Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of tooth enamel and increasing the process of creating new enamel. So are you getting enough? First major question, do you drink tap water regularly? Tap water contains fluoride. However, if you do not drink tap water on a regular basis than you may need to get your dose of fluoride elsewhere. Fluoride is also found in almost all toothpastes and mouthwashes. Fluoride treatments are also available at your dentist’s office. They are quick and easy and may be just the thing you need to help keep your smile looking gorgeous!
Check out this article from OralB for more information.
Introducing Dr. Mark Rigby! Dr. Rigby is currently practicing at our Garfield Heights office. He grew up in Hudson, Ohio. He attended the Western Reserve Academy and also The University of Akron for his undergraduate Chemistry degree.He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Rigby is highly skilled in the area of cosmetic dentistry. If you live or work in the area and would like to stop in to meet him schedule you appointment today! 216.662.7700
Our Euclid office is pleased to have Dr. Matthew Kogan on our staff. We would like to take a minute to introduce you to him. Dr.Kogan is a Cleveland native. He attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate and received his Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Kogan is very involved in the world of dentistry he is actively seeking out new technologies and information that can be utilized at Hudec Dental. He is a member of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society and also the American Dental Association. Dr. Kogan is an Invisalign certified dentist. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family and is a big Cleveland sports fan and hopes that someday soon one of them will bring a championship to Cleveland.
Have you been to our Macedonia office before and had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Stafford? If you have then you will agree with us when we tell you he is a great doctor and person. If not, then what are you waiting for?!
Dr. Stafford is originally from Canton and after graduating from Jackson High School joined the Army National Guard. He is currently a Captain in the Dental Corps.
He enjoys running, watching movies, playing drums and learning Spanish in his free time. His free time is less than normal these days because Dr. Stafford is working towards his fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
Make your appointment to visit Dr. Stafford at our Macedonia office by calling 330.908.0101 or by visiting www.hudecdental.com
Now that everyone has eaten their fill of chocolate from Valentine’s Day let’s discuss how it may actually be good for you, in moderation of course. Chocolate contains polyphenols and flavonoids which prevent sugar from being broken down into bacteria that cause decay. The polyphenols are an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. They help to reduce the chances of hypertension and stroke. The cocoa butter in chocolate reduces the ability of plaque to stick to teeth.
Though chocolate should always be eaten in moderation, it makes it just a little bit sweeter that eating it may be considered somewhat good for you.
For the month of February, Hudec Dental is proudto partner withCornerstone of Hope. We are raising money by selling $1 or $5 hearts; all proceeds will benefit the organization. Your name will be placed on the heart and hung throughout oneofour15officelocations.
Cornerstone of Hope is an organization that is dedicated to helping those who have lost a loved one. Since 2003 they have been assisting children, teen and adults through the grief process. They offer individual counseling, group support, workshops and memorial activities. The facilities are set up in a way to be inviting and home-like. There are areas to accommodate all ages.
Their 9th annual Cleveland Benefit Gala is coming up February 18, 2012. This event will benefit grieving families and children in Cleveland. If you believe in this organization and would like to help, visit their website which is below.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Henline is now full-time at our Canton office. He has been with the organization for 9 years now and it has been a privilege to have him on board andto help so many of our patients.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet Dr. Henline, he attended Indiana University where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. He practiced for 15 years in Akron prior to joining the Hudec Dental team. His spare time is devoted to his two children and his family.
Stop in to our Canton office and say hello! Call today to schedule your appointment. 330.493.0947
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.
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.
Brushing Your Teeth the Right WayProper 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.
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, BroadviewHeights, 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.
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.
Is Your Child’s Block Airway Leading to Orthodontics and Major Medical Issues?
Before age 12, the growth of your child's face, jaws and cranium have already reached 80 to 90 percent completion. During these first dozen years in life, your child may have already developed deformation in their breathing that will lead to lifelong illnesses, such as anemia, obesity, diabetes, behavior disturbances, chronic ear and sinus infections, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), headaches, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease with high blood pressure, risk of stroke, and even early death. Early signs of abnormal development in the face, mouth and jaws are gummy smiles, long and narrow faces, short or even pronounced jaws, runny noses, dark circles under the eyes, red nostrils, raspy sounds breathing, and crooked teeth, which all may lead to pain in the facial muscles (MFP) and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The most obvious sign of a mouth breathing disorder, called airway obstruction, is a child who snores.
Dr. Yosh Johnson stated in a recent issue of the clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry,
"Children who mouth breathe typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possibly unable to concentrate on academics. If the child becomes frustrated at school, he or she may exhibit behavior problems." Dr. Johnson says, "Many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity."
Early diagnosis and treatment of airway obstruction disorders have very positive and beneficial effects on facial and dental development, and have been seen to reduce and avert both immediate social and long-term medical problems in the child, primarily by increasing the oxygen levels in the bloodstream and brain. Allergies, irregular nasal development, hypertrophic or enlarged growth of oral pharynx tissue including tonsils, adenoids, and turbinates all lead to malocclusion or bad dental bite. Therapy should begin as early as possible in your child's development to help coincide with normal growth patterns and ease the necessary treatment.
