DO YOU KNOW THE BASICS?

Recently the American Dental Association did a survey to see if typical Americans knew some basic facts about dental health.  here are some of the questions - play along and see how you do!

1)  What type of bristles should you have on your toothbrush - soft, medium or hard?

Most people chose either medium or hard, but the fact is soft bristles are best!  Medium or hard can actually damage your sensitive gum tissue and wear your teeth!

2)  Sugar causes cavities - True or False?

Practically everyone answered "true" to this one, but the answer is actually "false!"  But you may feel it's a trick question.  Cavities are caused by bacteria, but the problem causing organisms feed on sugar that is stuck to your teeth!  We recommend limiting sweets and soft drinks, especially the sticky kind!

3)  Does The American Dental Association recommend brushing your teeth for sixty seconds after every meal, or for two minutes twice per day?

Again, most people got this one wrong!  The ADA suggests twice per day for two minutes.  Of course, if you want to throw in a few extra brushing sessions each day we won't object - especially before you come to visit us!

4)  True or False - It is normal for your gums to bleed while brushing and flossing.

Okay - this one is a little scary.  35% of respondents answered "true" - but the answer is definitely false!  Think about it - what would you do if your nose bled every time you sneezed, or your arm bled when you scratched it?  Well, the same goes for your gums!  Bleeding is a sign of gum disease and infection, and is certainly not normal or healthy!

So how did you do?  Hopefully this little quiz was fun, and maybe you even learned something!

At DeLand Smiles, we are here to answer any questions you may have, no matter how basic!  Give us a call at 386-736-7121 and we will be glad to help you - or to set up an appointment for a dental examination, cleaning, or to look at any dental problem you may be having, or even to brighten up your smile.  Whatever it is - we can help!

TEN FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOUR TEETH!


We all hear about foods that are bad for your teeth!  Sticky sweets and sugar-laden sodas can wreak havoc with your pearly whites.  But did you know there are also foods that are good for your teeth and gums?  Here is a list of dentally healthy things to chomp on.


1)  Cheese:  Maybe there's a reason that when we "say cheese" it's time to smile!  With high levels of phosphate and calcium, cheese promotes healthy teeth, balances the oral ph, and can destroy bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.


2)  Dairy products:  Other than cheese, milk and yogurt are rich in calcium and low in acidity - both positive things for your teeth and gums.


3)  Green tea:  This delicious drink is an anti-oxidant soup which prevents plaque from accumulating on your teeth, reducing cavities and bad breath.  Just take it easy on the added sugar and honey!


4)  Kiwi:  Most fruits are loaded with Vitamin C, and eating them raw can give your gums a good healthy massage as well.  Kiwis are exceptionally high in C, which can increase the collagen in your gums and make them stronger.

5)  Onions:  Sure - raw onions can make your breath pretty smelly.  But the sulfur compounds that contribute to temporary bad breath also kill dangerous bacteria that harm the teeth.  Brush, floss and rinse after you eat them, or better yet - make sure your kissing partner eats them too!


6)  Celery:  Eat plenty of celery and you may not have to stalk your dentist as much!  Raw celery massages your gums, and can increase the production of healthy saliva.


7)  Sesame seeds:  These little wonders actually can scrape plaque from your teeth and are packed with tooth-strengthening calcium.  The bleached white flour bagel they are often attached to - that's a different story.


8)  Sweet potato:  These beauties are loaded with Vitamin A, and are especially good for babies whose teeth are developing.  An orange nose is an added bonus!

9)  Shiitake mushrooms:  Believe it or not, these tasty fungi often found in Asian foods contain a sugar that prevents plaque from forming on your teeth.


10)  Water:  There's a reason water is called "the gift of life," and you would be hard pressed to find a healthy foods list without it.  Dentally speaking, water keeps your mouth hydrated, cleans and rinses your teeth and gums, stimulates saliva production, and can dislodge trapped food particles.



As great as these foods are, there is much more to healthy teeth and gums than loading up on celery, cheese and water!  If it is time for your regular dental exemination and cleaning, or if you have any questions at all about your dental health, we are here for you!  Please give us a call at 386-736-7121!

DON'T PASS THIS ON!!

“She has her father’s gorgeous eyes!”

“He sings beautifully, just like his mother.”

“He’s so smart – must have gotten that from his Dad!”

“Just like her Mom – a natural athlete!”

We love to brag about our children, and it gives us extra pleasure when we think they inherited their positive traits from us!  But how about when they get something from us that might not be so good?

According to a recent study performed at Rey Juan Carolos University of Madrid, fear of the dentist may be associated with a similar fear in their parents – especially the father!

