It's the Most Wonderful Time...Of the Year.

A Cavity Free Holiday

I've already been reminded by the girls at the office that Christmas is around the corner.  I was even coerced into playing Christmas music the day after Halloween.  For me Christmas is what makes the winter and cold bearable.  I love the sights and sounds and seeing so many acts of generosity.  

So we have some quick tips for you in trying to avoid cavities during the holiday season.  We all know I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth!  I'm always digging in the candy container at work.  So here they are:

1)  It's best to eat your sweets right after your meal.

• Your saliva increases during meals and helps wash away and dilute the affects of sugar on your teeth.  A good amount of water after eating sweets will help as well.

2) Dry mouth is always a problem when it comes to cavities.  

• Stay hydrated!  Unfortunately alcohol also aids in making us dehydrated so make sure to get water in your system if you choose to drink the Egg Nog.

3) Easy on those hard candies and nuts.

• Just make sure you are careful.  It's the peanut brittle that pulls off the crowns or the nuts and hard candies like my favorite (butterscotch) that chips teeth or breaks fillings.

4) Cakes and starchy foods (chips, bread, etc) are easy to get  

     stuck and hide between your teeth.  

• So just take your time and floss before you brush so the food doesn't just sit on your teeth all night.  

5)  Water is your friend.  

• You can find water anywhere.  So in the event you have some sweets, (remember there is just as much sugar in juice and soda) finish the sweets you want and if a toothbrush isn't close or appropriate at the time, swish some water around and use your tongue to remove the food and sugar that you can.

6)  Chew sugar-free gum.

• Gum helps with saliva production and it can also help you resist more sweets.  The gum and saliva will help wash away some of the bacteria from the sweets we eat.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS FROM BARDEN FAMILY DENTISTRY!

~Dr D, Misty, Elaine, Lisa and Alisha

Halitosis / Bad Breath

Halitosis / Bad Breath

First things first is diagnosing the reason behind your bad breath before it can be properly treated.  Provided you are consistent on visiting your dentist every 6 months, you eliminate a lot of the common dental related issues that can also cause bad breath such as periodontal or gum disease which is an infection of the gums.  Cavities or tooth decay can also cause bad breath if it causes a problem with food and bacteria getting caught and stuck in the area.  Tonsil stones, sinus drainage smoking and lack of saliva can play a role as well.  

Treatment of Halitosis / Bad Breath

• Basic Oral Hygiene (brush twice, floss once per day)
• include the tongue, roof of your mouth and inside of cheeks

• Tongue Scraping
• Easy to use, painless and scrapes all the plaque and debris that collects on your tongue.

• Here's just one design.  Some are just a piece of plastic with small plastic teeth on the edge to literally scrape along your tongue.  It's like a back scratcher for your tongue!

• Drink plenty of water.  Saliva plays a big part in keeping your mouth clean.  Medications can further wreck havoc by causing dry mouth.  Keep hydrated!

• Chew on sugar free gum.  It will help produce saliva and help keep your breath fresh.

• If you have a denture, retainer or night-guard that you wear make sure you are keeping it clean as well.  Dentures should be taken out at night to allow your tissues to breathe.  Bring any of these appliances with you to your 6 month appointments and we will gladly give them a check-up and cleaning as well!

Any further questions or thoughts?  Please leave a message in the comments!  Also, if you have any recommended topics for the future suggestions are welcome.  

Children's Dental Health Month

February is Children's Dental Health Month and in this blog we have some basics that are asked all the time about our little friends.

FIRST dental appointment:  The first appointment ideally occurs when the first tooth erupts but definitely no later than the child's first birthday.  The earlier we can catch any problems the better.  If there are no problems, that is great!  We immediately start to build a relationship with your kiddo.  Most people are nervous to come to the dentist so the earlier we can catch problems and get your child comfortable with our team and office, the better.
**These appointments will SAVE you TIME, MONEY and TEETH!

Our little friends usually get their first tooth around 6 months and they have all their primary (baby) teeth by the time they are 3 years old.  

Amount of toothpaste:  Children under 3, fluoride toothpaste the size of a piece of rice.
Children from 3-6 years old, fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea.

