Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Agent Flossit here, wishing you well!

I’m always stressing the importance of Good Oral Hygiene & one of the most important components is FLOSSING!  Too often people (adults & children), either don’t floss or don’t understand the benefits & importance of flossing.  Even flossing can be a fun activity to teach your kids!   It’s time for Agent Flossit to teach all about Flossing Like a Boss:)

BENEFITS OF FLOSSING:

A consistent flossing routine is vital for anyone aspiring to maintain long-term dental health.  Here at Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics http://www.casasmiles.com/, our goal is to see that our patients have healthy & beautiful smiles.  Flossing gives your teeth a more clean feeling & removes plaque & food particles that can cause long-term damage.  While proper toothbrushing is sufficient for cleaning the tops & outer surfaces of your teeth & gums, the best way to ensure food & particles don’t camp out between your teeth is to floss regularly.  If food & particles become lodged in the nooks & crannies of your teeth, not only can cavities form on the teeth, but the damage can extend as far as causing bone loss (or periodontal disease).  The best way to keep those in-between areas clean is to FLOSS.

 

WHEN TO FLOSS & HOW TO?

For children, remember that as soon as he or she has two teeth that touch, it’s the right time to start flossing!  The most important thing about flossing is to do it!  Because flossing demands more manual dexterity than very young children have, children are not usually able to floss well by themselves until about age 10 or 11.  So, it’s up to SUPER moms & dads to help out our little ones & create good habits early on.

If you are using traditional floss, there are 5 basic steps to follow in order to do it right:

5 Steps to a Flawless Floss

We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth:

Once you’re finished, throw the floss away. A used piece of floss won’t be as effective and could leave bacteria behind in your mouth.

Another options is to use Floss Picks.  This may be more enticing for the little ones & easier to use.

Yet another option is Water Flossing for children ages 6 & up.  There is a really great one by Waterpik that we recommend.  It is a great option for kids with braces or ones that have trouble flossing.

This product features:

• Extra safe, kid proof electrical design
• 2 Unique Tips
• 20 removable cling labels
• Smaller & quieter than previous models
• Pressure Control System with 3 settings
• Reservoir capacity of 60+ seconds
• Reservoir can be inverted for hygienic storage
• Can be used with water or mouthwash

Below is a helpful video to learn how to use the Water Flosser for Kids:

I came across a very creative way to show your kids how to floss using Legos & Play Dough:)

It’s been a pleasure sharing all about FLOSS!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this lovely day!

With the above message in mind, which is always on the top of the priority list, I would like to inform you all about the benefits of “going electric”!  Here at Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics http://www.casasmiles.com/ we recommend Sonicare for Kids (ages 4 & up).  I’d like to start off by pointing out just a few facts before getting into more specific details about why Sonicare For Kids is worth considering.

• 75% more effective in hard-to-reach places than manual toothbrushes for better check-ups
• KidTimer gradually increases to 2 minutes to train kids to brush longer
• High & Low power modes for gentle yet effective cleaning
• 8 cool design stickers + 2 bonus sticker sheets for a fun & customized brush

It’s easy to view the mouth & oral hygiene as somehow separate from the rest of your hygiene regimen. That could be because brushing is something we do at the start & end of each day, rather than during our working & social lives.  However, there are many reasons why taking good care of your teeth & gums can have a positive impact on the rest of your life.  Your mouth affects the way you talk, eat & your appearance too.  So it is important to educate your kiddos from an early age about this.  So if you are experiencing a toothache, or tooth decay or even missing teeth, these things can affect the way you are perceived socially, professionally, spoil your enjoyment of food or even affect your sleep patterns.

The good news is oral health problems are both preventable & when caught early, treatable.  Returning your teeth & gums to full health can be as simple as brushing for longer & more often, having a better diet & flossing every day.  A mouth full of healthy teeth & gums can really help you enjoy life.  So, Philips Sonicare is an ideal tooth brush to prevent & treat oral health problems.  Philips Sonicare prevents bacteria known as plaque from growing on your teeth, prevents gingivitis & gum disease.  Sonicare provides state-of-the-art sonic technology & dynamic cleaning action.

My objective is to inform & educate parents first because our children learn from our examples.  Some of what I’ve mentioned applies to adults, but oral health is important for your entire family.  Next, I’d like to give you details about what Sonicare For Kids has to offer you & your kids.

