Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates wants to know: are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, especially recently. A recent study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

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

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Drs. Nettune, Banasiak and our team can help determine the cause of the problem.

Reminding You To Enter the Invisalign Teen Choice Sweepstakes!

We wanted to share this Invisalign Teen Choice Sweepstakes information with everyone. The sweepstakes are from now until July 11th, and you could even win a trip to the Teen Choice 2010, along with several other great prizes. We encourage you to check it out!

Drs. Nettune & Banasiak Celebrating the National Smile Month

It's June already! Where does the time go?

Drs. Nettune & Banasiak are excited to tell you June marks National Smile Month, a great time to remind our patients to brush, floss, practice good nutrition at home (and over the summer) to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

After all, there's more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Here are a few easy steps you can improve your oral health at home:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of the tips here, we encourage you to give us a call!

Kids getting braces at a younger age

You may have heard that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as young as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not as self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Drs. Nettune & Banasiak to assess what the best age for treatment is.
Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Happy Mother's Day from Drs. Nettune and Banasiak!

Our entire team (Drs. Nettune and Banasiak included) at Nettune and Banasiak Orthodontic Associates would like to take this moment to recognize all the great moms who come to our office and wish them all a very happy Mother's Day! We thought this would be a good time to let you know we appreciate you all and to thank you for all you do for your kids in helping us guide them through their orthodontic treatment! You all deserve more than just a day of acknowledgment and gratitude! Enjoy your special day on Sunday, and we'll see you next week!

Meet Our Orthodontists

Meet Dr. Nettune:
I enjoy being a part of the community as much as I enjoy serving my community. I love sports, and for many years, I was active as a basketball coach for a local high school team. Prior to this, I coached CYO basketball. As a sponsor of community Little League and soccer teams, I offer custom sport mouthguards to all of the athletes free of charge. I believe in supporting local schools and each year I am happy to present a scholarship award to graduates of Ridge High School, Mendham High School and Bernardsville High School.

During Dental Health Month, I enjoy visiting local schools to share information about dental health, and I also enjoy participating in the schools’ various fundraisers. As a staff member of Morristown Memorial Hospital, I have donated my services to the Dental Health Clinic for many years, as I believe everybody deserves a beautiful smile.

My lovely wife Donna and I live in New Jersey along with our children and their families. In my spare time, I enjoy visiting with my children and my wonderful grandchildren. I also enjoy traveling, tennis, and I consider myself an avid golfer.

Meet Dr. Banasiak:
I enjoy all aspects of the orthodontic profession, but I especially enjoy getting to know our patients and their families, and the satisfaction that comes with each beautiful smile at the end of each orthodontic treatment. My passion is to develop new techniques and use innovative technology to make my patients’ treatment quicker, more esthetic, and as comfortable as possible.

I have been able to work closely with orthodontists who served on the Alpha Advisory Board of Invisalign, and I have gained extensive knowledge in clear aligner treatment. I am a member of the staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital where I teach dental residents orthodontic theory and practice. I also serve as a specialist advisor to the Morris Seminars Study Club.

Outside of the practice, I am an avid sports fan. I enjoy playing softball, golfing, and snowboarding. I can often be spotted at one of the Rutgers sports complexes cheering on the teams! I look forward to working with you and your family, and sharing the wonderful experience of orthodontic treatment and a beautiful new smile.