I have not taken the time to count every different kind of paste that you can find stocked on the shelves of your grocery store, but I would bet there would be close to a hundred different kinds. There are whitening, restoring, refreshing, sensitivity-protecting, tartar-controlling, antibacterial, natural, and various combinations of all of these in one.

Toothbrushes are just as numerous and varied. We do have a favorite toothbrush that we recommend to everyone—especially to those who battle gum health issues. Sonicare has been around since the late 1980s and has many studies and proven statistics to back up its cleaning ability.

I know a lot of our patients like to get samples that we offer at the end of their cleaning appointments. I have to admit that I think it is fun to order different samples of brushes and pastes for people to try. I like trying out all the new kinds of products, myself. I do find myself going back to use my favorite paste once my sample is used up. What my favorite is may not be yours so don’t be afraid to try different brands and flavors. Again, my only recommendation is that the paste or gel contain fluoride to prevent cavities. People of all ages need cavity protection as long as they have natural teeth in their mouths.

Carrie Olson, R.D.H

Mary Ann is a patient who comes to us from over an hour away. She had heard about our care in smile enhancement and we were able to help with that. But occasionally she would come in with cold sores on her lips. Sometimes they were small and sometimes they were not, but they were always noticeable.

Of course, most people are kind enough not to say something about the sores; but not grandchildren. They notice and talk about what they see. Of course Mary Ann always knew others saw them and she felt embarrassed. But it was hard to hear about them from her grandkids.

A few days before this past Christmas she called to see if we could help her with a newly developed cold sore. I knew she wanted help because she was willing to drive three hours round-trip to treat it.

Treatment entails using a laser and takes less than 3 minutes. The sore is subjected to laser light without touching the skin and therefore is completely painless. The light is waved over the sore in four 30-second intervals. This treatment stops the sore from progressing and immediately initiates healing. It is interesting that—and it is not known why—after laser treatment the cold sore virus will not return to that area for two years.

Mary Ann reported the new cold sore we treated never increased in size and was gone in the next two days. It made Christmas with her family much happier.

So if you or anyone you know suffers from recurrent cold or canker sores let them know there is new and effective relief available. They will thank you.

Chris Stevens, D.D.S.

Just like in humans, gum disease in pets does not only affect their teeth. If left untreated long enough gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other life-threatening diseases.

Ironically, brushing and regular check-ups at the vet are the best ways to prevent gum disease in your pet. Make oral hygiene a routine for you and your pets and enjoy a long, healthy life together.

Kristine – Office Manager

First, he said that he had no idea how much he could not “smell.” He has heard people talk about how it smells after a rain, but really had no idea what they meant by that. He now knows what they are referring to. He then went on to tell us that he can now tell the difference between different kinds of cheese! Being from Wisconsin, we can appreciate his newly awakened taste buds.

In an article from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health, entitled “Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting,” it lists some of the immediate benefits of smoking cessation, including lower blood pressure and heart rate, improved circulation, and improved sense of smell and taste. The latter two aren’t talked about as much as cancer or coronary artery disease, but for some those may be more tangible.

Think about the next time it rains in the middle of summer. Think about the next time you eat a piece of 20-year-aged sharp cheddar cheese. Smoking cessation will improve your life from day one. Decide to do it, ask for help if you need it, and enjoy all that life offers—one whiff and one cheese curd at a time.

Carrie R.D.H

The main idea of getting liked is to find out what makes you special from all the others out there. Of course I knew what I thought made us special but wondered if that was what our patients thought made us special. So I decided to post a challenge to our patients on our blog. I encourage you to check us out on Facebook and let me know why you like us. Also, if you click “like” us you will automatically be entered into the monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate and will get updates of what is new in our office as well as stories about your fellow patients.

Help us get the word out to those who may be looking for a great dental experience by sharing our posts with your friends. If you would like to know more, please give our office a call. We are always here to help.

Kristine – Office Manager

I went for a sleep study to see if I had sleep apnea. All of my numbers were within a normal range, making me ineligible for a C-PAP breathing machine.

Thanks to Dr. Stevens for his awareness of the TAP appliance. TAP stands for Thornton Adjustable Positioner. There are three levels of TAP appliances, based on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. The airway must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat. A constricted or collapsed airway causes snoring and/or sleep apnea.

The best thing I did was to have a TAP appliance made to position my jaw forward and open up the airway. What a difference! It has made my snoring almost go away.

If you snore or have sleep apnea and are interested in an appliance, we are more than happy to get you started.

Kelly RDH

Kristine – Office Manager

The young woman got a new job and worked hard at saving money and figuring out a way to get the care done. She was so excited when she contacted us to let us know she was ready to proceed with the plan to resurface her own teeth with man-made enamel. With help from our team members, she was able to choose the beautiful smile she dreamed of. From the color to the size and shape of the resurfaced teeth, she was involved. When she came in a few weeks later to have her care done, she shared with us some exciting news. She was engaged and would be getting married in just a few months.

When she left our office that day with her renewed beautiful smile, she was smiling from ear to ear. A few days later we spoke with her to see what she and everyone thought of her smile. She related to us that she was so happy she did the care and told us that her cheek muscles were getting sore from smiling so much. We cannot wait to see her wedding photos that show a beautiful bride smiling big with happiness.

Robin – Dental Assistant

During the examination, we are evaluating a variety of conditions. We are checking for any decay and the way the teeth fit together. Also, if your child is a thumb sucker or uses a pacifier, this is a good time to encourage them to stop before harm can be done to their teeth. We are also looking at the size of the tonsils and the frenum attachment (the tissue from the lip to the gum between the front teeth), as these can impact the development of the face and jaw.

Large tonsils can obstruct a child’s airway space, which can impact a child’s eating, breathing, and the shape of their mouth. Difficulty breathing at night causes poor sleep patterns leading to daytime sleepiness or poor attention. Enlarged tonsils can also cause a change in the normal growth of the upper and lower jaws, which can increase the need for or duration of orthodontics down the road.

The frenum attachment is a muscle that connects the upper lip to the gum line. Sometimes the frenum is attached too low, which can cause a wide gap between the front teeth and or gum line recession as children get older.

A child’s first visit is meant to be fun and exciting! They get a “ride in the chair” and we show them our “flashlight” for the mouth, also known as the dental light, along with every child’s favorite part, “Mr. Thirsty and the squirt gun,” which is the suction and water hand piece. Start your child out with a positive first dental visit and you will find that they will look forward to future visits.

Kelly – RDH

I first started thinking about dentistry in 6^th grade when my family dentist made a wonderful impact in my life. He made me feel better about myself through orthodontic care. At the time, however, I did not know the extent of those possibilities.

My interest in dentistry grew for two primary reasons. First, it was a very hands-on healthcare field. Second, it was a career that could allow for a traditional family life where my wife would be there for our children and I would be home on nights and weekends.

When I graduated, dentistry was primarily a preventive field for most patients. We did cleanings, fillings, and crowns, and sometimes we had to remove teeth. But I do not remember ever sitting back and talking with people about how life-changing dentistry could be.

Fortunately, it is different today. For some, dentistry is still merely preventive or urgent care. But the opportunity exists for many to have dentistry re-create a natural, healthy-looking smile. This re-creation can help people feel healthier, more comfortable, and better about themselves.

I feel so fortunate to be practicing dentistry today. The more people we can help, whether in small or life-changing ways, the more I appreciate it. I feel honored that people have selected my staff and me to make their lives a little bit better. I am lucky to have discovered that dentistry can truly help people feel better about themselves.

Dr. Chris Stevens, D.D.S