How Do I Find the Dentist That's Right For Me?

One of the reasons many people don’t go to visit a dentist is that they aren’t sure how to choose one. There are a few things you can look into before choosing a dentist to see if they will be the best fit for you and your family.
Before you go to a dentist, here’s a few things you can look into:

1. Hours - Be sure to check to see what the hours are that the office is open and determine if they will be convenient for you and your family. For years, many dental offices were not open past four or open on a Friday. Nowadays, it is much more common for dental offices to be open later at night and 5 or 6 days a week. 
2. Are the dentists members of applicable dental organizations? For instance the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry are both organizations that dentists can get involved in. Often times this means that the dentists are keeping up on new technology and research within the dental industry, and can also mean that they are participating in continuing their education. 
3. Do they have positive online reviews? To be honest, this isn’t just how many stars they get, but how often and consistently are they getting reviews. A dentist with one, 5-star review might be good, but a dentist with 80 reviews at a 4.5 star rating show consistent, positive patient feedback.
4. Are they kind on the phone? We are in a healthcare field and we believe that we should be kind on caring, even on the phone! It’s a good test of what you can expect going forward.  

Once you have stepped foot into a dental office there are a few additional things that you can keep an eye out for to make sure that you will be comfortable. 

1. Does the reception space and treatment rooms look clean, organized and updated? An organized space is a clean space and it shows that the staff cares about how the space looks for their patients.
2. Is the staff helpful and informational for you? From the front desk to the dentist, the goal is a staff who will answer your questions or help you to find the answer, in a kind and easy-to-understand way. 
3. Is the clinical staff explaining what they do as they do it? For many people, we like to know what is going on with our dental treatment before or as it is happening, rather than after the fact. Again, questions should be answered in a kind and informational manner and you shouldn’t feel bad for asking.

While some of these things may seem obvious, sometimes we need a reminder. A good way to start is to look up some dentists nearby to you and compare their hours, biographies and online reviews. This will give you a good idea of who you want to take the ‘next step’ with, by giving them a call! 

Be ONE in a HUNDRED million!

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Every year, 100 million of us don’t visit our dentist. ONE HUNDRED MILLION. That is NOT a statistic that you should want to be a part of. Waiting until you are in pain or a tooth has broken is not a preventative plan for your oral health and is not what we want for our patients. From the time you get your first tooth or turn one year old, you should make it a habit to visit your dentist twice a year. Visiting your dentist twice a year allows us to check on your gum and tooth health and to see how your home care and lifestyle habits are affecting your teeth. Ideally, it gives us the opportunity to help you before there is major problem or painful area in your mouth. 

So, other than visiting a dentist twice a year, what can you do to take care of your oral health and keep on Sharing Smiles? Well, the answer is as easy as one, two, three!

ONE: Floss your teeth ONCE a day! Whether you prefer to floss in the morning or before bed, make sure you clean between your teeth once a day!

TWO: Brush TWO times per day! You should brush your teeth for TWO minutes both morning and night. Removing the buildup from the day is important to make sure you don’t develop plaque or tarter, which can lead to damage to both your teeth and gums.

THREE: Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months and if you get sick, replace it earlier!

With these simple steps, you can be sure that you are taking the proper precautionary measures at home to care for your teeth and develop habits that will last a lifetime. Be the ONE in a 100 million and schedule your dental appointment today to ensure that your teeth will last a lifetime also!

Pro Tip: Use an electric toothbrush to help you time your brushing! We love the Oral B or the Sonicare brushes! Feel free to ask us for more information about either!

Did you know that your Oral Health is related to your Heart Health?

That’s right, and February is not only Heart Health Month but Gum Disease Awareness Month. Your gums are a big part of your oral health and studies are finding more and more links between the health of your gums and your heart. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease.

So, what is periodontal disease and how I can stop it? Well, it can range from simple inflammation of the gums to serious disease that, in worst case scenarios, can result in losing teeth. However, the signs of periodontal disease can be seen early and are very treatable. 

Symptoms of poor oral health?

1. Bad Breath (more than just morning breath)
2. Bleeding or Inflamed Gums
3. Sensitivity of your gums or teeth

If you are experiencing any of these, you should see your dentist right away and make sure that a periodontal exam is completed to check in on the health of your gums. 

Take Away: What can you do to improve your oral health?

1. Use dental products that contain fluoride and use them the recommended amount of times: Brush for TWO minutes, TWO times per day AND floss ONCE per day. 
2. Watch your eating habits. Try to limit snacks between meals and make sure that you are eating teeth-friendly foods! Crunchy fruits and veggies, nuts and cheeses are all good for your teeth. And don’t forget to wash every meal and snack down with water!
3. Practice Oral Health Maintenance: See your dentist TWO times per year to check in with them and make sure your dental health is looking good.

Through a few simple steps at home and by visiting your dentist regularly, you can make sure your oral health is where it should be. The icing on the cake is that by taking care of your teeth and gums, you are also caring for your heart. So, show a little love this month and … take care of your gums and heart!

Show YOUR love this Valentine's Day!

It’s that time of year. Holding hands, extra hugs - and love everywhere!

We put together some tips on how you can show some love today to your favorite people and to your TEETH. Let's face it, a little extra love goes a long way.

1. Try brushing your teeth together: You know what they say, the family that brushes together … SMILES together! Right? Well, at least they will have healthy teeth and good breath! Whether with your spouse, friend or kids, we all need to brush for TWO minutes, TWO times a day, so why not do it with your loved ones nearby? Try having a staring contest while brushing OR see who can make the silliest faces while polishing your pearly whites… all in all, have a good time and make it fun!
2. Share your Smile with others! Be happy! No, really, even a simple thing like Sharing Smiles can make a big impact on both your loved ones, and strangers alike. Smiling activates neural messages that can benefit your overall outlook on the day, making you happier. It can also bring a smile to someone else’s face, having the same effect on them! Since our teeth can effect how we look, eat and smile, a healthy mouth can provide increased self-esteem and overall confidence. Practice self-love so that you can share more of it! 
3. Be Healthy! We all know that being healthy is great for yourself, but let’s face it, it also shows your loved ones that you care about them too. And, it sets a great example for those little ones who are looking up to you. A big part of being healthy and taking care of yourself is making sure it begins with your mouth. Caring for your teeth can not just help prevent decay or gum diseases, but can possibly help prevent you from getting heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more. Early research is linking many diseases to your dental health, so start with your smile for your overall health! 

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

FREE Implant Seminar!

Have you been wondering what dental implants are all about? Were you wondering if it could help you or someone you love? 

Join us for a FREE seminar all about dental implants! This Monday, 1/29, we will host an educational, informational and casual get together to go through all the details of what dental implants entail and how they compare to other tooth replacement options. This is open to the community, whether you are a patient or not!

Call us today to reserve a seat at this event and make the best decision for you!