Ease your child's fears of the Dentist

1. Find A Dentist Who Is Good With Kids: A good dentist really goes a long way when it comes to dental fears. Find someone through recommendations who is good with kids.
2. Explain The Importance Of Oral Health: Have regular conversations about why it's important to brush and floss and visit the dentist. Talk regularly, because then it won't seem so out of the norm to take care of your teeth.
3. Meet And Greet Time: Before your child goes in for their first appointment, have a meet and greet first. Take your child to the office to see the place, meet the dentist and try out the chair before any procedures are done.
4. Make Regular Dental Visits: The more regularly they visit (every 6 months), the less afraid they will be because it will become less unknown.
5. Explain In Terms They Understand: Let your child know what to expect, but in terms they understand. Tell them, or ask the dentist to tell them, what they're doing and what to expect so they won't be so afraid.
6. Don't Share Your Own Fears: A lot of people are not a fan of the dentist, but be careful never to share that with your kids. If you do, it could very well make them more afraid and stressed.
7. Inform The Dentist: If your child is feeling anxious or afraid, let the dentist know. They may be able to help ease their fear and treat them with a little more care.
8. Avoid Scary Words: Kids and scary words don't really get along well. Avoid using words like "hurt" or "freezing" or "shot" with your kids if you think it could make them more anxious.

source: http://www.babble.com/kid/8-ways-to-help-ease-your-childs-fear-of-the-dentist/

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Paxton Smiles Current Promotions

Make sure you take advantage of our current promotions!

• ReFer a friend and receive a $10 gift card!
• New patients receive a teeth whitening kit or electric toothbruth!
• Get 5% off your next cleaning, exam, and x-rays!

Refer to this Blog Post or show it to the receptionist on your cell phone to redeem. Offer expires July 30, 2015.

Copyright 2015 - Dr. Bart Paxton, DDS - Allrights Reserved

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A Child's First Visit to the Dentist

A child's introduction to professional dental care ideally should take place by their first birthday. The earlier you begin, the better chance there is to prevent problems. Most cavities in children start to develop before age three.

A good time to schedule your child's first dental visit is in the morning, when he or she is rested and likely to be cooperative. If they enjoy the first dental visit, future ones will be anticipated rather than feared. Early experiences will influence their attitude toward dental care, and can help start them on the path to a lifetime of good dental health.

What could be more beautiful to you as a parent than your child's smile? An early orthodontic screening assures that your child's smile will be healthy and look its best. Just as your child's first visit to the dentist should be as early as six months, the best time for a first visit to the orthodontist is by age seven.

It may also help minimize the need for more extensive treatment at a later date, such as the removal of permanent teeth. Early treatment may also help your child's self-esteem - a fragile asset that's so important in growing up.

Copyright 2015 - Dr. Bart Paxton, DDS - All Rights Reserved

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Benefits of Maintaining Your Teeth

Most people know that maintaining good dental health into old age has many benefits. Those most important include comfort of the teeth and gums, the ability to enjoy food, and a better appearance.

Studies have shown that those individuals who have poor dental health have a higher mortality rate than those who were in better dental health. Moreover we can point to the impact of nutrition as the most likely contribution to health.

The elderly like younger patients should see their dentist at least twice a year for check ups and cleanings. All cavities, gum disease, and other dental infections should be treated promptly. Patients wearing full or partial dentures should have them evaluated for proper comfort and fit. Dentures that have been worn for many years may not fit well anymore. This happens because the jawbone under the denture can become worn away over time.

Loose dentures make it difficult to eat, speak, and do not support the face as well. A loose denture begins to need more and more adhesive to stay in place. Your dentist can sometimes remedy the problem by relining the denture, but a new denture should be made about every 5 to 7 years, or when the dentures cannot be used comfortably. In some cases, implants can be used to help secure the dentures. This is usually needed in the lower jaw and is sometimes the only way to help the patient stabilize and use their denture.

Remember, maintaining good dental health along with proper nutrition is a key factor in living a long healthy life.

Copyright 2015 - Dr. Bart Paxton, DDS, All Rights Reserved

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Soft Drinks Not Hard to Swallow - Just Too Sweet

During the past 20 years, American women increased their consumption of soft drinks by 61%, and during the same time, children and adolescents more than double theirs. Along with this, the incidence of diabetes in adults increased by 80%, and even more in children. This is understandable, since long-continued, almost daily consumption of sugar in excess causes obesity and stresses and exhausts the pancreas, the gland that produces insulin. Insufficient insulin production by the pancreas is the most common cause of diabetes. In the USA, soft drinks are now a major dietary source of sugar.

Researchers have discovered that about 71 million Americans (about a quarter of the population) are obese. A large number of these obese people will develop type-2 diabetes, with its associated high risks of atherosclerosis and premature death from heart attack and stroke. If you wish to reduce your risks of becoming obese and diabetic, take it easy with soft drinks.

Sources: Journal of the American Medical Association (292:927, '04) and British Medical Journal (329:530, '04

Copyright 2015 - Bart Paxton - All Rights Reserved

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Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease

Insightful article on the link between your oral health and heart disease.

https://www.perio.org/consumer/heart_disease

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Drink More Water!

Your Smile Will Thank You.

Not only is it essential for your body, but the acidity in soda, sports drinks, juice and even water flavorings, including lemon and Crystal Light, is detrimental to your oral health. These drinks roughen up the enamel making it easy for bacteria to adhere to the tooth causing decay and cavities. Drinking less acidic drinks and more water also means less trips to the dentist for major treatment, meaning your pocket book will thank you too! 

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