New Year Resolutions Abound!

We hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas!  It's hard to believe that the New Year is right around the corner. While you are pondering on some New Year's Resolutions you might want to consider what your teeth would ask for this coming year.  World Dental Health shares some great resolution ideas that will keep your mouth happy and your teeth where they belong!  Their article is entitled New Year Dental Resolutions, we think they are great ideas!  

A resolution is a promise or a commitment to yourself, that you will try to fulfill a goal.  Now one of the most important resolutions should contain the word “health” in it. Therefore, even if you can’t make sure that you will be able to buy a home next year, you can make sure that you will pay more attention to yourdental health.

Here is a list with a few suggestions for your New Year’s dental health resolution:

Promise to yourself that you will floss at least once a day

Even if you don’t like the dental floss, you should have to get used to it. The dental floss helps eliminating all the food particles from in between your teeth, where the regular brush does not reach. This way you eliminate all harmful particles that could lead to tooth or gum damage.

Brushing your teeth twice a day

According to plenty of statistics many people do brush their teeth only one time per day. They tend to brush their teeth in the most “comfortable” period of the day- in the morning or before going to bed.

Promise to yourself that there will be no excuses that you are in a huge hurry and instead of brushing you will just take a pocketful of mints in the morning. Also, you can’t be sleepy enough to forget about brushing your teeth before going to bed. Brushing twice a day…keeps the dentist drill away!

Respect those regular dental cleanings

Your insurance does not cover 100% for two dental cleanings per year without a reason. Don’t get mistaken, it is not that the insurer wants you to stay healthy, but it is because the insurer wants to avoid at all costs having to cover for expensive dental treatments.

Try to look at the issue from your point of view- by respecting those regular dental cleanings you will keep away gum disease, bad breath from too much plaque deposit, and other infections and dental problems.

One dental checkup every year…at least

Regardless of whether you have got visible cavities or not. The dental checkup is not meant for the dentist to actually see what you already can: badly stained teeth, a huge cavity or gum disease.

The main purpose is to catch the earliest possible every single dental problem. This will save you time and money- and you will have good oral hygiene at all times.

We hope your New Year will be filled with wonderful experiences and many happy days.  Remember that a goal written down has a greater chance of being reached than if you just "wish it" to happen.  We would love to help you schedule your cleaning appointments or sit down with you for a free consultation in regards to the work that you need or would like done. Together we can strive for a life-long dental health.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Clark & His Team

Call us to schedule your cleanings 

 for next year! 

(541) 451-1440

The Gift of Self

Do you struggle with finding the "perfect gift" for those on your list?  We recently read an article entitled "The Twelve Gifts of Self" written by Carolyn Warnemuende, M.S.  If asked, I think the majority of our loved ones would love more of "us" more than a physical gift on Christmas morning.  Our busy lives tend to take us away from our loved ones more often than not.  We hope you find some great information from today's blog post, we certainly did.

     I love the holidays. Part of what makes them special is that from the time my children were young I have kept them relatively simple. If I overdo I become stressed. Life doesn't feel very good and I’m not much fun to be with. When I keep material gifts to a few, select only those activities that will truly bring joy, and prepare easy-to-make holiday meals, the season is joyful for both my family and for me.

Recently I went through my files and found a handout copied on bright red paper titled “The Twelve Gifts of Self.” I have no idea where it came from or who initially wrote it since no author was identified. Reading through it I knew I wanted to share the ideas with The Informed Parent readers.

1.     The Gift of Time -This month I offer these twelve suggestions, conceived by someone else, and with my description of what they mean for our children.Our time is valuable. We need to make wise choices about how we use the twenty-four hours a day allotted to us. When we offer the gift of time, we are saying to others that they are important to us. When we give the gift of undivided time to our children, they become less demanding and needy.

2.     The Gift of a Good Example.
Our children learn by watching us. When we speak kindly, behave honorably, and respect others, we teach our children the art of being compassionate human beings.

3.     The Gift of Acceptance.
Acceptance is an act of respect. When people are accepted for who they are, they usually rise to becoming their highest and best self.

4.     The Gift of Seeing the Best in People.
When we look for the best in others, they tend to bring forth those qualities. Our children want to please us. By seeing and acknowledging their best, they will act from that place.

5.     The Gift of Privacy.
Each person needs both physical and personal space. By respecting our children’s need for privacy, they often become more forthright in sharing information with us.

