5 Super Easy Ways to Help You Remember To Floss…For Good

Get your floss on, and ace your next dental check up and cleaning. We’ll ignore the fabulous health your mouth will be in as a minor consequence.

The only thing is, you have to remember to do it.

Every night.

So, just (well, sort of) like Mrs Jones….Let’s get it on.

Here are 5 super easy (and FREE!) ways to help you remember to floss:

1. Floss before you brush

You know you have to brush before you sleep at night, so making flossing a habit before you brush is the easiest, simplest way to guarantee that it will happen. Plus, flossing beforehand removes plaque and food debris so flouride from your toothpaste can get in between your teeth more effectively.

2. Go post-al

If you’re a visual learner, this will work for you. Stick a post-it note on your bathroom mirror. Preferably right in your face, so to speak. Kinda hard to ignore neon green paper telling you to FLOSS (in caps, for a stronger effect). “Or else”, if you have a flair for the dramatic.

3. Go smart

If you are one of the 3.5 people who doesn’t own a smart phone, skip this one. Open up your calendar app and set a reminder alert (with sound) so it beeps, barks or yodles at the time you usually get ready for bed. Brrriiinggg! Floss.

4. Reward yourself

Nothing like a little incentive to ensure that the job gets done. We do it with kids, so why not grown ups? Pick an enticing reward for, say 30 straight days of flossing. Come the last day, treat yourself to a reward of your choice and partake of the joy well-earned.

5. Do as I say AND as I do

Parents. Time to walk the talk and floss the…um…floss. Kids need to floss. You need to floss. Why not make it a double date? Setting a good example while taking great care of your gums and teeth…well you’re just setting the stage for a lifetime of good oral care. Also works with your significant other, and pet, if they’re willing.

Give one, or all, a sincere try. You’ll surprise yourself at how easy it is to be a flossing pro and will shout these tips from the roof tops (I may be exaggerating slightly).

Did I miss any? Do you have any tricks up your sleeve that helped you remember to floss?

(214) 522-3110                          www.raodentistry.com

Parents: How To Avoid Passing Dental Fear On To Your Kids

Some of the most fun times at our practice are when kids come in for their check ups.

Whether they’re shy, playful or loud and chatty, they bring smiles all around (it’s hard not to when you’re so darn cute).

Beyond fun, what we love even more is the opportunity to give them a positive, happy dental experience. There’s no better opportunity to make a good impression as when they’re young and, well, impressionable.

Unfortunately, many adults have experienced the opposite. Going to the dentist was scary, boring or just plain unpleasant, planting the seed of fear that few can shake off over the years, despite numerous advances.

Today, dentistry is more comfortable than ever before, from

–effective anesthetics,

–fast acting materials, to

–cushy chairs…with pillows,

–happy gas (yippee!) or something stronger, and

–iPods for music to tune out, if need be.

But mostly, we care a whole lot more about your comfort.

Regardless, as parents, we always aim to do better for our children. In terms of establishing good habits, one of the best things we can do is to NOT pass on our fears to them. It doesn’t matter if it’s the taste of broccoli (yum, in my opinion!), a fear of heights or, going to the dentist.

If we encourage good habits in our children and do so in a positive light, they will not only be better received but practiced more authentically.

Which is exactly why this is so important. If you had a not-so-great experience with your dentist, passing dental fear on to your kids will only continue the negative cycle.

Using a dental visit as a “threat”: if you don’t behave, I’ll take you to the dentist, be ready, it’ll hurt or I always hated the dentist...comments such as these may sound innocent enough but children, especially as young as 2 or 3, take them to heart. Already, going to the dentist or brushing their teeth becomes a punishment rather than part of taking care of themselves.

Instead, using positive reinforcement, prizes or treats for a job well done, as well as oohing and aahing about healthy, bright and shiny teeth can be a better alternative.

These little steps can go so far in breaking the negative cycle. Kids start appreciating the value of oral health, and establishing good habits that last for life.

Every day is a new opportunity to start fresh. Let’s take the positive approach and get our children started on a path to a lifetime of great oral health.

If you’re ready to get your kids off to a great start on their oral health (and have fun while doing it), call or email us:

(214) 522-3110                             www.raodentistry.com

7 Ways To Whiten Your Teeth, Without Professional Help

Your precious teeth. You know they’ve got the right to be as white as they can.

You’ve looked and looked in the mirror…..then looked some more, willing them to be their whitest.

But, to no avail.

Actually, the answer may be a lot easier than you’d expect.

There are two paths to a whiter, brighter smile–

• slow, steady, continuous–things you can do to improve your smile
• faster, as-needed (or wanted)–whitening products and whitening options dental professionals can provide.

Your results will be better and last longer if you do both.

