Top 10 Teeth Tips for Back to School

It's August, and that means just a few weeks before school starts up again!  Here are a few tips for this school year!

Top Ten Teeth Tips for Back to School

Teaching your kids good dental hygiene habits early on will not only ensure their oral health, reducing dental bills, but also their overall health! Help them get an A+ on their next dental report card:

 

1.    Bring your child to the dentist at least twice per year.  Keeping the mouth healthy is very important.  Toothaches in kids can cause them to miss school, which is never a good thing!

2.    Let your child choose his or her own toothbrush as long as it’s the proper size and soft bristled, it makes for a more enthusiastic brusher! Replace a toothbrush when it’s worn, bristles splayed, or after an illness.  NEVER share a toothbrush.

3.    Kids are sensitive to strong flavors and usually dislike adult toothpaste. Finding a flavor of children’s toothpaste they like will be trial & error but worth it in the long run.

4.    Using a 2 minute tooth brushing timer will help to keep track of the time and make sure they’re brushing for the recommended two minutes three times each day.

5.    Pack a nutritious lunch & snack. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese are great choices. Cheese, like aged Cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack, is especially good for teeth because it neutralizes acids. Avoid fruit juices & sodas because they are very acidic and erode tooth enamel. Also avoid foods that are sticky or chewy because they will cling to the tooth surface, allowing the bacteria in plaque to produce more acid.

6.    It’s unlikely that kids can brush their teeth after lunch. But a quick trip to the water fountain to rinse their mouths is almost as good!

7.    Floss picks make flossing easier for kids and come in fun flavors. Find one they like and the battle is almost won!  If you can’t get your kids to floss twice a day, make sure they floss before going to bed.

8.    Have your child wear a mouthguard while playing sports.  Protecting teeth during contact sports is very important to avoid broken or loose teeth.

9.    If your child gets hurt on the playground or bumps or breaks his or her teeth, call your dentist right away!  Some dental emergencies should be treated immediately to avoid long-term consequences. 

10. If your kids do chew gum, choose gum with xylitol in it, which can actually help prevent cavities from forming!

For more information, visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com

Summertime...

So summer seems to be charging ahead with full force.  It's been a hot one, and we hope you've been able to get out and enjoy it!

We know you're busy with summer activities like camping, going to the beach, family vacations, etc. but we urge you to always remember your teeth too!

As we head into August, keep in mind that this is a great time for your dental exam and cleaning!  Call us before we head into fall where schedules get more hectic with school, sports, and other activities.

Here's a photo of our sign on one of the hottest days this summer!

And remember, you can always visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com!

Nervous about your next dental visit?

Nitrous Oxide - Laughing Gas

If you’re a little nervous or anxious about your dental appointment, you don’t have to be!  We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to any of our patients who want to try it.  There is no fee for this, we just want you to be as comfortable as possible!

What is it?  Nitrous oxide is a gas which you can breathe in and out. It is colorless, sweet smelling, and non-irritating.  The best part is that it means safer, quicker, and more comfortable dental care for you!

Nitrous oxide allows you to relax, which can greatly reduce the fear, nervousness, and tension associated with dental procedures. You do, however, remain in complete control.  You are fully conscious and can follow directions easily.  While you may not burst out laughing, you should feel very relaxed and comfortable.

It works very fast!  Nitrous oxide reaches the brain in about 20 seconds, and it only takes about 2-3 minutes to completely relax.

The amount of sedation can be changed very easily, by turning the amount of nitrous up or down.  The effects are almost instantaneous.  Other forms of sedation have more of a fixed duration of time because the effects of pills or IV sedation have a specific amount of time needed to run their course.  Nitrous can be administered only when needed and turned off as soon as the procedure is done.

When we do turn off the nitrous, we will then switch it to all oxygen.  The nitrous dissipates very quickly and you are able to go right back to your daily activities, such as work or school.  

We're giving away an Apple iPad!

Yes, you read correctly, we are giving away an iPad to ONE lucky patient.

We will be holding a drawing on October 1st for this fantastic prize to be won by one of our patients.

How do you enter?

Well, it's actually very easy!  All you have to do is tell a friend or family member about our office and have them schedule an appointment.  When they come in for their new patient appointment, you will be entered into the drawing!  Just make sure they give us your name so we know who to thank!