• Ease of us:  Easy snap-on brush heads.
• 2 Brush head sizes available.
• KidPacer delivers fun & engaging musical tones.  Fun sounds encourage kids to brush their entire mouth effectively for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.
• KidTimer helps increase brushing time.  To help kids ease into a proper routine, this electric toothbrush slowly increases the brushing time over 90 days until reaching the dentist-recommended 2 minutes to help instill healthy habits naturally.
• 2 Kid-friendly power modes deliver a gentle, effective clean.  With 2 Kid-friendly power modes, this power toothbrush provides proper cleaning for different ages; a low mode for younger children & a high mode for older kids.
• Fun interchangeable stickers for customization.  Allows kids to make each brush uniquely their own.
• Removes more plaque than a children’s manual toothbrush.  Philips Sonicare For Kids removes up to 75% more plaque than manual toothbrushes.
• Ergonomically designed to enable parents & kids to brush together or on their own.
• Features a unique dynamic action that gently & effectively reaches deep between teeth & along the gumline.
• 91% of dental professional parents prefer Philips Sonicare For Kids for their own children.
• The rubberized brush head of this electric toothbrush is designed to help protect growing teeth.
• Sturdy handle design allows kids to store upright as well as apply toothpaste while the toothbrush is laying flat.
• Sonicare For Kids strongly supports eco-design of products.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brush-busters/id889921027?mt=8

Make sure to download this free app by Philips Sonicare:)

Brushing is #1 in Oral Health care.  If you can use good tools (that you can share among siblings with multiple brush heads), you can prevent oral health problems in the future.  I hope today’s report was helpful & if you have any questions, Farah Flossit is always here to help!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

 

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Good Day to all, Farah Flossit here:)

Here at Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics  http://www.casasmiles.com/, we take a conservative approach to dental x-rays.   There is very little risk in dental X-rays.   Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed.  Lead aprons and digital x-ray machines are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.  You can feel at ease that our doctors know when x-rays should be taken & when they are not necessary.  I would like to start off this week’s report with some valid reasons dentists DO take x-rays.

Reasons WHY dentist take X-RAYS:

• LOOK FOR DECAY BETWEEN TEETH:  Sometimes decay isn’t visible to the naked eye & exists in areas the dentist cannot see.
• CHECK FOR BONE LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH GUM DISEASE:  Gum disease can cause bone loss and an x-ray will show who advanced it is.
• CHECK FOR DECAY UNDER FILLINGS:  Sometimes decay under filings can occur & can only be seen with an x-ray.
• LOOK FOR INFECTION AT THE TIP OF THE ROOT:  Infections can appear at the very bottom of your teeth where the bone is, which needs to be confirmed using an x-ray.
• EXAMINE THE AREA BEFORE PROCEDURES:  Dentists need a full view of the teeth & bone before procedures such as braces, implants & tooth removal.

Below you will find a helpful chart with some FAST FACTS about Dental X-Rays:

 

A common myth about Dental X-Rays is that they are particularly harmful because they are using radiation extremely close to the head & brain.  Actually, no matter what part of the body it is, the amount of radiation emitted by a dental x-ray is too tiny to cause any damage.  And, thanks to improvements in technology, modern dental x-ray machines (like the digital ones used here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/) focus radiation beams so that only your teeth are exposed.

If you ever have any additional questions or concerns about X-Rays, do not hesitate to ask your Dentist or Orthodontist.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day!”

Good Day, Farah Flossit here!

For todays report I am going to just keep it light!  I hope to amuse you all  & make you giggle to help you get through your first day back from a long weekend.

Here are some of my favorite spoofs, jokes, & dental funnies:)

Anyone heard of the latest search engine?

“Old School” video game for modern day dentistry!:)

Pre & post braces portrait for Mona Lisa.

How your Orthodontist keeps your hopes up! LOL

The dental truth about drinking sodas all day! How the real ad should look.

Something to think about the next time you eat those “jolly” candies!:)

If you don’t brush after a chocolate bar, this may just happen!

A very interesting man with very interesting things to say.

BEWARE! Don’t get “TAKEN” by the Mouth Monsters!

The Dental Version.

The 3 Stooges!

One of the dental wonders of the world!

Summer’s biggest blockbuster coming soon! Feature film! Saved the best for last!

 

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report! I hope today’s post put a smile on your face:)

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, BRACE yourself for a special SMILE FASHION REPORT!

Why should you hide your brace face or metal mouth?  Who said you can’t make a fashion statement with your smile?  Not only are you improving your smile by wearing your braces, but you can also now coordinate your style or occasion with cool & funky designs.  Make the best of it & make it fun!  Coordinate your colors with your favorite football team, or with your new sunglasses.  You can choose to glow in the dark or even choose to be subtle & go with the clear look; the options are unlimited.  Set the trend–wear your braces with style–show your self confidence with a fashionable smile!

Just to give you an extra boost of confidence, I would like to share 10 Benefits of Straight Teeth.

1. BETTER BRUSHING:  Overlapping teeth can trap food particles.  Straight teeth allow for easier brushing & flossing.

2. CLEAR SPEECH:  Crooked teeth cause many speech impediments.  As a result, confidence may suffer & school/work performance may be impacted.

