tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715589665806957452024-03-19T06:41:02.666-04:00Sawgrass Pediatric DentistryWelcome to Sawgrass Pediatric Dentistry's Blog website. We strive to offer quality dental care for the pediatric patient in a fun, friendly and positive atmosphere. Dr. Ryan Smith and staff are proud to provide comprehensive dental care to you and your child in a convenient location in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055730820842189085noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-86048667474029866152020-01-06T15:18:00.002-05:002020-01-06T15:19:31.504-05:00Time for a Pediatric Dentist FAQ!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">MANY OF OUR PATIENTS</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> and our patients’ parents come to us with the same questions about childhood dental health without realizing it. These are some of the questions we hear most often, and we’re sure that more people haven’t spoken up but don’t know the answers either.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">1. When should I bring my child in for their first appointment?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">As soon as your child has teeth, they need a dentist! It’s a great idea to bring your child in </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">when the first tooth erupts</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, but no later than their first birthday. At this first appointment, we can give you tips on how to take care of their teeth as they appear and how to help them through painful teething periods.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2. What’s the difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Pediatric dentists specialize in working with children. Just like it’s better to take your child to a pediatrician than a general physician, it’s better to bring them to see a pediatric dentist. This is because </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">we undergo an additional two to three years of specialized training beyond dental school</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> to learn better how to treat children’s dental health problems from infancy through adolescence.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">3. Is it really that important to keep baby teeth healthy?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Even though baby teeth are temporary, it is critical to keep them as healthy as possible through good oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits. </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Baby teeth not only help children speak clearly and chew their food</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, but they also serve as guideposts for the adult teeth to come in where they’re supposed to.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">4. What should I do if my child gets a toothache?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Rinsing the area with warm salt water (which they should spit out, not swallow) and using a cold compress on the face (if swollen) are reasonable first steps. Children’s Tylenol can also help </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">(do not apply the pain-relieving medication directly to the painful tooth or gums, though)</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> until you can bring your child in to see us, which you should do as soon as possible.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">5. Are thumbsucking and pacifiers bad for my child’s teeth?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Not necessarily. </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">These habits only become an oral health concern if they continue beyond the toddler years.</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Most children will grow out of them on their own, but if they don’t stop after age three, it’s time to think about ways to discourage the habit, and an oral appliance may be necessary.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">6. What is the right amount of toothpaste to use on my child’s teeth?</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Fluoride is essential for preventing cavities, but too much can cause white spots (fluorosis) on the incoming adult teeth. </span><strong style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">A tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste is enough for brushing a baby or toddler’s teeth.</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> By ages 3-6, you can increase the amount to a pea-sized dollop. Past age 6, they usually have enough coordination to brush their teeth, but always encourage them to spit after they brush instead of swallowing the excess toothpaste.</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Bring Us Your Questions!</span></h2>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We hope these answers have been eye-opening for you! The more educated you are about your children’s teeth and how to care for them, the better their chances are of maintaining adorable, healthy smiles as they grow. If you have any questions we didn’t cover here, give us a call or stop by our office!</span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We love our patients!</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><em>The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></span></div>
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-21065965837556643242019-11-25T17:45:00.000-05:002019-11-25T17:45:11.263-05:00What Is A Pediatric Dentist?<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CbMY2Rrw1M-mNzjf-XkLP8cAOCHD5e3ljYmfFYe9LSCeiIKW6gs6WOhDWNdMgoKl4tu8u20znZxBFyLIvQjpF1W_hfB-_nyhFcycHlxh4g2lRn4rFB0FRIKgyeMJyw4XTPtqKAmo3Yk_/s1600/AdobeStock_260000894.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CbMY2Rrw1M-mNzjf-XkLP8cAOCHD5e3ljYmfFYe9LSCeiIKW6gs6WOhDWNdMgoKl4tu8u20znZxBFyLIvQjpF1W_hfB-_nyhFcycHlxh4g2lRn4rFB0FRIKgyeMJyw4XTPtqKAmo3Yk_/s320/AdobeStock_260000894.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Pediatric dentists, like <a href="http://www.sawgrasspediatricdentistry.com/meet-the-team">Dr. Ryan</a> at <a href="http://www.sawgrasspediatricdentistry.com/">Sawgrass Pediatric Dentistry</a>, are the pediatricians of dentistry. A dental specialist who focuses on treating infants to adolescents. Keep reading our blog as we explain the differences between pediatric dentists and family dentists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">An additional two to three years of specialized training is required for pediatric dentists versus a family dentist. This additional training provides them leveraged knowledge and aptitude for treating the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents, including young patients who have special health care needs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is not a requirement for a general dentist to complete the additional training to treat patients of any age. However, there are complex conditions that do require the pediatric dentist expertise making their treatment ability limited in comparison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With their expert knowledge in childhood dental developmental stages, a pediatric dentist will monitor the development and growth of your child's teeth and bite. Pediatric dentists are also trained to provide dental sealants and fluoride treatments to children as part of their comprehensive early detection and treatment of cavities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Dr. Ryan Smith adds, "One of our mottos at Sawgrass Pediatric Dentistry, is "we strive to offer quality dental care for the pediatric patient in a fun, friendly and positive atmosphere" we understand that children have unique dental needs and that going to the dentist can sometimes be seen as a stressful experience. We have staff and Pediatric dentists who are committed to providing the highest quality pediatric dentistry for infants, children, and adolescents as well as to those with special health care needs or disabilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dr. Ryan Smith shares, Sawgrass Pediatric Dentistry, was explicitly designed with children in mind. We wanted to create a memorable environment that would bring a feeling of excitement when they would come back to see us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There are significant benefits to the experience and service a pediatric dentist has to offer versus the convenience of bringing the whole family to the same dentist. </span></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-76774945466027563582019-06-20T15:13:00.000-04:002019-06-20T15:13:00.966-04:00Teaching Kids To Take Care Of Their Smiles<div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 73, 109); color: #23496d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIubbGE7bha-0f4eZ9RRMwieMcsVqQmwq-7CKLk4MUIMxVl1meFJf_rmbzbWZyNVK1tDzlo7h_I06w5CIBCYo8_YI1xgBalhr6J-SW7CbQDU7zN2WBbW70fxRAKEuOYfHVr5UNbsPpSqv/s1600/AdobeStock_213648395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIubbGE7bha-0f4eZ9RRMwieMcsVqQmwq-7CKLk4MUIMxVl1meFJf_rmbzbWZyNVK1tDzlo7h_I06w5CIBCYo8_YI1xgBalhr6J-SW7CbQDU7zN2WBbW70fxRAKEuOYfHVr5UNbsPpSqv/s320/AdobeStock_213648395.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>BEING A PARENT WITH</strong> small children can feel so hectic that there are probably days when it’s hard to find time to brush your own teeth, let alone theirs. That’s why we’re here to help you out with a few tips on how to help your kids develop great oral hygiene habits.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Make Healthy Baby Teeth A Priority</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Just because your child’s baby teeth will be replaced with permanent teeth before long doesn’t mean it’s okay to slack off on taking good care of them. <strong>Baby teeth are crucial place-holders for adult teeth,</strong> and they allow your child to chew, speak, and smile freely. To keep them healthy, it’s important to aim for twice-daily brushing and daily flossing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Start Building Life-Long Habits Early On</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Teaching a young child important skills isn’t always easy. They have seemingly endless energy and very short attention spans, and a toothbrushing session won’t always go as planned. Here are a few things we recommend as you’re working on your child’s dental health skills:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Make brushing a priority.</strong> If you act like brushing your child’s teeth is an inconvenient chore, that’s how they’ll view their dental hygiene routine. Show them that this is an important, unskippable part of every morning and evening.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Brushing doesn’t have to happen in the bathroom.</strong> As long as you have a toothbrush, you can brush your child’s teeth anywhere. On a difficult day, brushing their teeth right where they are you could save both of you a lot of frustration.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Toothpaste isn’t as crucial as brushing.</strong> Whether you ran out of toothpaste, can’t find it, or your child has been using it to practice their finger-painting skills, it’s fine to brush without the toothpaste until you can get more.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Let them pick out their toothbrush.</strong> This will make feel more in control, and they’ll be happier to use it.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Brush in front of the mirror.</strong> When they start brushing their own teeth, they’ll do it in front of the mirror, so this is the best place for you to brush their teeth for them at first. It will help them feel involved.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Make it fun!</strong> The more you act like brushing is fun, the happier your child will be to cooperate. Keep up a good attitude about it and help them enjoy it by playing fun music to time their two minutes of brushing.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Take Advantage Of Our Expertise</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">We’d love to hear about your brushing routine with your child. Are our tips helping you out? Do you have your own strategy that’s working really well? Give us a call to let us know, or tell us about it at your child’s next appointment! And if you’re still having trouble helping your child learn how to brush, we can help with that too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">We love seeing your child’s healthy smile!</span></h4>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-44975092130111556522019-05-30T15:41:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:42:04.482-04:00Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth The Healthy Way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1T5p4fqJUQ5VRMVbBRKzxtmzR7hK7tGmwGvApLY-Yur-5OqD2kaakMFycm2ZlBqKbkIh2ZLZbqMP-i_xbvV1YfaOG4t_WWnIbNP-BuK4Dsuv6QhAnpcgPkl94zcCka1hyM_tGzxllPRV/s1600/4f308db4-abac-49d3-8a1c-64828ce8a3c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1T5p4fqJUQ5VRMVbBRKzxtmzR7hK7tGmwGvApLY-Yur-5OqD2kaakMFycm2ZlBqKbkIh2ZLZbqMP-i_xbvV1YfaOG4t_WWnIbNP-BuK4Dsuv6QhAnpcgPkl94zcCka1hyM_tGzxllPRV/s320/4f308db4-abac-49d3-8a1c-64828ce8a3c0.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">EVERYONE LOVES A</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> good sweet snack once in a while, but unfortunately, that includes the bacteria in our mouths. Those little germs’ favorite food in the world is sugary treats, and the more sugar they get, the more they put our teeth at risk of tooth decay. So how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without giving your harmful oral bacteria a treat? By snacking healthy!</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>A Few Healthy Treats To Enjoy</strong></h3>
