Let's get Sirius...

One of the challenges we face in dental offices is to try and find ways for our patients to have the best experience possible when we know they might have other places they'd rather be than sitting in the dental chair. We offer complimentary refreshments like water, coffee and teas, as well as comfort items like nitrous to help you relax, and noise cancelling headphones so you can focus on your favorite tunes instead of the hustle and bustle around you.

And there was a bit of a rub...finding something to listen to on the radio. Certainly we have a nice selection of CD's to choose from, but sometimes you'd like to be surprised by a song you hadn't heard in awhile and which brings back fond memories. I grew up listening to the 50's music my mother loved and was a little disappointed that Eau Claire didn't really have a local 50's radio station where I could get my fix.

Enter Sirius satellite radio. As an added amenity for our patients, Anderson Family Dental has recently upgraded to offering Sirius radio for your listening pleasure. Many of our patients have commented on how much they enjoy this little perk and I know how much I've personally enjoyed it.

It's little touches like this that make our office special, and we hope you'll schedule your appointment soon so you can see for yourself how helping you smile is just our style.

Speaking of The Office...

Want a super simple idea that can help you avoid costly dental problems? Bring an extra toothbrush to keep and use at your office. I am asked quite often just how many times a day a person should brush their teeth...two, three? I am a firm believer that in addition to your morning and before bedtime brushing routine, if you can brush after each meal, you can help prevent a lot of cavities.

As you can probably already guess, meals and snacking throughout the workday can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. The foods we eat throughout the day contain sugars and starches which, when left to sit on your teeth, cause an acid to form in our mouth. It is this acid which attacks the enamel on our teeth and should be brushed away after meals and snacks.

Keeping a toothbrush tucked away in your desk or in your locker at work is a great idea for a mid-day brush. Just be sure to dry it after every use and protect the bristles by keeping it in a travel case.

The Office

My wife, daughter and I are huge fans of "The Office" and we recently caught a re-run of the episode "The Delivery" where Pam and Jim have their baby.

One of the things I like best about the show's very clever writing is that when you re-watch episodes, you always seem to be able to pick up on quick little "throw-away" lines that you might have missed the first time. Case in point:

Season 6: The Delivery

Dwight: Hey, listen. I know that I'm an adult, but maybe I could come by sometime for a teeth cleaning. You know, just for fun.

Isabelle: Well, adults are supposed to go to the dentist, too.

Dwight: Are they now? Ha ha, how some people spend their money, right? Ha ha.

Isabelle: Yeah...

While this is obviously meant to be over the top and I don't think anyone is much at risk of taking their oral health advice from a character like Dwight, there does seem to be a least a thread of truth that some people share in this way of thinking and don't see the importance of routine dental visits and cleanings.

For those with general good oral health, receiving routine and preventative care every six months fits in with a health philosophy of "lifetime" maintenance and care. Following such a schedule allows me to provide you with periodic exams and x-rays as needed so that any decay from visit to visit can be spotted in earlier stages and, if necessary, can be fixed immediately, preventing further damage to the tooth.

When you receive regular, lifetime care, dental problems can be identified and fixed in small amounts, leading to a lower overall cost...despite what Dwight may think.

I'll Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow...

We're all guilty of it. The urge to put off things we know we really should not put off. Myself included, since right now as I look out my window I can see the lawn getting just the tiniest bit shaggy...

Maybe you have a couple of DVDs sitting on the kitchen table that you really should have returned to Blockbuster, or perhaps you have that reminder postcard on your refrigerator right now...reminding you it's time to schedule your 6 month dental cleaning and check up.

If it's been awhile since you've seen the dentist, you're not alone. Whether it's due to procrastination, or maybe even dental anxiety, people often get off track with their dental care.

Perhaps the habit of procrastination has caused some dental issues, and now you feel embrassed by how long it's been since you're last visit, but rest assured that your Anderson Family Dental team is here to serve and never judge you.

The first step to getting back on track is making an appointment. During your welcome back visit, you'll typically be given a detailed examination of your teeth and gums, including an oral cancer screening and x-rays to help diagnose your oral health. If we find no signs of periodontal disease, and that your gums are healthy, then you likely will also have your teeth cleaned at this visit.