Brushing:  Until your child is able to tie their shoes on their own, they probably should have help brushing their teeth as well.  It really takes some dexterity to make sure they get all their teeth and all sides of their teeth.

Sucking Habits:  If your baby uses a pacifier we recommend they stop by age 2.  If they suck on their fingers or thumbs, we suggest age 4 to try to get them to stop.  This is a difficult habit to break for everyone.  Please let us know if you want some extra tips or tricks.  

Sealants:  Around age 6, kids begin to have permanent teeth erupt into the mouth.  Common places for decay or cavities are on the chewing surface of those back molars or chewing teeth.  To prevent kids from having decay and eventually needing a filling on permanent teeth, we recommend placing sealants in the deep grooves on their teeth.  It is completely preventative but will protect those teeth from decay and having to get a filling on their permanent teeth.  Sealants are painless and easy for kids as well.

On our next blog, we will talk about handling dental emergencies.  For example, what to do when a child falls and lands on a baby tooth or permanent tooth, cracks a tooth, knocks out a tooth, etc.  There are some crucial steps to take that could ultimately save your child's tooth!

3 Basics when buying Whitening Products

3 Things to Know before buying Whitening

1)  The difference is in the percentage.

• Retail Stores:  3-10%   vs.     Dental Office:  25-40%

• In any store whether it is Walmart, Target, CVS, Sam's or Costco the percentage of active ingredients is often hard to find on packaging if it is even listed--these products usually contain 3-10% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  ONLY dental professionals are able to offer whitening with a higher percentage of usually 25-40% of the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

2)  We recommend an exam first and here's why.

• Crowns, veneers, fillings, dark staining, white spots on teeth all make a difference.

• If you have any of these restorations present in your mouth, they will not change with any whitening product.  If you have tooth colored fillings on your front teeth you may whiten your teeth but not the filling, you will then either need the filling replaced to match the whitened shade, or discontinue whitening.  The same is for crowns and veneers.  
• Dark staining from medications or white spots on your teeth will either not change or the white spots will get whiter as well.

• For the above reasons it is good to have a recent exam with your dentist in the books.  Also, you should never whiten if there are active caries/decay present.

3)  Using a light...DOES NOT make a difference.  Studies show it is all for show.

• I can't speak for other offices, but at Barden Family Dentistry we try to offer the best product at a reasonable price.

• The expense that comes with the "light" for in-office whitening has shown no added benefit.  Studies say that it is perhaps the heat from the light which causes additional dehydration to the tooth.  It gives the patient the illusion that they achieved better results when in fact, there is no difference at all, except in your pocketbook!

Thanks for reading.  We are offering Christmas specials on whitening.  They are great for stocking stuffers!

Please post any questions, comments or concerns!

Deanna

My Team & Our Patients

My Team & Our Patients
    I have been delaying the first blog for Barden Family Dentistry.  My avoidance comes from wanting it to be perfect as it's the FIRST one.  Well, it won't be perfect but I believe it's a great way to start.  My team and I have almost completed our 6th month together.  Everything is a learning opportunity and there is always a way to make things better for our patients.  In just 6 months I've become more aware of 2 important things that I will always be thankful for.

      1)  My entire team consists of ROCKSTARS.  Mistakes are a given, but I would put my team and their experience and knowledge up against any dental team.  Combined my team has over 45 years of experience in the dental field and each of them are still trying to better themselves each day.  Thank you Elaine, Misty and Katie for giving it your all.  I couldn't ask for more than that.  They are dedicated to you, our patients.  I sincerely love each of them. 

     2)  I will start by saying I will inadequately describe this one.  Our PATIENTS, our community has shown tremendous support and Barden Family Dentistry wouldn't be succeeding without you.  When people ask me about my professional experiences in the dental field, I try to explain the gratitude, dedication and consideration our patients have.  Let me tell you, you can't find this everywhere I assure you.  On numerous occasions I've said to my team, "That is why I love working here because that wouldn't happen anywhere else."  To our dental family and future dental family members, thank you.  You've truly defined what I call a dental family or dental home.