Childhood is beautiful. Full of wonder, excitement, and new experiences. The mysteries of the world to discover. And what is more mysterious to a child than the Tooth Fairy?

August 22nd is National Tooth Fairy Day, a kick-off to the start of the school year. The magic behind children’s teeth has been a part of legend as early as the 1200’s in Norse and Northern European traditions. The Tooth Fairy tradition is traced to 1908 in the Chicago Daily Tribune. The newspaper told children to place their baby teeth underneath their pillow, and – Presto, Chango! – overnight the Tooth Fairy came bearing gifts.

Children are in a constant state of development. I encourage you, whether you buy into the Tooth Fairy or not, to engage with your child in the wonder of growth and change in each and every loose baby tooth.

Fireflies are out, lawn mowers are running and the water is cool. Summer is in full swing! Time to get out the swim trunks and hop in the pool. Make sure to apply sunscreen, spray on the bug repellent and keep your teeth bright and healthy with some helpful water tips.

We encounter chlorine on a daily basis. It comes from your tap and is used in pools and hot tubs. The levels of chlorine are regulated heavily by the EPA and your local water provider to provide you with a safe and reliable source of clean drinking water. Chlorine is used to disinfect and kill germs that you would otherwise encounter. But should you worry about the amount of chlorine you ingest?

The short answer, no! Chlorine is great for keeping you and your loved ones safe from waterborne illnesses, and it is used in almost every public pool, hot tub or spa. The issue comes from over exposure. If you swim daily or use a hot tub or pool regularly throughout the summer you should take light precautions. Over chlorinated water can cause erosion to your teeth enamel, that protective layer that keeps your teeth healthy and white! Your risk can be greatly reduced if you follow some simple tips:

• Swim with your eyes and mouth closed. Some water will seep into your mouth and that’s ok! Just avoid drinking the water you swim/relax in.
• Check your pool’s ph and make sure it’s up to regulation standards.

The CDC has a great little guide to help you recognize the signs for a safe body of water to cool off in!

Summer time is when we can relax, stretch those limbs and show off our smiles. Enjoy your time by the water and be mindful of these helpful tips.

There are many different medical facets that make up your overall health. When taking a look at your healthy lifestyle, it’s important to remember that a healthier mouth means a healthier you! This is why we’re proud to celebrate “Save Your Tooth Month” every May. This awareness month was set up by the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) to “emphasize the need for patients to get back on track with their oral health and see a specialist when there is tooth pain” (Dentistry Today.) You only get one set of adult teeth in life so it’s important that you take care of them the best you can!

Saving Natural Teeth

The best way you can save and care for your natural teeth is by implementing routine care:

• Bi-annual dentist visits
• Daily brushing – twice a day
• Daily flossing
• Monitor any pain or discomfort

Paying attention to these key items can help increase the strength of your teeth for the years to come. If you start to feel discomfort or pain in your teeth, even if you think it’s just mild, it’s important to call your dentist to schedule a visit sooner rather than later to ensure there aren’t larger issues occurring.

Other Helpful Tips

At Dr. Drew and Crew, we like to give our patients the tools and resources they need to succeed which is why we continually update our website with content on how you can best care for your oral health. Learn more through some of the various topics below:

• Flossing
• Benefits of Routine Check Ups
• Oral Hygiene During the Summer
• Oral Care for the Coffee Drinker
• Oral Care for the Soda Drinker

It’s National Dental Hygienist Week, which means we get to brag on two of our incredible team members: Amanda Taylor and Angie Gonzales! These two play a critical role in helping our patients achieve and maintain a strong foundation when it comes to oral health. If you see either of them around the office, there’s bound to be laughter and a good time! Our team is thankful to have these two as our hygienist. Learn a little more about them below!

Amanda Taylor – Hygienist since 2005

Education:

• • Harding University, 1999, Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
  • University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, 2005, Associate of Dental Hygiene

Other qualifications:

• • Member of the American Dental Hygiene Association
  • Broad background in dental disease prevention and a deep understanding of dental treatment

Outside of the office:

“I love to be at the beach every chance I get.  Everyone that truly knows me, will say I always am ready for a taco.  Most people don’t know that I have a degree in Dietetics.  I can say that nutrition goes hand in hand with dentistry.  I am always ready for swimming and spending time with my daughter and husband.”

Helpful tips for patients:

“I can never emphasize the work Floss does every day.  Getting normal dental check-ups will definitely help keep the patients oral health.  I love seeing kids to educate them from a young age about the importance of dental health, as well as making it fun for them.  I thoroughly enjoy my job and really enjoy coming to work.”

