From now through Friday, November 4th; all Wilson Martino Dental locations, along with Tots & Teens Dentistry in Nutter Fort and TLC Dental in Sabraton will be buying back your extra/unwanted Halloween candy!

It's all part of our efforts to TREAT THE TROOPS!  Children are invited to bring their unwanted or extra candy to any of our dental offices, where we will weigh the treats and pay $1.00 for every pound of candy turned in!  Plus, everyone who drops candy off during the buy-back will also receive a cool flashing toothbrush!

After the candy buy back week is over, we'll create Holiday gift boxes for LOCAL Military who are serving overseas this season.  Help us give these men and women a big WV Thank You by participating it the 2017 Candy Buy Back!

Office locations and hours can be found by clicking here.

You are also invited to send the names/addresses of LOCAL Military that you know who are serving overseas this holiday season, we will make sure they receive a treat box!  Click here to securely email us their contact information!

WILSON MARTINO DENTAL OFFERS FREE DENTAL CARE at the 
WV HEALTHY KIDS DRIVE.

Wilson Martino Dental is happy to announce the dates for our 2015 WV Healthy Kids Drive FREE DENTAL DAY series.   Events will be held on the following dates:

· Wilson Martino Dental of Bridgeport – 930 West Main Street, 304-842-7568 – June 10th

· Wilson Martino Dental of Elkins – 1510 Harrison Avenue, 304-636-2009 – June 16th

· Wilson Martino Dental of Morgantown – 1016 Maple Drive, 304-599-6550 – July 2nd

· Wilson Martino Dental of Teays Valley – 3568 Teays Valley Road, 304-201-7645 – July 6th

· Wilson Martino Dental of Fairmont – 403 Virginia Avenue, 304-366-3910 – July 9th

·Wilson Martino Dental of Buckhannon – 19 E. Main Street, 304-472-4954 -  July 23rd

As part of the event, Wilson Martino Dental will be providing FREE DENTAL CARE for all children ages 12 and under.  The FREE DENTAL CARE includes:  routine hygiene exam and cleaning, x-rays, fluoride, and any dental work that can be done that day such as fillings, stainless steel crowns, resins, and more.   To participate, parents or guardians are encouraged to reserve their child’s appointment by calling the offices nearest them or toll-free 1-87-SMILE-WIDE.  Space is limited, so call today.  Some walk-in appointments may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Appointments can also be made online by clicking here.

Information on children’s health insurance and child development will be on display and families will have the opportunity to obtain information about and sign up for the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a state funded program which provides dental and health insurance to families based on income levels.  For more information on CHIP, visit their website at www.wvchip.org.  Kids can also visit with Dudley the Dinosaur who will be handing out free balloons.

West Virginia has many programs available which help families obtain health benefits for their children, and yet so many of our kids are going without important exams and immunizations.  It is Wilson Martino Dental’s goal to raise awareness of the programs available and help make sure every child in West Virginia is a HEALTHY CHILD!  This event will help families explore the various programs offered by our state and obtain coverage for their children.  Join us for the WV Healthy Kids Drive and remember, a healthy child is a happy child.  – End.

Let’s talk about dental sealants!

How does a sealant help prevent tooth decay?  A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – premolars and molars.  This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.  The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

Thorough brushing and flossing can help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, but a toothbrush cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves of a tooth to clean out the food and plaque.  Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.

Sealants are easy for your dentist or hygienist to apply and it only takes about a minute per tooth.  The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth.  The sealant is then “painted” onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens.  Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

Sealants are usually recommended for children and teenagers since the likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life.  But, adults can benefit from the protection of sealants as well!

Your tongue is an important part of your body!  The tongue does amazing things for us, assisting us in eating and in speaking.  It also helps us keep our teeth clean - as long as it is clean!

BRUSH YOUR TONGUE WHEN YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH!
Your tongue has over 10,000 taste buds, but it also has tons of bacteria.   This oral bacteria leads to things like embarrassing bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and more.   If you are only brushing your teeth - you're missing an important part of your mouth!

TONGUE SCRAPERS GET THE JOB DONE!
Many patients find that tongue scrapers are far more effective than brushing alone.   The tongue scrapers are great tools for fighting bad breath, as they help remove the bacteria from the surface of the tongue.   See the video below for more!

Mouthrinse can help!  We recommend OraCare by Dentist Select for all of our patients with bad breath concerns!  This health rinse eliminates Volatile Sulfur Compounds (the bacteria that causes bad breath) and helps keep your mouth odor-free.   Ask us about trying the rinse at your next appointment!

