National Dentist Day

By Terry Orr 

Since my retirement from the Navy nearly three decades ago, we have been very fortunate to have two excellent family dentists over that time span.  We also like our dentist and consider him and his staff friends.

Things might want to do on National Dentist Day

• The first thing you should do on National Dentist Day is to get active with your dental care. Maybe you haven’t been looking after your teeth the way you should.
• You can start by giving your teeth good floss and having a good look at your teeth; maybe they need to be professionally cleaned or treated.
• Pull out your dentist’s telephone number and give a call just to give your greetings of the day. Your dentist is definitely going to by happy with that.
• On this day, it would be a good idea to spread awareness about dental hygiene and you could start with your own family, especially your children.
• Do not forget to have your teeth checked up on National Dentist Day. You could even give a call to your family members and friends to remind them to do the same.
• You could give your dentist a token of appreciation in the form of a card or a gift.
• Last but not the least! don’t forget to replace your toothbrush on this day.

So on National Dentist Day, March 6, 2013 let your dentist know your appreciate her/him.

References and Links: 

http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/national-dentist-day.html 

[All images from Google] 

Children’s Dental Awareness

(Google Image)

By Nurse Diane

I remember the first time I went to the dentist as I child.  Well I don’t remember the particulars, like what the dentist looked like - or his assistant - or even what he did - I just remember he had a cork board on his wall that was full of toys, and when I left, I got to pick a toy.  What else do you need to remember other than free toys?  I remember a little more when I took my son to his first dentist appointment.  Things had changed quite a bit.  His dentist was a pediatrician dentist, meaning he only cared for children before the age of 18 years.  He had video games in the lobby, and bright colors and toys everywhere.

He had a young staff who made the kids feel at ease, and I was allowed to go back with him to make sure he wasn't frightened.  They even took his picture so I would have something to place in his baby book.  He continued seeing this dentist every year until he turned 18, and even then he wanted to keep going to see him.  That is an important part of starting dental care.  To make sure the child has a good comfortable experience.

(Google Image)

This is National Children’s Dental Health Month.  The ADA recommends that the first dental visit should begin by the child's first birthday, when the first teeth begin to erupt.

First visits are mostly about getting kids used to the dentist's chair and educating parents about how to care for baby's teeth. If your child has transitioned from the bottle to cup and doesn't snack or drink in the middle of the night, you get a one-year pass, until age 2. That's when the standard every-six-month dental visit recommendation kicks into gear. When your child is between ages 4 and 6, expect your dentist to take a first set of X-rays to check for cavities lurking between the teeth.

(Google Image)

Prevention is the name of the game between ages 6 and 12, when baby teeth give way to permanent teeth. Your child's dentist will probably suggest a sealant, a plastic resin that bonds to teeth chewing surfaces, between ages 7 and 9. Cavity-prone molars are the most likely site for treatment. The resin keeps cavity-causing bacteria from getting into the grooves and valleys of teeth.

Also, when your child is around age 7, his dentist will likely suggest an orthodontic evaluation. Most kids will wait until their early teens for braces, but orthodontics is about modifying jaw growth, so identifying skeletal causes of crooked teeth early helps ensure a beautiful smile later on.

(Google Image)

My stepson took his daughter to her first dental appointment yesterday; she will be 4 in July.  He told me that she will be needing some work done.  That is why it is so important to start early dental visits to ensure good dental health at a early age.  If you have small children in your family, encourage their parents to seek a pediatric dentist to start proper dental care at an early age to maintain a healthy and long lasting smile

National Flossing Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

Every time I think about flossing, I can't help but think about the scene in the movie Pretty Woman where she is in the bathroom flossing her teeth, but Richard Gere thinks she is doing drugs.  Julia Roberts gets embarrassed that she was caught red handed flossing her teeth.  I remember a dentist telling me once "you don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!"

(Google Image) 

Today is National Flossing Day.  It comes the day after Thanksgiving as a reminder to clean your teeth properly after all the tasty eating done yesterday.  flossing.org has issued a proclamation for today, :Whereas This Nation will once again have spent a full day focused on food, on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, and since it is good for each of us to floss after meals, Therefore, It is befitting and proper that the following day, November 23, 2012 be celebrated as National Flossing Day.