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Sometimes it seems like the healthy snacks are the ones that take longer to make or cost more, but that isn’t always true! So before you reach for that jelly-filled doughnut or bowl of ice cream, take a look at some of these quick, affordable, tasty options that are better for your teeth:</div>
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<li><strong>Coconut whipped cream with strawberries.</strong> <a href="https://detoxinista.com/easy-coconut-whipped-cream/" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Coconuts are exceptional bacteria killers</a> and they can also reduce the amount of plaque build up, and strawberries are great for scrubbing away plaque too! Coconut whipped cream is a great substitute for dairy whipped cream because it’s low in sugar and high in healthy fats.</li>
<li><strong>Frozen dark chocolate bananas.</strong> <a href="https://greatist.com/health/healthier-dessert-recipes" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This treat is great</a> because bananas are full of important nutrients that help keep teeth and gums strong, and dark chocolate is good for your teeth too. (You could also switch things up and put the coconut whipped cream on the bananas and the dark chocolate on the strawberries!)</li>
<li><strong>Fruit smoothies with yogurt and applesauce.</strong> Toss your favorite fruits in a blender, but instead of adding sugar or ice cream, use unsweetened applesauce and frozen yogurt for a refreshing smoothie that is low in sugar!</li>
<li><strong>Yogurt and granola.</strong> <a href="https://nano-b.com/blogs/news/the-30-best-food-for-healthy-teeth-and-gums" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Yogurt is one of the best</a> sources of probiotics. Crowd out that harmful bacteria in your mouth with the good bacteria in yogurt. Yogurt is also a great source of calcium for building strong teeth.</li>
<li><strong>Fruit Bowls.</strong> You can never go wrong by throwing together a bowl of berries and sliced fruit. While fruit does contain natural sugar, eating it whole is much healthier than drinking fruit juice (which isn’t much better for your teeth than soda). The fiber in the whole fruit makes it harder for the sugar to reach your teeth (or your digestive system!), and you get all the great vitamins too!</li>
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<strong>Check out this video for a brownie recipe that leaves out the refined sugar!<br /></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq-8gOCdJGo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq-8gOCdJGo</a></div>
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<strong>Want More Healthy Snack Ideas?</strong></h3>
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If you like these healthy treats and want more, we can help you find them! From sugar substitutes in baking to easy on-the-go snacks, we have you covered! And don’t forget to keep up your other good oral health habits, such as brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing, and scheduling those regular dental appointments!</div>
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And don’t worry, we have sweet teeth too!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-44579899605216590722019-05-09T15:36:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:36:34.649-04:00Taking Care Of Your Pet’s Teeth<div style="caret-color: rgb(35, 73, 109); color: #23496d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26.25px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_8E3zE9ewLHqjgOP1puZq64MT-Sqg1_sLlqmpVo1saWFzwJwkw54cLQKBV1nBzAczfzkvwdPGZt38AtuMHt06zjVAI_mtFwRPT0X1a0k2NIbB5NAzSnfVLBiU5l7MKyTt8qAfRfwV5RX/s1600/pet+dental+care_700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_8E3zE9ewLHqjgOP1puZq64MT-Sqg1_sLlqmpVo1saWFzwJwkw54cLQKBV1nBzAczfzkvwdPGZt38AtuMHt06zjVAI_mtFwRPT0X1a0k2NIbB5NAzSnfVLBiU5l7MKyTt8qAfRfwV5RX/s320/pet+dental+care_700.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>IT’S EASY TO ASSUME</strong> that our pets don’t need dental care like we do. After all, wild animals can’t exactly brush their teeth, and that doesn’t seem to be a problem for them. However, it turns out that our pets’ teeth have a very different situation than the teeth of wild animals, and they do need our help to stay healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Animal Teeth In The Wild</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">There are two main reasons wild animals don’t need dental care. The first is diet. Unlike us and our pets (particularly cats and dogs), <strong>wild animals don’t consume a lot of sugar or carbs, which is what feeds the bacteria that causes tooth decay</strong>. Wild animals are more likely to wear their teeth down than they are to get cavities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The second reason wild animals don’t seem to get tooth decay as often is that their teeth essentially outlive them. <strong>Their lifespans aren’t long enough for their teeth to rot before they die.</strong> If an animal’s teeth do rot, it won’t survive much longer in the wild, because unlike domesticated animals, it doesn’t have a friendly human to feed it after it can no longer eat its usual food.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">What Dental Problems Are Pets At Risk For?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Our puppies and kitties might have teeth that look a lot different from ours, but they can get <a data-hs-link-id="0" href="http://www.vetstreet.com/care/dental-cleaning-for-dogs-and-cats" rel="noopener" style="color: #444444;" target="_blank">cavities and gum disease</a> just like we can. In fact, <strong>a whopping 85 percent of dogs and cats get gum disease by age three.</strong>Keep an eye out for symptoms like difficulty chewing, tooth loss, and bad breath, as well as loose teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, and loss of appetite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">In a way, dental problems are even more serious for our pets than they are for us. We can take care of our own teeth, and we can describe what our teeth and gums feel like to our dentists. Our pets can’t do any of that, so when a problem happens, it’s more likely to get worse.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Tips For Pet Dental Care</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Don’t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms of dental problems to begin a dental hygiene routine for them. Whether you’re keeping their teeth healthy or helping fight back against existing problems, <strong>you’ll be making your furry friend’s life so much better.</strong> Here are a <a data-hs-link-id="0" href="https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/pmahaney/2012/feb/top_three_tips_for_pet_dental_care-12949" rel="noopener" style="color: #444444;" target="_blank">few things</a> you can do:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444;">Brush their teeth daily.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Only use veterinary toothpaste</strong>, if any. (Your toothpaste will make them sick.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;">Give them vet-approved dental treats to help clean their teeth.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Get their teeth professionally cleaned!</strong> Some vets offer dental services, but if your vet doesn’t, they can probably recommend a veterinary dental specialist in the area.</span></li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE0hTlByhYI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE0hTlByhYI</a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Do It For Those Happy Doggy And Kitty Smiles!</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444;">As a pet owner, there’s nothing better than seeing them happy and full of life, and taking good care of their teeth is a great way to make that happen. If you have any questions about what to do for your pet’s teeth or if you’re having trouble getting them used to a dental hygiene routine, make use of resources like our practice and your veterinarian.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">We look forward to seeing you at our practice!</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><em>The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></span></div>
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-43162397092771623482019-05-09T15:30:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:30:36.093-04:00Protecting Your Child’s Teeth From Injury<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4DbSyBq1Ax6yHKuXWOK87HtqOC7sw_U0BIgea-zzAb0XyPdbpNobOOP9qHWMPq2IGsv0ND_IThV5ADKYfVLBJGLU1N0dM1cRhorRHaEx9KgrMGeTBuAMlTunIxJ6aGW5mcy82eoig__4/s1600/085e7241-506e-4cac-a769-82e7c1f985a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4DbSyBq1Ax6yHKuXWOK87HtqOC7sw_U0BIgea-zzAb0XyPdbpNobOOP9qHWMPq2IGsv0ND_IThV5ADKYfVLBJGLU1N0dM1cRhorRHaEx9KgrMGeTBuAMlTunIxJ6aGW5mcy82eoig__4/s320/085e7241-506e-4cac-a769-82e7c1f985a8.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> it was like to be a kid. Running around, playing outside, discovering the world around us, and making great friends. We also remember the scraped knees and bumps and bruises that came along with all of that. As parents, we want our kids to have all the same great experiences we did, but hopefully without some of the injuries — particularly tooth injuries.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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Tips For Tooth Safety</h3>
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There are a few simple things we can do to keep our kids’ teeth safe, whether they’re at home or playing with friends.</div>
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<li><strong>The most common cause of tooth injuries in babies and toddlers is the bathtub.</strong> All that slippery porcelain makes it easy for them to fall and hurt their teeth. To minimize this risk, never leave a baby or toddler unattended in the bathtub.</li>
<li><strong>Frisbees, balls, and other things meant for throwing can easily cause tooth injuries.</strong> Before your child goes out to play, talk to them about safety and stress the importance of not aiming for each other’s heads.</li>
<li><strong>Playground equipment such as swings, a jungle gym, or monkey bars</strong>are not kind to teeth if a child falls on them face-first. Make sure your child knows to be careful before going on the playground.</li>
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Plan Ahead</h3>
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Sometimes accidents happen even under careful adult supervision and when the children understand potential hazards and use caution. Don’t panic if your child loses or injures a tooth. If it’s an adult tooth or if it’s a baby tooth that wasn’t already loose, try to put it back in place, then <strong>come straight to the dentist.</strong> Reattachment isn’t always possible, but this will give it the best chance.</div>
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If you can’t easily put the tooth back in place, store it in a glass of milk to keep the root alive while you’re on your way to the dentist. The faster you get to us, the better chances the tooth will have of being saved. Make sure you <strong>don’t try to clean the tooth or put it in water</strong>, though, because this will kill the root!<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KyR4ULIEQw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KyR4ULIEQw</a></h3>
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Keep Those Teeth Healthy</h3>
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Another important way to protect your child’s teeth from injury is to keep them healthy with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, as well as regular dental appointments. Healthy teeth are stronger and more resistant to injury!</div>
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We love to see those healthy smiles!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-66681594458918824722019-04-18T15:27:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:27:50.581-04:00The First Loose Tooth: A Rite Of Passage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4Dgb5SbY8XPkaWoGr91r5KOJegyPfHCTkUn5hMbZdZePKBrAQ-aooF3sejwTgJ8-xwrDlKXv6ob-xxCC58hTb6U_x7jKHOkK8RPBtRcjH8zE35YbXDZ1UsnRn_CAL4G18vRtrN0dy6Rb/s1600/AdobeStock_266673193.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4Dgb5SbY8XPkaWoGr91r5KOJegyPfHCTkUn5hMbZdZePKBrAQ-aooF3sejwTgJ8-xwrDlKXv6ob-xxCC58hTb6U_x7jKHOkK8RPBtRcjH8zE35YbXDZ1UsnRn_CAL4G18vRtrN0dy6Rb/s320/AdobeStock_266673193.jpeg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">DO YOU REMEMBER</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> losing your first tooth? Maybe it happened later than for your classmates, or maybe you fell down on the playground and it came out before you knew it was loose. However it happens, losing that first tooth is a big deal for every kid. As parents, we want to make sure it’s a positive experience.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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The Right Mindset Is Key</h3>
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Even though losing our baby teeth is a perfectly normal part of growing up, it can be scary for a little kid, especially when it’s their first loose tooth and they aren’t used to the process yet. We can make it easier by helping them get in the right mindset: <strong>losing a tooth means they’re a big kid now! </strong>If you can help your child focus on how cool and impressive it is to lose a baby tooth, rather than how it might hurt a little bit, they’ll hopefully be less afraid and more excited.</div>
