Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here!  Hope you are all having a great day:)

Can you say,… sticky hands, dinosaurs, bling rings, stickers, slinkies, & bouncy balls!!!!! These are just a few of the things you will encounter when coming to get your teeth squeaky cleaned.

“Tooth-Day” I am very excited about sharing how FUN Casa Smiles is to visit.  We are more like a FUN HOUSE.   Aside from the obvious friendly team that greets every visitor, the fun begins as soon as you walk in!  Our kids are welcome to sit & play with our ipads in the waiting area.  They are packed with fun games for all ages.  As a patient, if you visit us in the same month as your birthday, you will see your name on our cool birthday chalk wall, just to remind you how special we think you are.

    

As soon as one of our dental assistants is ready for you, you will be taken to our treatment area where you can sit with our friend Dudley the Dino.  It’s a lot of fun to practice brushing with Dudley.  While moms & dads wait, they can also enjoy some coffee, tea, water, or even hot chocolate.

For those that like to relax by watching a movie of their choice, we provide headphone & Netflix as entertainment!

 As part of the fun, it is so important to give our parents & young adults helpful information about their oral hygiene & fun resources.  Visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/tips-for-parents/ for a timeline about what to expect at every age with respect to your child’s dental health.  Or you can download a fun certificate to give your child after a successful dental visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/dental-checkup-award-certificate/.  You can also click & print it below:)

At check out, we have prizes for everyone!  Moms & dads, & kids can grab a chap stick to go! And for those that behaved really well, they can visit our treasure box, where they can pick a FUN prize! Don’t forget that we also have some cool pencils too.  Our goal is that when you are scheduling your next appointment on your way out, you all had a great time & look forward to coming back.

The great thing about this Special Report is that if you haven’t visited us yet, you can show your child or friends how fun going to the dentist can really be, especially here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/.  Coming to Casa Smiles is fun for both our Pediatric patients http://www.casasmiles.com/pediatric-dentistry/ & our Orthodontic patients http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/.  Below you will find a good way to sum up our philosophy here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/about-us/ !

We can never thank our patients enough for having joined our Casa Smiles family, so I thought I’d share the beautiful artwork we love to display that shows how our patients thank us!

All in all, Casa Smiles really takes a lot of pride in making your experience here, a great one!  This post was actually inspired by a mom who was anxious about her little one visiting the dentist for the first time, so I decided that this “Tooth-Day” should be all about providing images about what to expect when visiting our office.  Now, parents can refer to this post to eliminate the anxiety & they will know what to expect at Casa Smiles or the “FUN HOUSE”.  Anything we can do to make you smile, just let us know.

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, & 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 of my mouth-monster fighting friends, Farah Flossit here:)  At Casa Smiles www.casasmiles.com we really try to discuss real issues & topics that affect our daily lives; useful information & actual resources you can access to help you along the way!

Are you frustrated, tired, or just ready to see your baby “ban the binky”?  Well, the good news is that I will be giving you some good tips & ideas about how to say goodbye to the binky days by getting creative & really thinking ahead before giving it your best shot.

Up until the age of about 2-4 years of age, most parents are thankful for pacifiers as they help calm & soothe fussy babies. Babies use a pacifier or suck on a thumb for comfort or a feeling of security.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) http://www.aapd.org/ recommends a pacifier over a thumb because they believe that a pacifier habit is easier to break at an earlier age.

Many children will stop sucking on thumbs or pacifiers on their own between 2 & 4 years of age, but frequent pacifier use over a long period of time can affect the way a child’s bite & the growth of the jaw.  Intervention is recommended for children beyond the age of 3.  The earlier a child can stop, the less chance there is that it will lead to orthodontics problems down the road.  So let’s get to how to “ban the binky” before your baby starts looking like this…..LOL

One of the MOST IMPORTANT things to identify is what situations trigger your child’s desire for a pacifier, so that you can be ready to replace it with something that offers comfort or reassurance.  You may want to consider a transitional object such as a cuddly doll or favorite stuffed toy.  Another idea is to be ready with a fun activity that can help with taking their mind off the desired binky.  You MUST offer positive reinforcement and lots of praise when the child neglects their binky!  Below are some ideas on how to overcome roadblocks you may encounter on your “bye-bye binky” process.

1. Take your little one & the pacifier to the store to pick out a new toy to “replace” the binky.

2. Throw a “Goodbye Binky” party! Set out the pacifier for the Binky Fairy & much like you would make a birthday list or holiday wish list, have your little one put together a “Pacifier Fairy Wish List”!