Here are the “slow and steady”, but very effective, ways:

1. Use an electric toothbrush

A good quality electric toothbrush will not only clean your teeth and gums more effectively, it will also remove stain better than a manual toothbrush (unless you’ve got sonic hands), especially when combined with a whitening toothpaste.

2. Floss

There just doesn’t seem to be getting away from this one, is there?

If keeping plaque and gum-disease away are not enough motivation, think of it this way: with last night’s dinner still stuck between your teeth, how are your toothpaste and toothbrush bristles going to remove stain?

3. Modify soda and other dark liquid consumption

Dark liquids may excite your taste buds, but in terms of stain (and many, to your general health)–they’re doing you no favors. One solution is to use a straw to drink them, which reduces exposure to stain.

Of course, it’s not exactly a classy way to enjoy a glass of red wine (the waiter at Chez Paree might frown), so try a different solution–sip some water right after, and be sure to brush as soon as possible.

It also helps to drink your sodas and ice teas in a few minutes rather than sipping on them for hours.

4. Curb/quit smoking

If vanity can ever be the final straw, let it be for white teeth. Smoking will take your teeth nowhere but the dark side. Cut back on (or cut out) smoking and the stain will go with it. Pipe stains can be especially tenacious.

5. Eat raw fruits and vegetables

The most delicious tip of the bunch. Crunchy foods like raw apples and celery, and fruits like strawberries have natural stain-removal properties. If you eat these foods anyway, give yourself bonus points!

6. Keep up with your dental visits

Those dental tools may not be much to look at but boy, in the right hands–like your dentist’s or dental hygienist’s–not only do they provide better oral health but get to nooks and crannies you can’t.

Stay on schedule with your teeth cleaning and check up appointments and they’ll get your pearlies spruced up before stain gets out of hand.

7. Start early

Don’t shoot the messenger, but……age definitely contributes to staining of teeth. With the exception of internal stain due to antibiotics or other developmental reasons, external stain is a factor of our oral care and diet, and gets more stubborn over time.

Start good habits (as listed above) early, and maintain them, and you’ll reap the fruits of your labor for years to come.

Ready for a brighter smile? Then get started on these tips today. Combine them with professional whitening, and you’ve not only got a winning combination, but a winning smile too

Call us: (214) 522-3110         Visit us: www.raodentistry.com

How To Floss With Braces, The Right Way

The metal. The wires. The bands.

No, it’s not a rock party. I’m talking about full-on metal braces, the gear you sport on the way to…

a fabulous smile.

You know, the one that boosts your confidence, makes your pictures come alive, and lets the whole wide world know that you have straight teeth.

Alas. Beauty comes at a price.

And part of that price is the work it takes to get there.

With all that hardware, keeping your teeth and gums healthy can seem like a daunting task.

If you’re a parent, you know all this already.

You also know that the last thing you want is gum disease or a mouthful of cavities after a couple of years in braces, because the teeth and gums weren’t given the TLC they needed.

But getting your child to take an active interest in his or her oral care while in braces….well, let’s just say it’s nice to get some help.

Here is a handy video (courtesy Bracesquestions.com) via YouTube that, in 3 minutes, shows how to floss the right way when you have a mouthful of braces:

Have questions? Ask us in the comments. We’ll get them answered, or tap on our friendly neighborhood orthodontist’s shoulder to help out

(214) 522-3110        www.raodentistry.com

7 Dental Questions You Need Never Ask Again

…..because here are the answers:

Q. 1. If my cap comes off, can I use superglue to put it back on?

A. No.

 

Q. 2. I love to chew ice. That’s not so bad for my teeth, is it?

A. No. It’s worse.

 

Q. 3. I take aspirin when my head hurts. Can I stick an aspirin near my tooth if it hurts?

A. Hmmm….no.

 

Q. 4. I’m a big dude and a manly man. It’s cool that I open beer bottles with my macho teeth?

A. Not really, no.

 

Q. 5. I grind my teeth. A lot. My teeth can take it for years without any problems, right?

A. Err…..no.

 

Q. 6. I’m pregnant! Can I skip my dental cleaning?

A. For the baby’s sake….no!

 

Q. 7. Taking care of teeth is too much work. Might as well take ‘em all out. False teeth are better anyway, right?

A. That would be a HELL NO.

 

Need your teeth to outlast you? It’s never too late to start taking care of them so they will. Ask us how. Call or email us:

(214) 522-3110        www.raodentistry.com

Who’s Falling In Love With Your Smile?

February 14th, the day of Valentine,

A time to gift, to romance, to dine oh-so-fine.

To celebrate this lovely day in style

No look is complete without a fabulous smile

To that end, I offer you 3 tips

Fresh breath, white teeth and soft, kissable lips

Easy to do just a few days ahead

Brush and floss super well for minty fresh breath

White, bright teeth look so sexy oh yes!

