Here are few things from our boards:

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Here are four easy ways to encourage your kids to “rock their smile” and improve their oral health:

1. Make it fun - Most pediatric dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes. But for kids, two minutes can feel like an eternity. To get your child to brush and floss properly, try making a game out it. Set a timer for two minutes and challenge your child to brush until the timer goes off. Some children’s toothbrushes also have lights that flash or music that plays which serves as a built-in timer. Set the timer again for two minutes for flossing and mouth rinse, if your child uses it.
2. Explain “why” – It’s important to explain to kids WHY brushing and flossing is so important. If they are simply told to do it, it becomes a chore and they will most likely resist. If they realize it’s a benefit to them, they may be more apt to take the challenge on themselves. Be sure to explain the importance of brushing and flossing in simple terms kids can understand. For example: “Flossing is important because it removes small pieces of food from between your teeth. Do you want gross pieces of food stuck in between your teeth?” At your child’s next checkup, ask your pediatric dentist to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques.
3. Regulate sweets – It’s no secret that kids love candy and sweets. But it’s important for kids to know that eating too many sweets causes cavities or “sugar bugs” as your pediatric dentist may call them. Try to keep sugary snacks limited to later in the day to ensure you child brushes away the sugar with his or her evening brushing and flossing regimen.
4. Create incentives – Set a goal with your child to get a “perfect score” the next time he or she has a dental checkup. This, of course, means your pediatric dentist finds no cavities! Establish a reward your child will earn for having a perfect checkup, such as that new video game they’ve been wanting. Be sure to explain that brushing, flossing, and limiting sweets are all ways to reach their goal. Tape a photo of the reward to the bathroom mirror for daily encouragement. Tell your pediatric dentist about the reward system so he or she can also encourage your child at each checkup. Remember to schedule your child’s dental checkups every six months.

Be sure to ask your pediatric dentist for more tips and tricks for getting kids to care about their teeth.

You can find a pediatric dentist near you on SmileGeneration.com as well as MyKidsDentistOnline.com and EveryKidsDentist.com for Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah.

On May 5^th, the Smile Generation is sponsoring the Southern Nevada Race for the Cure. You may join The Smile Generation team by clicking here.  The 17^th annual Komen Southern Nevada Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. Participants can register for a 5K, or a 1 mile Fun Walk. Those unable to participate on Race Day can register to Sleep In for the Cure.  For more information, visit  http://www.komensouthernnevada.org/

2011 Race for the Cure in Las Vegas

The following Saturday, May 12^th, the Smile Generation will participate in the 2012 Komen Sacramento Valley Race for the Cure at the Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento, CA. Anyone can participate as a runner, walker, volunteer, donor or sponsor.  Click here  to view information about the Smile Generation team.

According to their website, 75% of the Race proceeds serve women in the community and 25% of the funds raised go to global research to find the cure for breast cancer.

Team Smile Generation at the 2011 Sacramento Race for the Cure

During the Komen races, the Smile Generation will be hosting some interactive fun on facebook.com/smilegen.  Fans are asked to snap a photo on race day and post it to the Smile Generation Facebook Wall using the hashtag #smile4thecure. Five prizes an hour will be drawn from 7:30am- 11:30am on Race Day – that’s May 5th for Las Vegas and May 12th for Sacramento.

First things first; a resistance band can take the place of weights and provides numerous options for strength/resistance training, plus it is light and can be shoved into any crevice of even the most stuffed suitcase. Next, workout DVDs are also very convenient to travel with, they’re lightweight and can deliver an intense workout wherever you are (most hotel rooms should have DVD players, but if not, most people travel with a laptop these days so just pop it in there). A jump rope is also a great fitness tool to travel with for its size and shape. You just might need to take that activity outside so you don’t aggravate the occupants of the room below you and/or take out any ceiling lights, lamps, or decorations your room might have. Additionally, be sure to check out the onsite gym at your hotel, usually they are tiny and just have a couple treadmills and a few free weights, but hey, that’s better than nothing and you always have your DVDs to fall back on.

