Since we have been in practice for so many years, we have seen and heard it all! People using their teeth for things other than biting and chewing their food. Well, we are here to clear things up. Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools. They are meant to chew and look beautiful when you smile. Many people use their teeth to open packages, tear retail tags off of clothing, and we have even heard them being used to open soda cans. Yikes! These behaviors can lead to immediate and obvious broken or chipped teeth. They can unfortunately also cause the more silent problem of micro-fractures that may not become apparent for years.

So, before you decide to chew off the tag on that new sweater you just bought, consider the risk. A scissors will do a much better job and you can keep your flawless smile!

Did you know that our office has the ability to create custom whitening trays just for you? Most patients have stain on their teeth to some extent. Stain can come from use of coffee, tea, dark soda, red wine, tobacco or even some oral hygiene products.  If you have some stain on your teeth, talk with us about it at your next visit. We can help!

Our custom whitening trays are made here in the office and it is a two-step process. We will take an impression of your teeth at your first visit. We create models and your custom trays and have you come back 1-2 weeks later to have them delivered. At this second visit, we check to make sure they fit correctly, and go over instructions and tips on how to use them at home. The rest is up to you! Your trays are worn at home until the desired whiteness is achieved. The best part? Your trays will fit for many years to come so you can ‘touch up’ your smile any time you need to!

The thought that “having a cavity will always cause some sensitivity or discomfort” is a very big, bad myth. Tooth decay will not generally cause symptoms until it is advanced enough to reach the nerve.  Not treating decay in the early stages will lead to much more expensive procedures like root canal therapy. That’s why early detection through regular dental exams and x-rays is so important! We can detect these cavities before they advance into the nerve and repair them with more simple, less expensive treatments.

So, before you decide to wait until it hurts, think of what it may cost you in the end. Remember: once a cavity starts, it will only continue to grow

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season.  We all love to enjoy the fantastic food that comes along with it. Just because it’s the holidays, doesn’t mean you have to eat unhealthy. We have decided to share some healthier versions of some great Thanksgiving recipes.  Check them out and be sure to let us know what you think!

Cauliflower mashed ‘potatoes’: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/RE00142

Flavorful turkey and gravy: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/turkey-gravy/RE00130

No meal is complete without dessert. Rustic apple-cranberry tart: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00545

Another beautiful baby girl has been born to our hygiene (previously front desk) staff member, Amanda G. On October 28th, Amanda and her husband Mike welcomed Baby Evelyn into the world. 5lbs 15.5oz and 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great!

You may have received an e-mail from us last week in regards to our annual food drive, but in case you missed it, here is the info:

We are proud to be collecting non-perishable food items for the 5th year in a row! Working with the Hunger Task Force, we will be collecting food items here in our office through November 25th. All patients and non-patients are welcome to donate. Stop in any time during business hours (even if you don’t have an appointment) to donate. As a ‘Thank you’ to those who donate, each person will be entered to win an awesome gift basket which is valued at over $550.00! One entry per day, per person. So, stop in often for more than one chance to win!

It is important to our doctors and staff to reach out to those less fortunate in the community. We are thankful for patients like you who can help make it happen.

Our front desk team member Tiffany is going to be welcoming her first baby into the world this December. To celebrate, the staff threw her a special baby shower on Friday. We enjoyed some time together along with some great food and adorable baby gifts. Tiffany and her husband are due with baby Owen in early December. 

Many of you may know our assistant Katie, but let us introduce you to to the newest member of her family! Audrey Paige was born on August 23rd to Katie and her husband Brian. She weighed 6lbs and measured 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great and enjoying this beautiful fall weather. Katie plans on returning to work on November 4th.

Fall is such a great time for beautiful colors and yummy flavors. Here are some fun fall activities that you and the family may enjoy.

A pumpkin with braces? Why not! Use pop tops from a soda can, or visit your local hardware store for some cheap metal pieces. Get creative with your carving and have some fun!!

After carving up your pumpkin, Don’t forget to bake up those pumpkin seeds too. Check out this recipe: http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv310.htm

It happens all the time: we see a child between the ages of 9 and 18 years old that still really need help with their brushing and flossing routine. They open their mouth and we find moderate to heavy plaque and puffy, tender gums. This puffiness and build up can cause gingivitis, decay and bad breath. You might be thinking: “So, you want me to brush my 11 year olds teeth?!” No, you don’t have to brush their teeth, but we do suggest that you supervise and be involved in a more passive way. Here are some tips:

-Be aware of how often they are brushing. Remember, twice daily brushing is recommended with the night time routine being most important. Not sure if they really brushed? Feel those brush bristles to see if they are wet or dry. If they are dry, chances are they may not have brushed as recently as they told you.

-Be aware of how long their brushing routine lasts. Keep a subtle eye on the clock. If they are brushing for less than 1.5-2 minutes, they may be leaving harmful plaque and build up behind.

-Provide easy tools for flossing like the Reach flosser or floss picks. Keep track of how quickly you replenish the supply.

-Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Remind them of the benefits of brushing and flossing and let them know when they are doing a great job!

Hopefully these tips can make the next check up a happy and healthy one.