Give a Smile Challenge

There is a lot of negativity in this world. A lot. Turn on the TV, read the paper, the headlines are about the 4 D's: Death, Destruction, Debt and Doom...which leads me to the 5th D: Depressed! One of my personal goals this year is to be more positive in general. For me, it's always so easy to look at the flaws: the chip in the cup, the missing button, the askew pillow. As a child there's even a game of "What's wrong with this picture?, " which is really setting us up to look at the negative. It is so easy to complain, and groan, and gripe, instead of being massively grateful that we are alive to experience every nuance of life. The awesome highs and the gut wrenching lows, it's all a part of being alive. Something all of us take for granted.

Random Acts of Kindness Week was officially Feb. 13-19 this year, but wouldn't the world be a better place if we practiced unexpected kindness everyday? Spread the love..., it doesn't have to be big: buy a coffee for a stranger (or a friend), clean up the yard of a neighbor, leave a note in a library book before returning it. The small, unexpected joys of everyday life are the best.

Our office has started the "Give a Smile Challenge" a pay it forward movement of random acts of kindness. Kindness brings smiles, and hey, we are ALL about smiles at our place! :) It's pretty simple, just let us know about a random act of kindness you give or receive via our facebook page, youtube channel or just snail mail. We will be have one winner per quarter and that winner will receive an iPod Touch.

Go Ahead....Make Someone's Day.

and Keep Smiling!

Healthy Smiles for Life

February is known as the month of love for Valentine's Day, but it is also National Children's Dental Health month. The American Academies of Pediatrics and Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend each child be established in a dental home by the age of one. Baby teeth are important for many reasons, they hold the space for permanent teeth, the help with speech & chewing and taking care of them establishes good dental habits for your child.

Cavities are preventable. Your child is at risk for decay as soon as the first tooth appears due to bacteria in the mouth from food and drinks. Dental health is also linked with other health problems later in life such as heart disease, and difficulty controlling blood sugar. Basically our bodies are open system and inflammation travels from our mouths via our bloodstream to other parts of our body.

The best way to get your baby's smile off to a healthy start is to establish a dental home, encourage good dental habits, but most of all be a good dental role model because children learn what they see. Keep Smiling!

Parents: Don't Forget Your Own Oral Health

As a parent you are always trying the do the best for your child and their oral health. Making sure they brush and floss, avoiding sugary foods and taking them to the dentist for regular checkups. Praise yourself for those efforts, but some of the most important things you can do for your child’s oral health begins with taking care of your own dental needs.

The quality of your child’s oral health starts before they are even born. There is a strong association between periodontal disease (gum and bone infection), preterm delivery, and low birth weight infants. Periodontal disease is one of the most common silent infections; many people have no idea they have it. Women with gum disease are six times more likely to deliver prematurely. If you are pregnant, and it has been longer than six months since your last visit, especially if you have any problems such as a toothache or bleeding gums, schedule a visit with your dentist. Although it is preferable to have any dental problems treated prior to pregnancy, there are safe times during your pregnancy to obtain necessary treatment.

Once the child is born, it is important to make sure that both the mother and other primary caregiver’s mouths are healthy. It is critical to your child’s risk for cavities. People often say “I got my Mom’s bad teeth,” when they have a lifetime full of dealing with tooth decay. What you really should be saying is “I’ve got my Mom’s bad bacteria.” Most children acquire the bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) causing cavities from their parents or caregivers soon after birth. This is referred to as “vertical transmission.” It may occur from kissing the baby on the mouth, cooling off or sampling food, cleaning a pacifier off in mouth for the child etc. Cavities are a preventable infectious disease!

To ensure your child has a great start, begin by taking care of your own oral health. Get regular checkups and cleanings, and take care of any cavities in your own mouth. This will decrease the amount of Streptococcus mutans (the bacteria causing cavities). Additionally, it may be beneficial to use certain mouth rinses and/or chew gum containing xylitol to decrease and change the type of bacteria present in your mouth.

The key here is: a healthy parent helps lead to a healthy child. Leading by example is a powerful motivator. Don’t ignore yourself; your kids will thank you.

Morgan

Resources
M. John Novak, BDS, LDS, PhD, Perio and Pregancy is there a link? Dimensions of DENTAL HYGIENE, Oct 2010 34-36.
Oral Healthcare During Pregnancy: A Summary of Practice Guidelines. http://www.mchoralhealth.org
Washington State Department of Health, Community and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health Oral Health Program, (360) 236-3507.

Why We Do What We Do

I recently had the honor of having a really nice article written about my office and published in the November issue of the Wenatchee Valley Business World. Anytime something is written for publication there is always the wonder of will they get it right? Will my words be changed?, or will they get what I am trying to say?

