Elmbrook Family Dental

Many of us use January 1st as a starting date for a resolution that results in a better “you”. We eat better, we exercise, swear less or read more. Why limit yourself? Consider adding “floss more” or “bush at night” to your resolutions! It’s important to make every goal a realistic one so that it lasts ALL year. Here are some tips to help you with those goals:

Be honest with yourself. You are the only one who knows what you can be successful at. If this means you will increase your flossing frequency to 1x weekly and succeed at that, then this should be your starting goal! Focus a short period of time on a small, attainable goal.

Don’t stop moving forward with your goal. If at the end of a 2 month time you have succeeded at flossing 1x weekly, increase that goal to 2 or 3 times weekly. Focus on that goal for another 2-3 months. Once you have created a routine of that, then increase it again while keeping in mind that your ultimate goal is to floss daily.

Set reminders and notes of encouragement. Sometimes we don’t follow through with our goals simply because we just forget! Set a reminder on your smart phone, in your e-mail or even leave notes on your bathroom mirror. It is helpful to have a schedule for this to keep you on track. Remind yourself every Wednesday and Friday (or any other days you choose).

The key to starting small and increasing slowly is to stay honest and stay positive. You don’t start sprinting when you’re going to run a marathon, right? So don’t start too fast with an un-realistic goal that you need to last your lifetime! Your teeth and your dental hygienist will thank you!

We always like to share some of our favorite recipes during the holiday season. Check these out if you’re still looking for ideas. Enjoy!

Beer cheese dip (this has been a fav at our office for years!)  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/beer-dip

Filet of beef: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/filet-of-beef-recipe.html

No-bake chocolate hazelnut cheesecake:  http://www.eatwisconsincheese.com/recipes/article?rid=3471

Thank you so much to everyone who shared the photo of our docs with their tu-tu’s and ‘liked’ it. The doctors will be wearing their new skirts to work on December 8th, but more importantly, they will be writing a check for Joanne’s daughter Megan that will go toward her Leukemia and Lymphoma Society race and fundraiser. She is still working toward her goal of $2,900 and would love to see some of her moms favorite patient’s donate! So, if you’re trying to decide how you can reach out and give back this holiday season, consider donating to her cause. Read her story and make a donation of any amount.

Megan has currently raised 45% of her goal and will be racing her first marathon in honor of her mom Joanne next year. Follow the link below if you’d like to read Joanne’s story donate to her daughter’s cause.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/prtorico16/MJohnson

As many of you may know, our beloved hygienist of 10 years, Joanne passed away in October from AML Leukemia, a form of blood cancer. Her battle with this cancer has touched us and we miss her deeply. Through all of her journey, she maintained a positive and uplifting attitude, reassuring the people around her that things would be fine because she would be “going to a better place.” During a time that it is so easy to mourn the loss of someone we love, we are choosing to come together and celebrate the blessings of her life instead. Through this celebration, we have decided to host a fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in her honor.

Her daughter Megan is training for a marathon that will take place March of 2016 in Puerto Rico. All of the money raised for this race will go to the LLS.  She has never run a marathon before and is certainly worried about all of the work that will go into training for it, but she humbly knows that her battle to train for this will be minor compared to the battles her mom fought. And of course nothing compared to the battles other patients deal with after being diagnosed with blood cancer.  Please take the time to read her story. She is excited to be raising money and awareness for this cause. Her good friend is running alongside her for the same cause. Their goal between the two of them is to raise $5,800.

We are proud of Megan, and we know Joanne would be too! So, in honor of Joanne and in support of Megan’s cause, we have decided to dedicate the entire month of November to raising money for her race and to raise awareness for the LLS. We will be posting the photo above of our 3 dentists with tutu’s on our facebook page. If the photo reaches 200 likes, each ‘like’ will be matched with a $1 donation toward Megan’s race up to the amount of $1000, and the docs will wear these tutu’s to work on December 8th. So, visit our page, like our photo, share the photo and encourage your friends and family to do the same! You can also donate to the cause directly in our office. For every dollar donation, you will receive an entry into a drawing for free custom whitening and a Sonicare toothbrush. If you can’t make it in to the office (no appointment necessary to donate and enter), you can donate on Megan’s web site directly. Only entries made inside the office will qualify you for the special drawing. Our staff will be sharing her story and wearing orange ribbons all month long. Follow the links below to Megan’s fund raising page and our facebook page. Thank you for supporting this cause!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/prtorico16/MJohnson

https://www.facebook.com/elmbrookfamilydental/?ref=hl

As many of you have known, our hygienist Joanne had been battling AML Leukemia. Today we are sad to announce that she has lost her battle. On the morning of October 14th, Joanne passed away at AngelsGrace Hospice in the presence of her family. Her battle with Leukemia began just over a year and a half ago and included many treatments, one of which was a bone marrow transplant from her son Patrick. Sadly the transplant was not a success and it became clear that her battle would be lost.  She was then moved to hospice care. She was sure to keep a positive attitude and enjoy every moment she had with her family.