Now, for the food issue; this is a little rougher on me since I have food allergies that limit my options greatly. However, just do a little planning ahead of time. Don’t have the mentality that you’re on vacation so calories don’t count. I hate to break it to you, but that is never true. Luckily, these days most places seem to have a few somewhat healthier options. Don’t be fooled though, a lot of times things that sound healthier can be deceiving. For example, some salads can pack up to 1,000 calories! So just make conscious decisions, don’t be afraid to ask how something is prepared, and try to ask for sauces/dressing on the side. I personally tend to travel with some snacks or nonperishable options because my food options are not as vast as the normal person.
Some great things to pack are:
- dried fruit and nut baggies, cereal (gluten free for me)
- meal replacement/protein bars (again this is an easy way for me to ensure gluten and dairy free meals or snacks with nutritional substance)
- un-popped popcorn (if your room does not have a microwave often the front desk can pop it for you)
- oatmeal
- turkey jerky (try to find low sodium varieties)
- almond butter (either pack or buy apples upon arrival)
- once you arrive try to pick up some bananas, oranges, apples, and yogurt

So next time you find yourself stressing out about an upcoming trip because you don’t want to derail your healthy eating and strict workout regimen, you can take a deep breath and feel at ease again knowing all you have to do is pack these items and enjoy the getaway!

Photo credit: Hotel Casavelas on Flickr

Periodontal Disease is a bacterial infection in the gums,which causes inflammation and loss of bone that eventually leads to tooth loss. This not only affects your oral health, it has a negative impact on systemic health. Most recent studies show that periodontal disease plays a significant role in the relationship to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Even though most people in the United States have a high dental IQ, many are uneducated about the process of periodontal disease. In recent years the subject has become a large part of curriculum in dental schools. With this change it is inevitable that dentists around the country are focusing on this important aspect of patient oral health now more than ever.

Periodontal disease is easy to diagnose since 80% of the population has some form. The dentist or hygienist simply uses a small measuring stick called a periodontal probe to measure your gums. Healthy gums will have a measurement of 2-3mm. A measurement of 4mm or higher indicates inflammation and in most cases bone loss. We also look for calculus or bone loss on the radiographs. The dentist uses these basic components along with your health history to make the proper diagnosis.

The reason for your diagnosis depends on many factors. How frequent you visit the hygienist, the medications you take, existing medical conditions like diabetes, stress or life events; there are many. What is important is that the dentist uses the tools necessary to make the proper diagnosis. If there is evidence of calculus under the gums, deep pockets that are 4mm or deeper, or other signs of disease — a scaling and root planing or “deep cleaning” may be needed. Other tools, such as laser therapy or local antibiotics such as arrestin, offer an incredible advantage in the treatment of periodontal disease.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ask A Dentist Featuring Dr. James Mallory, Jr. DMD

Dr. James Mallory practices at Festival Dental Group and Orthodontics, Arrowhead Dental Group and Orthodontics,EveryKidsDentist @ Arrowhead, Canyon Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics, and EveryKidsDentist @ Canyon in Arizona. He is also a regular contributor to Arizona Health and Living Magazine

If your next excuse is that you don’t have time to pack a healthy lunch in the morning, that you’re too rushed just getting out the door as it is, that doesn’t work on me either. I leave at 5:00 a.m. to get to the gym, so I certainly won’t waste any of those precious minutes in the morning that I could be using for sleep to pack a lunch. Do it the night before. It’s actually very easy to work it into your nightly routine. I’ve found what works best for me is to do most of it while I’m making dinner. Think about it, you’re throwing together a salad to go with dinner, why not cut up some extra bell peppers and cucumbers to toss in a baggie for tomorrow? We usually place a bowl of fruit on the table with dinner too, so I typically drop some in a Tupperware while I’m slicing it up for the family, so that it is ready for the next day as well. When you’re grocery shopping for the week make sure to set yourself up for success. Buy healthy foods that you know you like. After all, if you pack a super healthy lunch and you hate everything in there, chances are rather than gag it down, you’re going to toss it and go out to lunch, wasting not only more money but all the food you prepared the night before. Before you get any crazy ideas about tasty healthy food being an oxymoron, have an open mind and explore your grocery store. Chat with health conscious friends and see what go-to food items they stock up on, or be experimental and come up with your own creations (then of course share in the comments below!). Some simple easy-to-pack healthy options are: fat free yogurt, fat free cottage cheese, apples and almond butter, sliced turkey meat (opt for lean, low sodium varieties), and of course leftovers from any healthy meals you’ve made for dinner that week.