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How Parents Can Help With A Loose Tooth</h3>
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Helping with a loose tooth isn’t just about mindset, it’s also about technique. Chasing your child around with pliers is not the best way to handle the situation, and neither is that old “I just want to feel it!” trick where you pull the tooth instead. A couple of good things to do are to <strong>encourage your child to gently wiggle the tooth on their own</strong> with a clean finger, their tongue, or a tissue. It’s also a good idea to let them set the pace and <strong>only help them pull the tooth if they ask you to.</strong></div>
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<strong>Another way to make it fun is to think of an interesting way to pull the tooth!<br /></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0l311rBok">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0l311rBok</a></div>
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Find Creative Ways To Reward Success</h3>
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The Tooth Fairy is the standard way of giving a child a good incentive to take care of those loose teeth, but <strong>there’s no reason to reward them the same way everyone else does.</strong> Maybe your child would be more motivated by the promise of a trip to the ice cream shop or getting a new toy. Think of something your child would really appreciate.</div>
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Still Have Concerns? Bring Them To Us!</h3>
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If your child is still afraid of losing a tooth after you’ve done everything you can to make it a fun and exciting rite of passage for them, then leave it to us! As a pediatric dental practice, we specialize in working with children. You can also bring them to us if their teeth aren’t becoming loose when they should or if a loose tooth doesn’t seem to want to come out.</div>
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We can’t wait to hear about your child’s loose tooth adventures!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-33662661670459307542019-03-28T15:25:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:25:29.518-04:00How To Help Your Teething Child<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcfarVZm-wvsYX_oED7wAoIMpPbBkVbebwjwsrprWuWc-t90ZRePrsA2dp4qJD1TkEz4heJvrG6Qrrg9gt3H_xmjkKv6ByW-fX5JVrCKPAVEL3ZrQwaVZ2O5Itn_JEhPmq9d7mwBCAo8c/s1600/AdobeStock_140518698.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcfarVZm-wvsYX_oED7wAoIMpPbBkVbebwjwsrprWuWc-t90ZRePrsA2dp4qJD1TkEz4heJvrG6Qrrg9gt3H_xmjkKv6ByW-fX5JVrCKPAVEL3ZrQwaVZ2O5Itn_JEhPmq9d7mwBCAo8c/s320/AdobeStock_140518698.jpeg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">CUTTING NEW TEETH</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> is never a comfortable experience. Maybe you remember what it was like to get your adult molars, but it’s particularly hard for babies and toddlers who don’t understand why their gums are so sore. It’s hard for parents too, but we’re here to give you the information you need so that you’ll know what to expect while those new teeth come in and how to help your child through it.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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Teething Happens In Stages</h3>
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The first stage of teething is called erupting, when the baby teeth begin moving from the jaw bones through the gum tissue. The second stage is called cutting, and this is when the teeth begin to break through the surface of the gums. <strong>Both of these stages are commonly painful for babies and toddlers</strong>, but they don’t know how to explain this to their parents, which is why they will often act tired, hungry, or picky about their food.</div>
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Recognize The Symptoms Of Teething</h3>
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You can usually expect to see your baby’s first teeth when they’re between four and six months old. However, <strong>anything between three and fourteen months is normal</strong>, so don’t be too alarmed if your baby’s teeth are taking some extra time to appear. No two children are the same, but some of the most common symptoms of teething include:</div>
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<li>Avoiding breastfeeding</li>
<li>Biting, chewing, and sucking on everything</li>
<li>Refusing to bite, chew, or suck on anything</li>
<li>Irritability</li>
<li>Rejecting foods they usually like</li>
<li>Difficulty sleeping</li>
<li>Excessive drooling</li>
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Symptoms that are not common in teething babies include diarrhea, a runny nose, and a fever. These are more likely the symptoms of a virus, and if they persist or get worse, it’s time to see the pediatrician.</div>
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Strategies For Soothing A Teething Child</h3>
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As parents, there’s a lot we can do to help our little ones through the teething process. The first is to continue breastfeeding, if possible. <strong>One of the benefits of breast milk is that it reduces the pain of teething.</strong>Teething toys will be your child’s best friend. Being able to chew on things helps their teeth cut through the gums, so teething toys are essential.<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pe3dLRgtzk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pe3dLRgtzk</a></h3>
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Choosing The Right Teething Toys</h3>
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Before you go out and buy a bunch of teething toys, it’s important to know which ones to avoid. Make sure the toys you select are free of PVC, BPA, and phthalates (chemicals that make the toys last longer, but which can be harmful if consumed).</div>
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You also want to consider what the toy is made of. Is it solid all the way through, or does it have some kind of gel filling? If the latter, <strong>is it sturdy enough that your child won’t chew through it and cause it to leak</strong>? Can it be cooled in the fridge? Does it have a clip to fasten it to your child’s clothing? Will it be easy for them to handle?</div>
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Bring Us Any Concerns About Teething</h3>
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If you’d like more information about teething, or if you’ve tried everything and it still doesn’t seem to be enough, we’d be happy to help! Schedule an appointment with us so that we can check that those teeth are coming in on schedule and give you advice on managing your child’s teething discomfort.</div>
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We’re here to help your children start their oral health journey right!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-36630853704791110362019-03-07T15:34:00.000-05:002019-06-10T15:20:54.722-04:00What You Need To Know About Crossbites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Typically, when a parent brings a Young child to the dentist, the last discussion they're expecting to have is one centered on braces and orthodontic appliances. Yet, even at ages three and four, a talk about braces, sagittal expander's, and retainers can indeed be front and center when a child is diagnosed with a crossbite. The question then is what to do about it, how soon should intervention take place, and what the complications are that can arise if nothing <span style="background-color: yellow;">is</span> done at all. Lets get some answers.<br />
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<br />What Exactly Is a Crossbite?</h2>
Imagine for a moment you're sitting in front of a nice soup bowl with a wide flat brim, and inside that bowl is hearty chowder you'd like to keep warm until you're ready to devour it. So, you grab another bowl designed exactly like the first, and hover it upside-down over the bowl containing the soup. As you slowly lower it, you try to line up the brims so when they rest together they form a nice even seal. Unfortunately, given the soup is hot, you don't quite get the brims to line up perfectly, and the edge of the top bowl ends up resting <span style="background-color: yellow;">it</span> slightly to the left of the lip on the bottom bowl. The way these tow bowls now rest unevenly atop one another is exactly what you would see in a person with a crossbite. A crossbite can affect several teeth, or a single tooth, and can occur on either one side of the mouth or both. Simply put, if any one tooth (or several teeth) lies nearer the tongue or cheek instead of coming together evenly, you're likely dealing with a crossbite.<br />
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<br />So, What To Do About It And When?</h2>
The dental community is split on when to initiate treatment for a crossbite, with some suggest-ing treatment should begin as soon as it is noticed (sometimes as early as age three), while others suggest parents should wait until a child’s sixth year molars have arrived. Despite the difference of opinion as to when treatment should begin, dentists and orthodontist are in agreement that the condition cannot be left untreated. Doing so presents a host of complica-tions for the child later in life including gum and tooth wear, uneven jaw development that can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and facial asymmetry – something no parent or child wants.<br />
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<br />What Does Crossbite Treatment Look Like?</h2>
Crossbite treatment generally involves adjusting the spread of a child’s teeth with dental appliances so the bite pattern matches evenly on all sides. Depending on the type of crossbite a child has, this can be done with dental expanders that resemble orthodontic retainers, and include a screw that is tightened nightly to “spread” a child’s bite to the prescribed width. Additionally, dental facemasks, braces and clear aligners may be used – particularly when a single tooth is out of alignment.<br />
Crossbites are generally regarded as genetic in nature, and they’re not overly common. It is, however, a condition that needs to be treated before permanent damage to a child’s facial and oral development occurs. So, if you find yourself at the other end of a discussion about having your little one wear a dental expander, be sure you listen and get however many opinions regarding that advice as you require. Your child, and your wallet, will thank you long into the future.Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-2263285259469157502019-02-21T15:21:00.000-05:002019-02-21T15:21:13.524-05:00The Why, When, How and Where of Tongue Scraping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Imagine it’s still winter … you’re standing at the door, ready to brave the cold. You’re layered-up with three shirts and a sweatshirt, your heavy winter coat, and two layers of socks underneath your waterproof winter boots. Then you’ve got those awesome jeans with the flannel on the inside, your comfy hat, scarf, and gloves. You’re set! But wait. As you step toward the door, you suddenly realize you have an itch … and it’s deep down … buried beneath all those layers. And, try as you may, every attempt to reach that bugger-of-an-itch fails. Defeated, you realize the only relief you’re ever gonna’ get is to remove each one of those layers. Where are we going with this?!<br />
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The Tongue</h2>
We’re going inside your mouth, of course, to your tongue – this is a dental article, after all! Because whether you know it or not, like you in the wintertime, your tongue is also “all covered up” – buried beneath layers of bacteria, fungi, and food residue that can inhibit your ability to taste, let alone cause your tongue to appear various shades of yellow, white, or green! Remove the bacteria, though, and your food will once again directly interact with those taste buds, and return to its natural hue. So how does one do that? With a tongue scraper, of course!<br />
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WHAT is a tongue scraper?</h2>
A tongue scraper is a U-shaped device designed to “scrape” the top layer of scum from your tongue. They have been in use since ancient times, and have been made of everything from wood to whalebone. Nowadays, they are made of more hygienic material, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and colors.<br />
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WHY use a tongue scraper?</h2>
The residue on your tongue includes things like the cavity-inducing Streptococcus mutans bacterium, fungi, rotting food (that’s not good), and what’s referred to as “volatile sulfur compounds.” In other words, sulfur – that “rotting egg smell.” Talk about ew! So, as you can see, there are several reasons why you’d want to get rid of this gunk in your mouth. Let’s tackle them one by one:<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reduce bad breath: ‘nuff said!<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reduce your risk of periodontal disease and cavities: Bad bacteria contribute to plaque and tartar on teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities. Bacteria build-up can also lead to inflammation of gum tissue (gingivitis). If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which means a more expensive dental visit (plus other unwanted consequences!). Speaking of avoiding an expensive dental visit, when was the last time you came in to see us?Come see us now if it’s been awhile, by calling in at [Enter your practice phone number here].<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make room for good bacteria: see our article here on probiotics for your mouth.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Prevent heart disease? While the debate is still up in the air, some studies suggest there could be a correlation between gum disease and heart disease.<br />
