Elmbrook Family Dental Blog

Need a new pillow? Maybe you really need a night guard!

August 21, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 9:02 pm

Do you wake up with head and neck aches often? Have you tried different sleeping positions or even a new pillow? Before you rush out and get another new pillow, consider that you may be clenching or grinding in your sleep. Here are some key clues to determine if night time bruxism may be to blame:

Do you have headaches frequently, but more often in the mornings?

Do you have tension in your neck, cheeks and jaw muscles?

Are your teeth starting to get a more flattened look or do they have cracks and chips?

Does your significant other complain that your teeth sound like they are squeaking while you sleep?

Do you have receding gums or generalized cold sensitivity?

If your answer to any of the above questions was yes, there is a good chance your head and neck aches may be due to TMJ problems, not a flat pillow. Talk with us at your next dental visit. We would be happy to create a treatment plan just for you to help alleviate your discomfort.

Did you know?

August 13, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 8:18 pm

Here are some fun dental facts we thought you might find interesting. Did you know:

*The bacteria found in periodontal (gum) disease is related to premature births? Be sure not to neglect your oral care during pregnancy.

*Xylitol is a great natural alternative to fluoride and can be found in mints, gums and some toothpastes as well. It reduces bacteria and helps strengthen teeth.

*Some bottled water is acidic! That’s right, Aquafina and Dasani both have a pH of 4.0 making it acidic. A safer choice is your own tap water filtered.

*Cheese is considered one of the few anti-cariogenic foods (anti cavity). This should mean we are at a lower risk for decay here in Wisconsin, right?

*Night time brushing is much more important than your morning brushing. The food we eat throughout the day breaks down into sugars and harmful plaque and attaches to the tooth. Leaving it on over night while we sleep puts us at a much higher risk for decay and gum disease.

 

 

 

 

 

What a Catch!

July 31, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 11:35 am

fishDr Brunner recently attended continuing education seminars in the northwest territories of Canada. After attending daily lectures by Dr Terry Donovan, they headed out to the lakes for a bit of fishing. On one of their trips, Dr Brunner caught this amazing Lake Trout. It weighed 36lbs and was estimated to be about 50 years old! What an awesome catch! Don’t worry, he released it back into the water to live many more years as a happy Trout.

Two Dental Myths Busted!

July 26, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 7:56 pm

 

We are here to bust 2 common oral hygiene myths for all of you. These are things we think you should know!

1. Myth: The harder you brush, the better it is.

Truth: Brushing with medium or hard bristles, or brushing with heavy pressure can actually wear your gums away exposing your softer, not as strong root surfaces. Exposed root surfaces can cause sensitivity and are even more susceptible to decay. So, we recommend using a soft bristled brush and gentle pressure while brushing. Remember, it’s not about brushing harder, it’s about brushing longer. Two full minutes, twice daily will give you the best possible results.

2. Myth: When using toothpaste, apply a long strip of paste to cover the length of your brush. That’s what they do on the commercials, isn’t it?

Truth: If you read the directions on your tube of toothpaste, it instructs you to apply only a pea size amount of paste. This small amount is all it takes to effectively aid in cleaning your teeth. Using more than this can cause build up in your bristles. This build up hibernates dirty mouth bacteria and compromise the integrity of your bristles. So, stick to the directions and use only a pea size. You will even save money in the long run!

Flossing: Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who doesn’t do it enough ;)

July 14, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 8:28 pm

Everyone knows that our ultimate goal for oral hygiene is to brush twice daily, (2 min each time) and floss once daily. But, the most  frequent conversation with our patients is that they need to increase flossing! Flossing helps to control bacteria that can cause gum disease and also cavities in between the teeth. Skipping your daily flossing routine increases the bacteria build up, thus increasing your chances to have gum disease or decay. Think of what you’re risking before you skip flossing! As we always say:  Preventative care is the cheapest and easiest care you can receive.

Technique can be important to ensure you’re getting the best results possible. So, take a minute to watch this video. It has great instructions and great visuals. Happy flossing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcNf2bZFrRU

Watched the video and still hate flossing? Talk with your Dental Hygienist about alternative options like floss picks, Soft Piks or even a Waterpik.

More Vitamin D=Less Tooth Decay

July 7, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 4:49 pm

Researchers are always digging deeper and looking harder for new information that will help improve our oral health. Some recent evaluations of existing evidence now indicates that people who have higher amounts of Viatmin D in their system are at a lower risk for cavities. In fact, they are seeing that it is an astounding 50% reduction in decay!!

