Protect Your Child From Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

DO YOU EVER put your baby to bed with a bottle? It may seem harmless. But if the bottle is full of milk or juice, it may begin to erode their teeth.

Acid-Producing Bacteria Cause Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottles full of milk or juice are also full of sugars that combine with bacteria to produce acids. When a baby drifts off with a bottle still in his or her mouth, the fluid pools around teeth and slowly erodes the enamel throughout the night.

The result can be painful tooth decay—also known as caries—and/or the need for crowns or extractions. In addition, since children’s teeth are still coming in they’re more susceptible to decay beneath the gum line. This decay can become so severe that delicate surgery under a general anesthetic is sometimes required to remedy the problem.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth From The Start

Give your child’s teeth the best protection you can, from the start! Dental health habits should begin before your child even grows their full set of baby teeth.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they’re essential for your child’s health and development. They help your child eat and learn to speak. They also play an important role in guiding permanent teeth as they grow in properly.

We’re Here To Help

We’re here to help you help your child during this important time of life. If you have any questions about your child’s dental health, please send them our way. You can give us a call or reach out to us on Facebook! We’re excited to join forces to make sure your child has excellent oral health.

We appreciate your trust in our practice!

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The “Musts,” “Shoulds,” And “Coulds” Of Dentistry

MANY OF OUR PATIENTS tend to wonder, “Which procedures are required, and which are optional?” We welcome this question! We understand that time and finances restrict us from doing all we wish we could, so we need to prioritize.

Many Dental Procedures Are Either “Musts,” “Shoulds,” Or “Coulds”

“Musts” include the basics of preventative care, including regular cleanings and check-ups. It may also include those procedures which protect you from pain and severe damage, like a cap on a cracked tooth.

“Shoulds” can vary greatly from patient to patient, depending on their personal risk and condition. If you’re at high risk for tooth decay, we may recommend more preventative procedures. “Shoulds” may also include aspects of a more thorough smile restoration.

Remember, Preventative Care Is NOT Optional

Many are tempted to demote dental cleanings and checkups to “could” status. However, preventative care is a “must” for a healthy mouth. We may recommend certain procedures, or more frequent cleanings and checkups, because you’re at risk for severe problems. This prevents much bigger (and more expensive) procedures down the road.

We Treasure Your Trust

We want to be a long-term, trusted healthcare provider to you and your family. That means that we’re not just here for a quick buck. It’s much more important to us to build a relationship of trust. We believe that this is the best way to provide effective care, and keep your mouth and body feeling its best. It’s also the best way that we can be a thriving practice, proud of the care that we provide.

Thanks for your trust in our practice.
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Juice Smarter: Your Teeth Will Thank You

JUICING IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR health fads right now, but how does it affect your smile?

Juices Can Be Tough On Teeth

Many juices contain high amounts of acid and sugar that can compromise healthy teeth. Frequently drinking juices with overly acidic and sugary ingredients can begin to wear away the enamel of our teeth, putting us at greater risk for cavities.

But don’t fret—you don’t need to throw away your juicer just yet! There are a variety of simple ways to make your juices healthier and still taste great.

Choose Ingredients That Strengthen Your Smile

Make your juices healthier by considering some of these options:
Add more leafy greens! Leafy greens help build strong bones and strong teeth because they are high in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Greens won’t spike your blood sugar like sugary fruits and vegetables will.
Use fruit sparingly and when you do, be sure to use ripe fruits. Unripe fruits tend to have more acid than ripened ones.
Add a teaspoon of coconut oil. Coconut oil, amongst other amazing properties, contains antibacterial properties that are great for your teeth!
Add cranberry juice! Amongst numerous vitamins and nutrients, fresh cranberries have compounds that keep cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. So, to add nutrients and teeth-protecting properties, simply add a splash of cranberry juice to your recipe.
Steer clear from highly pigmented foods. Fruits and vegetables that are strongly pigmented can potentially stain your teeth. Examples of these foods are: dark berries and beets.

What you put into your juices is the important thing to keep in mind when juicing. Ask yourself when adding ingredients: Does this add nutrients to my juice? Will my teeth benefit from this or not? Is there too much sugar or acid in this ingredient?

We Care About Your Whole Body Health

By being mindful and aware of the ingredients you add to your juices, you can begin making smart decisions for not only your teeth, but your overall health. If you have any questions about how the juices you enjoy affect your teeth, feel free to schedule an appointment to see us or leave a comment below!

Thank you for reading our blog and being our valued patient and friend!

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Back To School Time? Don’t Forget Dental Checkups

TOOTH DECAY IS THE #1 CHRONIC DISEASE IN CHILDREN. It’s estimated that 40% of children have some form of tooth decay before they even reach kindergarten. Alarming, isn’t it? But SO much of the problem is preventable through routine hygiene appointments.

Don’t wait until there’s a problem—even if your child isn't complaining about discomfort. Tooth pain doesn’t usually exist until decay reaches the tooth’s pulp. At that point, it’s probably advanced and may require more extensive treatment. Good preventive treatment happens BEFORE there’s pain.

Help Set Your Child’s Great Oral Health Habits Now!

When you take an active role in your child’s oral health, you do a lot more than care for his or her teeth. You help your child develop habits that will positively shape overall health for life.

To schedule your child’s back-to-school examination, call now to request an appointment.


Have a great school year!


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A Toothpaste Timeline

OUR NIGHTLY BRUSHING ROUTINE wouldn’t be complete without that minty-fresh toothpaste tingle, right? But toothpaste hasn’t always been soft and minty. Years ago, it was less pleasant to use.

Toothpaste Existed As Early As 5000 B.C.

