Chocolate and your teeth

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. 

Cornerstone Of Hope...

For the month of February, Hudec Dental is proud to partner with Cornerstone 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 one of our 15 office locations.

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 9^th 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.

http://www.cornerstoneofhope.org/

Dr. Henline is back full-time at Canton!

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 and to 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

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