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HOW does one use a tongue scraper?</h2>
In general, make sure to rinse your tongue scraper before and after use. Apply the tongue scraper to the back of your tongue and drag it forward. Then, rinse and repeat. Make sure to get the sides of your tongue as well, not just the center!<br />
Make sure not to press too hard or you can cause yourself to bleed. And, if you’re wondering if you should scrape your tongue while recovering from a dental procedure, that’s a good question … ask your dentist for the best advice particular to your situation. Still not sure how this thing really works?<br />
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WHERE do I buy one?</h2>
Your first choice is, believe it or not, your dentist.<br />
They may even have a sample they could provide to you at no cost.<br />
Tongue scrapers are relatively inexpensive, and can also be found at any local drugstore. It doesn’t matter the material, color, or brand – just find the one you like and get scraping!Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-12958408305491329912019-02-07T15:07:00.000-05:002019-02-07T15:07:13.912-05:00Kissing and Cavities<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><b><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">WE HOPE ALL OF</span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;"> our patients are excited for Valentine’s Day! We also hope the topic we’re about to discuss won’t spoil the romantic mood, but we need to talk about what kissing does to oral bacteria.</span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHVLdMN9MMlwOLM9FxIFez97HirVSPc21-RVyXpTbzgwnMp_rUz8Kh5pqWiK5MtLjE5eLoCKbhoOteDkDpRIUZSaRWJwUsFBIrOQTiyE_kKufwI4pk0xFw9WLfCD3mlYJ-hIHyKm6WMQO/s1600/42633837_835033948651_8163291829513486336_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHVLdMN9MMlwOLM9FxIFez97HirVSPc21-RVyXpTbzgwnMp_rUz8Kh5pqWiK5MtLjE5eLoCKbhoOteDkDpRIUZSaRWJwUsFBIrOQTiyE_kKufwI4pk0xFw9WLfCD3mlYJ-hIHyKm6WMQO/s320/42633837_835033948651_8163291829513486336_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">The Bacteria in Our Mouths<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">Our mouths are home to many species of microscopic organisms. Most of them are harmless, and some are even beneficial, but <b>some cause tooth decay and gum disease.</b> The worst offenders are streptococcus mutans and porphyromonas gingivalis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">Streptococcus mutans eats the leftover sugars and starches that stick to our teeth after we eat, and then it excretes enamel-eroding acid. Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly linked to advanced gum disease or periodontitis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">Managing Our Oral Bacteria<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">As bacteria reproduce very quickly, a good oral hygiene routine is essential for keeping the harmful bacteria populations under control. In a healthy, clean mouth, there might be anywhere from </span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">a thousand to a hundred thousand bacteria on each tooth surface, but <b>a mouth that doesn’t get cleaned often can have as many as a hundred million to a billion bacteria per tooth.</b> So, don’t skip your twice-daily brushing and daily flossing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">So, What Does This Have To Do With Kissing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">On average, an individual will have between 34 and 72 different types of oral bacteria. Once we get a strain of bacteria in our mouths, it probably isn’t going away. The trouble is that each person has different bacteria, so kissing or even sharing drinks with someone could introduce new strains of bacteria to our mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">This is more dangerous for children than adults.</span></b><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Young children don’t have as many types of oral bacteria as adults yet, and their immune systems aren’t used to dealing with them. Too many kisses from Mom and Dad can leave them more vulnerable to developing cavities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">The best way to avoid sharing your oral bacteria with your child is to keep those kisses to the cheek, don’t share your spoon or fork with them, and make sure they always have their own drink instead of giving them sips from yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjOry6t4v4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">Catch Feelings, Not Cavities</span></strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">As long as you’re taking good care of your oral health and hygiene, you don’t need to worry as much about spreading dangerous, cavity-causing germs with your kisses, but even then, avoid doing things that could spread oral bacteria to small children. If you follow these tips and keep up with your regular dental appointments, you’ll be free to enjoy the feelings of Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We love all our patients!</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
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<i><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-71772687023769219862019-01-30T14:47:00.000-05:002019-01-30T14:47:01.300-05:00Kids, Teens, And Gum Disease<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGu8EGK7ogeZjO1Gf4gnIsAXgXncRPEfwXS_ttaQPmdx7nm8MJVY6Vz7WKsoMYW3oJRZpuq10KBJaYUTmjXZGfdXLUELVGmtNIohjRP33TN6w20eY98MsZPSLiDOnQqv_WObnubZHptuW/s1600/2447cdf4-51f2-40b9-8b0a-b3a2422dffb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGu8EGK7ogeZjO1Gf4gnIsAXgXncRPEfwXS_ttaQPmdx7nm8MJVY6Vz7WKsoMYW3oJRZpuq10KBJaYUTmjXZGfdXLUELVGmtNIohjRP33TN6w20eY98MsZPSLiDOnQqv_WObnubZHptuW/s400/2447cdf4-51f2-40b9-8b0a-b3a2422dffb1.jpg" width="400" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">YOU MIGHT THINK</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> that gum disease is a dental health problem that only adults have to deal with. Unfortunately, teenagers and children are also at risk of developing gingivitis and more severe forms of periodontal disease.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Causes Of Gum Disease</strong></h3>
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The causes of gum disease are <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/gum-disease.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">different</a> for teenagers than for younger children. The flood of hormones from puberty can increase blood flow to the gums, making them more sensitive. This is more of a problem for girls than for boys, but <strong>more than half of teens have some form of gum disease.</strong></div>
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For younger children, the<strong> main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene.</strong> When plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth and harden into tartar, the gums become vulnerable to irritation and inflammation.</div>
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<strong>Signs Parents Can Watch For</strong></h3>
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Children don’t always recognize when something is wrong, so they may not come to you with a detailed description of their gum disease symptoms. However, because gum disease worsens over time, we shouldn’t wait for them to notice a problem anyway. Here are <a href="https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-and-children" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">a few signs</a> of gum disease that you can be on the watch for:</div>
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<li><strong>constant bad breath</strong> that does not improve with brushing and flossing</li>
<li><strong>swollen and unusually red gums</strong></li>
<li><strong>bleeding gums</strong> during brushing or flossing</li>
<li><strong>gum recession</strong></li>
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<strong>Gum Disease Prevention And Treatment</strong></h3>
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If your child doesn’t have gum disease, wonderful! However, there are still important steps you can take to keep their gums healthy. The most essential is to <strong>encourage good dental hygiene habits</strong>. Set an example by brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and make sure they’re following that example. Regular dental checkups are also critical for detecting problems early and giving your child professional cleanings to keep their dental health on track.</div>
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It is always better to <a href="https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/gum-disease-treatment-for-kids-0414" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">prevent a dental health problem</a> before it can develop, but if your child does have gum disease, you can still fight back by persevering with those good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqsOcfTJacA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqsOcfTJacA</a></div>
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<strong>Together, We Can Keep Those Gums Healthy!</strong></h3>
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Childhood is an important time for oral health, because it’s when we learn the habits that will determine how healthy our teeth and gums will be for the rest of our lives. When parents and dentists work together to give kids a headstart on their oral health, they won’t just help them defeat gum disease; they’ll give them all the tools they need to enjoy lifelong healthy smiles!</div>
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We look forward to seeing your child again soon!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-62430223062772444352019-01-23T14:41:00.000-05:002019-01-23T14:41:43.689-05:00Train Your Child To Be A Flossing Ninja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">BEING A GOOD NINJA</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px;"> isn’t just about mastering the nunchaku and learning to move about completely undetected; it’s also about keeping one’s teeth and gums healthy and strong. One of our greatest weapons against gum disease and tooth decay is a good flossing habit.</span><br />
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<strong>The Importance Of Flossing To The Path Of The Ninja</strong></h3>
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You might wonder why it’s so important for a young ninja-in-training to floss. If baby teeth are only temporary, then why does it matter to keep them healthy, and does flossing really make a difference? While it is true that baby teeth will soon be replaced by adult teeth, <strong>it is still critical to keep them healthy and strong so that the adult teeth can come in where they should.</strong> A toothbrush isn’t enough to keep them clean, which is where flossing comes in.</div>
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<strong>When To Begin Flossing Training</strong></h3>
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It takes time for all shinobi to develop good dexterity and hand-eye coordination, so we recommend that you start flossing for them around age two and a half. If you make it into a <a href="https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/solutions/floss/when-to-start-flossing" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">daily habit</a>, they will be ready to learn how to floss on their own by about age five. <strong>The most important thing is consistency.</strong> They will be much more likely to maintain a good flossing habit on their own if they are already used to it being a part of their day.</div>
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<strong>The Way Of The Flossing Master</strong></h3>
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Here are a few tips to help parents pass on the noble technique of flossing to children who are ready to learn, because what is second-nature to an adult may not be so easy for a child:</div>
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<li><strong>Explain the importance of flossing.</strong> If they understand why it matters, they will be more motivated to do it.</li>
<li><strong>Emphasize that flossing is a Big Kid skill.</strong> Like learning to tie their shoes and ride a bike without training wheels, they’ll be eager to prove how grown up they are by flossing their own teeth.</li>
<li><strong>Use flossers or floss picks</strong> if traditional floss is too tricky.</li>
<li>If you’re sticking with traditional floss, <strong>show them how to pull out the right amount</strong> (a foot and a half) and loosely wrap it around their middle fingers, leaving just an inch or two to slide between the teeth.</li>
<li>Show them how to effectively clean by <strong>using a back-and-forth motion</strong>without snapping their gums. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape to make it more gentle.</li>
<li>Teach them how to move down the strand so they <strong>use clean floss on each tooth</strong>. We want to get rid of the plaque, not move it around!</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ozFU7-sTA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ozFU7-sTA</a><br />
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<strong>Seek Wisdom From Your Dentist</strong></h3>
