1. Use moderation with sweets and baked goods, and be sure to brush after.

2. Avoid hard candies (like candy canes) or candies or cookies with hard nuts. These are more likely to crack or break teeth.

3. Do not use teeth to open presents, holiday nuts or anything else, as this can risk breaking or cracking your teeth. Use appropriate tools, like scissors or nutcrackers.

4.  Report any dental-related accident to your dentist as soon as possible. Generally, the longer you wait, the harder it is to address the problem.

5.  Remember to brush on Christmas Eve. Don’t let the excitement about Santa Claus make you forget. (Remember, he’s always watching).  

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2. Brush teeth after each consumption. This will usually lead to one of two things (both good):

• a. They’ll get tired of brushing their teeth and will not want the candy anymore.
• b. They will develop really good brushing habits.

3. Stay away from sticky toffee candies. Those are more harmful to teeth.

4. Call your dentist right away if there’s a problem, like a broken tooth, candy getting stuck or a toothache. Calling your dentist quickly in such situations can help you avoid further damage or complications.

Follow these guidelines carefully, and your kids can still enjoy their trick-or-treat candy without risk to their dental health.

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Follow these guidelines to keep your dental care bills as low as possible.

1. Improve your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day (for at least two minutes each time) and floss regularly.

2. Avoid the wrong foods and drinks. Reduce your intake of pop, energy drinks and sticky candies, as these are more apt to cause tooth decay.

3. See your dentist regularly. It’s important to get your teeth check and cleaned every six month, as cavities can be less expensively fixed when they are small. When you miss appointments and your cavities grow, the time and cost required to address them does, too.

4. See a dentist on your insurance plan. Most dentists will let you know in advance if you ask. Be sure to ask.

5. Ask about multiple treatment options.  When you need dental treatment, ask your dentist what your options are.  Some forms of treatment can be less expensive and less predictable, while others can be more predictable but more expensive.

If you have questions about any of these, you can call our office at any time, at 330.757.7713.

That’s nowhere near spot-on, in our view. We’d value a smile a lot higher.

But the researchers make some nice points about how important smiling is in our society, and the way they went about their study is pretty interesting.

You can read more here in this Guardian article.

In the case of a chipped tooth, contact your dentist for an appointment to have the tooth fixed as soon as possible. A chipped tooth is often sensitive and at risk of further fracture, so it needs attention right away. 

In the case of an avulsed (lost) tooth, contact your dentist immediately for evaluation.  Do not touch the tooth with dirty hands or fingers. 

Rather, using a tissue or a soft rag, gently place the tooth in a glass of milk and take the tooth with you to the dentist’s office.  The milk, with its calcium, is much better for a loose tooth than tap water or a dry wrapping.

If the tooth is a primary or baby tooth, no treatment is necessary. More often than not, the child is fine and there is no harm to the developing permanent tooth. 

If the avulsed tooth is a permanent or adult tooth, it needs to be re-implanted within an hour of coming out. Moreover, regular follow-up with your dentist will be needed to evaluate the long-term health and stability of the tooth.

Here are five things to consider when selecting a dentist.

1.  Does your “family” dentist see all family members or just adults?

Many excellent dentists just do not do well with kids. They may not have the physical tools in their offices or they may lack the patience required to consistently deliver quality care in smaller mouths.

You want a dentist that makes it clear that kids are welcome.

2.  Is the staff friendly and helpful with questions?

With any kind of medicine, you’re going to have questions. It’s important to work with a dentist and dental staff who demonstrate that they appreciate questions and respond to them with clear, helpful answers.

3.  Does the dentist take time to talk directly to patients?

Many dentists who are very good at the medical and technical aspects of dental care do not like to interact with patients and prefer that their staffs do all the talking.  Others make it a point to spend time with patients and educate them.

Direct access to the dentist is important to making sure you understand the dental care you’re receiving.

4.  Is the dentist the right age for your needs?

If you have young children, you want a dentist who is young enough to grow with your family, not one who is close to retirement.

5.  Does the dentist accept insurance benefits?

Investment in dental care is important, but it can also be costly.  Be sure that your family’s insurance coverage is accepted by your dentist. Most dentists are glad to provide that information in advance of a visit.

You do have a choice when it comes to choosing a dentist for your family.  Make the most of your choice, and make the most of your dental care.

Watch this space for suggestions and updates that will help you improve your oral health and encourage healthy practices for your family. We’re convinced that a healthy mouth supports a healthy body.

We also believe that the internet can be a powerful tool in sharing information that advances good health, dental and more. Although nothing online can take the place of regular visits to the dentist, we’ll do our best to bring you valuable information in an easy-to-read format on a regular basis.

We welcome your input. And we look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks ahead.

Dr. John Rothrauff, D.D.S.
Dr. John’s Family Dentistry