PERFECT SMILEA M A G A Z I N E F O R Y O U R P E R F E C T D E N T A L H E A L T H

STRESS & ORAL HEALTHUnclench That Jaw Now!

PERFECT TASTEKale Chips That Will Make You Smile

FEAR NOT!Are You Passing Fear on to Your Kids?

DESERT FAMILY DENTAL

P R E M I E R I S S U E

By Julie Revelant

Some kids are anxious about dentist appointments. Usually it’s because they don’t know what to expect, but one of the most common reasons actually has to do with you. In fact, a study published in the Interna-tional Journal of Pediatric Dentistry found that if one family member was anxious about dental visits, that fear was oftentimes passed onto other members.

“Sometimes parents project their own feelings about going to the dentist onto their children,” Dr. Steven G. Goldberg, inventor of the DentalVibe Injection Comfort System said.

The good news is that if your children are scared of the dentist, there are ways to help ease their fears.

Start brushing early. Even if your baby doesn’t have teeth, you should clean his gums with a baby toothbrush or wet cloth after each feeding. Introducing good oral hygiene at an early age prepares kids for examinations and cleanings later on, according to Dr. Bill Dorfman, a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, Calif.

See the dentist before the first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children

visit the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by age one. Early dental visits get your child used to the dentist and can prevent dental problems and anxiety about dental procedures in the future, Goldberg said.

Talk about it. Read a book about going to the dentist, explain what to expect or tell your kids about your own positive experience. “Prepare them really well and

then they’re going to be excited to go,” Goldberg said.

Make it fun. Bring a favorite book or toy for a sense of familiarity and comfort. If you make it a fun, happy experience it will likely translate to a positive visit, Dorfman said.

Be positive. Regardless of your own past experiences or how you feel about the dentist now, make it a positive time for your kids. Avoid talking about pain or discomfort and emphasize how healthy their teeth will be, for example.

See a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists have specialized training with kids, use smaller instru-ments, and usually have kid-friendly offices with bright colors, videos and toys. They’re prepared to work with kids who are anxious or have special needs, too.

Source: Revelantwriting.com

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD DENTIST?

PERFECT TASTEJoyBauer.com

Make sure your smile lights up the room by keeping your teeth healthy! Just like your bones, your teeth stay strong when you consume enough calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin C from strawberries and broccoli will also help prevent trips to the dentist. Try the recipes below to get some cavity-fighting nutrients.

Crispy Kale ChipsINGREDIENTS• 1 bunch(es) kale, large

PREPARATIONPreheat the oven to 400°F. Coat two large baking sheets with oil spray. (The chips will be crispiest if baked directly on the baking sheet, without aluminum foil.) Trim the stem ends off the kale and cut or tear the leaves into 2-inch pieces. Divide the kale pieces between the two baking sheets and spread them into a single, even layer. Liberally mist the kale with oil spray and lightly sprinkle with salt. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the kale is crispy to the touch and the edges are beginning to brown.

6 Tips To Calm Your Child’s Dental Fears

Can My Diet Help My Smile?How to choose foods that help your teeth stay bright, white, and healthy.

Regular brushing and flossing are your best bets for keeping your teeth healthy. But yes, certain foods can keep your smile looking bright by contributing to your overall oral health.For instance, foods that increase saliva production help wash food off your teeth as well as neutralize the acids produced by foods as you chew them -- acids that can erode tooth enamel and contribute to tooth decay. Those foods include sugar-free gum and drinks, cheese, and milk.Preventing gum disease is also crucial for keeping your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful. Fish and flaxseed are both rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent inflammation and may help protect against gum disease.Foods to avoid, by the way, include sugary drinks and snacks (the sugar promotes bacteria that increase acids that can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities); some starchy foods such as rice, potatoes, and pasta (which also raise acid levels in the mouth); and, yes, coffee, tea, and red wine, which can stain teeth. Choose water and sugar-free drinks as often as you can — they help wash acid-producing food from your mouth.

How Stress Affects Your Oral HealthToo much stress affects your whole body, including your mouth, teeth, and gums. The potential impact includes:• Mouth sores, such as canker sores• Clenching or grinding your teeth• Eating a bad diet• Gum (periodontal) disease or worsening of existing

periodontal disease Mouth SoresCanker sores appear inside the mouth, sometimes in pairs or even greater numbers. Experts aren’t sure what causes them, but they do think that stress, fatigue or allergies, can increase the chance of getting them. Canker sores are not contagious.What to do: To reduce irritation, don’t eat spicy, hot foods or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits. Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. For relief, try over-the-counter topical anesthetics.

Teeth GrindingStress may make you clench and grind your teeth — during the day or at night, and often subconsciously. Grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located where the skull and lower jaw meet.What to do: See your doctor and ask what can be done for the clenching and grinding. Your dentist may recommend a

night guard, worn as you sleep to help minimize the actions. Bad Eating HabitsWhen you’re stressed, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on sugary foods or drinks. This can put you at risk for tooth decay and other problems.What to do: A regular exercise routine can relieve stress, rev up your energy levels, and encourage you to eat healthier.

Gum DiseaseEven short-term stress

can mean more dental plaque. Long-term, the stress can boost the likelihood of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, which can progress to serious gum disease.What to do: Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help keep gum disease at bay. Brush twice a day and floss daily. Antibacterial mouth rinses also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria.

Source: WebMD

LOOKING GOOD

WELCOME HOME DR. SARAH SMITHDr. Sarah Smith is a visionary in the dental field with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. After graduating and working in North Carolina for 8 years Dr. Smith set out to realize her dream of working with her father and older sister in Phoenix, AZ. Desert Family Dental is glad to welcome Dr. Smith as a part of their team.

101 Doctor Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85027

480.775.4944 Phone | 480.775.4977 Fax

Info@DesertFamilyDental.com

Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Sat-Sun: By Appointment Only

DesertFamilyDental.com

DESERT FAMILY DENTALYou already know us. We’re your friends and neighbors. We focus on you, the individual, and we provide comprehensive, relationship-based dental care the way it ought to be. From children to adults, we are truly the dentist you never outgrow. We are part of the family. We are part of the family.

Our staff is highly trained and proud to be ahead of the technological curve and offers the latest in state-of-the-art dentistry. You will find that our dentists love what they do and always look for ways to improve your dental experience. Desert Family Dental offers a myriad of services for all your dental needs.

Why Invisalign?Invisalign braces are an innovative orthodontic treatment method “straightening” teeth without using traditional braces. This allows us to correct unevenly spaced teeth, misaligned, misshaped or protruding, teeth. The key difference is that Invisalign braces are practically invisible and do not interfere with your smile.

Summer DealsGet your picture perfect smile this summer! Mention this newsletter and receive a 15% credit towards your perfect smile Invisalign during the months of June and July!

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DESERT FAMILY DENTAL