Clarence Street Dental - March 2019

Clarence Street Dental - March 2019

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MARCH 2019

Article Title Will Go Here More Than 40 Years of Family-Owned and Centered Care P u W hen my dad began his dental practice in 1975, family- owned practices were the norm. Even as other dental practitioners began selling to corporate businesses, my dad remained firm

isn’t possible for them, or the problem isn’t worth fixing. At Clarence Street Dental, we know this is not true. In today’s dentistry field, treatment plans and options are affordable and worthwhile. Living a pain-free life with dental implants that look like your teeth is possible. Teeth-straightening options that fit into your lifestyle are possible. A dentist that caters to your whole family — from your grandparents to your baby — is possible. Our goal is to make your care simple, affordable, and centered around your needs and concerns. We operate with heart, and we don’t have to keep corporate interests in mind.

in staying family-owned and community-centered. My brother, sister, and I would often visit him at the office, and we never knew anything different than the immense dedication of a family-owned dental practice. My dad was always focused on making sure his patients and staff felt appreciated and cared for because he believed everything else would then fall into place. Money or growing by other means were never a concern for him. Instead, he was more concerned with the care his patients and the community received. He took a lot of pride in treating people with respect. Growing up in my dad’s business, my siblings and I never felt pushed into dentistry, but he made sure we understood how fulfilled being a dentist and his business made him feel. As I entered college considering a dental focus, I felt comfortable drifting around and taking time to make a decision that was best for me. Even after graduating, I still had my doubts about what I wanted from dentistry. That all changed when I began practicing, and I saw how great this profession can be. I was enamored by being able to help people gain confidence and live happy, healthy lives. One of the biggest driving factors for me is that I want to change the misconceptions about dentistry. I want patients to feel comfortable expressing their concerns and to leave their appointments knowing we have listened to them. The experts in our dental practice have heard patients say they have been told by other dentists that procedures would be too expensive, a solution

“Our goal is to make your care simple, affordable, and centered around your needs and concerns. We operate with heart, and we don’t have to keep corporate interests in mind. “

After two moves around Brantford for bigger office space, I’m proud to say Clarence Street Dental has kept the mission my father founded this practice on 44 years ago. Our patients and staff are treated like family, and I even still work with some of those same dental experts I grew up seeing in my dad’s practice. In the four decades Clarence Street Dental has been in practice, the industry and its options have vastly changed, but one thing has remained constant: People are put first. And as my dad taught us, everything else falls into place when you remain dedicated to others.

–Dr. Michael Ling, DDS

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2Ways to Fight Bacteria

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Our world is becoming increasingly antibacterial with practically

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every office, medical facility, and school being equipped with dozens of containers of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. While these products claim to be 99.9 percent effective at killing bacteria, the harsh chemicals dry out our skin, and over time, bacteria become more and more resistant to these agents. Doctors, too, are blamed for overprescribing antibiotics. As a result, we’re hearing more and more about “superbugs” — strains of harmful bacteria that cause severe illness and are not easily remedied by antibiotics. But you can still protect yourself and your family against illness- causing bacteria without resorting to harsh chemicals and medications. The answer is to go all-natural! Here are two options that are completely natural yet totally effective against the microorganisms that make us sick. RawHoney Most honey you find at the store has been pasteurized and filtered, rendering it far less effective when it comes to its antibacterial properties. On the other hand, raw, unfiltered honey is an incredible antiseptic. Even better than your average raw honey is manuka honey, which comes from New Zealand. Its antibacterial properties are potent enough that hospitals around the world keep it on hand to treat certain kinds of infections and burns.

does the honey help prevent

infection but it can also help reduce healing time. Raw honey can also help alleviate internal infections, such as peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori . Manuka honey is particularly great for this — just add some to hot tea or water and drink! Oregano A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences took a look at the effectiveness of oregano against bacteria. It turns out certain compounds in oregano — carvacrol and thymol — make it a strong antibacterial and antifungal agent. The study found that oregano was effective against salmonella as well as other harmful microorganisms and fungi that make people sick. As an antibacterial, oregano is most useful as an essential oil. In this form, it’s highly potent, meaning you only need a drop or two in a glass of water for it to have an effect. You can drink it, or you can infuse a couple of drops into some coconut oil and apply to your skin. However, be warned that because it is potent, it should not be used on a regular, ongoing basis. Use only when needed and only for a few days at a time — and never use it undiluted!

If you get a cut, applying raw honey to the wound can keep out harmful, infection-causing bacteria while killing any existing bacteria. Not only

conditions can also bring up a litany of other issues that may impact your breath.

We’ve all been there. That garlic-laced dinner or the sandwich that was heavy on the onions left your mouth with a yucky stench, and you’re now paranoid that someone will notice the noxious fumes you’re producing. Bad breath is common, and it can be mitigated with proper dental hygiene. But sometimes, that foul odor may be a signal that something else is at play, other than just poor meal-making decisions. On a surface level, bad breath can stem from a variety of common dental problems. Poor dental hygiene, such as not flossing, brushing, rinsing, or adhering to regular dental appointments, can leave your mouth covered in plaque, bacteria, and food. Particles from food can become lodged between your teeth or your oral appliances too. These are prime conditions for bad breath. Additionally, bad breath could be a sign that your mouth is battling gum disease, cavities, mouth sores, tooth decay, or infections from oral surgery. Patients who are living with chronic dry mouth may also struggle with a bad stench, because their mouth is lacking the necessary amount of saliva it needs to stay clean. These

These dental diseases and the bad breath they can create could be a sign that something more significant is going on in your body. Conditions like cancer, chronic reflux, diabetes, pneumonia, and liver and kidney problems can stir up chemicals in your body that result in the bad breath wafting from your mouth. The medications you take for these conditions or other chronic diseases could also stir up some strange smells from your stomach, which can come out of your mouth. Other times, chance encounters with other sources are causing your breath to reek. Smokers or avid tobacco users may face chronic bad breath, along with other health conditions that can also stir up a horrible stench. If you believe your bad breath is much more than just a garlicky dinner, see how our dental experts at Clarence Street Dental can help. Schedule an appointment or learn more by visiting ClarenceStreetDental.com or call 855.973.1113.

