How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

 

Do you have a young child who needs to visit the dentist? Are you worried about how they will handle the visit?

Preparation is the best method when it comes to going to the dentist.

Here are a few tips on preparing your child for their first trip:

• Choose a dentist wisely - Seek out a dentist that will fit your child's needs. You may want to consider a pedodontist (pediatric dentist) these dentists specialize in children's dentistry and usually their offices are very inviting to children such as they have games while waiting, a theme throughout the office. etc.
• Let them observe - Take your child to one of your dental appointments and let them watch. The best observation is a dental cleaning!
• Sunglasses - This will help keep the bright out of their eyes and allow them to keep their eyes open to reduce anxiety.
• Trust the staff - This is not the first time they have worked with children, they will have tricks up their sleeve to help make the experience go smoothly. 

Always remember that the office staff wants you to have a great experience!

Are You Looking For Help For Dry Mouth?

 You might be surprised by how many people suffer daily from a condition known as Xeristomia or Dry Mouth. Dry mouth can be brought on by any number of medical maladies and various prescription drugs. 

Some causes include: 

• Medications such as antihistamines, sedatives and diuretics,  
• Chemotherapy
• Dehydration
• Diabetes
• Poor hygiene and tooth decay
• Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's disease, MS and Lupus
• Dry, arid climate

Most sufferers can find little relief from this condition and find themselves constantly drinking more water in hopes of quenching their thirst.

New studies have shown that gums, candies, rinses and sweeteners containing Xylitol offer comfort to those suffering from dry mouth. Xylitol coats the soft tissues of the mouth sealing in moisture and stimulates saliva flow.
A plethora of amazing over-the-counter products are endorsed by dentists for treating dry mouth. Some products worth checking out are Biotene, Oasis and Sensodyne for Dry Mouth.
Be sure to check with your doctor if you have the symptoms of dry mouth.  Make sure you find the cause before you use any OTC treatments! 

As always, Keep Smiling!  

What is a Resin Bonded Dental Bridge?

 As an alternative to dental implants, a resin-bonded bridge may be the solution!  Usually used for a missing front tooth, it is a custom false tooth that is attached to neighboring natural teeth with resin cement.  

The procedure is minimally invasive and doesn't require alot of prep, and it's cheaper!  A typical resin-bonded tooth can last between 5 or 10 years but it is imperative that dental hygiene is maintained and regular dental visits are kept. Your natural teeth must be straight and in good shape. 

If you are missing a tooth and you can't afford an implant, )keep in mind, most insurance companies will only offer to cover a minimal amount for an implant) check with your dental provider for a consultation to see if you are a candidate for a resin-bonded bridge! 

Keep smiling!!

Personality Traits According to the Shape of Your Teeth!

Yes, there is even a scientific name for it! It's called Morphopsychology.

Well, if nothing else this may make for an interesting hobby for dentists, assistants and hygienists!  It’s a form of people…uh, patient watching and could give you some insight into the type of personality you’re dealing with, if you’re in to that sort of thing.  Here goes:

Rectangular Teeth

People with rectangular shaped teeth tend to be rational thinkers, decision makers, practical people who possess leadership qualities.  They’re very sociable and tend to talk A LOT but they are imaginative and excellent planners. 

Square Teeth

The square type is the most common.  These people are orderly, objective, diplomatic sorts and possess good business sense.  They are intelligent, have good control over their emotions and are spiritually inclined and discreet. 

Triangular Teeth

(Best described as narrow at the gumline and wide at the bottom of the tooth.)

These souls tend to be free-spirited, carefree and independent.  They don’t let the grass grow under their feet…they prefer freedom and unencumbered lifestyles.  They also tend to be free thinkers. 

Oval Teeth

Everything about these types of people screams class!  They are typically well groomed, well dressed, organized and possess great sensitivity.  They are artsy, and that is reflected in every aspect of their being.  Right down to the clothing they wear and car they choose to drive!  They also tend to be shy, which is in contrast to the artsy style.  

If you’re looking for more, here are some additional observations to take this new hobby even further:

Passive Personality – If you are the type of person who goes with the flow and rarely gets stressed out, you likely have flatter canines with curvier tops. 

Anxious Personality – If you tend to bite your nails or grind your teeth when anxious you most likely have smaller than average teeth.

Aggressive Personality – If you are a slightly aggressive person you most likely have thinner, more pronounced canines that often protrude out past the lateral incisors.

Reckless Personality – If you are known as a party animal you are most likely relaxed about habits like drinking and smoking which often result in stained teeth!

Enjoy your new hobby, and have fun!   

