New Year, New You, Big Smile!

January is when we think about our new years resolutions, and we tend to hear the same ones…eat better, exercise more, and stop smoking. What we don’t hear often is “I’ll visit my dentist every six months,” or “brush twice everyday.” Very few people consider improving their oral health over the next year. However, according to the British Dental Health Foundation, people who make a resolution to adopt a good oral health routine in 2012 will benefit from more than just improved oral health. Adopting good oral health can contribute to avoiding potentially serious health conditions such as diabetes, strokes and heart disease. This year, make a new years resolution that’s attainable and is one you can smile about!

1. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss your teeth once daily every day. 

2. Use toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent decay.


3. Use a mouth rinse. An antimicrobial rinse can can provide extra help in controlling plaque. 


4. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. Your mouth is a very germy place...and therefore, your toothbrush is pretty germy, too! It never hurts to replace it, especially after being sick.


5. Whitening your teeth. Just using an at-home whitening kit can whiten your smile after a few uses and will make you look and feel better.


6. Eat healthy meals and snacks. Maintaining a healthy diet plays a major role in maintaing good dental health. Avoid starchy foods, like crackers, as they can be worse for your teeth than some sweets. Keep lots of fruits and vegetables on your plate! 


7. Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups! Visiting the dentist regularly not only gives you a professional and thorough cleaning, but can prevent deeper dental issues from occurring, such as gum disease and oral cancer. You'll save money this way, too! 

8. SMILE MORE! The end result of great oral care will make you want to SMILE MORE! Using your smile reaps numerous other benefits, too. Smiling is contagious and is unique to you. Share your smile with family, friends, strangers, everyone! Smiling helps you stay positive, makes you more attractive and makes you seem more successful as you appear more confident when smiling. Smiling relieves stress, which helps to boost your immune system and it changes your mood by releasing endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin, which together make you feel good.

Cheers to a happy new year full of lots of love, happiness, and SMILES! 

Post credits: www.moorefamilydentist.com/8-dental-resolutions, http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalhealth/a/Newyear.htm

Importance of Oral Care During This Time of Year

It’s extremely important for people to take extra caution with their teeth and gums at this time of year.

With the amount of food and beverages consumed, people can see their oral health deteriorate quickly. The British Dental Health Foundation is making sure people are on notice about this situation.

When consuming sugary food and drinks, it’s important to keep teeth and gums in mind—just like the rest of the year. It doesn’t take much for the teeth enamel to be weakened or worn down based on consistent grazing of food throughout the day. When that happens, the teeth never get a break.

Dentists aren’t necessarily trying to limit fun during the holiday season but they just want people to be cognizant of the possible ramifications of failing to maintain solid oral health at this time of year.

It’s essential to drink water to combat sugar and acidity that come from many foods and beverages. It’s also important to brush as often as you do the rest of the year. That way one’s tooth enamel will remain intact.

Post Credit: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/6671-people-need-to-take-care-of-oral-health-this-time-of-year 

10 Tips for Keeping Teeth Extra Clean During Christmas

A beautiful, bright & white smile will always help you stay self-confident. Here are the top 10 tips for keeping your teeth extra clean during Christmas Holidays.

1. Eat right for whiter teeth.

If you are used to consuming coffee, black tea and on top of that you also smoke, chances are that your teeth look yellowish and spotted. After eating any foods that stain your teeth you should immediately brush them in order to avoid staining. Avoid dark juices, cola and gravies and get used to healthy snacks such as raw vegetables (apples, carrots, etc.) that help clean your teeth thoroughly.

2. Respect brushing times.

Latest researches have released a study according to which the perfect time for brushing your teeth is two minutes. Two minutes are needed in order to cleanse your teeth from bacteria and harmful deposits. Use either a timer, or get used to humming a song such as “I Wish You A Merry Christmas” (it actually works!)

3. Use the brush lightly on your teeth.

There is a misconception that if you brush harder the teeth, you will cleanse them teeth better. Brush using circular movements, and by holding the brush at a 45 degree position against your gums.

4. Tea is important for your teeth.

Drink at least one cup every day, because tea contains important flavonoids and fluoride that will prevent the bacteria from sticking to your teeth.

5. Use only alcohol-free mouthwash.

Rinses that contain alcohol dry your mouth excessively, and some studies have even proved that alcohol mouth washes increase the risk of oral cancer.

6. Always cleanse your tongue.

Make sure to clean your tongue thoroughly in order to remove all the harmful bacteria deposits and to obtain a fresh breath. There are several professional brushes that come with a tongue scraper.

7. Use baking soda for whiter teeth.

Use a small amount of baking soda to brush your teeth with it. Alternatively, if you feel that baking soda is rough on your gums, use salt instead because it has the same whitening effect.

8. Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or Christmas gifts with tear plastic covers.