6.     The Gift of Self-Esteem.
When we use the effective parenting tools advocated in The Informed Parent, we foster positive self-esteem in our children.

7.     The Gift of Giving Up a Bad Habit.
When we are willing to commit to giving up a bad habit, we serve as role models to our children. We demonstrate through our behavior, that people can change.

8.     The Gift of Self-Disclosure.
When we willingly share our feelings and thoughts with others in a positive way, we give them the opportunity to truly know who we are.

9.     The Gift of Helping Someone Learn Something New.
Everyone has something they want to learn. When we help others learn something new, we are investing in their future happiness. When we assist in our children’s learning process, we are also creating memories.

10. The Gift of Listening.
Listening with our full attention and without judgment may be the best gift we can give to another. When we really listen to our children and reflect back to them what we have heard, we open the door to deeper and more intimate communication.

11. The Gift of Fun.
Building times of fun into family life creates memories. Simple fun like hiking, playing games, or going on a picnic need not take lots of time. For activities to feel fun, they need to be relaxed and easy for everyone. Find time each week to have fun with your children.

12. The Gift of Letting Others Give to Us.
When we let others give to us, we give them the gift of joy. Most of us have felt the anticipation of having someone open a gift we have carefully chosen for them, or watch for their enthusiasm when we offer to help them with a task. Whether someone gives us a material gift, a gift of time, or another gift of self, we honor them and add to their happiness by graciously receiving it.

We look forward to finding ways to give a little more of "us" this year instead of something we can wrap in a box.  After all it is the gift of self that people will remember more than something that can grow old or break.

Have a great week!

Dr. Clark & Team

Make sure you have your cleanings 

scheduled for next year! 

(541) 451-1440

Are You Feeling It?

Sometimes no matter how much we plan we can find ourselves feeling worn out or overwhelmed particularly at this time of the year.  It is our hope that if you find yourself in this category you take a moment to rest and regroup.  The Mayo Clinic has a great article on coping with stress and depression during the holidays.  If you find any of these tips helpful feel free to share with those you love.

Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.

By Mayo Clinic staff

The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it's no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.

But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

1.     Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

2.     Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

3.     Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.

4.     Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.

5.     Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.

6.     Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.

7.     Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

8.     Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.

9.     Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

10.  Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Take control of the holidays

Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

We hope you have a wonderful time this holiday season!  Share that holiday cheer by simply sharing your beautiful smile!

Dr. Clark & Team

Working Together for Life-long Health - Article 2

“They say old bankers never die. They just lose interest!”

(another one of Dr Clark’s many  “wise old sayings”)

Whatever you do during your advancing years, DON’T LOSE INTEREST IN YOUR TEETH!  We don’t have to lose teeth as we advance in maturity!  This is another post to help us all keep our teeth and gums healthy, attractive, functional and comfortable. A healthy mouth can help us have a long and healthy life.

Problem: Bad Breath 

Believe me when I say there are many people who have bad breath. Bad breath can be socially awkward, but is also a warning sign of more serious problems. 

Experts say that the strong odor of bad breath is hydrogen sulfide gas, the same gas used in chemical warfare during WWII.  I can be hazardous to your health to breath that 24/7. 

Causes:  
Of course, bad breath can be caused by the foods you eat.  Food left on your between teeth, on your gums and tongue for a long time can ferment giving off a foul odor.  Smoking and other forms of tobacco are also obvious causes.  

Tooth decay and gum disease can also lead to conditions where odors are a result. 

I have often been heard to say, “Bad breath is better than no breath at all!”

Let’s not give in to bad breath!

What YOU can do:

1. Bad Breath:  I personally use over-the-counter Smart Mouth - 12 hour mouth rinse.  We have samples of this product in our office.
2. Again...Be sure to keep your teeth extra clean, especially along the gum lines and between the teeth. Also brushing your tongue will help prevent bad breath.
3. The most important time to clean your mouth is just before bed.

   How WE can help:

1. Smart mouth 12 hour mouth rinse – we offer larger bottles than are available in retail stores at a lower cost per ounce.
2. Regular In office professional cleanings and check-ups can detect and remove accumulations that release objectionable odors.
3. Gum disease is one of the worst sources of halitosis!  We are on the leading edge of treatment and prevention of gum infections.

You do not need to be embarrassed or limited by bad breath!

Call us today to schedule a free consultation!

(541) 451-1440 or 

TEXT us at 541.6DC.DDS2