The thing about Halloween Candy that Parents Should Know

 Parents, keep in mind that this is the time of year for those candy-related dental emergencies!

An older article from Dr. Bicuspids Mesissa Busch lists the worst candies to eat!

"More than one-third of people in the U.S. experience candy-related dental problems, including damaged crowns, according to survey results. As people dig into Halloween treats today, they may want to shun treats most likely to torture teeth like Jawbreakers.

Jawbreakers, Jolly Ranchers, and Bit-O-Honey may be the most dangerous candy for teeth, but they aren’t the only varieties, according to a survey of 1,002 adults in U.S. conducted in late-August 2023 by Shiny Smile Veneers in Houston, TX.

The following candies were named the fourth through the 10th most dangerous:

4. Starburst
5. Tootsie Roll
6. Laffy Taffy
7. Snickers
8. Atomic Fireball
9. Butterfinger
10. Blow Pops and Milk Duds

Some of those that made the most dangerous list also were ranked as the candy that gets stuck in people's teeth the most, according to the results.

The following made the list of the stickiest candies:

1. Laffy Taffy
2. Bit-O-Honey
3. Tootsie Roll
4. Salt water taffy
5. Jolly Rancher
6. Milk Duds
7. Jelly beans
8. Gummi bears
9. Airheads
10. Starburst

Not only can avoiding candy protect teeth from cracked fillings and crowns and tooth pain and sensitivity, but it also can save patients money. People in the U.S. have spent $538, on average, fixing their teeth after experiencing a dental problem caused by eating candy, according to the results.

Additionally, parents reported taking other precautions during Halloween season. About 50% of parents admitted checking their kid’s candy to ensure it is free of things like razor blades and drugs, according to the findings. While checking their candy, 18% reported confiscating their favorite sweets for themselves. Meanwhile, 40% of parents reported taking away some of their kids' candy to prevent them from eating it, and another 21% threw away any leftover Halloween candy after a couple of weeks, according to the survey.

Furthermore, plenty of parents also ensure their children’s safety by blacklisting some types of candies. Parents’ least favorite candies for their kids to eat are Jawbreaker, Atomic Fireball, and Bit-O-Honey."

Hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!

Don't Let That Great Smile Go!

 For those of you that already have a great smile, I say this... Do whatever you need to do to keep it! With the cost of dentistry not going down and only increasing, the cost to get that smile back could be insurmountable.

Trust me when I tell you that the cost of toothpaste, mouthwash, floss and regular dental cleanings is a lot less expensive than the cost of restorative dental work. In today's market, you may literally need dental financing to cover it.

Here are some tips to keeping that smile great:

1. Brush at least 2x per day
2. Floss daily
3. Get regular cleanings and checkups from your dental provider
4. If you need any small dental work, don't wait.  Have it repaired as soon as possible, before it               becomes a bigger problem. 

As always, Keep Smiling! 

Emergencies In The Dental Chair - What You Should Know

 It isn't a common occurrence, necessarily.  But it does happen.  Medical emergencies in the dental chair can't always be prevented but the risks can be drastically reduced if the patient and the doctor are completely transparent and open with each other about illnesses, medication and health history. All dentists have at least some training for medical emergency treatment, however in addition he/she should have at least one staff member trained in CPR, and have an emergency plan in place which includes emergency phone numbers, a defibrillator, medications on hand and procedures to stop bleeding, etc. He should take your blood pressure reading and heart rate prior to treatment, and again after treatment. If administering general anesthesia, he should be anesthesia certified. Some states issue separate licenses for anesthesia. Always make sure he is certified, or that he has a certified anesthesiologist on staff! 

That said, here are some helpful suggestions for the patient to remember when having a procedure done:

• Disclose all medications that you take daily, even if it is just an aspirin or something over the counter. 
• If you have ever had high blood pressure, let the dentist know!
• If you suffer from acute anxiety, say so!  Many dentists cater to the anxious patient. Things can be done to help you with that. 
• If you are pregnant, let him know!
• If you have allergies to medications, let him know! 
• If you have taken anything prior to your visit for relaxation....a sedative, an alcoholic beverage, marijuana....seriously, he needs this information. Many people will do this before a visit and not disclose it thinking it won't pose a problem. The dentist isn't going to judge you, but he is going to treat you and there is a serious liability factor involved, especially when it comes to anesthesia, so don't hold anything back!

The medical history of the patient is the single most helpful thing for a dentist to have before treatment begins.  Your honesty is imperative.  He cannot effectively manage your treatment plan without this knowledge!

Keep Smiling!