3. EASIER EATING:  Crooked, crowded teeth compromise chewing.  Digestive problems can result.

4. LESS ACCIDENT PRONE TEETH:  Protruding teeth are more prone to breaking.  Protective mouthguards may not fit properly.

5. FEWER HEADACHES:  Crowded teeth wear unevenly.  Uneven wear puts pressure on jaw, resulting in chronic headaches.

6. IMPROVED GUM HEALTH:  Better oral hygiene prevents gum disease.  Lower risk of gum disease means lower risk of tooth loss.

7. BETTER OVERALL HEALTH:  Improved oral hygiene means less tooth decay.  Tooth decay & gum disease are linked to heart disease & high blood sugar.

8. COST EFFECTIVE DENTAL CARE:  Fewer severe dental issues with straight teeth.  Fewer issues means less expensive treatment.

9. LOWER RISK OF SOFT TISSUE INJURY:  Crooked teeth can push against soft tissues in mouth.  Cuts, soars, & infections can result.

10. INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM:  One of the biggest benefits of straight teeth.  More confidence at work or school & in social situations.

Life after braces can be fashionable too.  It is imperative to upkeep all the work you put into improving your smile by wearing your retainers.  The good news is you can also customize your retainers to look fun & fashionable.  You can wear stylish retainers once you finish the treatment with the braces.  Retainers are used after the braces to hold teeth in their positions.  Not wearing them long enough can cause more problems than you actually started with.  While retainers are normally made with the traditional pink acrylic, most orthodontists, definitely the funnest dental office (Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/), now offer cool retainer designs that will make you want to wear them.  Below you will find some design options, but if you have something specific in mind, it’s best to ask if it can be customized just for you.

It’s never too late to wear braces!!  20% of braces wearers are adults over age 18.  Advanced braces options are more discreet than ever before.  Improving oral health is important during all stages in life.  For a straight healthy smile, early treatment is best.  Don’t forget that according to the American Association of Orthodontics https://www.aaoinfo.org/, children should get an orthodontic checkup by age 7.  Even if your child’s teeth look straight, there may be an internal issue.  A checkup may reveal problems with jaw growth or emerging adult teeth not visible to the naked eye.

As a last note, I am excited to share a fun find,….BRACED-LETS!  This is just another cool way to be ORTHO-FASHIONABLE.  Check them out by clicking on the links below:)

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/289145238547365405/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51087776992755984/

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

Continue to be Fashion Forward
& remember that,….

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here,…wishing you well on this fine day!

Sometimes what we perceive to be the most obvious, is not really all that clear.  I’m always stressing the importance about BRUSHING & FLOSSING, but do we really know how to do it right?  Moms & Dads know that their kids need to brush & floss to prevent cavities & to have good oral hygiene, but do we actually show our children how to do it right from the start?  I’m reporting today so that I can help all caregivers create good habits early on. Lets go over some basics that we should already know before we go over the proper steps for brushing & flossing right.

1.  Use a good toothbrush. Kids should use a soft toothbrush.  The size & shape of the brush should allow them to reach all areas of their mouth.

2. Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months, sooner if the bristles are worn out or if your children have been sick.

3. Brush at least 2x a day for 2 minutes.

4. Use a fluoride toothpaste as soon as your child can learn to spit after brushing.

5. In a perfect world, floss everyday!

 

*Start with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (non-fluoride if your child does not spit yet) on a soft bristled brush.

*Angle the bristles about 45 degrees to the gums & gently massage the gums & teeth in little circles.

*Don’t forget to brush all the surfaces!

*Once you have brushed all surfaces of your teeth & gums, gently brush your tongue from back to front.

*Rinse & spit.

*If your child has teeth that are touching, be sure to floss around each side of the teeth.

As you continue to brush & floss with your child, it will become second nature to do it right!  Don’t forget to always make it fun by putting on some music or come up with your own jingle.  Visit http://2min2x.org/ for some cool & encouraging videos & ideas to keep your kids interested in keeping their teeth clean & happy.  Below you will find a printable & helpful chart that you can use to reward your child every week for having good oral hygiene.

 

 

Below you will find a great video to show your kiddos about how to brush right!:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy8JurvYlH4&feature=player_detailpage

 

Printable coloring activity to reinforce brushing right!

Remember that practice makes perfect!  The more you practice brushing & flossing the better you’ll do it & the easier it will get.  One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is to get your children enthusiastic about daily dental hygiene.  It is our job to make brushing & flossing fun.  Look for toothpaste with fluoride that may appeal to your kids with yummy flavors, cool colors, & familiar characters.  Now that you know how to show your kids the proper technique, they can be on their way to be free of those sneaky Mouth Monsters.  You can count on me, Farah Flossit, to continue sharing helpful & fun tips & tools to keep your kiddos’ smiles healthy & happy!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)