After reviewing your x-rays , you and I will talk about any concerns and discuss options for treatment if any is needed.

At Anderson Family Dental we are always taking new patients and we accept many insurance plans. For those without dental insurance, we have easy and affordable payment plans to help you get the care you deserve.

Call (715) 834-9838 or click here to schedule your appointment. Whether it's been 6 months or 6 years, its never to late to get back into a routine

I'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.

A Whiter Smile for Your Walk Down the Aisle

A few weeks ago my wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary, and even after all these years, I remember her beautiful smile as she walked down the aisle.

Anyone hearing wedding bells in their future knows the amount of time and the lists of details that go into planning for the big day. You've found the perfect dress, booked the hall and hired the band, and even have shopped for salons to give you the perfect hair and nails...but have you thought about your smile?

You'll remember this day for the rest of your life, and will cherish the memories of your wedding photos for years to come, so why not treat yourself to a brightened smile? You and your groom could benefit from professional tooth whitening at Anderson Family Dental to help you look your best!

For more information click here

In fact, a nice idea for thanking your wedding party for all they've done to help you make your wedding day perfect would be to send everyone in for a professional whitening service. You and your entire wedding party will look stunning with your whiter, brighter smiles!

Call (715) 834-9838 or click here to schedule your appointment to allow your Eau Claire Anderson Family Dental team help you achieve beautiful smiles that will dazzle your guests.

Congratulations on your wedding!

Going on Vacation? See Your Dentist First!

You made plans to take the family on vacation. You’ve packed and checked your "to do" list twice…but have you remembered to make your dental appointments? Nothing could ruin your getaway quite dealing with the pain of an emergency toothache. Accidents can and do happen, but why risk cutting your vacation short when you can schedule a visit to Anderson Family Dental today and make sure your smile is healthy and ready for summer fun before you hit the road.

Also, keep in mind that summer is an ideal to schedule your child's dental visit. Now that the Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley schools are in summer recess, a dental visit won’t mean missed learning opportunities. Unfortunately, many children simply are not visiting the dentist often enough. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children who enjoy general good oral health have two dental visits per year. However, according to data compiled for the most recent News and Number from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, only 45 percent of Americans age 20 or younger see a dentist once a year.

Schedule your child’s dental visit today to ensure they have the basic, preventative oral care they deserve and to keep the summer fun coming! (715) 834-9838

http://andersonfamilydds.com/appointment.php

Source: www.agd.org & www.medicalnewstoday.com

Proctecting Your Child's Smile

Summer is in full swing here in Eau Claire, and that means your children are probably spending more time outdoors and participating in various sports and summer fun.

According to a study by the American Dental Association, nearly 3.5 million children age 14 and under are injured while playing sports or participating in extracurricular activities every year. Many of these injuries happen to the face and mouth, and many can be prevented by wearing a mouthguard.

This protective guard can help cushion a blow that may otherwise cause cracked, broken, or loose teeth, along with other injuries. The cushioning effect of a mouthguard may also lessen the chance of a concussion or other head trauma as well.

At Anderson Family Dental, we offer a variety custom-made mouthguards to suit your family's sport and athletic needs. This simple appliance can offer effective protection and may save you hundreds of dollars in costly repairs of oral injuries. Call today for for more information on how to protect your child's smile. (715) 834-9838

http://andersonfamilydds.com/appointment.php



Source: www.ada.org

Most of my patients know that in my "previous life", I drove a semi truck before graduating from dental school, so this link to a story about a truck driver in Canada who was charged with careless driving while attempting to pull his own tooth was all the more amazing to me...

" Officers pulled over a tractor-trailer on Highway 402 near Sarnia, Ont., on June 30 after another driver reported a truck travelling erratically.

When they stopped the driver, they found he was trying to extract his own tooth and steer the truck at the same time."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/100705/canada/canada_windsor_ont_trucker_tooth_pull100705


While I remember all too well the pressure to keep those wheels moving, this is NEVER a good idea...