Beyond the Garlic WHAT DOES BAD BREATH MEAN?

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Dental Trepidation? CALMING YOUR CHILDREN’S DENTAL APPOINTMENT JITTERS Even though we like to think we’re pretty lovable at Clarence Street Dental, Statistics Canada has found that 40 percent of Canadians have a fear of going to the dentist! As parents and dental experts ourselves, we know this fear can start in childhood. Stifle a budding fear with some of the following tips, and teach your kids to love the dentist. Simple Fun Going to the dentist will never measure up to the

Laughing Gas! Josh: Why did the king go to the dentist? Scott: Beats me. Josh: To get his teeth crowned! Josh: What does a marching band member use to brush his teeth? Scott: I have no idea. Josh: A tuba toothpaste!

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excitement of an amusement park, but it can be easy, fun, and worry-free. Start by avoiding confusion and a lot of questions by keeping your explanations positive and simple. Tell your kiddos the dentist will count their teeth and clean their smile. Having some form of comfort, such as their teddy bear or blanket, can ease fears too. At Clarence Street Dental, we also try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible with movies, TV, and popcorn! Early Bird While we don’t recommend munching on worms, making your kid an early bird when it comes to their

Because they are traditionally made with buckwheat, many brands of soba noodles are gluten-free. Combining them with the increasingly-popular “zoodles” results in a healthy, light meal that you can eat for lunch the next day.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces soba noodles • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2–3 cloves garlic, grated • 1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and grated

• 1/4 cup soy sauce • 2 tablespoons water • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced • 1 small zucchini, julienned into noodle strands

dental hygiene will set them up for success. Studies show that patients who start going to the dentist early and continue throughout their life have better oral health. We recommend getting your children into the dentist by their first birthday. This will help the dentist become a regular part of their life while they are young and lower their risk of anxiety or fear of the dentist. Check Yourself The way you talk about the dentist could instill anxiety in your child. If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, talk to your provider about ways to make the experience easier. For example, studies have shown that consuming caffeine can increase your anxiety, so experts suggest limiting it before doing something you already dread. Kids learn by example, and when you’re comfortable with the dentist, they will be too. At Clarence Street Dental, we know that sometimes our tiniest patients need the most time, attention, and care. That’s why we’ve catered our practice to address every aspect of your child’s care — including their fears — with care and kindness. Schedule your child’s dental appointment, or learn more by visiting ClarenceStreetDental.com or calling 855.973.1113.

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles and cook until tender, about 4–5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside. 2. In a large skillet or wok over medium- low heat, warm olive oil until barely shimmering. Add grated garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute. Pour in soy sauce and water, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 2 minutes. 3. Add onions, simmering for 3 minutes. Stir in zucchini and cook for an additional 90 seconds. 4. Add soba noodles and toss to fully coat. Serve immediately, or cool and serve as a cold dish.

CALL US TODAY! 855.973.1113

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1325 Clarence St. South, Unit1 Brantford, ON Canada N3S0C7

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HOW ONE DENTIST MAKES BRUSHING FUN Dental Literacy Dentistry Made for Patients 1 2 Effective Natural Antibiotics What Your Stinky Breath Can Signal 2 Helping Children Love the Dentist Soba Noodles With Garlic and Zucchini 3 HowThis Dentist Makes Brushing Fun 4

A s a freshman at the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, Jeanette Courtad was tasked with a daunting community outreach project: Educate kindergartners on the importance of brushing their teeth. Luckily, Courtad is also an artist, and she came up with a creative way to captivate the youngsters’ attention. Using her talents as a painter and sculptor, Courtad used materials, like couch foam and fabric, to mold personified characters that represented teeth and other parts of the mouth. For example, Cuspi, the cuspid, is concerned with aesthetics and how things feel — she doesn’t like to be covered in sticky sweets. Mola, the molar, is all about functionality. Tongo, the tongue, is a bit of an antihero. As Courtad explains, “Even though he helps clean sticky sweets off the teeth, Tongo is the one [that wants] them in the first place.” Courtad brought her life-size creations to classrooms settings, letting the kids “brush” away the plaque and germs. The teeth initially wore frowny faces because they weren’t clean, and the students learned

that brushing them removed the bacteria and turned their frowns upside down. As Courtad notes, “Obviously, the teeth were sad when they were covered in these Velcro germs before the kindergartners took a giant toothbrush and ... brushed those little germs off the teeth with me.” After completing dental school, Dr. Courtad continued to pursue her passion for educating kids about oral health. The initial outreach project laid the foundation for the children’s book series the “Toothful Tales” adventures, which were illustrated and written by Dr. Courtad. Today, Dr. Courtad’s books about dental care, starring the same fun characters, are found in dental offices and health care programs all over the country. In collaboration with the Horowitz Center for Health Literacy, Dr. Courtad has expanded the series with books written for expectant parents in underserved communities. According to health coordinator and dental hygienist Diana Leathers, “These books provide a great deal of education because they are easy to read and provide important information using fun graphics.”

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