Do I use a manual or an electric toothbrush? So many choices!

Today there are so many different products out there that it can be a little overwhelming. According to the American Dental Association, manual toothbrushes can be just as good as an electric one. However, it does depend on how it is used. If you’re a person that brushes their teeth well and flosses on a regular basis there really is no need to change what is working for you. The different types of electric toothbrushes make good brushing an easier thing, especially for kids. Kids may be more receptive to brushing with an electric toothbrush that is shaped like their favorite character just because it makes brushing their teeth fun! The one place the manual brushes seem to fall short is in overall oral healthcare. Their electric counterparts are doing a better job of keeping your whole mouth healthy, not just your teeth. In a study done by the ADA, over 16,000 patients were asked to use an electric toothbrush and more than 80% showed a positive effect.  However, other studies have shown that there is not much difference between products when it comes to removing plaque. It seems as though personal preference is the winner here. However, if you are looking for something to aid you in improving your oral health an electric toothbrush may not be a bad idea.

First Tooth Fairy Experience for Parent and Child

Losing your first tooth can be a scary thing as a kid. The Tooth Fairy is there to help with this moment. As a parent, you sometimes wonder, how do you handle the actual losing of the tooth and what is the going rate for a tooth these days anyways?

So, your child has a stubborn tooth that has been loose for what seems like forever! If your child has a loose tooth it is okay to encourage them to wiggle it around in order to help it out or try the biting into an apple trick. However, don’t force it too much. A little pain may result, if so, a cold compress may be used. You may want to have your child rinse their mouth with warm water to get rid of any residual blood. 

Once their tooth makes its way out, it’s time for the Tooth Fairy to make an appearance. This is where you picture “The Rock” in a little tutu delivering money and prizes. In case you haven’t seen it, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, plays the Tooth Fairy in Disney’s movie “The Tooth Fairy”. The going rate for teeth these days ranges from a few quarters to a few dollars. Generally, the first tooth is worth a little more than the rest. There are many ways to have fun with this. For instance, parents can create a special little pillow for the tooth, which makes it a little easier to find and kids have fun with it. The Tooth Fairy even has its own website to help answer any questions that inquiring minds can come up with! (see below). Overall, parents can make a potentially scary moment into a family tradition that kids will have fun with and remember forever.

http://www.toothfairyland.com/TFLwrite.html

brusha, brusha, brusha...

Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way Proper brushing is probably the most important way to keep your mouth healthy.  Brushing correctly and with the proper frequency can help you prevent problems before they appear.  There are four important things you will need to properly brush your teeth:  a toothbrush with soft bristles, toothpaste with fluoride, the correct angle of brushing, and brushing in a pattern.  Use the following tips to help you get the most out of your brushing.

• It is important to brush at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed.
• You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles.  Soft bristles with rounded tips are gentler to your teeth and gums, and the also make it easier to remove plaque below the gum line where periodontal disease starts.
• Use about a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride.  Fluoride hardens the outer enamel layer of the teeth.  It can stop a cavity before it worsens as well as provide you with more resistance to future cavities.
• Angle the brush along the gum line at a 45-degree angle and apply firm pressure so that the bristles slide under the gum line.
• Vibrate the brush while you brush in short back and forth strokes and in small circular motions.  Brush two or three teeth at a time and then move to the next two or three, allowing some overlap.
• Tilt the brush and use the tip to brush the backs of the front teeth.
• It is OK to brush in any regular pattern you choose but since the insides of the teeth tend to get less attention, you might start with the insides of the upper teeth and then move to the insides of the lower teeth.  Then switch to the outsides of the upper teeth and then the outsides of the lower teeth.  Brush the chewing surfaces of the upper teeth, then the same on the lower teeth.  Complete your routine by gently brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth.  This will remove germs that can cause bad breath.
• Change your toothbrush at least every three months or when the bristles are worn or bent.  Old bristles don’t clean well under the gum line and they host more plaque and disease-causing bacteria than new ones.

NCDHM Poster Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners! We appreciate all the participants. Don't forget the importance of oral hygiene…brush your teeth 3 times a day!

        1^st Place Winner, Patricia

        2^nd Place Winner, Elise

        3^rd Place Winner, Raelyn

Hudec Dental to Acquire Three Former Allcare Locations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Howard Landau

Landau Public Relations

216-912-2880
hlandau@landaupr.com      
      

Hudec Dental to Acquire Three Former Allcare Locations

(Cleveland, Ohio…February 18, 2011) Hudec Dental announced today that it has acquired the assets of three former Allcare Dental locations to help patients with access to records and quality dental care. In so-doing, Hudec becomes the largest independent dental practice in the region.

The acquisitions were announced by Hudec President, Dr. John Hudec, who founded the business in 1977 with a single office. Last year the company served more than 78,000 patient visits at eleven locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In addition to the three acquisitions, Hudec is also the custodian of patient records for seven closed Allcare locations including Cuyahoga Falls, Garfield Heights, Mentor, Middleburg Heights, Parma, North OlmstedCanton. Former Allcare patients at these locations may contact Hudec for their records and for information on their care. and

“We are extremely pleased and excited to extend our service to the community to three new locations: Mentor, Middleburg Heights, and Canton,” Dr. Hudec said. “Unfortunately, thousands of people were abandoned when Allcare abruptly went out of business at the end of last year. We are looking forward to caring for their dental health needs and to bringing our reputation of great patient service to each of the new locations and communities.”

Hudec currently operates 4 locations in Cleveland and 7 other locations in Bedford, Broadview Heights, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Macedonia, and Strongsville. The company is honored to employ 132 individuals consisting of licensed dentists, licensed hygienists and dental assistants as well as support staff.

In addition to its neighborhood dental offices, Hudec owns and operates its own dental laboratory for patients needing crowns, dentures, mouth guards and other dental appliances. The laboratory is located in the City of Cleveland.

“We like to think of ourselves as a group of neighborhood dental offices,” Dr. Hudec went on. “We never set out to be the biggest. Our goal is to take care of people’s dental health needs right in their local community with a philosophy of treating each patient as we ourselves wish to be treated, and to offer the best people with the best training and the best equipment in the business. We fully intend to maintain that philosophy in our new locations.”

For information about Hudec Dental or to make an appointment at any Hudec Dental location you may you may call 216-325-9777 or go to www.hudecdental.com/allcare.

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Teething

Teething can be a very trying time for both young children and their parents. The experience can be less frustrating with knowing what to expect, a few tips to make the little one more comfortable and a lot of patience. While all children from 4 to 7 months through 2 to 3 years of age go through it, the experience will vary quite a bit. While some may have a long painful episode when a tooth is erupting, other will seem to have the tooth erupt overnight with no discomfort.

Some of the typical symptoms of teeth are:

• Drooling
  
• Irritability
  
• Not sleeping well
  
• Gum swelling and sensitivity
  
• Biting and gnawing on hard objects
  
• Fever and diarrhea – while slight fevers (100.5 or less) and loose bowels may occur, high fevers and diarrhea are not a symptom and other causes should be considered.
  

Some tips to ease the teeth process are: 

• Giving cold firm objects, such as a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, gently rubbing gums with a cool wet cloth or clean finger.
  Wiping the child's face often with a cloth to prevent chin rash from drooling.
  Using medication , such as children's Tylenol or over-the-counter gels with topical anesthetic, such as Baby Orajel
  

NEVER give a child aspirin due to the risk of Reyes Syndrome or assist the eruption by cutting the gums because this could lead to an infection.

Sealants by Dr. Richard Kun