Our Latest No Cavity Club Winner!

Congratulations to Bryson!  He's our latest KiDDS No Cavity Club winner.  Bryson won a portrait session and a free 8" by 10" from Roessler Photograpahy and a $25 gift card.

Websites for Preschoolers

We've had a request for oral health related activities to do with young children.  Here's a quick list of websites with ideas . . .

Here's some fun activities for preschool children.

Here's a list of books for children about dental health.

I Love Brushing My Teeth!  A two minute song to encourage brushing properly and for the right amount of time.

Dental Games for kids of all ages!

The Happiest Place on Earth

For many years now, a certain theme park in central California has laid claim to the title "The Happiest Place on Earth".  For much of this destination's existence, this title has certainly been deserved.  In 2007, though, a new company emerged that now challenges the theme park's previously uncontested claims. 

For the last four and a half years the owner and president of KiDDS Dental, Dr. Jared Evans, and the rest of our team have been building our pediatric practice into a "dental destination".  Located in the vibrant, beautiful community of Liberty Lake, we boast a friendly and skilled team of professionals, a state-of-the-art facility and a patient base that is fiercely loyal.  Families visit from the all over the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area and beyond, regularly traveling up to an hour or even longer for their bi-annual trip to the dentist.  Patients and their families enjoy visits to our family-centered, fun facility for the quality of care and the quality of relationships.  Parents say they love that they are a part of our family.  Children who are crying as they leave are not in pain.  They are sad that they no longer get to enjoy our play area, video games, crane machine full of toys, big screen television in the reception area and individual televisions at each dental chair.  Going to the dentist can be fun, and it is at KiDDS Dental.

So, we think it's about time that we claimed the title that is rightfully ours.  Our first step is to request a cease and desist order against any organizations that boast our deserved title.  To do so, we'll need to submit a petition with the signatures and comments of those who agree that KiDDS Dental is indeed The Happiest Place on Earth.  Please sign our petition by commenting here on our blog or on our Facebook page.  Please share this request with your friends and challenge them to find out for themselves how happy our place truly is.

Beware of Valentine's Day!

Beware Of Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.

So even though at KiDDS Dental we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath and lots of saliva, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to gross you out about kissing. But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your loved ones right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay – we might gross you out a little bit!) This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.

Nowadays kisses aren’t just about romantic love. Of course parents kiss their children. Worshippers often kiss religious artifacts. Some people kiss the ground when exiting an airplane. And who doesn’t want to have a “boo boo” kissed when they get a bruise?

But February 14^th is a day for the romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason. While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:

·         Oxytocin, which helps people develop feelings of attachment, devotion and affection for one another

·         Dopamine, which plays a role in the brain's processing of emotions, pleasure and pain

·         Serotonin, which affects a person's mood and feelings

·         Adrenaline, which increases heart rate and plays a role in your body's fight-or-flight response

But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds or even millions of bacterial colonies can be spread from one person to another. And let’s face it – no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So let’s start with the basics:

·         Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

·         Floss once per day – if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask! We’ll be glad to show you the ropes.

·         Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay - we won’t tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine’s Day!)

·         Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.

·         If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.

·         Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath.

·         See you dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition.

Here at KiDDS Dental, we want you to have a kissable February 14^th and a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at 509-891-7070. We are here for you!

The Power of the Pacifier. . .

I’m regularly questioned by concerned parents about pacifier use.  Some of them approach me with a shamed expression, clearly embarrassed about the situation they are in.  As a dentist, I understand these parents’ concern.   Others openly profess their love for their child’s fixation and assign pet names , such as “bubba,” “ginky,” “jar jar” or “pluggerdoodle,” to the one item they claim protects their sanity.  As a father, I understand this affection.  I often respond to both types of parents with the sentiment  “there is a time for everything . . . even the binky.  But, once that time has passed, move on. ”

I completely support the use of a pacifier by infants.   The action of rhythmic sucking optimizes an infant’s breathing and heart rate.  This explains why pacifiers are recommended to help prevent SIDS.  The use of a pacifier soothes a newborn.  In hospital nurseries, infants cry significantly less if they are given a pacifier between feedings.  Muscular movements of the digestive tract work most efficiently when a baby is sucking.  Sucking on a pacifier helps to re-regulate intestinal rhythms in babies with colic or digestive difficulties. 