As an added bonus, since you won’t have to go out and buy your lunch on your break, you can use that time to get in a little walk or even sneak in a quick gym session! If nothing else, take your lunch outside with a pal, or read a book and soak up some vitamin D and fresh air. I guarantee you’ll go back to your desk feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day instead of being in a food coma from a fast food lunch.

There you have it – no negatives; only positives to gain from brown bagging (or cute insulated tote) your lunch. You will save money on daily fast food purchases, save calories with healthy lunches, and more time to spend on you during your lunch break!

The Smile Generation today reaffirms its commitment to patient safety. Since Smile Generation’s launch in 2004, all Smile Generation-approved dental offices have been equipped with Digital dental X-ray systems, lowering the risks of radiation and enhancing overall patient care. The Smile Generation-approved offices also have computer systems in place to produce, manage and store secure electronic dental records.

According to Schick Technologies, a leader in digital imaging, patients can experience up to 90% less radiation by having Digital X-rays taken while also spending less time in the dental chair.

“We are committed to patients’ safety and their overall well-being,” said Matt Hall, director of marketing, for Smile Generation. “As we planned our Smile Generation approval process for offices, we had specific criteria and essential modern technologies – such as Digital X-rays – that we wanted to make sure were utilized at each office. We are dedicated to ensuring that each Smile Generation-approved office environment enables patients to feel safe, to trust their dental care team and to have the best experience possible.”

Having Digital X-ray images and dental records that are stored electronically is beneficial to both the patient and the clinician. The use of clear, digital dental images can improve patient communication, help patients better understand their options and allow the clinician to provide a more effective diagnosis. The digitized images and records can also be shared with other clinicians and specialists located within each Smile Generation-approved office. Working together, clinicians and specialists can provide more comprehensive patient care.

“Implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth. As a matter of fact, it is considered the standard of care and presented as the best option. It is a fairly simple procedure. The implant is placed. It is allowed on average 6 months to heal and fuse to the bone. Then an abutment and crown are placed on top of the implant as the final restoration. Remember, there are 3 parts to the procedure – the implant, the abutment, and the crown. Because the implant takes months to heal, often only the fee for the implant is discussed because that is the treatment being performed. When it comes time to restore the implant, patients often find themselves in a frustrating situation when they learn they must pay for the abutment and final restoration. They mistakenly thought the fee for the implant included the restoration. Make sure you understand the total fee for all three of these parts.

There are risks and benefits to any treatment you choose. The most important is the risk of failure. For the most part implants are about 98% successful! They are very predictable and long lasting. But, with anything, there is a failure rate. For implants it is about 2%. Typically the failure occurs within the first year. Usually the cause of the failure is pre-mature loading of the implant, meaning you began biting on the implant too early. There is a small % of failures that occur for reasons that are unknown. But, for the most part failures are not an issue with implants.

Even though the potential failure of an implant is a “con” of treatment, I see it as a “pro”. The reason being that if the implant fails then we are dealing with only one tooth. On the other hand, if you chose a bridge and it failed then we are dealing with three or more teeth, which is a much more expensive and complicated problem to deal with.

Another “con” is the waiting period of about 6 months prior to restoration. You will either go without a tooth in the space or you will choose to wear a “flipper” or stay plate. This is a temporary removable tooth that fills the space where the implant was placed during the healing period. The “flipper” is large and made of plastic. It usually does not fit well and effects speech. Most people are dissatisfied with a “flipper” and regret paying for it. I would encourage you to go without it if possible. There are other options for replacing the missing tooth that are more comfortable, such as a Maryland bridge made with the CEREC or in rare situations using a temporary bridge if the adjacent teeth are to be restored.  That is advanced and not all dentists are aware of these options.