Make sure that you always have in handy a pair of scissors and bottle openers. Using your teeth for such purposes can break or chip them easily.

9. Hydrate properly.

Make sure to drink one glass of water every hour while you are working. This way you will help flush all the harmful bacteria from your mouth, and you will also keep your digestive system healthy. The more water you drink, the healthier and whiter your teeth will be. Moreover, the risk for gum disease and cavities will also be significantly reduced.

10. Chew on cinnamon flavored gum.

Recent studies have shown that if you chew on cinnamon flavored gum the bacteria in your mouth will be significantly reduced. The main ingredient that helps doing this is called “cinnamic aldehyde” (essential oil that fights against the production of bacteria in the oral cavity).

Post credit: http://worldental.org/oral-hygiene/10-tips-keeping-teeth-extra-clean-christmas-holidays/5527/

*MEET THE DENTIST!* DR. RENSLOW

Doctor’s Full Name:

Danielle Renslow McHatton       

Hometown:

Discovery Bay, California

Undergraduate College:

Brigham Young University; also attended American University in London, Richmond to study art history

Dental School:

University of Louisville

Dental Specialties: 

I am a general dentist who does a little of everything. I do braces, brackets and clear correct. I perform root canals and extractions. I also do cosmetic dentistry , dentures and partials.

Family:

I am the youngest of three children. I have the best parents in the world. I am a wife and mother of two girls: Shain (7) and Codi (5). I am married to Scott, who has a son named Jeffery and a daughter named Kaitlyn.

Pets:

I used to own two English Bulldogs when I was in dental school. I do not own any pets at this current time. I am not home enough to love and care for one.

Favorite Toothpaste:

Crest Pro Health

Manual or Power Brush?

Manual

Favorite Food:

I love Mexican food from my hometown in Brentwood, California called El Camino. It is seriously the best Mexican food on this planet!

Favorite Vacation Spot:

England

Favorite Hobbies:

I love to spend time with my family, read, draw in my journals, drive fun cars and snowboard.

Funniest/Most Memorable and/or Most Interesting Moment Experienced in Dentistry:

Every day brings memorable moments in my job. I would say the best moment is hearing from my patients that they love coming to this office and seeing us all. I appreciate my staff immensely and care deeply for my patients. 

Stocking Stuffers with a Dental Twist!

1. Chic Flic Advanced Tooth Whitening and Lip Gloss Plumper Pen
• $28 at any Mortenson location!
2. Whiter Image Teeth Whitening Pen
• $20 at any Mortenson location
3. Colgate Wisp
• A single-use mini toothbrush with a breath-freshening bead that allows you to have a clean, fresh mouth anywhere, anytime – no water or rinsing required! 
• $7.99 for a 16 pack at drugstores nationwide.
4. Cresh Spinbrush Pro Clean Battery Powered Toothbrush
1. $6 Wal*mart.com 
5. Reach Flosser
1. $2.99 at Walgreens.com and other drugstores nationwide
6. Crest 3D Vivid White Strips 
1. $24.99 at Target.com 
7. Mortenson Family Dental Care to Share Brochure! 
1. Pick up a Care to Share brochure at any Mortenson location and slip it in the stocking or on top of a Christmas present of a family, friend, neighbor or co-worker that hasn't visited Mortenson before. When they go to their first visit they will get $50 off! Plus,  we will thank you with a $50 dental credit on your Mortenson account! This is a win-win for everyone! :) 

*MEET THE DENTIST!* DR. TANNER - Corydon

Dr. Mark (L) with Dr. Tanner and Dr. Tanner at Free Day of Dentistry!

MEET DR. TANNER FROM OUR CORYDON OFFICE!

Doctor's Full Name: 
Nicholas Tanner

Hometown:
Spokane, WA

Undergraduate College:
Brigham Young University

Dental School:
University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

Dental Specialties:
IV Sedation

Family:
Wife and 4 kids

Pets:
None

Favorite Toothpaste:
Colgate Total

Manual or Power Brush?
Power

Favorite Food:
Chorrasco (Brazilian Barbecue)

Favorite Vacation Spot:
Yosemite

Favorite Hobbies:
Road biking, weight lifting, my kids

Funniest/Most Memorable and/or Most Interesting Moment Experienced in Dentistry:
BOCA trip to Dominican Republic (BOCA = Buffalo Outreach Community Assistance)

Anything Else You Think Would Be Fun For Your Patients To KnowAbout You:
I was in a juggle and unicycle club in elementary school.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!

On Tuesday night, 14 Mortenson executives and employees joined Dr. Wayne Mortenson for the Business First: Business of the Year Awards Gala carrying high hopes for a great win. We are so grateful to have had a fantastic and successful year, opening 6 new locations in the Louisville area and expanding beyond our Kentuckiana roots to Georgia and Iowa. 