When you refer a second patient to our office, your name will be put in two additional times.  For the third patient, three additional times, etc.

And that's not all!  We appreciate your referrals so much that you will also receive a special thank you gift from our office as well!

Chewing Your Baby's Food?

Some of you may have seen the Today show feature on Alicia Silverstone chewing food and then transferring it to her child.  (Video below)


Other than just plain being gross, it's not good for the child's teeth!


Evidence has proven that the transmission of saliva from a parent to child, between spouses, etc. can be harmful to their teeth!  Parents with active tooth decay can pass the Streptococcus mutans bacteria through their saliva and give their children cavities!


Dentists and other healthcare professionals advise against sharing utensils, kissing your child on the lips, and even blowing on their food.


For more info on this, read this article on how Mom's kiss can spread cavities. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989527/ns/health-oral_health/t/moms-kiss-can-spread-cavities-baby/#.T3MVCWFNATY

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Free Oral Cancer Screening Day!

We're doing it again!  Our third annual oral cancer screening day will be held on Friday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Everyone is welcome, and you don't even need an appointment!

The office of Hudsonville Dental Associates has partnered with The Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month and will be offering free oral cancer screenings on April 13 to the public.  Oral cancer has existed outside the understanding of much of the public, yet 37,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed this year alone. We would like to invite everyone to our office to get a free oral cancer screening in an effort to raise awareness for this silent killer.

These screenings are more important now than ever because oral cancer is on the rise. There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through the exposure to the HPV-16 virus, which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US. Today, we are seeing young, non-smoking individuals as the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population. When found early, oral cancers have an 80% survival rate. Unfortunately, the majorities are found as late stage cancers and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis. Late stage diagnosis is not occurring because these cancers are hard to discover, it is because of a lack of public awareness and a lack of a national program for opportunistic screenings.

Oral cancer is not a rare disease. It kills one person every hour of every day in the US, and 100 new individuals will be diagnosed each day with oral cancer. These staggering statistics make these free events crucial, as awareness of the disease and its risk factors in the US population is so low. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity for a free oral cancer screening. 

For more information, visit our website at: http://www.hudsonvilledental.com/leftmenu/oral-cancer-screening-event/

Evidence Based Dentistry Seminar

Dr. Dykstra was recently part of a select group of 100 dentists and educators at a recent conference on Evidence Based Dentistry held at the American Dental Association Headquarters in Chicago. 

Evidence Based Dentistry in summary is choosing the best diagnostic methodologies, clinical treatment options, and dental materials based on the latest and highest level of scientific evidence, not tradition, manufacturers' recommendations, or the way things always have been done.

This latest relevant evidence is then combined with the dentist's clinical experience and expertise and the patient's preferences and needs to achieve the best treatment and outcome for the patient.

The two main objectives achieved were learning how to look at all the historical and present information analytically and disseminating this information to dental colleagues.

EBD is a method to stay up to date on the current science.

 The ADA definition:  Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is an  approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.

Stem Cells from Teeth?

Did you know that saving stem cells from teeth could possibly help to protect your family's health?

New methods are developing to preserve your teeth so the stem cells can be used later.

So far, dental stem cells have successfully been used to regrow jaw bone and to treat periodontal disease.
Researchers and doctors are working in the regenerative medicine arena with the goal of improving treatment or therapies for:
1. Tooth loss and periodontal disease
2. Skeletal bone loss/fractures
3. Muscular Dystrophy
4. Parkinson's Disease
5. Spinal Cord Injury
6. Type 1 Diabetes
7. Stroke
8. Alzheimers
9. Heart attacks
10. Diabetes

Want to learn more?  Visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com or www.store-a-tooth.com

Healthy Habits for Kids can Affect School Performance!

Healthy Teeth & Healthy Habits Can Improve School Performance

Quick Tips for Parents:

1. Limit your child’s access to sugary drinks.
2. Provide your child with healthy snacks and limit the number of snacks.
3. Ensure that your child brushes and flosses regularly and visits the dentist twice a year.
4. Ask your school what kind of snacks and drinks are provided and encourage them to offer healthy alternatives.
5. Make sure your child gets adequate physical activity.
6. Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast to start the day right.
7. Set a positive example yourself!

Tips for Parents: Keep Your Child's Smile Healthy

Quick Tips to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy!