3. Make the process into a game.  Create a countdown game where you tell the child that over the next 3 weeks Binky will be shrinking.  Start by cutting a very small hole in the top of the pacifier & continue to cut a portion off each week until there is no longer anything left for your child to such on.  This is a great way to separate your child’s association from someone taking the pacifier away to the pacifier just breaking on its own.  At the end, you can tell your child it’s time to bid Binky bye-bye!  If you need a visual, you can print the one below or visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/

Whether or not you decide to go cold turkey, or choose to go with one of my fun & creative suggestions, be sure to collect all pacifiers around the house.  The last thing you need is your little one fining a pacifier the week after he or she gave it up & have to go back to square one.

Below are some helpful links, visuals, products, & resources to help you make this process fun & easy!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238409373994692405/

http://www.thumbuddytolove.com/

Here is an actual Binky fairy dolly!

The Binky Fairy comes with a children’s illustrated story book and interactive Binky Fairy finger puppet and can help children survive the weaning period of giving up their pacifier. Similar to the Tooth Fairy, parents read the adorable story of The Binky Fairy the night before as children look forward to waking up to their Binky Fairy puppet knowing their Binkys were replaced to help other children. The Binky Fairy puppet comes with removable wings and children learn the story of how she became The Binky Fairy by helping children around the world give up their pacifier without the sadness or fuss. Each Binky Fairy comes with a hard back book and also comes with a success chart and stickers. (Winner of the PTPA Awards – See more at: http://www.thumbuddytolove.com/store-2/#!/~/product/category=0&id=20923897 )

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/231794712047567366/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112449321920896401/

Free printables to help make it fun!

ORTHO CORNER!!

Over on our Orthodontics side of our practice http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/, it is really important to educate our patients on how to care for their braces by eating the right foods & being aware of what NOT to eat.  Improving your smile is an investment you do not want to ruin or delay.  I am going to fill you in on some dos & don’ts & point you to some interesting resources where you can find yummy (healthy) recipes to spruce up your menu during your ortho treatment.

Braces are used to straighten teeth, which not only creates a better appearance, but also prevents tooth decay & other oral health problems.  However, braces are ONLY effective when they are properly cared for.

The best foods to eat with braces are those that are not high in sugar and do not require excessive chewing.  For breakfast, try eggs, yogurt, bacon, wheat toast, or oatmeal.  Lunch may steer toward banana rather than an apple, a salad without nuts, servings of lean proteins such as meats or fish, and a glass of water rather than sugary sodas or juice drinks.  For some after-school snacks, you may want to consider baked tortilla chips with salsa & guacamole, or some string cheese with fruit.

As you begin to adjust the alignment of your teeth, they will periodically be tightened to continue the alignment process.  After an adjustment visit, your teeth may be sore & sensitive to certain foods.  After your ortho appointment, you may want to try some of the suggestions below:

• Pudding
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Ice Cream
• Cottage Cheese
• Peas
• Pancakes
• Pasta

Below are some of the DONT’S:

• Hard Candies
• Gum
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Certain raw veggies (for example, carrots)

Regardless of what you eat, with braces, KEEPING THEM CLEAN, is most important!! This means brushing & flossing after meals to prevent build-up of plaque & decay.

In my quest for helpful information on this topic, I came across a great site that offers a free collection of braces-friendly recipes! Click on the link below to enjoy & explore:)

https://grainddiction.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/nowrecipebook-braces-friendly.pdf

We hope your adorable Binky pumpkins can “Ban the Paci” & we hope your adorable metal mouths enjoy some new food options & ideas!  I love sharing with all of you & look forward so circling back with you next “Tooth-Day”!  If you have any topics or concerns you would like me to discuss, you can leave a comment or contact us http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/ to let us know!

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, & 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”! Special Agent Farah Flossit here,…..:)  I’m excited to tell you all about how to improve your dental health by picking some healthy snacks! I will also be showing you guys some good resources that you can use to remind your little ones to brush & floss, with stylish displays–best of all, FREE!  You’ll also meet a new Ortho Villain & how we want to help give a lucky kid a new smile.  And last but not least, a fun printable activity to do with your kiddos!

http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/

We can actually eat our way to a cleaner mouth.  Some of the best choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken, nuts, and milk.  These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth.  Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (ie:  apples & pears) and vegetables.  These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, & stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid).  As for drinks, water is the best choice.  If you are going to offer your kiddos anything other than water, try to keep the choices to juices & teas that are low in sugar.  The best practice is to brush & floss after you eat & snack, but if that is not possible, drinking water can cleanse your teeth when swished around in your mouth to remove bacteria.