“Children seem to mainly pay attention to the emotional reactions of the fathers when deciding if situations at the dentist are potentially stressful,” said study co-author Professor America Lara-Sacido.  They went on to discuss that dental fear by either parent can set up their children for a lifetime of difficulty at the dentist.

At DeLand Smiles, it is our goal to take dental fear out of the equation and make your dental visit as easy as possible.  Our modern techniques and caring approach will provide you with the most pleasant dental experience imaginable.  And if you have any worries at all, please feel free to discuss them with us.

Here are some tips from The American Dental Association on making your young child’s dental visit as easy as possible:

• Consider making a morning appointment when children tend to be rested & cooperative.
• Keep any anxiety or concerns you have to yourself.  Children can pick-up on your emotions, so emphasize the positive.
• Never use a dental visit as a punishment or threat.
• Never bribe your child.
• Talk with your child about visiting the dentist.

And remember – if your child is anxious about a dental visit, it may be because of you!! Please come in and discuss any dental issues you may be having, and we will show you how modern dentistry is more comfortable than ever – and maybe even fun!

To make an appointment for any member of the family or to discuss your dental needs, please call us today at 386-736-7121.  At DeLand Smiles, your comfort is our primary concern!

Ten Easy, Healthy, Fun New Year’s Resolutions That You Can Actually Do!!

At DeLand Smiles, we love New Year’s Resolutions.  After all, the new year is a great time to start fresh with some good habits.

But the problem with New Year’s Resolutions is that they are usually broken way before Groundhog Day.  Why?  We simply make them too difficult.  So 2013 may not be the year you lose 220 pounds, visit the gym six times per week, eat kale shakes for breakfast every morning, write the Great American Novel and train a world class Portuguese Water Dog...but it very well may be the year you start some healthy habits that last the rest of your longer, healthier life!

Here are a few suggestions:

1)      Walk, Don’t Run!  If you’re the type that can train for a local 10K race, that’s great.  But if it’s not your thing, you can still benefit from more walking.  Here’s a simple way to make it happen.  Whenever you are faced with a situation to use an elevator or escalator, make it your personal rule that if it is one flight up or two flights down, you’ll take the steps.  It’s easy!

2)      Don’t cruise the lot!  Instead of spending your time looking for a “great” parking space, park a little farther away intentionally.  You’ll not only get in a few extra steps (which will amount to a few miles soon!) – your car will get less dinged up!

3)      Know Your Numbers!  Make sure that you get an annual physical which includes a blood test.  Knowing your cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and other vital statistics, and then taking the proper measures recommended by your physician will automatically put you in the top half of healthy Americans!

4)      Test Yourself!  It has been proven that knowing how to do a breast or testicular self-exam can save your life.  (If you’re not sure which one to do, your problem is a bit more complicated.)  Ask your health practitioner how to do it, or even check out a video on You Tube!

5)      Drop The Diet!  No – not the healthy eating pattern – the diet soda!! It contains all kinds of chemicals and many people theorize it actually makes you hungrier.  There is simply nothing good about diet soda.  Switch to water, unsweetened tea with lemon, or even black coffee in moderation. 

6)      Speaking Of Soda…One of the simplest things anyone can do to become immediately healthier is to go cold turkey on sodas and sports drinks.  They are loaded with sugar and are simply unnecessary.  If all you do to change your diet is to drop these two things, pounds can actually melt off quickly and never come back!

7)      Think Positively!  It may sound trite, but if you believe good thins are going to happen, they probably will.  Seeing the worst in every situation simply stresses you out and causes you to react negatively.  Those who think happy usually are!

8)      Do What Scares You!  Pick one thing that you have been afraid to do, and commit to it.  Put it on your calendar.  Tell your friends or family members that you are going to do it.  Then do it!  It could be a polar bear plunge, skydiving, a trip to Europe, quitting your job, reuniting with an old friend you had a fight with – it doesn’t matter!  Pick one thing, put it on your calendar, and do it!  Then do another…

9)      Appreciate What You Have and Don’t Envy Others.  Enough said!  Pull this one off successfully and your entire life will change!

10)  FLOSS!!  The benefits of healthy gums are numerous, including fresher breath, a lifetime of teeth, reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, and many more.  It’s simple to do and takes just one minute per day, yet practically no one does it!  If you’re not sure how to floss properly, we would love to show you!  Even if you feel you are not coordinated enough, we can show you some inexpensive gadgets that will help.  Make 2013 the year of the floss!!

So there you have it – ten simple healthy New Year’s tips that anyone can do!! Feel free to add your own.  And since dental health and a beautiful smile are also on your list, don’t forget that we are here for you!  If you have any questions or need to make any appointment, simply give us a call at (386) 736-7121.  Happy New Year!