• Avoid giving your child sweetened liquids.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
• Make sure your child gets enough fluoride.
• Start regular dental visits around 18-24 months of age.
• Ask your dentist for advice on sealants and mouthguards.
• Let your dentist know about your child’s health.
• Set a good example for your child! 

Visit us Online at www.hudsonvilledental.com!

Tips for Parents: Your Child's First Dental Visit

Your Child's First Dental Visit

Many parents ask us when they should start taking their child to the dentist.  We recommend doing a "tiny tots" visit anywhere from age 1-2.  At the visit, you and your child will meet with one of our hygienists and one of our doctors.  These early childhood dental visits will allow us to monitor the teeth for signs of decay and monitor the progress and potential problems with emerging teeth.  We will also discuss proper brushing techniques and give tips for home care, as well as making sure your child receives the proper amount of fluoride.  We try to make the first visit a fun experience for your child!

www.hudsonvilledental.com

Tips for Parents: Toothbrushing

Toothbrushing from Day One

Here at Hudsonville Dental, we encourage you to take care of your child’s teeth from day one.  Infant gums should be wiped with clean gauze after all feedings.  Once the first tooth has emerged, begin brushing your child’s teeth and gums with a soft bristled toothbrush and a little water.  Lots of new types of toothbrushes and safety brushes for infants and toddlers are available so experiment until you find the right one for you and your child.  When your child is able to hold the toothbrush and tries to brush themselves, supervise carefully and then brush again for them to make sure every surface has been brushed.  As they learn how to brush, begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and teach them to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well with water.  Toddlers, and even infants who are teething, may enjoy the soothing vibrations of an electric toothbrush.  Select one with a smaller head made for young children.  Many even include timers so the brush turns off automatically when brushing time is over.  Help your child

build healthy teeth and healthy habits! 

Tips for Parents: Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking

Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking:

Sucking is one of a baby’s natural reflexes and serves to help them learn about their world, feel secure, calm themselves and can help them fall asleep.  Most children will stop thumb sucking or using a pacifier between the ages of two and four.  Once permanent teeth begin to emerge, sucking on a thumb or pacifier can cause problems with growth and alignment so encourage your toddler to use another item such as a blanket or favorite stuffed animal to soothe themselves.   

For more info on pacifiers, click here to visit our website!

www.hudsonvilledental.com

Tips for Parents: Bottles and Sippy Cups

Limit Bottles and Sippy Cups to Mealtimes!

Your baby’s teeth are important from day one.  To protect your baby’s smile, avoid giving your baby or toddler unlimited access to bottles and sippy cups.  As harmless as it may seem, allowing your child to drink from a baby bottle for too long can expose them to baby bottle tooth decay.  Infants should finish their naptime or bedtime bottle before going to bed, as liquids can pool in the mouth when babies are allowed to fall asleep with a bottle.  Fruit juice, milk and formula all contain sugar and when teeth are exposed to these sugars for a long time, decay can begin.

 

Most children are ready to learn to drink from a cup by their first birthday.  While sippy cups are a useful tool in helping children transition to the cup, they should only be used temporarily.  "No spill" cups contain a valve that does not allow the child to sip, but instead they must suck on the cup like a baby bottle.  This can defeat the purpose as it prevents the child from learning to sip.  Toddlers should also not be allowed to carry the

training cup around, as there is a risk of injury to the mouth if the child falls while walking and drinking at the same time.  Once the child has learned how to sip, the switch

to a regular cup can be made. 

For more information, visit our website at www.hudsonvilledental.com

Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important!

Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month and we want to make sure your child develops a happy, healthy smile!

It is just as important to take care of your child’s primary (baby) teeth as it is to take care of
the permanent teeth that follow.  

Primary teeth are important for proper chewing and digestion of food.  They also help
your child to learn to speak properly and have a good-looking smile.  Primary teeth serve
as space maintainers to save room your child’s permanent teeth.  When a baby tooth is
lost too early, other teeth may drift into the empty space left behind and cause problems
such as overcrowding and crooked teeth when adult teeth emerge.  

Decay in baby teeth can be just as painful to your child as decay in an adult tooth.  If a
child is suffering pain from decaying primary teeth, it may result in improper speech,
dietary problems or trouble concentrating in school.  Millions of valuable school hours
are lost each year to children due to tooth decay.

Your child can have a healthy mouth for a lifetime!

visit www.hudsonvilledental.com or
www.smilemichigan.com for more info.