The following study was done on children between the ages of 2 and 16 years old. Children who are deficient in Vitamin D are more likely to have delayed tooth eruption and tooth decay.  Take a look at this article for details: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/253298.php

So, where does Vitamin D come from? The best sources of this great vitamin are: the sunlight, fortified milk and yogurt, some cereal,vitdsalmon, eggs and cheese. 15 minutes a day of sunlight (don’t forget your sun screen!) provides a prefect amount of Vitamin D.

Summer fun with the Kids!

June 28, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 3:02 pm

rockIt’s time we take a break from everything dental. After all, it IS summertime! The kids are home on summer break and they are already telling you they’re bored, right? Well, check out a couple of these fun summertime crafts from spoonful.com. We think they might like them!

Nature t-shirts are a great way to get the kids out and active, and allow them to show their creativity: http://spoonful.com/crafts/nature-t-shirt

Keep the un-wanted creatures out of your garden with this garden noisemaker: http://spoonful.com/crafts/garden-noisemaker

During your next trip to the beach, have the kids collect some rocks and stones. They can make their very own pet rocks: http://spoonful.com/crafts/pet-rocks

We appreciate your referrals!

June 19, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 9:06 pm

Here at Elmbrook Family Dental, our favorite new patients are those referred by our current loyal patients. Referral of your friends and family is the best compliment we can get! These referrals have helped our practice grow to the lengths that it has. Each patient is valuable to us and we are so thankful for each one of you. In fact, we are so thankful for each of you that when you refer friends and family members, we will send you a gift! That’s right, for each person you send to our office above the age of 18, we will send you a token of our appreciation. Our gifts over the last few years have been gift cards to local restaurants and even movie tickets. Thank you again for your trust and confidence.

Diet Soda and Tooth Decay

June 7, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 6:49 pm

abcYou may know that sugar can be bad for your teeth. Because of this, many people think it is safe to drink diet soda and be saved from tooth decay. But, did you know that diet soda is still acidic? That’s right; although diet soda has no sugar, the ingredients in them cause an acidic environment which is conducive to decay. If you have read our previous blog titled “Acid Erosion”, you are familiar with the chemical form of acid erosion which is caused by food and liquids in your diet.

Indications of erosion can be a dark or stained look to your teeth, a soft feeling, cupping or abnormal wearing of your enamel. Individuals that are at highest risk are those who drink diet soda in larger amounts and sip over long periods of time. We won’t tell you not to enjoy a soda at all, but if you must have one, enjoy it with a meal. Be sure you are not exposing yourself to acids in regular or diet soda over an extended period of time. Remember the phrase: “Sip all day, get decay”.

This article has some great information on diet soda and tooth decay. It even compares it to people people with drug addictions to Meth. So, take a look at the following link: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/05/23/diet-soda-habit-as-bad-for-teeth-as-meth-addiction-study-claims

What age is it time to call quits on the pacifier?

May 30, 2013

Filed under: News — elmbrookfamilydental @ 8:22 pm

nuk1The pacifier debate can be controversial among parents. When is the right time? The truth is, there is an age that is best for a child to quit the pacifier! So, read a little bit about the appropriate age and the reasons, then make the change.

At about the age of two years, dentists may advise you begin to wean your child off of the nuk or pacifier. At this age, a lot of growth is occurring with your childs palate. These plates are expanding and beginning to create the shape they will have for the rest of their life. The pacifier can begin to make the palate high an narrow, increasing your childs chances of needing expensive orthodontic work in the future. Sometimes these orthodontic procedures may even include a palate expander. Aside from the dental considerations, there are other reasons to wean your little one off of their pacifier. Studies have shown that extended use of pacifiers can be related to delayed or incorrect speech, swallowing problems, and can even prevent a child from developing coping skills during stressful situations.

Any parent who has gone through it knows that weaning is easier said than done! But, before you consider putting it off, remember the negative outcomes that can come from extended pacifier use. So, here are some tips and suggestions that some moms we know how used:

*Make a trade. Tell your child that when they are ready, they can pick out a new book or toy in exchange for their pacifier.

*Poke a pin hole in the rubber part of each pacifier. This will make the sucking sensation less enjoyable and they may desire to have it less.

*Leave the pacifiers under their pillow for the “pacifier fairy”. When they wake up, there will be a special note and surprise waiting for them.

*Make it a slower transition. At or before the age of two, start limiting access to pacifiers to only nap and bed time. Avoid it during the day, in the car and when you’re out and about. Make the child aware of all the “big boys” and “big girls” they see that do not have a pacifier. Then, take them away during naps, then eventually during night time.

Whichever strategy you use, remember that your child is giving up a symbol of comfort. Be patient, be understanding, but stay strong. There comes a time every child has to let go, so just remember that this is only for his or her own good. In the end, the benefits will outweigh the tears and hard nights.

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