I actually look at the waiting period as “pro”. The reason being is that you only pay for the treatment you receive. So initially you will pay for the implant placement. After the 6 month healing period you pay for the restoration phase. Therefore the total fee for the implant is spread out over time and makes it easier to handle financially.

Sometimes you may need bone grafting or sinus augmentation to assure success of the implant. This is not always discernable during initial treatment planning stage, however, it should be factored in to the total fee for treatment just in case.  That way there are no surprises, and if it is needed then you were prepared for it.

Overall, I would recommend an implant if you are a candidate. Find a dentist or periodontist that has a firm understanding of the procedure for the best results.”

Ask A Dentist Featuring Dr. James Mallory, Jr. DMD

Dr. James Mallory practices at Festival Dental Group and Orthodontics, Arrowhead Dental Group and Orthodontics,EveryKidsDentist @ Arrowhead, Canyon Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics, and EveryKidsDentist @ Canyon in Arizona. He is also a regular contributor to Arizona Health and Living Magazine

Just as your body gets used to a workout if you do the same one every day and never switch it up, I thought maybe switching up the time of day I work out would throw my body for a loop and give me the chance to see new results. So, starting this morning, I, along with my two coworkers, showed up at the gym at 5:30 a.m. for a heart-pumping wake up call: Spin Class! Sure, it felt like I had to pack my whole life up just to get out the door this morning, but it was certainly worth it. The three of us strolled into work full of energy and in great moods! We all agreed that we wouldn’t have been there if we hadn’t committed to each other, because let’s face it, who wants to get out of their cozy bed before 5:00 a.m. to face the freezing cold darkness outside?

Whatever your workout routine is, I encourage you to switch it up and see how your body reacts. Try it out for a month. That’s what we’re doing; a 30 day opportunity for the three of us to see what we can achieve. If at the end of your month you decide it’s not for you, then so be it. At least you gave it a shot, right? But you never know what you’re capable of until you try, so do yourself a favor and try. If you know you can’t do it alone, rope in a friend, coworker, or loved one and take on the new challenge together.

Who should get screened?

Every adult should get screened. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. With early detection, survival rates are high and the side-effects from treatment are at their lowest. Like other screenings you engage in, such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages. Such screenings can and should be a part of your annual health check-ups.

What are the risk factors?

Understanding the causes of cancer will help prevent the disease. Age is often named as a risk factor for oral cancer. Historically, it occurs in those over the age of 40.

There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US. This virus is also responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women.  Young, healthy, non-smokers are part of the quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population, due to the connection to this virus.

Early Indicators:

• Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth
• Any sore which does not heal within 14 days
• Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time

Advanced Indicators:

• A sensation that something is stuck in your throat
• Numbness in the oral region
• Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Ear pain which occurs on one side only
• A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal
• A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck

An oral cancer screening should be conducted every year, so take advantage of this free offer and get screened today.  Below is a list of participating Smile Generation-approved offices that will offer complimentary oral cancer screenings.

April 5, 12, 19, 26 between 8am and 10am

Screenings will be held at:

• Sienna Modern Dentistry, Missouri City, TX
• The Woodlands Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics, The Woodlands, TX
• Clear Lake Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics, Houston, TX
• Sugar Land Dental Group and Orthodontics, Sugar Land, TX

April 11, 9am-12nn

• Canyon Springs Dental Group of Moreno Valley, Riverside, CA

April 14, 10am -3pm

• Main Street Dental Group, Ventura, CA

April 14 and 21, by appointment between 8am -12nn

• Mountain Dental Group, Las Vegas, NV

April 26, 8am – 3pm

• Green Valley Ranch Modern Smiles Dentistry and Orthodontics, Aurora, CO
• Aurora Modern Dentistry, Aurora, CO
• City Place Modern Dentistry, Aurora, CO

April 28

• Desert Crossing Dental Group, Palm Desert, CA

For more information about oral cancer, please visit www.oralcancer.org.