Thursday, October 29, 2015

Will It Be a Trick or a Treat This Year?

That SPOOKY time of year is here again! In a matter of days your neighborhood will be crawling with all sorts of ghouls and goblins.

We want to remind you a few safety tips to make sure Halloween night is fun for all.

Tip 1
Eat dinner before you take the kids trick-or-treating. Starting off with a full belly will limit the amount of candy your kids will eat late at night.

Tip 2
Take a light source. Whether you use a flashlight, reflective clothing or lighted ropes, make sure others can see you and your goblin clearly.

Tip 3
Stick to a familiar route. It's always a good idea to go trick-or-treating with your children. Choose a route that is well lit and familiar. This is a great time to say hello to your neighbors and introduce your children to other adults that are "safe" in your surrounding area.

Tip 4
Watch this video from our hygienist Dessa for some good tips to keep your teeth healthy and happy through the infestation of all things sweet!



Happy Haunting!

Call us with any questions or concerns about your oral health care needs

(541) 451-1440

Follow us on Facebook to receive some great tips and fun facts that will boost your oral health IQ!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Don't Do It - Don't Use Your Teeth to Open That Package!

When we talk about dental tools, we are not referring to your teeth!

Think about it, the last time you needed to tear some tape off the roll, did you use your teeth? Are you a nail biter? And CRINGE - have you ever used your teeth to open a bottle cap?

The tales of "what happened" when people come in for a tooth repair never cease to amaze us. Sure, your teeth are convenient, you bring them everywhere you go, but please stop to think the next time you want to use your teeth for something other than eating.

We humans love the convenience of using our teeth to open a bag of chips, ripping off tags from clothes, even for chomping on really hard ice. Another habit that most people don't even recognize themselves doing is putting pens or pencils into their mouths. Not only can you spread germs by doing this, but the simple truth is, it is not good for your oral health! These habits can not only break your teeth, but they can undo expensive dental work at the same time.

Our suggestion is to make a concerted effort to recognize which of these "no-nos" you fall prey to regularly. The second step would then be to do something about it. The next time you go to use your teeth as a tool, stop, and tell yourself that your smile is too valuable. Take that extra 5 seconds to find the tool you should have grabbed in the first place. That five seconds can make a world of difference in your mouth, and in your wallet!

If you have a broken tooth, please contact us now. Waiting can make the problem even worse. We can help you decide which option is best so that you can protect your mouth from further damage. 

We are always here to help! 
Don't hesitate to call.
(541)-451-1440

Check out our website for great oral healthcare information:
www.LaserdennisT.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month!

Graphic Courtesy of prweb.com

Did you know October is National Eat Better, Eat Together month? Yep, it sure is! So what does that mean for you? Believe or not, family mealtime is making a comeback. Even though schedules seem to be heavily loaded, families across our nation are making time to eat dinner together whenever possible.

Why would we eat better if we are together? Of course, this statement is under the presumption that mealtime is taking place at home. While there are healthy take out or restaurant choices available, it is easier to make nutritious meals in the comfort of your own home.

Studies have shown that families that eat at home decrease their caloric intake substantially, and their food choices are much healthier than if they eat out. This special sit down time is also a great way to connect and check in with your family members. Ask them about their day, find out what they are concerned about, and talk about the family schedule so everyone is on the same page.

How can you make mealtime happen in your home? 
An old adage says, "if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right". This can be applied to family mealtimes. Taking the time to plan ahead is critical, and can be taxing at times. but so worth it! However, if you involve your family members in the meal planning process, the complaints come mealtime will decrease because they had a say in the choices made. You may be surprised to find that you have at least 30 meals in your family cookbook - this means you can promise your children no meal will be repeated during the month. That is easier than it sounds, and gets great results.

Is it my turn again?
We also encourage giving each member of your family one night of the week where they are in charge of preparing the meal either alone, or with adult supervision as needed. Not only are you teaching great skills to prepare your children to live on their own, the valuable interaction time between parent and child can become a special tradition. It is amazing how complaining seems to subside when your child figures out how much effort goes into meal preparation. You might even get an increased amount of thank yous for your own efforts!

Step out of your comfort zone.
Choose one meal a week where you try a new recipe. It is easy to get stuck in the same menu choices, but if as a family you contribute one new recipe a week to your menu plan, your menu selection will multiply. Trying new recipes also gives children the chance to expand their pallet. What they didn't like last year, may become a favorite this year. You never know until you try!

We hope you enjoy "eat better, eat together" this month. Let us know what successes you have and what ideas you come up with as a family to implement. With the holidays around the corner, making healthy choices at mealtimes can help you and your loved ones make better choices throughout the holidays.

Have you scheduled your cleaning? 

Call today and take advantage
 of your 2015 dental benefits before they run out!

(541) 451-1440

www.laserdennist.com


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Oral Bacteria Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

Dentistry Today ran a fascinating article on the connection between oral bacteria and Alzheimer's disease.

Research in the Journal of Oral Microbiology has shown that once oral bacteria passes the blood-brain barrier, any of them can be implicated in Alzheimer's Disease. While this study focused primarily on two fungal proteins, there are over 900 different bacteria in the mouth at any given time.

Late-onset Alzheimer's Disease is not related to one single cause, rather a combination of factors including genetics and environmental factors. While a long-term treatment of antibiotics would be impractical, the most successful way to combat this link to Alzheimer's is to have excellent oral health care habits.

This month, as we focus on National Hygiene Month, we can't emphasize enough how important staying up on your semi-annual cleanings and exams can be. Dr. Clark and our hygienists has been able to prevent major health problems, as well as detect the onset of serious medical conditions in some of our patients because they were consistent with their exams.

Your health and life is valuable. Taking that extra few minutes every day to brush and floss, and then schedule your semi-annual cleanings can give you the edge in staying healthy and active for years to come.

If you have gum disease now, or have skipped your last exam, please call to schedule your appointment today. 

Don't Risk Your Health!
541-451-1440

Our website has great information for all of your 
oral health care needs.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Rock-n-Roll Your Way to a Happy Smile!

Click the picture to see the video

October is National Hygiene Month and we want to help you celebrate creating new and lasting habits of great oral healthcare. One way to instill good habits in your family is by making oral healthcare fun.

The American Dental Association has created some fun tools to get your children excited about brushing and flossing. Let us introduce you to Dudley and Friends. Click here to watch their fun music video with your children. When children associate an activity with something they enjoy, they are more likely to develop a good habit.

We know helping children can be difficult, but the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences. Using fun little songs like this one from Dudley and his friends makes brushing and flossing more enjoyable. Explore the great resources that the ADA has to offer on their website. You'll find tools, tips, and suggestions that will help you make a difference in the oral health care habits of your family.

Take advantage of your dental insurance benefits before they run out!

Call to schedule your 
hygiene cleaning today
(541) 451-1440