The oldest form of toothpaste known was created by the Egyptians. The powder formula included crushed rock salt, mint, pepper, and dried iris flowers. Sometimes, other abrasive materials like ox-hoof ashes, burnt eggshells, or oyster shells were added.

Would You Recognize Toothpastes From The Past?

Around 1780, burnt toast was made into powder and used as a tooth-cleaning agent. That probably wasn’t the best idea. Around 1800 soap was added to tooth powders for “cleanliness.” Not long after that, a smooth paste—the texture we’re used to today—was created for the first time.

In 1873 the first commercially produced toothpaste was sold in jars. It wasn’t until 20 years later that toothpaste was sold in a collapsible tube, similar to those we use today. After the discovery of fluoride’s decay prevention qualities, it was added to toothpaste in 1914.

Modern Toothpastes Has A Few Standard Elements

Each major ingredient in modern toothpaste makes brushing teeth easy, comfortable, effective and tasty. Here are the basic components you’ll find:
Fluoride fights off decay by strengthening tooth enamel.
Abrasives scrub the surface of the tooth without scratching or damaging enamel.
Flavors come from sweetening agents such as saccharin or sorbitol. (The ADA won’t give its seal of acceptance to toothpastes with decay-causing sugar.)
Humectants like sorbitol and glycerol trap water in the toothpaste so that when you squeeze the tube, you get a smooth substance.
Detergents give us the foaming effect we love in our toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate is the one you’ll most often see.

Get The Most From Your At-Home Dental Care

The important thing to remember about toothpaste is that our toothbrushing habits and technique matter much more than the toothpaste brand we use. However, while shopping for toothpaste, look for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. This confirms that a product has met the criteria for effectiveness and safety.

If you have any other questions about your personal oral hygiene routine, talk with us about it! We love to hear from you.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!
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How To Get A Hollywood Smile In Pleasant Grove Utah!

A BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SMILE is an advantage in every area of life. Whether you need a major dental makeover or just a few touch-ups, cosmetic dentistry can provide exactly the look you want. At My Family Dentist,  smile design is more than just whitening. We take into account all the proportions of your face and mouth to create a natural new appearance for each of our patients.

The Blending Of Science And Art

Cosmetic dentistry provides both therapeutic and aesthetic benefits. Treatment can repair your teeth and correct your bite, and at the same time give you the gorgeous smile you've always wanted! We use the latest in dental procedures and materials to achieve those results. Veneers, for example, are some of the best tools we have for transforming your smile.

Designing Your Perfect Smile

At My Family Dentist, we don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach. By getting to know your specific dental needs, your aesthetic preferences, and even your personality, we’ll be able to create the smile of YOUR dreams. Talk to us today! We can’t wait to get started.


Thank you for being our valued patient and friend!
(Image by Flickr user David Shankbone used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.)

Whitening Options at our office!

Whitening

Our smile is important, it's one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression. Today there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the color of your teeth. We offer ready to go pre-filled disposable whitening products, custom made take home whitening trays and even whitening procedures that are done in our office with one visit.
Our most popular teeth whitening option is a new in-office teeth whitening product called Sinsational Smile. It's a quick, comfortable and affordable way to whiten your teeth. It only takes 20 minutes, yet can take years off your appearance. We can help you achieve a whiter smile and a more confident you! We have seen great results for many with this whitening product. Schedule your cleaning the same day for even better results and take advantage of 20.00 off of the already low price of 120.00! Now you can have the bright smile you have always wanted! For more information on this whitening procedure, please visit:http://www.sinsationalsmile.com/how-it-works.html

Opalescence Go Tréswhite Supreme features innovative, preloaded whitening trays that fit comfortably over your teeth. The trays are discrete and disposable, making it easy to whiten on the go. An affordable option, with a wear-time of just 15-20 minutes once a day. Opalescence Treswhite Supreme contains 15% hydrogen peroxide and is stronger than supermarket teeth whiteners. Because of its prescription-strength formula, Opalescence Treswhite Supreme offers noticeable results in about a week. Opalescence Go is the professional alternative to over-the-counter whitening options. It's a simple, fast, and great-tasting way to start a whitening treatment or for whitening touch-ups. With no impressions or custom trays necessary, Opalescence Go is ready to use right out of the package! For more information on this whitening procedure, please visit: http://www.opalescence.com/en-us/which-one-is-right-for-me.aspx

Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are delivered via customized bleaching tray. We will create this tray from an alginate impression of your mouth; this customization is part of why Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are so effective. The prescription-strength Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are 20%PF carbamide peroxide. The sticky, viscous gel won´t migrate to gums, and include Potassium Fluoride (PF), which helps to improve oral health by strengthening enamel, decreasing sensitivity, and offering increased cavity prevention. Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels can provide results after just one night, though expect to see results in about a week. For more information on this whitening procedure, please visit: http://www.opalescence.com/en-us/take-home.aspx

Soft transparent trays are filled with whitening gel	The trays fit tightly over your teeth and are worn for the prescribed time
The transparent trays can be worn overnight or during the day	Within the first treatment you should notice results that will continue to improve with additional use

For a brighter, whiter smile without the wait, opt for Opalescence Boost. An in-office, chemically activated whitening treatment that offers results in about an hour. Opalescence Boost features a unique, chemically activated formula that allows us to whiten your teeth without the sometimes bothersome ultraviolet rays of a light used in Zoom Whitening. Opalescence Boost also contains potassium nitrate and fluoride, which help to improve oral health by strengthening enamel, decreasing sensitivity, and offering increased cavity prevention. Custom Take-Home whitening trays and whitening gel is also given to you at your appointment to continue the whitening process at home for even more improved results. For more information on this whitening procedure, please visit: http://www.opalescence.com/en-us/in-office.aspx