Currently residing in South St. Louis City, Dr. Catherine Saracino is originally from Indiana where she completed her undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Notre Dame. Following college, Dr. Saracino earned a Masters of Science degree in Oral Biology and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of Louisville. Dr. Saracino then continued her dental education at Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education where she earned her specialty certificate in Orthodontics as well as a Master of Science in Dentistry. During her time at SLU, Dr. Saracino was also selected to complete a fellowship with Washington Universitys Craniofacial Cleft Lip and Palate team at St. Louis Childrens Hospital.
Catherine, along with her husband, Chris, and daughter, MaryRose, are excited to open Saracino Orthodontics in St. Louis Hills. She hopes to make her community a part of her orthodontic family. When Catherine is not creating perfect smiles or with her family, you can find her running or cheering on her favorite football team, The Fighting Irish.
Dr. Saracino is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Society, Greater Saint Louis Dental Society, and the Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation. Dr. Saracino has obtained several awards throughout her scholastic journey including being inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi All-University Honor Society and Delphi Society. Led by passion for service, excellence and making people smile, Dr. Saracino will do everything to help you reach your smile goals.
Its more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy during orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment. Watch the video below on the proper care of braces during orthodontic treatment.
What can you eat? Lets talk about what you shouldnt eat! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, youll be able to bite a carrot again, but youll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as youre wearing braces.
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 5 days. Take Tylenol or whatever you normally take for headache or discomfort. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. We will supply wax to put on the braces in irritated areas to lessen discomfort.
To successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Lack of cooperation following instructions and damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time so please follow instructions.