Although the last year and a half did not allow Joanne to work, over 10 years with our team made it easy for the staff to keep in touch. We still enjoyed her company at team gatherings and missed her bold personality, infectious laugh and awesome bakery around the office! She was always honest with  her patients and their needs. She was meticulous and detailed in her cleanings and exams. She enjoyed getting to know more about each and every one of her patients. We are confident that if she were here and still working hard for all of you, that she would want to remind you to floss every day! After all, you are the only one responsible for YOU!

Carrie G. was able to visit her the week before she passed. Joanne shared some comforting words for those she was leaving behind. She said: “I don’t know why everyone is so sad. I am going to a better place.”

Joanne: Indeed we know that you are now in the arms of your Lord and no longer suffering. You will be forever in our hearts and we will not forget you. Thank you for your great hard work while you were a part of our team. Thank you for being a great friend to all of us. Don’t worry, we will keep taking great care of your patients for you. We love you and miss you.

A memorial gathering will take place at the Brookfield Krause funeral home this Sunday, October 18th from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations for AngelsGrace Hospice as well as the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. And because we don’t want others in the future to suffer from AML or other forms of Leukemia, Elmbrook will be hosting a pretty awesome fund raiser in Joanne’s name during the month of November. Stay tuned for details!

Walking in to the oral hygiene isle at your favorite store can be overwhelming, even for us as professionals. There are so many things to choose from. Today we will focus on the mouthwash aspect of this isle and help you make a decision! So, here is an overview of the main things you will see while shopping.

Antiseptic mouthwash: The most common brand of Antiseptic mouthwash is Listerine, however there are many store brands that offer an equal option. Just look carefully at the label and be sure it specifically uses the word “antiseptic”. Any flavor, any brand will work, although not all generic brands will carry the seal of approval from the American Dental Association. This type of mouthwash has the highest ability to kill germs of any mouthwash on the market. It is generally a 30 second rinse that you can perform 1-2X daily after your brushing and flossing routine. Expect a little bit of a spicy burning sensation during your rinse. No worries, this just shows how well it’s really working! The soft mint flavors or similar offer less burn while you rinse.

Fluoridated mouthwash: Many different companies now offer a fluoridated mouthwash. You can look for them by Act, Listerine, Arm and Hammer and generic brands. Fluoride functions in preventing cavities by killing bacteria and remineralizing spots that may be breaking down on our teeth due to plaque, diet, enamel deficiencies or poor oral hygiene. It is a naturally occurring element that plays an important role in making teeth stronger. It is best used as a ONE MINUTE rinse after brushing and flossing before bed.

Dry mouth rinse: Common companies you may recognize that make dry mouth rinse are Boitene and Act. These are both alcohol free rinses that help soothe dry and irritated oral tissues and stimulate a healthy salivary flow. Many medications or circumstances can lead to a chronic dry mouth, which leads to discomfort, bad breath and a higher risk of decay. Using a rinse can reduce some of these symptoms.

Whitening rinse: Most major brands provide a whitening mouthwash option. Their effectiveness and flavor options can vary widely. The important thing to know before investing time and money into this type of rinse is that it is not made to alter severely stained teeth. They can aid in preventing new stain once heavier stain is removed by your dental professional, and brighten your smile to varying degrees. The degree in which you will see a change will greatly depend on your commitment to the product, how many stain creating things are in your daily routine (smoking, coffee, tea, juices and red wine) and the shade your teeth started at naturally. It will certainly aide in whitening, but don’t expect to have a Hollywood smile by simply using a rinse alone.

There are many other rinses out there that fit into a vague category that can only be described as providing a wide spectrum of effectiveness for cavity prevention and killing bacteria. Some good rinses, some not even worth it. If you have questions about your favorite mouthwash, ask your hygienist at your next routine visit. Heck, why not even bring the bottle in with you so they can take a look at what it is! That’s what we are here for.

Every September marks the beginning of cold and flu season. As the kids go back to school and the weather changes, we are all more susceptible to picking up a virus. Here are a few simple tips at keeping the illnesses away.

Wash your hands. It takes 30 seconds and use of antibacterial soap with room temperature water to effectively rid your hands of germs. So, don’t rush through it and pay special attention to your finger tips and nails as they’re the perfect hiding spot for bacteria.

Vaccinate. Although the effectiveness of the flu vaccine may vary each year depending on the strain, the flu vaccine can dramatically decrease your chances of contracting a flu virus. The vaccine is recommended for all people over the age of 6 months old. It is firmly recommended for those who are pregnant, have small children, the elderly or have a compromised immune system. Flu shots are generally available at your doctor, a local pharmacy, or even your health department.

Stay home if you’re not feeling well. Your boss may not like it, but the truth is that it is in the best interest of your coworkers and others around you if you stay home when you have symptoms. You’re most contagious when you have a sore throat, a fever or within the first 48 hours of an illness. If you’re not feeling well then consider staying home to rest and recover and keep your colleagues healthy too!

Cough into your sleeve. The flu and cold virus can spread to people up to 6 feet away through droplets in the air from a cough or sneeze. If you use your hand to cover your cough, then touch a door knob, pen or even counter top, you’re leaving the virus there for the next person to pick up. Coughing into your sleeve can reduce the likelihood of the germs spreading.