• Avoid foods like onions or garlic that cause bad breath. As part of the natural digestive process, these foods release odor when you exhale.
• Drink water throughout the day. Water helps rinse your mouth and remove food particles that contribute to halitosis.
• Keep your lips moist and hydrated by applying a lip balm every few hours.
• Schedule a dental cleaning before Valentine’s Day to remove tartar, plaque, and surface stains. You will leave our office knowing that your teeth are polished to perfection.
• If you need to freshen up your breath, look for mints and chewing gum that are sugarless and contain xylitol. This ingredient is a natural sugar substitute that doesn’t harm your teeth.
• Ask Dr. Allen if adding an antiseptic mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene regimen will help alleviate bad breath.
• Make sure to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with water after you eat chocolate or candy.

We would like to wish all of our patients and readers a Happy Valentine’s Day. If you’re self-conscious about your smile or bad breath, our Pella dentist office can help!

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.

Taking Your Pearly Whites to Bright Whites

It’s no surprise that over-the-counter whitening products don’t hold a candle to professionally prescribed teeth whitening treatments. To help his patients achieve the bright white smiles that have become so coveted over the past decade or so, Dr. Allen offers a premier teeth whitening option: Opalescence.

After researching various types of professional teeth whitening procedures, Dr. Allen chose the option he deemed most effective, safe, and long lasting. Like other at-home teeth whitening systems, Opalescence whitening consists of custom-made dental trays and professional-strength bleaching gel for dramatic results.

Once Dr. Allen has examined your teeth and decided that you can benefit from Opalescence teeth whitening, he will take impressions of your teeth that will be used to fabricate your custom whitening trays. Once your trays return from the dental laboratory, Dr. Allen will invite you back to our Pella dentist office to explain to you how to use your new teeth whitening system.

The process is simple: Just load a thin layer of the bleaching gel into your trays, place them in your mouth, and wear for one to two hours per night. You may begin to see results right away, but your teeth will be dramatically whiter if you complete the total two-week whitening regiment.

To maintain your bright, white smile, simply use your whitening trays and bleaching gel for occasional touch-ups. If you run out of bleaching gel, call our office to request more.

Whiter Teeth are Waiting for You

If your teeth are yellow or dull from years of drinking coffee and red wine, smoking, or the natural aging process, teeth whitening can breathe new life into your smile, and it all starts with your initial consultation appointment.

 An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.

• During pregnancy, women should avoid certain medications that may damage their baby’s tooth development. For example, some antibiotics can impede enamel development if taken during the second trimester.
• Children should see our dentist for an oral examination before their first birthday. At this examination, Dr. Jeffrey Allen will check your infant’s mouth for any abnormalities.
• Parents should wipe the inside of their infant’s mouth with a clean, wet cloth. This helps keep the gums clear of bacterial buildup while also stimulating oral tissues.
• When teeth begin to appear above the gum line, parents should brush their child’s teeth with a small, soft-bristled tooth brush until their child is able to brush his or her own teeth.
• Parents should supervise while their child brushes his or her teeth. Only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used.
• Children should have their first dental cleaning at our office between the ages of four and five.
• If necessary, Dr. Allen may apply a fluoride solution to your child’s teeth to help strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride greatly reduces your child’s risk for cavities.

We encourage parents in our community to help us establish a relationship with your children. If children have positive experiences with their dentist at a young age, they are less like to develop dental phobias in the future. We serve families from Pella, Oskaloosa, Knoxville, Newton, and Monroe.

 An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.

A Sticky Situation

Although gum is a quick temporary solution to bad breath, sometimes it can be a nuisance for people around you. Yes, smacking or chewing loudly is a very common pet peeve. In addition, while mints are much easier on a grab-and-go basis, they do not stimulate saliva production. The mint in your mouth will freshen your breath much quicker than gum, but will also disappear just as quickly. Gum however, induces saliva production and thus keeps your breath fresher longer.

How Does Saliva Play a Part in Freshening Breath?

As odd as it may sound, saliva is actually a big part of freshening breath. At times when your mouth is dry and lacks moisture, it probably isn’t smelling its best. Saliva production in the mouth keeps bacteria to a minimum, shutting down opportunity for growth which can cause bad breath. This is part of the reason our breath has a little kick to it in the morning. Another helpful tips to combating bad breath is drinking water. A hydrated mouth is a happy mouth, not to mention water is one of the most cost effective beverages.

Preventing Bad Breath

Part of the oral cleansing process can not be done with a toothbrush, a piece of floss, or a slice of gum. It is important to see your dentist every six months to take preventive measures. Dr. Allen and his team work hard to educate their patients on proper oral health. Call Dr. Allen to schedule an appointment today. In addition to the Central Iowa area, Dr. Allen serves patients in Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Monroe, and Newton.

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.

All of the above are characteristics you definitely want to consider when choosing a dentist for your family. A good dentist will make your family members feel at ease while giving you piece of mind that they will finish needed dental procedures.

Dr. Jeffrey Allen has been operating his family dentistry practice for over 15 years. He has established himself as one of the most recognized dentists in not only the city of Pella, but also the surrounding Central Iowa area.

Dr. Allen aims to put all of his patients at ease when they come to his office. Dr. Allen and his team make sure to always put patients’ needs first in every aspect of the dental care process and patients take note of this dedication.

Anni Comer, a long-time patient, affirms that Dr. Allen and his team perform exceptional work:

“I want to assure anyone who is looking for THE dentist, your search will end with ‘Doc’ Allen and staff! After a very BAD experience as a child, I think the phrase “it’s like pulling teeth” came from it, I had THE worst fear of dentists ever! Not only does ‘Doc’ Allen make you feel at ease, he and the team are all skilled professionals who excel at their jobs…Choose Dr. Jeffery Allen, and you’ll get Pella’s finest!…Everything about his practice is top notch.”