Angie Gonzales – Hygienist since 1999

Education:

• • UAMS in Little Rock, 1999

Favorite thing about the job:

“Getting to meet new people & educating them on their dental needs while helping them maintain good oral habits.”

Outside of the office:

Angie enjoys walking & spending time with her 17 year-old daughter & husband & keeping all the little kids in the family & or friends kids (kids are her FAVORITE)

Helpful tips for patients:

“Flossing is SO important & getting into a good daily habit, even with floss picks, at an early age will bring them a lifetime of GREAT SMILES!!”

 

Thank you Amanda and Angie for all you do for Dr. Drew and Crew!!

Finding a new dentist, or any health care provider for that matter, can sometimes be a daunting task.  You want a team of professionals that will care and look after you with your best interest in mind while also feeling like your concerns are being heard and addressed.  We completely understand!  Service and care may look different from dentist to dentist, but if you’re looking for someone new, we suggest keeping an eye out for these top five things:

1. Ethical Practices:  You want to be sure that the office you go to is honest, forthright, just, and equitable in dealing with patients, team members, and support personnel.   This is a tell-tell sign of an office with a strong foundation.
2. Effectiveness:  Does the office appear to provide effective care without jeopardizing the quality?  This is an important factor to consider to ensure that you are heard, cared for, and treated well during your visits.
3. Personability:  Feeling comfortable is one of the most important things when it comes to your dental health needs!  If you feel connected to your dentist and hygienist, you’ll be able to relax and trust their work.
4. Cleanliness:  The highest standard of health care services is the cleanness of space.  The year 2020 taught the general public the importance of routine disinfecting and caution, something a good dental office already knew and practiced.
5. Service:  Take a look at the customer services provided within the office and out.  Are your appointments being checked up on?  Are procedures and changes being communicated to you?  Is the team being transparent with you?  This expectation of service helps you feel empowered as a patient while knowing you’re receiving the best care you can.

Here at Dr. Drew and Crew, we strive for all of our patients to feel confident and safe before, during, and after all appointments. Our philosophy of care guides our team to serve the dental needs of its patients with integrity, compassion, and quality.

Needing to make a routine appointment? Call us and schedule today!
479-242-Drew (3739)

A few kind words about Dr. Drew and Crew:

“I absolutely hate going to the dentist, but Dr. Drew & Crew are so fun that I actually look forward to my dental visits! Dr. Drew is very charismatic and actually listens to my concerns. The front staff is also excellent, very efficient yet friendly at the same time. I cannot recommend Dr. Drew & Crew highly enough!” -Gabrielle K.

“Wonderful place! Could not recommend it more. Dr. Ellenwood and his staff are wonderful.” -Lucy W.

It has been a frigid winter! With record-breaking low temperatures and increasing quantities of snowfall, it almost feels like Antarctica here in Arkansas. Most of us know about winterizing our house, putting air in our car’s tires, and putting on extra clothing layers to protect our valuables from the colder months. But did you know that your teeth can also be impacted by the cold and can use protection as well? Let’s take a look at some key ways to care for our teeth for the remainder of this winter: 

Pay attention to temperature sensitivity

Do your teeth ever become uncomfortable when you quickly eat something extremely hot or cold? The same phenomenon can occur when our teeth are exposed to extremely cold outdoor temperatures. This discomfort occurs when tooth enamel or gums wear down, exposing a layer of your teeth that’s very sensitive to temperature: Dentin. 

Dentin is one of the major components of our teeth located beneath our enamel. This large portion of our teeth contains microscopic tubules. When the protective enamel or gums surrounding our dentin wear down, the tubules allow heat or cold to stimulate the nerves and cells inside our teeth which causes increased sensitivity.

Caring for sensitive teeth 

If you go about your day and notice an increase in tooth discomfort in cold weather, or that the discomfort is lasting longer, it’s probably time to make a special trip to the dentist. Although our teeth are susceptible to feeling the drastic changes in temperature, lingering pain or discomfort can be a sign of bigger issues at hand. Some of these could be a crack in a tooth, a cavity, decay, or other dental issues. To best protect your oral health and avoid any serious issues, it’s best to make a call to the office sooner rather than later to be checked out. As always, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry! 

Help your teeth feel the best they can during these winter months and continue with your routine oral care. This includes visiting Dr. Drew and Crew! If you are experiencing any discomfort or sensitivity to the winter cold, give us a call and we will help you get back to feeling your best!