 There is a point, though, when too much of a good thing spells trouble.  Children who have continued a sucking habit beyond infancy are regularly affected with crooked teeth, misaligned jaws and even speech impediments.   Problems with prolonged sucking can appear beyond the mouth, too.  One study has shown that children who did not use a pacifier had nearly one third less occurrence of ear infections.  Prolonged sucking habits can also affect a child’s interaction with others.  Children with a pacifier in their mouths can’t talk and for children who are shy, the pacifier creates an excuse to avoid expressing themselves.  This can stunt a child’s emotional and social growth.

So when is the right time to give up the binky?  Not during infancy.  There are both physical and psychological reasons to encourage the use of a pacifier through and beyond a baby’s first year.  Once a child has reached preschool age, however, there is no benefit to sucking.  Parents of children this age who haven’t given up the habit already should take measures to stop the habit before Kindergarten, especially if there are protruding, crooked teeth or their child’s lips are flaring and are difficult to close.  Another sign of an excessive habit is the continuation of sucking vigorously throughout the night.  If a sucking habit continues into a child’s school years, it is unlikely that the effects can be fixed without the help of an orthodontist.

There are steps that a parent can take at all stages of their child’s development.  Introducing the pacifier in the right way, early in life, sets up a child for successful weaning later in life.  Parents of infants should not offer a pacifier unless their baby is fussing.  When a child is fussing, they should first spend a moment to evaluate if something other than a pacifier might solve the problem.   To discover the underlying difficulty and then address it teaches even the youngest infant to deal with distress by problem-solving instead of mouth-filling.  Once a child has reached the status of toddler, a parent can introduce limits to the availability of a pacifier.  Offering a pacifier only at naptimes and at bedtime is one way to start the weaning process.  If a toddler seeks out his pacifier at other times, a parent can present distractions to help him engage in other, healthy activities.  As a toddler matures and starts to hone his reasoning and negotiating skills his parent can reinforce his lack of pacifier use with praise and rewards.   A parent can also foster an excitement about the process by introducing ceremonies to usher the child to a more mature and “grown up” phase of life.

Resolve now to determine what you, as a parent, should do to help your child move away from the use of a pacifier.  In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, our office will be inviting the Pacifier Fairy to help encourage children at whatever stage they are in.  Children who visit KiDDS Dental during the event can meet the fairy, hear her read stories about other children who have stopped a sucking habit, and leave their pacifier on the Binky Tree in exchange for a gift.  Even if a child isn’t ready to let go of his binky, it is an opportunity for parents to introduce the idea of weaning and to expose the child to others who have succeeded.   It’s a positive experience where we emphasize the excitement of growing up.   

Call 509-891-7070 for more information or to sign up for the event.

This article was published in the January issue of Northwest Kids Magazine.

You Say You Want a Resolution?

Happy New Year!  How are your resolutions coming along?  If you are like most people, this list probably includes: go to the gym, lose weight, take tango lessons, call your mother more often, etc. . . But, let's face it -- EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are all usually broken by the end of January.

So, let's shake it up a little this year and try ten "Dental Resolutions."  Get the whole family involved!  These resolutions are not only easy to keep, but can lead to a lifetime of excellent health.  Here they are!

1. CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH.  Most people hang on to their toothbrushes as if they have sentimental value.  The fact is, you should replace your brush every two  months or so.  If the bristles don't look almost brand new, chances are your teeth aren't being cleaned well and your toothbrush is harboring lots of yucky bacteria.
2. FLOSS EVERY DAY.  Flossing every day helps to prevent gum disease.  Not only can you keep your teeth for a lifetime, your chances of heart disease and other illnesses which are linked to unhealthy gums will significantly decrease.  If you have trouble flossing or are not sure how to do it, don't be embarrassed!  Our fantastic team will be glad to show you how.
3. WEAR YOUR SEATBELT.  We all know that seatbelts save lives, but even in a minor accident teeth can be shattered or damaged if your body is flung forward.  So buckle up and save your smile!
4. USE A MOUTHGUARD.  Dental damage from sports is extremely common and just about always preventable.  There's a reason everyone in the NFL wears a mouthguard, and it's not to scare their opponents.  Give us a call and we will fit you, your kids and their entire team with custom mouthguards.
5. GET RID OF SODAS AND SPORTS DRINKS.  We all need to hydrate, but we don't need excess sugar and artificial chemicals. These drinks are bad for your body and pull an all out assult on your pearly-whites.  Switching to water will not only be a big boost to your overall health, it will save you money as well!
6. TEETH ARE FOR CHEWING, BITING, AND SMILING.  Please don't use your teeth to open bottles, packages, or anything else. 
7. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYE TEETH.  As if cancer, heart disease, emphysema, pregnancy issues and a host of chronic illnesses aren't enough reason to stop smoking, please be aware that this nasty habit stains your teeth, increases the risk of gum disease, and makes your breath smell like the monkey cage at the zoo.  Not only does it effect you, but it hurts your loved ones who have to endure the second hand smoke.  There are so many reasons to quit smoking so please make this the year.
8. BUT THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU!  The battle cry of mothers all over the world is true for your oral health as well.  Yes, eating your veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts not only increases your overall health, it boosts your immunity which is great for your teeth and gums.  Added benefit:  crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.
9. WHITEN YOUR SMILE.  There is no question that a nice smile increases your confidence and makes you more attractive to others.  There are so many easy and inexpensive ways to make your smile the best that it can be.  Give us a call or stop on in and we will be glad to show you how.
10. DON'T PUT OFF YOUR DENTAL VISITS.  We know that visiting the dentist may not be at the top of your "things to do" list for the New Year, but by visiting on a regular basis you can prevent huge (and expensive) dental problems from ever occurring.  It's a small investment with a big payoff -- a better smile, increased overall health, beautiful teeth and gums for life, fresh clean breath, and so much more.  Did you know that our hygienist sees adult patients?  Send her an e-mail at BeckyN@GrowUpSmiling.com today and get 2012 off to a great start!

Why send candy to troops?

The planning for our 4th Annual Great Candy Buy Back is well underway.  As a reminder, here are the details:

Tuesday, Nov 1st

4pm - 7pm

Children will get a dollar for each pound of candy they bring in.   We'll also be handing out goody bags with Firefly toothbrushes and other fun stuff!

Parents will be able to enter to win prizes.

Candy will be shipped to troops overseas through Operation Gratitude

Dr. Jared got a question via e-mail the other day about our buy back that he'd like us to share with everyone:

I have a really good question. Why do you want the troops overseas to eat the candy the kids get at Halloween? Adults get cavities too and are prone to obesity and hyperactivity if they eat too much candy. This doesn't make any sense to me.

Here is our response:

You do, indeed, ask a very good question.  I want to reassure you that we do care about the oral health of not only the children in our area, but the adults who are courageously serving the US in hostile countries.

We have chosen Operation Gratitude as the organization that we go through to recognize our appreciation for our country's soldiers. The care packages that Operation Gratitude assembles fit into a 12" x 12" x 5" box. This box could probably hold 3-5 lbs of candy.  The packages, however, are not made entirely of candy.  The care packages include other things such as DVDs, stuffed animals, stacks of greeting cards, socks, scarves, CDs, and more.  I would estimate that none of the packages contain more than 2 lbs of candy.  Some of the kids that bring in candy bring in less than 2 lbs.  Most, however, bring in plenty more.  In most cases, we're distributing the candy from one child to multiple service members.

Although there is no way to track what the one service member does with the one package they receive, I am told that the items in these care packages are often shared with the other members of their team.  There are also reports of troops using the candy to befriend the children in the areas in which they serve, making their territory just a bit less hostile.  So, of the up to 2 lbs of candy that is delivered to one member of the military, it is likely that it is not all eaten by that one individual. 

Another way that we mitigate the effects of the candy on the recipient is by sending toothbrushes and toothpaste to Operation Gratitude.  In the last few years, we've shipped almost 300 toothbrushes and tubes of  toothpaste to be included in the holiday care packages.

The price of the candy and shipping charges are well worth it to us.  Check out these videos that show how amazing this cause is:

http://youtu.be/ZUGemsZUpBo

http://youtu.be/zOnwb1w8QEk


In conclusion,  Dr. Evans believes that candy should be enjoyed by children who have trick-or-treated to earn it, but it is not healthy for anybody to enjoy it in excess.  His suggestion:  Eat a little, save a little to enjoy for the few days following Halloween and then get rid of the rest before having candy daily becomes a habit that is hard to change.  Why not turn that excess candy into a good deed for another?  We're happy to buy that candy from children to give it to others who will be uplifted by the gesture and who should enjoy it, as well.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us again!

What do you think?  Should we reconsider our efforts to buy back candy and send to troops?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.