If you are searching for a dentist for you and your family, call (641) 628-1121 to set up an appointment. In addition to the Central Iowa area, Dr. Allen and his team also service the neighboring communities of Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Monroe, and Newton.

Hydration

Even when it’s cold outside, strenuous physical activity can wear your body out and cause you to become dehydrated. Long training and practice sessions cause you to breath through your mouth more, which results in decreased saliva production in your mouth. Saliva is necessary to keep your mouth moist and clean. To quench their thirst, about 84 percent of athletes rely on sports drinks to keep them hydrated and energized. Sports drinks generally contain a lot of sugar and are very acidic. These factors can contribute to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, staining, and tooth erosion. Water is always the healthiest choice to keep your body hydrated and strong.

Carbs

About 94 percent of athletes consume carbohydrate-rich foods to give their body a boost of power and excel their performance. The bacteria in your mouth thrive off sugars and carbohydrates to destroy your teeth. Eating a healthy, balanced diet with all the proper nutrients will keep your body and your smile strong.

Injuries

Many mouth injuries and emergencies are caused by accidents and falling. Whether you trip on grass or slip on ice, if you fall you could damage your smile. Dr. Allen recommends a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect against breaking or knocking out your teeth.

While practicing their sports, athletes also need to practice proper oral hygiene behaviors to prevent their activities from damaging their smiles. You, as well, should take a break from training to visit Dr. Allen every six months for professional treatments.

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.

Seeing Results from Fluoride Varnishes

In a recent study, a fluoride varnish was applied to children’s teeth and after just 12 months, the children’s teeth showed a decrease in decay and an increase in tooth strength. It is safe to have fluoride varnishes applied every three months to increase the strength of your children’s teeth. More studies have shown that children who receive fluoride every three months are less likely to develop cavities compared to a child who did not receive the varnish as often or at all. Almost no fluoride is swallowed in the process and the application is very safe.

Healthy Teeth Makes Strong Teeth

Dr. Jeffery Allen and our team will provide you with dental services for you and your family and when you receive a teeth cleaning, you will receive a wipe-on fluoride varnish on your teeth. Your teeth will feel a little rough after the application but your enamel will have already started strengthening. You don’t even need to wait to eat or drink after the procedure, although your choice of foods should be soft for the remainder of the day. If you prefer to not have the fluoride varnish applied, you can request to not receive the treatment.

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella. IA. Please see the map for directions.

Make Your Dental Health a Priority in 2012

Pella dentist Dr. Jeffrey Allen and our dental team want to urge you to make your dental health a priority in the coming year. Most dental insurance benefits renew on January 1, which means that you have an entire year to make sure that you and your family receive the dental care you need and deserve. Take advantage of these benefits (most dental insurance policies cover two cleanings and exams per year for each person insured) by calling our dental office at (641) 628-1121 to reserve an appointment as soon as possible.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

By making your dental health a priority by attending regular professional dental cleanings and exams and practicing quality at-home dental hygiene habits, you’re protecting your mouth and body from a plethora of health problems and serious conditions. At these dental checkups, Dr. Allen and our team will thoroughly evaluate your dental condition by addressing any concerns, pain, or abnormalities in your teeth, gums, or tongue, taking digital x-rays and/or panoramic x-rays, screening for tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, and removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth with a professional dental cleaning. All of this contributes to the healthy smiles we want all of our patients to have.

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

The 2011 holiday season is here, and there’s still time to get the perfect gift for everyone. Don’t succumb to giving your special one a gift card—even if the gift is a little offbeat, getting an actual gift means a lot. Dr. Allen can help you give your loved one the smile of his or her life by giving the gift of dental care.

Dental Gift Ideas

Teeth Whitening: The expense of teeth whitening solutions might keep your loved one from the smile of his or her dreams. Over-the-counter systems are not effective for everyone, and one-visit teeth whitening with an LED light can cause sensitivity.  Professional home systems are safe and effective.

Dr. Allen offers at-home whitening that you can apply in the comfort of your home. If you plan to give this gift, the recipient will only have to come in to the office once so that we can create custom-fitted bleaching trays. Home whitening only takes two weeks to yield dramatic results. The trays are reusable and the  whitening gel is always available for purchase in our office. Just contact Allen Family Dentistry.

Electric Toothbrush: The electric toothbrushes on the market this season are better and more affordable than ever before. The debate between the manual toothbrush and the electric toothbrush has gone on since electric toothbrushes first came on the market. Research doesn’t show that an electric toothbrush works better than a manual, but certain traits of the electric toothbrush make the job a breeze. Forget having to count the minutes you brush; electric toothbrushes come with timers that buzz to tell you to switch between different quadrants in your mouth. The timer helps you brush every tooth for essentially the exact same amount of time. Not only does the electric toothbrush have a built in timer, but it also has high powered bristles that do the heavy lifting for you, removing plaque more thoroughly and faster, and with superior consistency than you can alone with a manual. Not only will the electric toothbrush help you keep your teeth clean but it will also reduce the plastic waste, since the heads of electric toothbrushes are much smaller. The extras on the electric toothbrush make this a perfect gift that you can spoil your loved one with.

Give a Beautiful Smile

If you want to give the gift of a dazzling white smile, call (641) 640-1121. Allen Family Dentistry serves families from Oskaloosa, Monroe, Knoxville, Newton, and surrounding central Iowa communities. We are happy to help you give the best gift this holiday season.