Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players’ smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance. The results? […]
Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see us for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven? That’s right—seven. Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Drs. Banasiak & Nettune to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and […]
Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Drs. Banasiak & Nettune. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us: • Early or late loss of baby teeth• Difficulty of chewing or biting• Mouth breathing• Finger sucking or other oral habits• Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth• Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude • Speech difficulty• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth• Protruding teeth• Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all• Facial imbalance or asymmetry• Grinding or clenching of teeth Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, […]
Our team would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include “Orthodontic Treatment Basics,” “Common Bite Problems Seen in Children” and “Does My Child Need Braces?” We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at our Basking Ridge, Mendham and Bedminster offices, please give us a call.
Hey, Moms! Have you signed the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge? At our office, we care about your pearly whites, and we want to help keep you protected from sports injuries that can be damaging to your beautiful smile. As a way of ensuring that children are using proper facial protection equipment, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontics have introduced the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge. Mouth guards are vital to protecting your teeth from sports related injuries while participating in sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, hockey and basketball, just to name a few. The Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge is a way for moms nationwide to make a commitment to protecting their children’s smile from facial […]
Summer is finally here, and the team at Drs. Banasiak & Nettune Orthodontic Associates thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard? We would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!
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