After reading the article I sat back and took a moment to reflect on it. I was actually pretty amazed. It summed up for me what I have worked so hard all these years to create: a business with a heart for giving and innovation.

I love children. I love they way they laugh, the joy they bring into the room, their smiles. They have given me more belly laughs in the last fourteen years than I can count. I can never repay the gifts they have given me. So I say thank you to all of you who have supported me, and the wonderful team at Children’s Dentistry of Wenatchee. It was really nice to see that it is understood ……..why we do what we do……..

Make Work Play

Fun is contagious. You learn that from children. One giggles and laughs and it has a ripple effect on the other kids and pretty soon EVERYONE is laughing. One of our Core Values is: Make Work Play. Work is work and takes up a lot of our lives, but work and play don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you are having fun and creating positive moments, it’s not so much like work – it’s more like play. Play allows you to find pockets of joy in the day. It also brings out a sense of fun and creativity. Our fun and positivity spill over to our patients and parents. We often hear, “You ladies have a lot of fun here” or “I wish my office was like this.”

I’m really thankful to have a supportive staff who, even on hard days, manage to laugh and smile. I’m also appreciative of the fact that my patients make me laugh out loud on a daily basis by something they say, do, or just by being themselves.

Who wants to look forward to full time drudgery? We sure don’t and neither should you. Today is Wacky Wednesday Costume Day at the office and as you can see by the photos we are “Making Work Play” in an over the top way with Halloween coming up. I encourage you bring some “play” to your day. Start with a Smile.

Dr. Cara

Hygienist's Role

What is the role of the dental hygienist in a children’s dental office?

Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals focusing on preventative oral health. Traditionally the role of the dental hygienist is to evaluate and gather information about each patient through x-rays and exams. Next, it usually involves a plan for treating any periodontal (gum and bone) condition, by cleaning the teeth and helping the patient maintain good oral habits. The hygienist’s most important role is patient education, teaching patients and parents how to prevent cavities and other dental diseases.

In many children’s dental offices the hygienist is often counted on to help out with restorative procedures. This usually includes giving local anesthetic and placing fillings. One difference between an adult and children’s practice is the hygienist may be more involved with the restorative treatment of children. This varies based on the state, but hygienists in Washington are trained in expanded duties.

Becoming a hygienist requires about 4 years of school, including 2 years in dental hygiene school. In Washington State, additional training is given beyond the scope of traditional dental hygiene. Hygienists are taught how to administer local anesthesia and to place and carve restorations (fillings). Clinical and written board examinations are required to demonstrate competency in these areas.

At Children’s Dentistry of Wenatchee the hygienist spends a good portion of the day administering anesthesia for patients and placing the fillings after Dr. Cara has prepared a tooth for restoration. Your child will typically get a “hygiene check” during a cleaning visit to scale off any calculus (a.k.a. tartar) as well as get oral health recommendations. During this time the hygienist will evaluate each child’s mouth for areas that need improvement, and always make sure to praise good work. The assistants are very involved in patient education and checkups. Working closely with the assistants to make sure that each child has an enjoyable experience is key to the success of your child’s visit.

Above all else the hygienist is a coach helping to instill lifelong healthy habits. By connecting with children at a young age dental problems cannot only be treated, but kids will be given knowledge as a preventative tool. Hygienists are a great resource on oral health. So bring your smile and questions to your next visit!

Morgan

Related articles

• The American Dental Hygienists' Association Emphasizes Making Time for Good Oral Health This National Dental Hygiene Month (prnewswire.com)

The Best Toothbrush for Your Child

There are so many to choose from. What is the best tooth brush for my child?

We are often asked for “the best” toothbrush recommendation. I have only one toothbrush that I strongly believe will make a difference in the oral health of your child and that is the Sonicare. Sonicare For Kids is specifically designed to help parents teach their child (ages 4-10) to brush, then help them transition their child to independent brushing.
Parents often ask if the “spin” type brushes available in stores at a lower price will do the same thing. The answer is NO. The carefully researched and patented sonic combination of approximately 31,000 brush strokes per minute and the specific reach of the brush head as it sweeps back and forth are what create Sonicare’s unique “beyond the bristles” cleaning action. Most power toothbrushes have either a different stroke frequency or bristle amplitude and do not have the same powerful, yet remarkably gentle fluid activity as Sonicare.

When children come into the practice 99% of the time I am able to identify by looking at their gum tissue and overall dental health whether or not they are Sonicare users. That was a powerful message and solidified for me as a mother and a dentist that the Sonicare for Kids toothbrush IS the best.