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Teaching your child good dental hygiene habits is as much about giving them the right perspective as it is about the proper technique. Ideally, they’ll see tasks like brushing and flossing as quick and easy ways to keep their teeth feeling great, rather than unpleasant chores. If you need help or advice on how to convince your young ninja that dental hygiene matters, we are always happy to provide a demonstration at our practice!</div>
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Keep up the great work training a new generation of flossing ninjas!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-2303706277697517142019-01-16T14:45:00.000-05:002019-01-23T14:45:30.700-05:00When Your Child Has A Toothache…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTG8QAZZeOvzrsn8_XwWe8mtE_MrU4cg9E90ALmuBQptHIqxCBeR9ZL1Xiqln27dtmegBwivJOBRkknJuyVWAGVLA0UTkVCMnp2Bbrif2sh5WGjuX9Mg8Z3_CoV-Mgtp7iJVJRRsBRFQw/s1600/674586e0-fc25-4580-b96d-5d6ff5e95454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTG8QAZZeOvzrsn8_XwWe8mtE_MrU4cg9E90ALmuBQptHIqxCBeR9ZL1Xiqln27dtmegBwivJOBRkknJuyVWAGVLA0UTkVCMnp2Bbrif2sh5WGjuX9Mg8Z3_CoV-Mgtp7iJVJRRsBRFQw/s400/674586e0-fc25-4580-b96d-5d6ff5e95454.jpg" width="400" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">A TOOTHACHE IS</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> never fun to deal with for anyone, and they can happen for a variety of reasons. Do you know what to do if your child has one, especially if it happens over the holidays or at the beginning of the weekend and you can’t get quick access to professional dental care?</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Toothache Causes</strong></h3>
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The <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-does-my-tooth-hurt-1059322" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">most common reason</a> a tooth might initially feel painful is tooth decay, but it isn’t the only reason. Tooth pain can also be <strong>the result of pulp inflammation, an dental abscess, a cracked tooth, or even gum disease</strong>. Impacted teeth (teeth that are blocked from coming in where they should by bone, gum tissue, or other teeth) can also be painful.</div>
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Tooth sensitivity can lead to discomfort as well, and sometimes the cause of a toothache is merely a sinus infection or congestion. For children, it could be as simple as teething discomfort or a sore loose tooth, in which case it’s usually just a normal part of development.</div>
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<strong>Reducing Dental Pain Before The Appointment</strong></h3>
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The best thing to do when your child has a toothache is to <strong>come see us right away</strong>. If for some reason that isn’t possible, there are a few things you can do to manage your child’s dental pain in the meantime.</div>
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<li>Have them <strong>rinse and spit with warm saltwater</strong> to reduce inflammation</li>
<li><strong>Apply a cold compress</strong> to their cheek near the sore area</li>
<li>Give them <strong>anti-inflammatory medication</strong></li>
<li>Use an <strong>over-the-counter topical medication</strong> meant for children</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-MjUan_gZU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-MjUan_gZU</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Preventing Future Toothaches</strong></h3>
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If your child has had or currently has a toothache, you probably want it to be their last. Obviously some of the causes can’t be prevented, such as sinus infections, teething, sore loose teeth, and a tooth being damaged in an accident, but <strong>there’s a lot you can do to protect their teeth from the aches and pains that come from poor dental health.</strong></div>
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Teaching them to brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, encouraging them to floss daily, and scheduling regular dental appointments for them will keep their teeth healthy. You can also help their teeth out by cutting down on sugary foods and drinks they consume.</div>
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<strong>Bring That Tooth Pain To Us As Soon As You Can</strong></h3>
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Pain is the body’s alert system to let us know when there’s a problem, and it’s important not to ignore it. No matter what you think might be causing your child’s toothache, schedule an appointment with us to get it taken care of before the underlying problem has a chance to get worse. We’ll be able to take a look and get their tooth the treatment it needs!</div>
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Let’s fight that toothache together!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-72421736966826885392019-01-09T14:38:00.000-05:002019-01-23T14:42:02.832-05:00Sleep Apnea And Your Child’s Dental Health<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu8BaS1C0pOtIlEO3CykkO2ddeNu5QCIi2nmPo4xp27xNDTXr96xSLJ-Kljgbu0J-S-1Z61munRbGvROnz_zsjVrBjI4cznAsfwnK7ltdWTPGT02OY26y4LDZfa5lKvXrSUQGAPg7GSPh/s1600/AdobeStock_194453865.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu8BaS1C0pOtIlEO3CykkO2ddeNu5QCIi2nmPo4xp27xNDTXr96xSLJ-Kljgbu0J-S-1Z61munRbGvROnz_zsjVrBjI4cznAsfwnK7ltdWTPGT02OY26y4LDZfa5lKvXrSUQGAPg7GSPh/s400/AdobeStock_194453865.jpeg" width="400" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">UP TO 20 PERCENT</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px;"> of habitually snoring children have </span><a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">sleep apnea</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px;">. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that results in brief but repeated interruptions to normal breathing during sleep. Not only is this a potentially life-threatening disorder, but it also has a significant impact on oral health.</span><br />
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<strong>The Three Types Of Sleep Apnea</strong></h3>
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Sleep apnea can occur in three different ways. <strong>Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)</strong> is the result of a blockage in the airway, typically the tongue collapsing against the soft palate, which in turn collapses against the back of the throat, closing off the airway. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. <strong>Central sleep apnea</strong> happens when the brain fails to signal the muscles of the respiratory system to keep breathing. <strong>Complex sleep apnea</strong> is a combination of the first two types.</div>
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Each time breath is interrupted, the brain causes the person with sleep apnea to wake up. It happens so quickly that they usually don’t remember it, but <strong>the interruptions severely impact the overall quality of sleep</strong>, as they can happen as often as hundreds of times in a single night.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT54Bqt2QP4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT54Bqt2QP4</a></div>
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<strong>What Does Sleep Apnea Have To Do With Teeth?</strong></h3>
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In addition to leaving your child with all the <a href="https://www.toothwisdom.org/a-z/article/sleep-apnea-and-dentistry-why-we-care/" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">usual symptoms</a> of sleep deprivation, such as exhaustion, difficulty concentrating at school, irritability, and hyperactivity, sleep apnea has a number of effects on oral health. There is a significant association between OSA and moderate to severe periodontitis (gum disease), but <strong>the most common dental health complications are temporomandibular joint disorders</strong>(TMJ or TMD).</div>
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Studies have shown that the jaw reflexively clenches to prevent the airway from becoming blocked when the throat relaxes during a sleep apnea episode. <strong>TMD leads to other problems like worn, cracked, or broken teeth, pain when chewing</strong>, chronic headaches, and neck and shoulder pain.</div>
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<strong>How The Dentist Can Help</strong></h3>
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The <a href="https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sleep-apnea-and-snoring" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">dental effects</a> of sleep apnea are so common that the dentist might be the first one to spot the signs and diagnose the disorder. <strong>This is just one way your child’s regular dental appointments will benefit their overall health.</strong> If they are diagnosed with sleep apnea, common treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and nighttime dental devices that push the tongue or the lower jaw forward.</div>
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<strong>Healthier Sleep For Healthier Smiles</strong></h3>
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If your child has been experiencing any of the symptoms described above, there’s no reason for them to continue living with interrupted sleep and the health and cognitive problems that come with sleep apnea. Give us a call or drop by our practice today to schedule an appointment so that we can see if sleep apnea is the cause and get your child on the path to more restful sleep and better oral health.</div>
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Wishing all our patients a good night’s sleep!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-91346619436807160372018-12-03T09:20:00.001-05:002018-12-03T09:20:40.928-05:00Interceptive Orthodontics: The Basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">WHEN WE PICTURE SOMEONE</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> with braces, we usually picture a teenager with a mouthful of colorful brackets. What we don’t typically picture is orthodontic appliances on younger children. However, interceptive orthodontics can reduce the need for tooth extraction and jaw surgery, correct certain problems as they appear, encourage better facial development, shorten the length of orthodontic treatment needed later on, and leave patients with a better overall result in the end.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Interceptive Orthodontics Heads Off Problems Early</strong></h3>
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Conventional wisdom argues that orthodontic treatment shouldn’t start until all the adult teeth have grown in, but <a href="https://www.dentalassociates.com/our-services/braces-orthodontics/early-treatment-phase-1" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">some issues</a> with bite, alignment, and facial development can show up long before those teeth do. That’s where interceptive or “Phase 1” orthodontics comes in. An orthodontist can help your child’s jaw bones grow properly to have more room for the adult teeth and provide the structure for a healthier bite. Correcting problems like malocclusions (bad bites) as they appear <strong>makes future orthodontic treatment much faster and easier</strong> — and, in some cases, unnecessary!</div>
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<strong>Causes Of Malocclusions In Children</strong></h3>
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Interceptive orthodontics seeks to correct problems with jaw growth and damage from <a href="https://www.healthworkscollective.com/what-interceptive-orthodontics/" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">harmful habits</a> such as <strong>thumb sucking, nail biting, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing</strong>. Each of these habits contributes to bite problems such as a narrow upper arch, an underdeveloped lower jaw, a deep bite, and an open bite, as well as dental crowding, which in turn can make it difficult to chew and swallow effectively and speak clearly. The purpose of Phase 1 treatment is to stop those habits if they persist or repair the damage so that the adult teeth can grow in where they should.</div>
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<strong>Don’t see how something like mouth breathing can cause dental problems? Watch this video:<br /></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-U5O7HCt0A">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-U5O7HCt0A</a></div>
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<strong>Common Phase 1 Treatments</strong></h3>
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One of the most noticeable differences between Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontics is that Phase 1 is less focused on actual braces. Those typically come later, if they are still needed. Some of the treatments commonly used in Phase 1 include:</div>
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<li><strong>Upper jaw expansion</strong> to eliminate a crossbite</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of one or both jaws</strong> to create more room for adult teeth</li>
<li><strong>Early extraction of specific baby teeth</strong> to help adult teeth come in properly</li>
<li><strong>Keeping space open for permanent teeth</strong> after premature loss of a baby tooth</li>
<li><strong>Reduction of upper front teeth protrusion</strong> to protect from trauma</li>
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<strong>Is Your Child A Candidate For Interceptive Orthodontics?</strong></h3>