CPR and AED Training

One of the things patients may not realize is that dental office staff must be trained to handle emergencies beyond oral care.

National CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1-7 and spotlights how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Recently, staff at Anderson Family Dental had our own CPR/AED training day. Pictured here is one of our dental assistants learning lifesaving techniques on a mannequin.

For those unfamiliar with AED, the automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device which can check a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock and advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take.

While the office was closed, everyone took a few hours of their time off to participate in this hands-on training and become CPR Heartsaver Certified. Early CPR helps to circulate oxygen-rich blood to the brain and is an integral part of providing lifesaving aid to people suffering sudden cardiac arrest.

CPR is so important that I would encourage everyone to particpate in a learning session and the American Heart Association offers CPR and AED training through its network of Training Centers. To locate a Training Center near you, call 1-877-AHA-4CPR. You could save a life!

Does anyone really want to see the Dentist?

Does anyone really want to see the Dentist? Probably not! Honestly, I can think of many places I would rather be! Patients all have their own unique reason for fearing/loathing the dentist. I must hear at least several times a week about a past dental experience(often from childhood)that so severely traumatized the person that they still-sometimes 20, 30 or 40 years later- get sweaty palms and some are so apprehensive that they are shaking.
There are several ways we try to combat these fears....obviously the number one way to overcome these fears is to discover exactly what the stresser is for the individual....so, we ask a LOT of questions....some fear the needle, some the sound of the handpiece and some just don't like the invasion of their personal space.
Once we identify the problem, hopefully we can lessen the the "trigger".
For overcoming the fear of the needle slow and steady is key. We have to allow the topical anesthetic time to infiltrate the mucousa and then SLOWLY administer the anesthetic. Slowly injecting reduces the pressure within the tissue which causes the pain experienced with the "shot".
The sound of the handpiece is easily overcome with a set of Koss headphones and either a cd or radio station of the patients choosing.
Unfortunately, the invasion of personal space is inevidable....hopefully a strong mouthwash on our part lessens the experience!
An adjunct to lessening the unpleasantness of the dental visit which we employ is relaxing during the procedure with either oral sedation or good old tried and true Nitrous Oxide. I would say 50% of our practice prefers Nitrous for their dental appoinments. Surprisingly, many of our patients ask for and get Nitrous for their 6 month cleaning appointments also. We have found that having a relaxed patient makes it easier not only for the patient but for us, the dental provider.
We like it so much we have chose not to charge for this service!

Fluoride? Is there ever enough?

A very common finding during exams is recurrent decay. Either at a crown margin (the junction of the crown and the tooth) or along the interface of the tooth and a filling. Options at this point are removing the decay and "patching" the margin with restorative material or removing the crown and redoing it. We feel that a third option is prevention of the decay in the first place. We have been recommending a prescription strength toothpaste (5000ppm of fluoride vs 1000ppm of fluoride). The prescription can be filled at any pharmacy at a reasonable cost. We recommend using your regular toothpaste in the morning and the prescription toothpast right before bed. Brush as normal and do NOT rinse with water...Let it sit on your teeth overnight....Another idea is for those that use an occlusal guard/night guard....place the fluoride toothpaste in the appliance and let the teeth marinade in fluoride overnight....

Welcome to my first foray into the world of blogging. I have started this with the hopes of sharing some of my professional and personal experiences with friends, family and patients. First, before I go any further, please pardon my grammatical and puncuation errors. I am not an English major. I intend for this to be an informal experience so....

That being said, Welcome!

First a little about myself. Married, one teenage daughter, and currently commuting between Milwaukee and Eau Claire. I purchased the dental practice of Dr. Bob Grayson approximatly 14 months ago with the intention of returning to northwest Wisconsin but as sometimes happens life gets in the way of the best laid plans. My wife and daughter continue living in Milwaukee while we deal with a sick parent. I usually leave the Eau Claire area to drive down to Milwaukee Friday and drive back Sunday evening. It is amazing how many miles I have racked up on my car! Hopefully at some point soon we can settle down in the Chippewa valley and enjoy the many recreational activities and the friendly people.