls together to get their nails done, and now you can get them together to get their teeth done!

In-office whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. Because we are dental professionals, we have the expertise to use higher percentages of whitening agents than the at-home systems allow. So you can get a brighter white, usually in just one visit!

Give us a ring at Valeriano Orthodontics at 704-364-6544 and let us add some extra sparkle to your “I do”!

Yet another wonderful smile!

Our office received this beautiful card and we wanted to share it with you.

Dear Dr Valeriano -

As the front of the card says - we should all use the gifts He has given us. You all exemplify that command! With each individual gift you have provided such a welcoming and cheerful office and service. You all put patients at ease with your relaxed nature. We never heard an unkind word or anyone ever snapping at another. The front desk never made us feel as foolish as we already felt when we missed an appointment or came at the wrong time. Your outreach mission is a constant reminder of the needs of others and that charity can be found everywhere. I loved how you emphasize positive reinforcement over reprimands! You were always efficient, on time and attentive. Can you tell how thrilled we have been with our association? It was a joy to watch our daughter glance in mirrors yesterday at her beautiful smile! Again - you have given the gift of pride, confidence, and happiness! Thank you for such an outstanding experience!! Many thanks!

From our family to yours.

Are There Teeth Grinders in Your House?

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem.

Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol

• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration

• Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower

• Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing
habits (pens, pencils, gum)

• When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by calling Dr. Valeriano. Dr. Valeriano can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit. To schedule your complimentary exam, please call our office at 704-364-6544.

Is it Time to Schedule a Check Up?

Even with braces it's important to remember to still visit your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and teeth cleaning! At Valeriano Orthodontics we recommend our patients visit the dentist regularly to help give them the brightest, healthiest smile during and after their treatment with us.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Even during your orthodontic treatment, your dentist can examine your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue to check for problems you might not see or feel including cavities and tooth decay. Before beginning any orthodontic treatment remember to schedule a dental checkup with your dentist for any neccessary dental work you may need. Then, once you begin your orthodontic treatment remember to continue scheduling reglar dental checkups every six months!

We are 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?

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

• A more attractive smile
• Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
• Better function of the teeth
• Increase in self-confidence
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
• Better long-term health of teeth and gums
• Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
• Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
• Aid in optimizing other dental treatment