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Phase 1 orthodontics works better for correcting some problems than others. The best way you can find out if it can help your child get the healthy, properly aligned smile they deserve is to bring them in for an orthodontic consultation around age 7 — especially if you’ve noticed any obvious bite problems or if they have one or more of those harmful oral health habits. In the meantime, keep encouraging them to do their brushing and flossing!</div>
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Our top priority is helping patients achieve healthy smiles for life!</h4>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-9689824162834281452018-11-13T11:38:00.001-05:002018-11-13T11:38:24.093-05:00Getting Your Child Ready For The Dentist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpEzU_lEedpEfGNzmwifwwciLmhyNEaiAXyNNWRCyFra3DBtsbaQ6ojRup9hB8BlzvwueYmO-Zqv4pWvabv33eF-zFlqZZj-JnDDbVirN1K6Y07SoYRXpOI00P580TLQGIvOBS5qeDei9/s1600/d7246c5f-1300-4a06-a339-fa687b891ff5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpEzU_lEedpEfGNzmwifwwciLmhyNEaiAXyNNWRCyFra3DBtsbaQ6ojRup9hB8BlzvwueYmO-Zqv4pWvabv33eF-zFlqZZj-JnDDbVirN1K6Y07SoYRXpOI00P580TLQGIvOBS5qeDei9/s320/d7246c5f-1300-4a06-a339-fa687b891ff5.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">AS PARENTS, THERE IS</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> nothing better in the world than our children’s smiles. However, while it is easy for adults to understand the role the dentist plays in keeping those smiles healthy, a little boy or girl doesn't always know why it’s important to go to a strange place where an unfamiliar grown-up is going to poke around in their mouth. That’s why it’s important to prepare your child for their first visit ahead of time!</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Dental Anxiety Is Common For Children And Adults</strong></h3>
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There are <strong>several reasons your child might be nervous about going to the dentist</strong> for the first time. New things are often scary. Sometimes their peers at school might tell them alarming stories, and sometimes family members are guilty of deliberately scaring them. Children are also very observant, so if you are afraid of the dentist, they can probably tell and they’ll think they should be afraid too.</div>
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<strong>Helping Your Child Look Forward To The Dentist</strong></h3>
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No matter what is causing your child’s dental anxiety, there are plenty of ways you can help!</div>
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<li><strong>Start early.</strong> Ideally, the first dental visit should happen around when the first tooth erupts. If you make dental visits routine early on, your child will be able to build a <a href="https://www.parents.com/health/dental/kids-overcome-fear-dentists/?slideId=slide_fccd0ca1-52e0-4a85-80e1-aa319fe68d6e#slide_fccd0ca1-52e0-4a85-80e1-aa319fe68d6e" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">trusting relationship</a> with the dentist and grow up with a good perspective on dental care that can last a lifetime.</li>
<li><strong>Play pretend!</strong> For younger children, the best way to explain something complicated or new can often be role play. You can play the part of the dentist and give them an idea of what to expect and why it can be fun rather than scary.</li>
<li><strong>Explain.</strong> Your child will be much happier if they know what’s going to happen ahead of time. If your child is old enough, explain a little about what their visit will be like.</li>
<li><strong>Meet the dentist.</strong> One of the main sources of stress for your child is that the dentist is someone unfamiliar, and you can fix that by doing a meet-and-greet ahead of time.</li>
<li><strong>Choose a pediatric dentist.</strong> Pediatric dentists have extra training beyond general dentists that gives them expertise on working with children. Their offices are also more kid-friendly, with fun waiting room activities and accommodations to make the visit as comfortable and relaxing as possible.</li>
<li><strong>Be there for them.</strong> All the information won’t make up for the comforting presence of an adult your child knows and loves, so be there for them as much as they need you during their first few visits.</li>
<li><strong>Teach them about dental hygiene.</strong> Understanding the value of good oral hygiene and being proud of their healthy smiles will help your child understand why going to the dentist is important.</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuLxz5IrZ6Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuLxz5IrZ6Y</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Our Team Can Help!</strong></h3>
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If you need help preparing your child for the dentist, we’ve got your back. We want to ensure they have a happy, healthy smile for life, and we can work with you and your child to ensure their experience at the dentist is a good one. If you have any questions about what you can do to prepare for your child’s first visit, just let us know and we will be delighted to help!</div>
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We can’t wait to meet you and your child!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-60899447027166754692018-10-12T23:15:00.001-04:002018-10-12T23:15:14.113-04:00Making Halloween Healthy For Your Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">HALLOWEEN IS ONE OF</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> the most highly anticipated holidays of the year, and it’s almost here! This holiday sees kids, teens, and even adults consuming far more sugar than they would any other time, coming in second only to Easter. The problem with this is that sugar is the favorite food of the harmful bacteria living in our mouths, which means eating all these treats is very bad for our oral health.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Halloween Treats Versus Our Teeth</strong></h3>
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Any time we consume sugar, that bacteria in our mouths gets a big tasty meal, after which it excretes acid onto our teeth. If you’ve ever noticed an unpleasant sour taste or gritty feeling a little while after eating dessert, that’s why. The acid can do a lot of damage to our tooth enamel because <strong>even though enamel is the hardest substance in our entire bodies, it is very vulnerable to acid erosion</strong>.</div>
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<strong>Fight Back Against The Sugar Attack</strong></h3>
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We can, of course, do things to minimize the harmful effects of sugar on our teeth. If we eat small amounts of candy throughout the day, then we aren’t giving our saliva time to neutralize the acids and wash away the sugar, so <strong>it’s actually better for our teeth to eat all the candy we want in one go</strong>.</div>
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Drinking water can help get rid of leftover sugars after eating a treat, and there are also other foods that work as natural cleaners and oral health boosters. <strong>Apples, bananas, vegetables, and even dark chocolate</strong> help scrub teeth clean and also supply important vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and D!</div>
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Another essential component of the battle against enamel erosion is <strong>a good brushing and flossing habit</strong>. Just make sure to wait half an hour after eating candy to brush, so that your saliva has time to neutralize all that acid first.</div>
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<strong>5 Delicious, Healthy, And Spooky Alternatives</strong></h3>
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Just because there are ways to minimize the effects of sugar on your teeth doesn’t mean it isn’t still better to choose healthier options for your spooky treats, to begin with. Here are a few of our favorite options:</div>
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<li><strong><a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-halloween-treats-for-kids.aspx#02" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Colby Jack-o’-Lanterns</a>.</strong> The cut-out jack-o’-lantern face in the bread and the yummy, calcium-rich cheese in the middle make this one a great, healthy snack!</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.heb.com/recipe/recipe-item/monster-apple-bites/1398283378923" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Monster Apple Bites</a>.</strong> Apples are full of fiber and water that help clean our teeth as we eat them, so why not make your apple slices look spooky for Halloween?</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.livescience.com/40786-kids-healthy-halloween-tips.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Boo-nana</a>.</strong> This one is easy. All you need are a few chocolate chips (preferably dark chocolate) and a banana. Bananas are good for the teeth because they are loaded with potassium and magnesium, which help keep teeth and gums strong.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/13-healthy-halloween-treats" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Spooky Spider Eggs</a>.</strong> Eggs are great sources of vitamin D and our teeth need it to absorb calcium in order to stay strong.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.listotic.com/64-non-candy-halloween-snack-ideas/11/" rel="noopener" style="color: #458fc0; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Clementine Pumpkins</a>.</strong> Simply peel the fruit and add a stem! Clementines have a lot of vitamin C, which promotes good gum health.</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poiZBaAlvvU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poiZBaAlvvU</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>We Can Help You Protect Your Teeth!</strong></h3>
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We hope every member of our practice family has a great Halloween filled with sweets and scares, but oral health should always be a priority. After you finish eating all your healthy treats and brushing and flossing your teeth, another great way to protect your teeth is to bring them in for their six-month checkup! We look forward to seeing you!</div>
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Wishing all our patients a happy Halloween!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-65409130431067732832018-09-24T23:43:00.002-04:002018-09-24T23:43:19.756-04:00How Dental Sealants Can Protect Your Child’s Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">DID YOU KNOW</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">, on average, a child smiles around 400 times per day? That’s up to </span><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">ten times more than the average adult</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">! No matter how many times your little one smiles, we want to help them make sure theirs remains healthy throughout their childhood.</span><br />
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One way to protect your child’s pearly whites is by applying <strong>dental sealants</strong>.</div>
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<strong>Dental Sealants Protect Teeth From Tooth Decay</strong></h3>
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A dental sealant—also known as a pit and fissure sealant—is a protective barrier placed on the chewing surfaces of teeth in order to seal out food and bacteria which result in cavities. These sealants are often made of a plastic-like material and applied in a thin layer to fill hard-to-clean recesses in teeth known as <strong>fissures</strong> in the premolars and molars, and cingulum<strong> pits</strong> found in canines and incisors.</div>
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<strong>Application Of Dental Sealants Is Quick And Easy!</strong></h3>
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The application of sealants is a quick and comfortable process, and usually only takes one visit!</div>
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<li>First, the surface of your child’s teeth are polished and cleaned of any plaque or food debris.</li>
<li>Next, each tooth receiving sealants will be isolated and dried.</li>
<li>The teeth are then etched to allow the sealant to adhere more securely and then rinsed and dried to prepare for the sealant application.</li>
<li>The sealant is then applied to each tooth and cured by a special light to bond the sealant to the teeth.</li>
<li>Finally, the new sealants will be evaluated and once hardened, will be safe to chew on!</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy_gl0vwKT8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy_gl0vwKT8</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>When Should Your Child Get Sealants?</strong></h3>
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Children should get dental sealants <strong>as soon as possible after their permanent teeth erupt</strong>. This happens at a different time in each child’s life, but most children have all of their permanent teeth around the age of 6.</div>
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Children often develop dental caries (cavities) in the pits and fissures of these new permanent teeth because they can be very difficult to clean,<strong> even if they are brushing and flossing properly</strong>. If sealants are applied soon after permanent teeth erupt, food and bacteria don’t have the chance to settle in these crevices and your child can reduce their chance of cavities by <strong>80 percent</strong>. Studies show that sealants can remain effective for many years if properly cared for.</div>
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<strong>We Can Help Protect Your Child’s Smile</strong></h3>