The benefits of keeping your tongue clean:

• A cleaner tongue can enhance your "foodie" experience - allowing you to taste your foods and not the bacteria on your tongue.
  
• A cleaner tongue reduces the amount of bacteria you swallow (yuck).
  
• Cleaning your tongue combats bad=breath!
  
• When your tongue is clean, your entire mouth is cleaner - including your teeth and gums!
  

Remember - we're hear to help you have the best smile and healthiest mouth possible.  If you have concerns about bad breath, your tongue or your teeth - give us a call or chat with us at your next appointment!

What Are Sealants?
Sealants are a safe, painless, and low cost way to help protect back teeth from decay.  Sealants have been used on children’s teeth for more than 20 years and are being used more on adult teeth.  A thin, plastic, tooth-colored or clear coating 
(sealant) is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the molars and pre-molars.  This forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.

Why Should Children Have Sealants?
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth have tiny grooves that form as each tooth develops.  This is where most decay occurs in children.  That’s because the bristles of a toothbrush can’t get down into the grooves to remove the food and bacteria that get trapped there.

Why do a sealant on a baby tooth?
Because baby teeth get cavities and the teeth that need sealed don’t come out until your child is between the age of 13 and 16.  We feel if you can prevent your child from getting a  cavity, even if that tooth is not permanent (but can be in for as long as 12 years), it’s worth it!

Should adults get sealants?
Yes!  Over 70% of adult cavities happen in the grooves of their teeth.  Sealants help keep the decay from getting into those grooves.

How long will your sealants last?
Sealants can last for 4 to 6 years.  If they chip or come off, they can easily be replaced.  Any problems can be detected and corrected at your child’s regular dental checkups.  As long as the sealants are in place, decay is less likely to develop in the grooves.  you can help the sealants last by encouraging your child not to chew on ice cubes or hard or sticky candy.

What happens if a sealant comes off?
Sealants are checked and if needed touched up at each appointment.  If a sealant comes off, the tooth will be protected by the remanents until your next appointment.  We will replace sealants on baby teeth for free and the sealants on permanent teeth for up to three years.

Will my insurance pay for sealants on baby teeth?
Some do, but most don’t.  Like car insurances, how good dental insurance is depends on what plan your employer purchased.  But, you have to remember that while preventing cavities in your child’s mouth is not very important to insurance companies - it is important to us!

But, what about the cost?
Sealants are 1/3 the cost of a filling and there are no drills or numbing!   Placing sealants on your child's teeth to help protect them from cavities is so important to us that we will help you make arrangements for anything your insurance doesn't pay!  In-house payment plans with zero-interest are available, plus we can help you find a payment plan that suits your family budget!

Office LocationsWilson Martino Dental will be hosting our annual TRICK OR TREAT FOR OUR TROOPS CANDY BUY BACK event during regular business hours from November 1 - November 8!  

Children are invited to bring in their excess or unwanted Halloween Candy,  they will earn $1 for every pound of candy turned in and will each receive a flashing toothbrush!

All candy collected will be sent to local troops, serving in our military efforts overseas.   Each office will also host a card station, where the children can make a card or note to be shipped with their candy.

We invite you to send us addresses of loved ones serving overseas, and we will make sure they receive a care package filled with candy to share!  The men and women who receive treat boxes share the candy with others in their unit, those who have medical situations and children in the areas they are serving.

We enjoy partnering with our community, giving us the ability to share a smile with those protecting our freedoms from afar.    To view the Wilson Martino Dental office hours in your area, please click here.

Andrew Thompson, DMD, MDS
I enjoy working with our patients to give them beautiful smiles and healthy bites. I am fortunate that my job allows me to help people and love the career that I've chosen. Our orthodontic team at Wilson Martino cares very much for each of our patients. We strive to stay on time with appointments and give the best possible treatment.

Education and Continuing Education

I began my education at Penn State where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Science in 2004. I continued on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, graduating in 2008 with my Doctorate of Dental Medicine. I earned my Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Dental Sciences, also from the University of Pittsburgh, in 2011.

I am very involved with continuing orthodontic education. I continue to attend courses each year to ensure our patients are receiving the most up-to-date treatments and have excellent results. I do this to insure our patients the most beautiful smiles in the shortest amount of time. I also attend advanced Invisalign® courses only for orthodontists.

Professional Affiliations

American Dental Association
American Association of Orthodontists
West Virginia Association of Orthodontists
Southern Association of Orthodontists

Outside the Office

I am from Harrisburg, PA, and I currently reside in Bridgeport, WV with my wife Marla and our daughter. I enjoy running, fishing, watching college football, traveling to new places, and spending time with my family and friends.

"I love watching patients transform into confident individuals as their smile improves"