Establishing good dental habits with children at an early age can make a difference both while they are young and later in life.  Childhood habits become life-long habits.   A healthy, attractive smile contributes to their confidence and self-esteem.

Today’s children are living in a fast-paced technology dominated world.  Incorporating this into your child’s dental care is a way to encourage them to brush.  Electric toothbrushes are easier to use and require less effort on the part of the child.  Why not gift them with an electric toothbrush bearing one of their favorite characters like Cinderella or Elmo. Make it fun by turning brushing into a game.  Many parents find that using a timer insures that they do more than simply stick the toothbrush in their mouth when reminded to brush.  Even better, brush your teeth together.  Modeling good dental habits is the best way to encourage them to care for their own teeth.  It also makes it less of a chore to have company while they are brushing!

Finally, schedule regular checkups for the entire family.  Again you are modeling good habits and making a statement that this is important to everyone.  You are also making it a family outing, an “event” where everyone participates.  If these visits occur regularly before dental work is needed, the child will already feel comfortable in the setting.  Your dentist will be a friendly face.

Remember, the family that brushes together, smiles together!

As we rush around deciding what size turkey we need, what kind of stuffing to make, and when we will take on Black Friday/Black Thursday, it seems appropriate to pause for a moment and remember the real reason for the celebration.  Yes folks, this holiday is about being thankful! 

At Charlottesville Dental Health Partners, we wanted to be sure and say thank you to our patients.  Our patients come from all walks of life and many geographical locations.  Many of them have been with us for over 30 years and most came to us because someone else suggested us as a good dental home.  They bring to us a wide variety of experiences, expertise, and interests.  They share their journeys with us-the birth of a grandchild, the death of a parent, their child’s first day at school, the book they just wrote, the trip they took.  We marvel at their resilience, their determination, and their giftedness.  They enrich our lives, lift us up, and most of all they entrust their dental health care to us. We are grateful this Thanksgiving that they have chosen to be a part of our dental family and we wish each and everyone a joyful celebration. 

What makes your smile beautiful?

Interestingly, only you can answer that.  Beauty is a very subjective concept and this also applies to your smile.  That is why developing a relationship with your dentist and the dental team is so important to achieving the outcome that you desire.  This can only happen in an atmosphere that is unrushed and comfortable.  The dental team needs time to get to know you and your goals for your smile makeover.  They also need experience and advanced training in dental aesthetics to successfully guide you in making good choices.

One size does not fit all.  Each patient’s treatment should be individualized.  You are unique with your own facial structure, skin, and eyes.  There are many issues that can affect the appearance of your smile:  disease, nutrition, occlusion (your bite), injury, personal habits, and of course your genetic makeup.  Your dentist should take all of these factors into consideration as he helps you develop a plan.

In order for you to best understand your options, your dentist should also have technology that aids you in understanding and visualizing the enhancements that are possible.  Your dentist will then offer alternatives and choices for reaching the course of treatment that will best achieve the look you desire and also provide long-term results.  Together you make the final decision.

Every year we get questions from patients about how to best treat the “sweet feast” that follows Trick or Treating each year.  There are many ways to manage this from restricting the child’s intake each day to allowing them to have an all out feast followed by a good brushing and flossing and then removing the rest of the candy.  Clearly, it is important to monitor when and how much the child eats but the most important factor is making sure that good oral care takes place as soon as possible after eating the candy.  Allowing the sugar to remain in the child’s mouth for a period of time is what can cause problems later. 

As a service to our patients and the children of our community, we are offering free dental care kits to anyone who stops by with their parents on the three days following Halloween (Nov. 1-3).  Just stop by our office at 3025 Berkmar Drive  (lower level) during business hours 8AM-5PM and say the magic words “Trick or Treat” to one of our receptionists.  Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

You’ve probably heard someone talk about whitening their teeth.  With the interest in cosmetic procedures growing, one of the first avenues people will explore is whitening their teeth.  Many brides and grooms are putting it on their “to do’ list before the big day. Television personalities and politicians consider it a professional “must do”.  You may have also heard someone else state that “whitening your teeth destroys enamel”.  So what are the facts?  Is it safe?

Study after study by the American Dental Association has shown that there is no damage to teeth resulting from the use of whitening products. There is no difference regardless of the method of whitening that is used. In-office whitening, which involves a gel application in conjunction with a plasma light is both safe and effective.  Trays with whitening gel administered at home are also effective.  Additionally they are useful in maintaining the results of the in-house procedure.  You may choose to use either one or both. Regardless, they are all safe.  Over-the-counter products are also safe, but usually are less effective than professional products.

Many of our patients have transformed their smiles using these products.

Keep Smiling!