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Each and every smile is precious, and we are committed to ensuring your child remains happy and healthy as they continue to grow. If you have any questions about dental sealants, let us know in the comments below or call and make an appointment today! We’d love to answer any questions you might have about your family’s oral health care needs.</div>
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Thank you for continuing to be part of our practice family!</h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><i>The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</i></span></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-62515362097054911862018-08-31T17:30:00.000-04:002018-08-31T17:30:28.129-04:00Why Are Dental Sealants Important?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFq3dgMloihqXIH3rUCyT-WEkxLr6fNRT3Rl3-LMHbLp9oMgbyvSsAclkbhhymjHhRmqpIA3NU_2q-ZRNsG-I7Lc_td_Dh4trAtqjs6AIaqI9KoIK4tTgqLIO9HtAvlaDmJazVSMX9M6k/s1600/f231240a-d538-4d3e-b45b-84ddefe2ec86.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFq3dgMloihqXIH3rUCyT-WEkxLr6fNRT3Rl3-LMHbLp9oMgbyvSsAclkbhhymjHhRmqpIA3NU_2q-ZRNsG-I7Lc_td_Dh4trAtqjs6AIaqI9KoIK4tTgqLIO9HtAvlaDmJazVSMX9M6k/s320/f231240a-d538-4d3e-b45b-84ddefe2ec86.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">DO YOU SPEND A LOT</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> of time worrying about how to keep your child’s teeth cavity-free? Teaching them to brush and floss are critical steps towards ensuring that they can take good care of their teeth for life. Once those permanent teeth come in, there’s something we can do at the dental practice that will give them even more protection against tooth decay, and that something is applying </span><strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">dental sealants</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Bacteria Versus Your Child’s Teeth</strong></h3>
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The reason it’s so critical to teach our children good oral health habits at an early age is that 40 percent of children develop cavities by the time they start school because of poor oral hygiene and consuming sugary snacks and drinks. Every human mouth contains numerous species of bacteria that excrete acid onto our teeth when consuming sugar, and this acid wears away at our enamel and leads to tooth decay.</div>
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<strong>Brushing, flossing, and limiting our sugar intake</strong> are all important ways we can keep that bacteria in check. But even when we do all of these things, there are crevices in our teeth where bacteria can hide, and these can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush. That’s where sealants come in!</div>
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<strong>What Are Dental Sealants?</strong></h3>
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Dental sealants are a protective clear plastic layer brushed onto the chewing surfaces of teeth to “seal them off” from plaque and bacteria that would cause cavities to form. Dentists started using sealants in the 1960s, and they’ve been popular ever since.</div>
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Typically, sealants are applied to the molars because these teeth are the ones that do the most chewing and have those deep crevices where bacteria can hide. <strong>The sealant will fill in and cover any crevices on the tooth to act as a shield from the bacteria.</strong> What makes them even better is that the sealant application process is quick and painless!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOeKfLMk6WU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOeKfLMk6WU</a></div>
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<strong>When Should Your Child Get Sealants?</strong></h3>
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The best time to bring your child in for dental sealants is around <strong>when their adult molars erupt</strong>, which is usually at age six. The sooner they sealants are in place, the less opportunity the oral bacteria will have to build up in the crevices of the molars. However, sealants are still beneficial when applied later on. Older children and even adults can get them and have their teeth protected too!</div>
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<strong>Schedule Your Child’s Next Appointment Today!</strong></h3>
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Whether your child needs sealants or just a normal twice-yearly dental cleaning, don’t hesitate to schedule their next appointment! And if you have any concerns with the way your child is brushing or with how the food they eat might be affecting their teeth, be sure to let us know so that we can help.</div>
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Our top priority is protecting your child’s smile!</h4>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" valign="top"><em>The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></td></tr>
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-62746193799750620692018-08-15T12:37:00.000-04:002018-08-15T12:37:35.299-04:00Choosing The Right Dentist For You<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></strong>
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<strong style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">MOVING TO A NEW AREA</strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> comes with a long to-do list, and one important item on it is finding the right dentist. There are a few factors to take into account when choosing a dentist in order to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your family.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>Why Decide Now?</strong></h3>
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Dental care should be about preventing problems before they have a chance to get worse, not waiting until they’ve become an emergency. That means it’s important to <strong>find a dentist ahead of time</strong> so that you can start making regular checkup appointments to keep your teeth healthy.</div>
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Another benefit to choosing your dentist ahead of time is that the pressure is off! You don’t have to rush and take a risk with a practice nobody can vouch for. If you start early, you’ll have plenty of time to make sure you have only the best dentist for your needs.</div>
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<strong>Our Top 5 Tips For Choosing A Dentist</strong></h3>
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You might have other items you’d include on your own list, but these are five we feel are particularly important for any patient. Still, it’s up to you to decide which items on the list are a higher priority for you!</div>
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<li><strong>Location.</strong> A crucial thing you should be looking at is if the office is within a reasonable distance from your home. How far are you willing to drive twice a year for your checkups? Answer that question for yourself, then choose from dentists within that range.</li>
<li><strong>Reputation.</strong> Once you’ve decided how far you’re willing to travel for your appointments, research your local dentists to find the ones with great reputations. You can check their Google reviews and Yelp pages for quick information, but you can also ask your friends, coworkers, and neighbors for recommendations.</li>
<li><strong>Cost. </strong>While the quality of the dental care should always be high on the priority list, the cost is an important consideration as well. Determine your household’s dental care budget, research dental insurance options, and remember that good preventative dental care now will always be cheaper than dental repair work down the road!</li>
<li><strong>Specialization.</strong> Are you looking for a family dental practice, or do you need a pediatric dentist for your kids? This will make a difference in your final choice. If you know you need more complicated work than a regular cleaning or filling, you might want to learn about nearby periodontists or endodontists as well.</li>
<li><strong>Comfort.</strong> Even if a dentist meets all four of the other requirements, it may not mean so much to you if you can’t relax while you’re in their office. This is why it’s a good idea to go in beforehand to get a feel for the team and the overall environment of the practice. A good dentist will always look after your comfort!</li>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lf6IaBZ_aM&t=1s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lf6IaBZ_aM&t=1s</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<strong>We Look Forward To Meeting You!</strong></h3>
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If you still aren’t sure how to find the best dentist for you, we can help! Come to visit our practice and we’ll answer any questions you may have. We want to make sure every new member of our community has their dental health needs looked after. In the meantime, keep up your daily brushing and flossing habits!</div>
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Help us help you keep your smile healthy for life!</h4>
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(96, 96, 96); color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</em></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-57532347160013209632018-03-05T20:00:00.001-05:002018-03-05T20:00:32.224-05:00Childhood Tooth Injuries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlopNaymcFxKylwyeRne0fIxSXdVErkfWzmVtPaSqwBKgCF5ulRhn_IpVOfR_D1d8s1ObTA94I-SPH47mtxygQePjsyGe-wEN-VCTEdoz7ymPv1sA8_oTaeymcW2sHfJwTHLYv07NDhEnt/s1600/14137989_731997115291_6227204978211153551_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlopNaymcFxKylwyeRne0fIxSXdVErkfWzmVtPaSqwBKgCF5ulRhn_IpVOfR_D1d8s1ObTA94I-SPH47mtxygQePjsyGe-wEN-VCTEdoz7ymPv1sA8_oTaeymcW2sHfJwTHLYv07NDhEnt/s320/14137989_731997115291_6227204978211153551_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>WHEN WE PICTURE </b>the ideal childhood, we usually think of children playing on playgrounds and exploring nature with their friends. They discover the world around them, imagine fantastical worlds beyond it, play games, and make friendships that could last a lifetime. As wonderful as that image is, it often comes with bruises and scraped knees — and, sometimes, tooth injuries.<br />
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So what can parents do to minimize their children’s risk of tooth injuries while they play? It’s easy enough to remember a mouth guard during actual sporting activities, but sports games and practice aren’t the only situations that can lead to a lost or chipped tooth.<br />
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<b>Home And Play Tooth Safety Tips </b><br />
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Here are a few simple tips for keeping your children’s teeth safe around the house and when playing with friends.<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>With babies and toddlers, the most common culprit for tooth injuries is the bathtub. Never leave a young child unattended in the bathtub, because they could easily slip and hurt their teeth.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When your child is playing with friends and using objects such as frisbees or balls, have a discussion with them about safety. Make sure they know how important it is not to aim for each other’s heads.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Using playground equipment like the monkey bars, jungle gym, and swings can easily lead to tooth injuries. Make sure to talk to your children before they start playing so that they will know to be careful.<br />
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Adult supervision and open conversations about safety are the most crucial components of reducing the risk of injury. By utilizing them, you could help your child avoid the need for major dental work. Just as important in that regard are their daily brushing and flossing habits and their regular dental checkups, because healthy teeth are harder to injure.<br />
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<b>What To Do When Accidents Happen</b><br />
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While it is possible to reduce the risks of your child injuring a tooth, not all accidents are preventable. In the event a tooth does get knocked out or chipped, don’t panic. If the tooth isn’t already loose when it gets knocked out, and especially if it’s an adult tooth, try to put it back in place and come straight to the dentist. This will give it the best chance for reattachment.<br />
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If it isn’t possible to put the tooth back in place, the next best thing is to place it in a glass of milk to keep the root alive. In any case, bring your child to the dentist as quickly as possible. The faster you arrive at the dentist, the better the chances are of saving the tooth. Do not clean the tooth or put it in water! This will kill the root!<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrM6aEuRl0Y<br />
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<b>They Grow Up So Fast</b><br />
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Childhood never seems to last as long as we, the parents, wish it would. Our practice can’t make it last longer, but we hope this advice will help make it a little safer. If you have any questions for us about child tooth safety, feel free to ask or come see us. If not, we look forward to seeing you and your child at their next regular check-up!<br />
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<b>Be careful with those teeth, but don’t forget to have fun!</b><br />