Here are some SMART SNACKS you can put on your grocery list:

FRUITS:
-Melons
-Pears
-Oranges
-Berries
-Pineapple

RAW VEGGIES:
–Carrots
-Celery
-Cucumbers
-Broccoli

GRAINS:
–Whole grain bread
-Pretzels (unsalted or low-salt)
-Cereals (unsweetened)
-Plain bagels

MEATS & PROTEINS:
-Baked chicken or turkey
-Peanut butter (unsalted or low-salt)

DAIRY:
–Cottage Cheese
-Cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, monetary jack
-Yogurt

ORTHO CORNER:

MEET THE CROOKED TOOTH VILLAIN!!!

Here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/, Dr. Iwanowski http://www.casasmiles.com/about-us/dr-iwanowski-dmd/, our Fabulous Orthodontist, is on a mission to do away with the Crooked Tooth Villain by helping as many kids & adults improve their smiles & build up their self-confidence.  Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter to find out how to help a lucky kid get an entire Orthodontic treatment FREE!  There will be special instructions, so check in & you or one of your kids that has not already started their ortho treatment with us can be the lucky winner!

CREATIVE CORNER & FUN FINDS:

Displaying cute & colorful artwork to promote good oral hygiene is a great way to decorate & remind your little ones what to do when they go to the bathroom!  Below you will find just a few Free Printables that I came across on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/likes/ that I’d thought you might like:)

http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-creative-project-ideas/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/free-floss-like-a-boss-printable

http://ctutesycrafts.com/2013/07/checking-out-bathroom-with-cottonelle.html

Check out this new toothbrush designed for parent’s hands & a child’s mouth!

http://www.shopmambaby.com/teething-oral-care

Visit https://www.aaoinfo.org/ or print the fun word search below as a fun activity to do with your little one!

Well, we love sharing fun facts & cool finds with you!  Circle back with us next “Tooth-Day”!

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, & 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”!!!

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, I am reporting today as “Special Agent” Flossit; Mouth Monster fighting hero!  This month I am working overtime fighting off our villains- Tooth D.K., Ginger Bite-Us, & Tartar The Terrible!  Watch out, these Mouth Monsters will be very sneaky & persistent.  They will use their sweet looks to trick you. Moms & Dads need to take measures into their own hands in order to join us in this Monster-Free Mouth Movement.

Did you know tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease affecting children in the U.S.?  While it’s a scary statistic, the good news is it’s largely preventable with healthy habits and regular preventive care.  That’s why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is asking parents and caregivers to banish the Mouth Monsters (aka tooth decay) by joining the Monster-Free Mouth Movement. It’s easy – just go to mychildrensteeth.org for tips and tools to help teach your kids about the importance of healthy oral habits.

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Little Teeth Are A Big Deal

They may be little, but baby teeth play a BIG role in your child’s oral health – and are key to the development of

healthy, strong adult teeth. Below are some tips to help your child have a happy, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime:

http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/

Make sure to follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles and Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/ for the latest news, tips, & information about Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics http://www.casasmiles.com/.

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 Ortho Corner

Mouth Guards are the most important part of any contact sport uniform!

Dr. Iwanowski here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/ offers the best of both custom & Tapout athletic mouth guards.  Consult with her to provide your little & big athletes with the right fit to prevent any injuries to your super stars!

 It is estimated by the American Dental Association http://www.ada.org/en/ that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and collegiate football alone.

A properly fitted mouth guard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing, and (possibly the most important criteria) have excellent retention, fit, and sufficient thickness in critical areas.

Facts from the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety

• Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports; the majority of these dental injuries are preventable.
• An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a protective mouth guard.
• The cost of a fractured tooth is many times greater than the cost of a dentist diagnosed and designed professionally made mouth guard.
• Every athlete involved in contact sport has about a 10% chance per season of an orofacial injury, or a 33-56% chance during an athletic career.
• The cost to replant a tooth and the follow-up dental treatment is about $5000.
• Victims of knocked out teeth who do not have a tooth properly preserved or replanted may face lifetime dental costs of $15,000-$20,000/tooth, hours in the dental chair, and the possible development of other dental problems such as periodontal disease.
• It is estimated that faceguards and mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and college football.
• The stock mouth guard which is bought at sports stores without any individual fitting, provide only a low level of protection, if any. If the wearer is rendered unconscious, there is a risk the mouth guard may lodge in the throat potentially causing an airway obstruction.

Facts from the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association

• A properly fitted mouth guard reduces the chances of sustaining a concussion from a blow to the jaw.
• Mouth guards should be worn at all times during competition; in practice as well as in games.
• Contact your local dental society and association for information on dentists and mouthguard programs in your area.
• The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouth guards for the following sports: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field Hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling.

Contact us today to make sure your kids are PLAYING-IT-SAFE!! http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/

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HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!!

 

I look forward to chatting with you again next “Tooth-day”!

Your friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)