Never do they ever fail to impress.

As for the lips, to smooth and soften

Drink lots of water, and do it often

There you go, a perfect smile

Just in time for Valentine

But if you need more, more oomph, more “WOW”

Don’t hesitate to call Dr Rao

CAREFUL! If things go too well, ahem….just remember

Two may turn into three by November!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

(214) 522-3110        www.raodentistry.com

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3 Red Flags That Your Teeth Are In Trouble

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had a mysterious ache or pain pop up on some occasion, and make them stop and wonder, where the heck did that come from?

Tooth woes can do the same, and it can be confusing to decide whether to ignore them or seek help.

Well, in all honesty, a face to face check up and an x-ray or two are usually needed for a true diagnosis.

But being the tooth whisperer (*chuckle*) that I am, here are some red flags–i.e. the I-can’t-affort-to-let-THIS-get-outta-hand–that require immediate attention:

1. Sensitivity to heat

While it’s not uncommon to get a zinger or two with cold things like ice water or ice-cream, its inconvenient though not often serious. But ooh boy if you get a zinger with your hot coffee or soup, it’s time to take notice.

Heat is a signal, loud and clear, that something is brewing, like a cavity or a root canal-to-be.

2. Lumps or bumps

Notice something new (to you) that wasn’t there before, on your lip, gums or tongue? If it doesn’t go away within a week or so on its own, get it checked.

It may be nothing serious, at least that’s what we hope for. Then again, it could. And there’s only one way to find out–by getting it looked at and possibly biopsied.

‘Biopsy’ may be a scary word, but all it is is getting a sample of your cheek or tongue using a swab or a brush for a closer look. The last thing you want to do is ignore it, and it turn out to be oral cancer.

The same goes for any red or white spots, even if they’re not lumpy or bumpy.

3. Throbbing toothache

A dull and/or throbbing ache almost always is an infection waving to you, Yoo hoo, I’m here!

Left on its own to dilly dally, infection can keep spreading, painful or not. Before long, it can spread far enough to be life-threatening (and yes, an infection from something as small as a tooth can do that).

On a side note, I’ll add that it is perfectly possible to have a cavity, a lump or an infection happily brewing inside your body, and IT NOT HURT.

Then again, neither does dangerously high blood pressure or cholesterol . . . at first.

Out of sight may mean out of mind, but not necessarily out of trouble.

We strongly advocate prevention and oral wellness, but if you have an issue that’s misbehaving, let us know.

Prevention doesn’t just mean not allowing a problem to happen, it also means tackling it early if it does, thus making it able to be treated faster, before it gets painful and with more conservative means, and usually easier on your wallet.

Ditch the red flags and stay out of tooth trouble. Raise the white flags instead, and declare a truce with your teeth

(214) 522-3110        www.raodentistry.com

Have questions? Call or email us via our website, or ask in the comments!

When It Comes To Your Teeth . . . WTF?

When was the last time you took a shower?

Today? Or maybe yesterday?

Did you make sure you  . . . um . . . visited all your body parts, or did you skip a few? Maybe you thought, eh, I don’t need to wash my feet or under my arms today. Perhaps next week.

Most likely, you didn’t. Why would anyone? There’s nothing like feeling clean from head to toe.

Yet most people do skip getting totally clean when it comes to their mouth.

So I have to ask.

W.T.F.?

Where’s The Floss?

Millions of bacteria live in our mouth, and the whole purpose of keeping it clean is to keep their numbers low. Brushing alone gets rid of only 2/3 of the bacteria, leaving the other 1/3 to grow and prosper at your expense.

So why give a floss?

Well, for starters, bacteria begin to collect and form plaque, the white film that coats your teeth and can be (mostly) removed by brushing. Without flossing, plaque continues to hang out in nooks and crannies your toothbrush can’t reach. These bacteria then release compounds that cause bad breath, as well as acid that starts to feast on your tooth enamel, making it more prone to cavities.

Eventually, plaque hardens to form tartar. Now, neither brushing nor flossing can be fully effective. Tartar or ‘calculus’ (no, not the math) needs the fine tools and skills utilized by your dentist or hygienist to be removed completely.

Let’s say you decide there’s no flossin’ way and skip that too.

Now tartar gets serious. The bacteria release toxins that first irritate the gums causing gingivitis and over time lead to periodontal disease, which affects not only the gums but also the bone that keeps your teeth in place. Once this bone starts to shrink away, it can’t grow back, and then the teeth get loose and fall out-cavity or not.

So you see, there is a method to the madness.

Adding flossing to your daily routine (once a day is plenty) will not only keep your gums healthy and your breath fresh, it’ll keep you miles away from periodontal disease. And the hillbilly look.