(Google Image) 

During that day each and every person is encouraged to consider the role flossing has played in his or her life during the previous year, and to celebrate flossing so they can Help Spread "Peace of Mouth" in their own lives and the lives of others around them, in ways with and without floss.

All citizens of the universe are encouraged to search for ways to experience the JOY OF FLOSSING and thereby move beyond negative reasons to floss.

On this special day, our children should also be made aware of the richness and health that flossing can bring to life. Be this day so proclaimed in the name of all the Volunteers who have devoted time to the work of the National Flossing Council and to Help Spread "Peace of Mouth!"

(Google Image) 

So today, on National Flossing Day, don't forget to floss in between each tooth, in fact, you can do this every day to keep your smile clean and healthy.

National Dental Hygiene Month

(Google Image) 

By Nurse Diane

I recently read an article about flossing.  The article stated that t taking good care of your teeth and gums can not only add years to your life, but also lowers risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes—and even memory-robbing disorders like Alzheimer’s disease? A new study of nearly 5,000 older adults found that those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were up to 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed daily.  Read the whole article here: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/better-floss-or-after-brushing.

(Google Image) 

My mother is known for her smile.  She smiles all the time, and my daddy says he spent a fortune on her mouth.  The other day a man came up to me in church and told me what a great smile I have, and that really gave me a boost.  I have always tried to take great care of my teeth, especially seeing my husband have his pulled to have dentures fitted.  He had taken care of his teeth; however, genetics still gave him problems.

(Google Image) 

Your teeth are very important to your health and well-being.  Even while I write I feel the urge to floss.  I use a water pic, a pre-soaking rinse, soft brush as recommended by my dentist, and sensitive tooth paste.  There are other new pastes and gels on the market, like those that harden your enamel.  I don’t know about those, but I do know the ones that work on sensitive teeth do help.  I couldn't eat anything cold, but once I started using Arm & Hammer’s Pronamel, I have once again been able to enjoy ice cream.

This month is National Dental Hygiene Month.  Take extra time to clean your teeth, and make sure to floss. It is recommended to brush two minutes twice a day and floss and rinse daily.  Have an annual checkup with your dentist so that your great smile will last a lifetime.

(Google Image) 

National Dentist Day

By Diane Forrest

I am one of those people who hate going to the dentist.  I guess I have been more times than alot of people I know.  When I was younger, my brother broke my front tooth, so I had to go to an emergency dental appointment.  He put this mold in my mouth filled with this gooey stuff, and had to press it in hard.  I thought I would die.  I didn’t like the feeling of my mouth wide open, and a stranger with huge fingers pressing cement in the roof of my mouth.  I had to go through that horror again once I got older, and my teeth finished growing.

(Google Image)

After that terrifying ordeal, I never went the routine 6 months for check ups.  In fact, I didn't go back for many years, until I had a very bad tooth ache and the side of my face doubled in size causing me to look like an alien.  It turned out that I needed a root canal.  I had heard horrific stories about them, and was very nervous about having this done.  Then, I was introduced to Nitrous Oxide.  This is a wonderful drug, called laughing gas.  Once he put that mask over my face I didn't care what he did to my teeth.

Several years later I changed to a dentist in my town.  He was new, young, very good looking, had a very nice new beautiful office, and friendly staff.  My first visit there I sat in the chair and instead of staring at a blank wall, there was a huge picture window.  Outside there was a beautiful field, and in the field were several miniature horses.  The hygienist came in and not only applied the nitrous oxide, but placed padded earphones on my ears and gave me the remote to the overhead television set.  Then another staff member, a massage therapist came in and massaged my hands and arms.  I was in heaven!  I had such a wonderful time that I went back, again and again.

(Google Image)

Today is National Dentist day.  According to 1dental.com, here are some ideas that you can do to celebrate this day:

Get a dental checkup – Maybe it’s time to get back in the office to make sure your teeth are healthy and your habits are on the right track.

Send your dentist a thank-you card – Let your dentist know that you appreciate the work they put into making sure you’re healthy

Commit to better habits – There’s no better time to renew your resolve to start brushing/flossing/swishing mouthwash regularly. Make a plan and stick with it!

Raise awareness - Whether you teach your children a new song about brushing their teeth or you tell your friends why you’re going to the dentist, you can do your part to help people realize the importance of dental hygiene.

Smile – Don’t forget to show off that beautiful smile that your dentist had a part in maintaining!