The team of doctors who understand the development of airway obstruction are in the best position to help your child overcome his or her mouth breathing and the disorder's many adverse effects. Even though we have the most advanced dental and medical care in the world, only those dentists and physicians who have expanded and continued their education through additional coursework and training have a proper grasp of facial bone growth with appropriate nasal and airway passage. Your child's early oral and long-term medical health depends on the relationship between these select and knowledgeable health care providers whom have working experience with orthopedic cranial development, beginning with your dentist, including both an orthodontist and an otolarygologist
(ENT – Ears, Nose and Throat physician).
Early recognition and therapy will help your child avoid lifelong problems that come with airway obstruction and mouth breathing, including not only dental malocclusion, but also facial pain and serious, chronic medical disorders.
* Photos taken from: http://www.tiredofcpap.com/Sleep_Apnea.html
A new beginning awaits Dental Professional across Northeast Ohio. For all those longing for a rewarding career that offers continued development in a family environment, with competitive compensation and a complete benefits package…
Health & vision insurance
Free dental services
Paid vacation & holidays
Tuition reimbursement
Continuing education
401K
Bonus opportunities
And career advancements!!!
You Share With Us... And We'll Share Back!
If you refer an individual for employment at Hudec Dental, we will send you not $1.00 but $100 gift card as a simple “Thank You”!*
Hudec Dental takes pride in those that it employs and we are always searching for ambitious individuals that are looking to join a premier group of dental professionals. Due to expansion, we are looking for:
Associate Dentists
Office Managers
EFDAs
Front Desk Representatives
Don’t know anyone that has dental experience? Well that is ok too! We offer entry-level positions for individuals in our Recare department. *You are eligible for a gift card if: your name has been given prior to hire, the referred individual has been hired for 90 days and have vaild proof of referral e-mail from Hudec Dental.
How To Apply
Mail to: HR Department | 3329 Broadview Road | Cleveland | 44109
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month Hudec Dental is sponsoring a poster contest. The NCDHM poster contest is a great way to conclude February’s oral health lesson. By having students draw posters reflecting what they have learned during the month.
PRIZES (subject to change)
First Place
- $200 Great Wolf Lodge Gift Card
Second Place
- $100 Toys R Us Gift Card
Third Place
- $50 Cinemark Gift Card
HOW TO ENTER
Students can submit their entry to any Hudec Dental location or mail poster to: 3329 Broadview Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109 . The deadline for entry is February 28, 2010.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Clear message conveyed by the artwork and text
- The poster theme is addressed
- Creativity, originality and artistic quality
- Visual clarity- easily read
- Bright and colorful
RULES
- Poster theme must be present: Healthy Smile, Healthy Body!
- No computer-generated art, copyright characters or clip-art will be accepted.
- Posters become property of Hudec Dental once they have been submitted.
- Each poster must have a Release Form securely fastened to the back.
- Poster must be created by a student between the ages of 3 and 14.
- Entries no later than the specified deadline: February 28, 2011.
- Paper must be no larger than 8 1/2 x 11 inches.
- One entry per student is allowed.
It was an unpleasant surprise to many Allcare Dental patients and employees with the immediate closure of their offices. Hudec Dental is pleased to accept all neglected Allcare Dental patients and their families.
We will work with you and your insurance company to continue and finish treatment. At Hudec Dental, we know the importance of your oral health and want to make sure you receive the treatment you deserve.
Hudec Dental is offering all Allcare Dental patients a free new patient exam and x-ray plus $25 off your visit!
To schedule an appointment, please call us at 216.661.8888!
Most dental offices offer more than one option for whitening your teeth. Once you’ve decided to whiten your teeth, it’s important to choose the whitening method that is best for you.
Disposable Whitening Strips or Trays
Your dentist may provide disposable whitening strips for you to use at home that may seem similar to those available over the counter in retail stores. However, they are three times stronger than the strips found in retail stores, thus providing superior results. This is a very affordable option for whitening your teeth, and does not require your dentist to fit you for custom made trays. The disadvantage, however, is that it offers the least dramatic results, and only whitens your front teeth.
Take-Home Whitening
Your dentist may also offer custom-made whitening trays, which will whiten both your front and back teeth. You simply put a small amount of the whitening solution in the custom trays and wear them for an hour a day or while you sleep. Within a few days, you will see dramatic results. This type of whitening is more expensive than the disposable strips, but it delivers more dramatic results and all of your teeth will be whitened. Also, these trays can be reused for future whitening if needed.
Professional In-Office Whitening
Lastly, your dentist may paint a highly concentrated whitening solution on your teeth while you are in the office. Typically this takes about 60-90 minutes, and thus requires an appointment. Immediate results will be seen, but it needs to be combined with the take-home whitening, which is included, to achieve the best results. This is the most expensive form of whitening, but it delivers immediate results.
Other considerations
Several variables can affect your whitening results. Your starting tooth color may affect the degree to which you can whiten your teeth, and any pre-existing fillings and crowns will not whiten. It is important to address all tooth decay and periodontal problems before you begin whitening. Lastly, compliance is the key: following your dentist’s directions and being consistent will give you the best results.
Take the time to consider all of these options before deciding which is best for you. If you do, you’ll be one step closer to your beautiful holiday smile.