To repeat my question: W.T.F.?

You may now answer: I’m a flossing genius.

(214) 522-3110        www.raodentistry.com

If you’d like to know about finer flossing, or how to keep your teeth in your head for the long haul, call or email us!

Share this on Facebook or Twitter or email it to your friends. Chances are they want to keep their teeth too.

Get The Skinny On How To Avoid The Dentist

I hate my ‘fat’ jeans. You know, the pair you have to reach for when you pack on a few extra pounds.

I know, I know. I know the whole eating better, exercising more, drink more water, etc. etc. But then I think, hey, life is short and indulge a little every now and then. A cookie. Or two. That slice of cake.     

But never for very long.

Why?

Is it because I have super human will power, or a super model’s appetite?

Um . . . no.

It’s because I HATE my fat jeans.

H. A. T. E.

Enough to walk away, no matter how reluctantly, from any sugary treat tempting me into submission and reach for something healthier, like a treadmill.

So much for the power of positive thinking, huh? The benefits of a positive attitude, how it can change your life.

But is it wrong to open the door to such negative thinking?

Maybe. All I know is, that for me, it WORKS.

And I’m not the only one.

I see it everyday at our practice. While most people don’t like coming to the dentist, a select few come pretty close to guaranteeing they don’t. They’ve hacked the system.

These are the people who show up every 6 months like clockwork, rarely skipping their check up and teeth cleaning appointment. They brush and floss every day as if they’re getting paid to.

They even go a step further and invest in mega prevention: a quality electric toothbrush to get the cleanest clean possible, and a night guard to protect their teeth . . . and actually use the darn things.

The result? They seldom have dental problems. They breeze in and out. Their appointments are short and sweet, uneventful. Any excitement there may be comes from catching up about their family and vacations, not their teeth. They’re nowhere close to the drill.

Why?

Because they don’t want to see me.

They make a good case for the power of negative thinking, don’t you think? They take control, do what they need to do, and make it work for them.They save time, money and treatment, and in return, get great oral health.

In short, they use this power for good, not evil, and win.

And now, if you want to avoid the dentist, you can. And it’s fat-free.

(214) 522-3110                   www.raodentistry.com

If your goal is great dental health for the long-term, call or contact us via our website. Or let us know in the comments.

How To Seal The Deal And Save Money

There are some things people just should not do.

                  Talk with their mouth full.

                  Send the wrong text to the wrong person. Oops.

                  Wear skinny jeans, three sizes too small. Really?

And my personal favorite,

                  Pick their nose. In public.

On the other hand, there’s something pretty high up on my list of things they should do. And that’s getting sealants placed on their children’s permanent teeth.

I shouldn’t, but since we’re here anyway . . . .

Sealants are protective coatings placed on freshly sprouted permanent molars as a preventive measure; they drastically reduce the chances of those teeth getting cavities.

While they’re not a free pass to skimp on brushing, flossing, consuming sugary food in moderation or a dose of fluoride, they can get your children’s second (and last) set of teeth off to the races.

Molars typically come in around ages 6 and 12. Why molars? Because they have the most nooks and crannies where bacteria can gather and party harder than a Vegas nightclub. So those are the ones we pick to seal.

And here are 6 good reasons why:                                                    

1. Protect teeth and prevent decay

 And yes moms, they’re tooth colored and BPA-free.

2. Quick and easy

 Usually take less than 20 minutes.

3. No needles!

Ain’t that a treat at the dentist’s! Sealants are only placed on healthy teeth, so no anesthetic or drilling required.

4. Save money

The cost of sealants is a fraction of fillings or other restorations. Get those healthy teeth sealed early, and your child has the best chance of keeping those teeth decay-free.

5. Last long-term

Sealants adhere to teeth simply by getting into their crevices before bacteria do, and are not permanent. They can also come loose while eating certain (crunchy) foods.

That being said, they can last anywhere from 6 months to, more commonly, several years. Most dentists will replace them at no charge if unsuccessful within 6 months or a year.

6. Easy intro to dental visits

If sealants is the first “major” dental visit your child has had, they’re going to breeze through it.

In turn, this establishes a healthy comfort level at a young age should they encounter dental issues down the road. Trust me, that is no small accomplishment.

It’s pretty much a win-win on many levels. Unlike calling someone “swagdaddy”. Yeah, I don’t know either.

We’ll let you know at your child’s check up when their permanent teeth are ready to be sealed. And when they’re in for their visit, we’ll walk them through each step, make it easy and even fun.

Plus, they all know about the goodies in the Treasure Chest after they’re done, as they should.

What they shouldn’t do, is quote The Jersey Shore. That’s just an awful situation.

Questions? Thoughts? Let us know in the comments!

www.raodentistry.com     (214) 522-3110

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