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-67583805252733341082017-11-27T14:55:00.000-05:002017-11-27T14:55:07.845-05:00The Effects Of Thumb Sucking And Pacifiers<div class="Default">
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7UEE3-_FePHqo2Vz5RzIB0Al60Rz6IX7xn3Fxj98OHkxTNpqlZn1AJsNTB5LUp2wIejzIlNjkgo9_0bYq_yqiBLTleyHhcvnkqmm7HPYWgoi0XSkb8HNnQPD-akxmhTTazTZfDbeVUuJ/s1600/d0e88fd0-7c92-42f1-8e30-4c3052d96672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7UEE3-_FePHqo2Vz5RzIB0Al60Rz6IX7xn3Fxj98OHkxTNpqlZn1AJsNTB5LUp2wIejzIlNjkgo9_0bYq_yqiBLTleyHhcvnkqmm7HPYWgoi0XSkb8HNnQPD-akxmhTTazTZfDbeVUuJ/s320/d0e88fd0-7c92-42f1-8e30-4c3052d96672.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span id="goog_1210554762"></span><span id="goog_1210554763"></span></span><b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">BEING A PARENT</span></b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12pt;">, though wonderfully rewarding, can also
be stressful and full of uncertainties, especially when it’s your first child
and everything is new and overwhelming. Our practice might not be able to take
away all of the uncertainties, but we can certainly help you out when it comes
to pacifiers and thumb sucking and their effects on your child’s dental health.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Benefits of
Thumb Sucking And Pacifiers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">According to the
American Dental Association, it’s a </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><a href="http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/article/thumb-sucking-the-good-the-bad-and-the-normal-0514"><span lang="PT" style="color: #458ebf; font-size: 12.0pt;">natural
reflex</span></a></span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> for
babies to suck on things. They find it comforting and soothing, which means
that allowing thumb sucking or giving them a pacifier can help them feel happy
and safe as they grow from infancy to toddlerhood. At this stage, are many
benefits to pacifiers or thumb sucking, for the baby and for the parents:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • It helps your baby sleep (which also
helps you sleep).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • It keeps your baby calmer when separated
from you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • Studies have shown that pacifiers </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><a href="https://www.babycenter.com/0_pacifiers-pros-cons-and-smart-ways-to-use-them_128.bc"><span style="color: #458ebf; font-size: 12.0pt;">reduce the risk of SIDS</span></a></span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">When To Wean<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the main
concerns parents often have about thumb sucking in particular is whether or not
it will cause their adult teeth to grow in crooked. This certainly can be a
problem, but not for toddlers. Most children will stop sucking their thumbs on
their own by age four. If they don’t stop on their own, this is when it becomes
important to encourage them to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">If vigorous thumb
sucking continues around when they start getting their permanent teeth, it can
lead to changes in the palate that affect the permanent bite. Dental alignment
and bite issues are less common with pacifiers because breaking that habit can
be as simple as taking the pacifier away if they’re still using them by age
three.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">For more
information about weaning your child off of their pacifier, watch the video
below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkxxp9hUPQ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thumb Sucking
And Pacifier Don’ts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because these
sources of comfort don’t cause damage until the adult teeth are coming in, it
isn’t necessary to attempt to break your child’s habit before the age of four.
Younger toddlers in particular aren’t old enough to understand why parents want
them to stop sucking their thumb or pacifier, so they’ll only get upset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">When you do want
to wean them off thumb sucking, be careful with topical aids that make the
thumb taste unpleasant, because they can be </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><a href="http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/behavioral/thumb-sucking/"><span style="color: #458ebf; font-size: 12.0pt;">ineffective or even harmful</span></a></span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Weaning
Strategies For Thumb Suckers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ideally, you’ll
be able to wean your child off thumb sucking before they turn five, but if your
child is close to age six and is still an avid thumb sucker, it’s definitely
time to get serious. Here are some safe strategies you can use:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • Praise them for successes rather than
scolding them for continued thumb sucking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • Use a rewards chart so they can see the
goals they’re working towards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • Make sure they have plenty of activities
to do with their hands, like arts and crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;"> • Put socks on their hands while they sleep
so that they don’t have access to their thumbs. You may need to tape the socks
in place so they can’t pull them off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bring Your
Concerns To Us<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="DE" style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">’t
hesitate to talk to us if you’re worried about your child’s pacifier use or
thumb sucking habit. We can answer any other questions you may have and help
you come up with a strategy to safeguard your child’s healthy dental
development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-size: 12.0pt;">Your child’s
oral health is our first priority!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 12.0pt;">The content on
this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers
with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-777903220902625412017-05-13T21:16:00.002-04:002017-05-13T21:16:45.815-04:00Celebrating Our Mothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22cQ0aU725_w0by6RKiK6guUHkn-cSPTb_flCfVjKNEL4xm7kRZuaNvkgjrbITVAtWa__5cO8AO6oSBVB5__w5EEP6sl4-tE_GIIIFLbujOxtxjc81BzpHXGR9U-tLt-7dsnikQMbda9U/s1600/16904966_10155112531839744_6137873950243273166_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22cQ0aU725_w0by6RKiK6guUHkn-cSPTb_flCfVjKNEL4xm7kRZuaNvkgjrbITVAtWa__5cO8AO6oSBVB5__w5EEP6sl4-tE_GIIIFLbujOxtxjc81BzpHXGR9U-tLt-7dsnikQMbda9U/s320/16904966_10155112531839744_6137873950243273166_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE</b> an important figure in all of our lives—our mothers!<br />
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We’re grateful for all of the time, attention, and care our mothers provide for us throughout our upbringing and beyond. The positive impact they have is immeasurable and we want to express what they mean to us this Mother’s Day.<br />
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What I love most about my Mom, is her thoughtfulness and how genuine she is as a person to everyone. She puts thought in to every gift, action or deed she does for another person.<br />
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One of my favorite memories with my mom is our girls trip to NYC during Christmas 2014. It was my first trip ever to NYC but we saw shows, ate at amazing restaurants, saw the city in all its Holiday glory and dec or and shopped in the most amazing places! Definitely checked off some bucket list items with her during that trip!<br />
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Now that I’m a mother of two I’m able to look at what I enjoy most about being a mom. For me, its probably watching my children learn and grow daily. To see all the emotions they go through during new experiences is amazing and makes me truly enjoy the simple things. <br />
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My life changed for the better when I became a mother, because I had to slow my life down in general and enjoy each day with my child. Everything was so fast paced for me prior to having kids and I was just so busy (still busy these days too) but now I have to prioritize each day. I learned also I need to take care of myself and my family and enjoy life a bit more.<br />
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<b>Mothers, We Appreciate You!</b><br />
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Whether your mom lives near or far, show her how grateful you are for her this Mother’s Day. To all you moms out there, <b>THANK YOU!</b><br />
Have any great stories about your awesome mom or an amazing motherly figure in your life? Post it in the comments below or on our Facebook page!<br />
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<b>Happy Mother’s Day! </b><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_850950283"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRoqk_z2Lgg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRoqk_z2Lgg</a><br />
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The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.<br />
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471558966580695745.post-32371573143380603192017-05-09T16:05:00.002-04:002017-05-09T16:06:03.477-04:004 Fun Apps to Improve Your Oral Hygiene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">OUR SMARTPHONES</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> are never farther than an arm’s length away and help us do everything from track our calendars to track our calories. Today, we want to show you the wonders they can do for our daily hygiene routines with the help of these apps!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Dental Expert</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We may only see you twice a year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a “dental expert” by your side every day. The Dental Expert app acts as a patient’s guide to understanding different dental procedures. This app includes a frequently asked questions answered by actual dentists. It also has sections discussing myths vs. facts and things that can improve your smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Brush DJ</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Brushing for two minutes, twice a day is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. It can sometimes be hard to keep track of the time, so why not get some help from your favorite songs with Brush DJ!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Brush DJ is a free app that will play 2 minutes of music from your music library. It also has a visual display guiding you on where to brush and for how long. Brush DJ also lets you set reminders to change your toothbrush, floss and go to regular dental appointments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DqoILstdnLHs&source=gmail&ust=1494446260088000&usg=AFQjCNHO47Z5ErmukwLObr6TvCei-javjg" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoILstdnLHs" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=qoILstdnLHs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Chomper Chums</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Getting your child excited about brushing their teeth can sometimes take a bit of creativity. Luckily, Chomper Chums® has you covered. Chomper Chums is a dental hygiene focused app designed to help parents teach children proper brushing techniques while keeping them engaged and entertained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Children earn rewards within the app for brushing their teeth which they then use to buy food or drinks for their virtual Chomper Chums pet. Don’t worry though, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">this is a free app</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and no actual money is used to buy their virtual pals’ treats! The app encourages children to choose healthy food for their on-screen friends as well, so they learn about healthy eating choices in addition to building better oral hygiene habits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">BracesHelp</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">BracesHelp is an iPhone app for people who have or are considering getting braces. This app has helpful tips, videos and pictures on how to care for braces. It also has information on what to do if you are having troubles with your braces. If used in conjunction with tips you receive during your regular orthodontic appointments, you will have all of the help you need on your smile-makeover journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Have You Used One Of These Apps?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Or, do you know of other great dental apps for your smartphone or tablet? Comment and share below! And if you decide to try out one of the apps above, let us know how you like it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We love giving our patients the resources to not only better educate them about their oral health and hygiene, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">but to make it fun</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">! If you have any questions about these apps or other dental health topics, please feel free to reach out on social media or give us a call!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">We appreciate you, our valued patients and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.</span></div>
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Dr. Ryan R. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090072181974533796noreply@blogger.com0