After a fun hour of mixing and mingling with other finalists and excellent business teams, we enjoyed a delicious dinner before the awards ceremony began. A statement that was read during the introduction of the ceremony set the perfect tone for the evening: "We are all winners," a statement that could not be truer. The Cascade Ballroom in the Kentucky International Convention Center was certainly filled to the brim with winners.

There were 5 categories: Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Small Company of the Year, Medium Company of the Year, Large Company of the Year, and Very Large Company of the Year. There were 3 finalists in the non-profit, small, medium and large categories, and 4 finalists in the very large category. It was great to watch short video clips of all the finalists' businesses before the winners were announced. Louisville is lucky to be the origin of so many superior businesses that have fantastic visions for great success. We are so proud to share that we won BUSINESS OF THE YEAR in the large company category. We want to congratulate our fellow finalists in the large company category, Mr. "P" Express, INC. and CandyRific LLC. for their eminent success in 2011. 

There are so many factors that we contribute to our growth and success, especially in 2011. Dr. Wayne says that "having a recognizable brand has helped [Mortenson's] local expansions." We also contribute our success to having an exceptional leader, Dr. Wayne, who has a clear mission, vision, and set of core values that are clearly understood and practiced by Mortenson employees. Mortenson Family Dental is committed to making dentistry easy for everyone in our community. We take pride in our patient experience and in making dental visits enjoyable, comfortable, and personable for our patients. We give incentives to see the dentist by offering evening and weekend hours. Mortenson accepts most dental insurance plans and has an internal discount plan exclusive to Mortenson patients all in an effort to make the cost of dental treatments and needs achievable and accessible to everyone.We strongly believe in the importance of giving back to our community and  provide a free day of dentistry to new and existing patients about once every quarter. Most importantly, we believe in thanking our patients. Establishing lasting and rewarding relationships with our patients is so important to us. Whether it be at individual office Patient Appreciation events, or simple reminders or giveaways on our social media platforms, we always take great care in ensuring that our patients know how much we value and appreciate them. The growth we have experienced over the years is the result of our patients whose continued patronage and faithful support have been vital to our success.

How does the Business of the Year selection process work?

Business First considers many factors in making the selections for Business of the Year finalists and winners. Factors include financial performance, increased market share, new products or services and major new clients. Also considered are contributions to the community and how the businesses and organizations treat their employees and clients. After the finalists were chosen, a panel of 5 judges were recruited to select the winners.

Tuesday night was such an amazing and humbling experience for everyone. We cherish our employees, patients and community as a part of our Mortenson family and extend our most sincere thanks to you for your loyalty to Mortenson Family Dental. As 2011 comes to a close, we look back with great joy and gratification and we look forward to the new year filled with happiness, excellence and success!

The Dish on Nail Biting from NYC Dentist Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S.

Mouth Health: The Dish on Biting Your Nails  

Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S.

 Let's talk today about biting your nails, and why it's bad for you.

To start, let me say that yes, I know you nail biters out there really don't want to hear about it. You probably realize it's not the greatest habit in the world, and you're ready with the "well, at least I don't smoke/drink/other bad habit" rebuttal. But as a dentist (a dentist with a blog, no less), I feel it's my duty to let you know the perils of nail biting, especially as it relates to your teeth and oral health.

Let's start with a few facts. Nail biting (technically called Onychophagia) is fairly widespread, and varies wildly with age, as outlined below:

• About 30% of children aged 7-10 bite their nails

• About 45% of teenagers bite their nails

• About 25% of young adults bite their nails

• Only about 5% of older adults bite their nails

The above seems to mirror the fact that nail biting is generally seen as a stress-induced habit (as it peaks during the stressful teenage years), and usually subsides as we age.

Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about how nail biting is harmful to you:

• It's unsanitary: Your fingers are pretty much involved in almost everything you do. Even with frequent hand-washing, your fingers are still dirty. Your fingernails are almost twice as dirty as your fingers. Since fingernails are not the easiest places in the world to clean, there's all manner of germs and bacteria underneath there-- germs you really don't want in your mouth. And when you bite your nails, you are inviting these germs into your mouth (and chewing them, etc.) Plus, bitten nails can be jagged, and may cut the gums, allowing these undesirable germs to easily access your bloodstream.

• It's unsanitary (part two) - If you bite your nails close enough to irritate your cuticles and/or break the skin, the germ transfer from your mouth to the open wound is not really the best thing in the world for you. The two "germiest" places on your body are generally your hands/fingernails and your mouth. So it's pretty easy to see why putting these two together in the form of nail biting is not desirable.

• It's not good for your looks: Nail biting really isn't the most pleasant thing to watch. But you likely already knew that. Plus, the nails themselves are far from attractive (manicured they aren't!)

• It's not good for your teeth: Of course I take a personal interest in this part. But your teeth are not meant to be chewing all the time. Nail biting tends to keep your teeth in constant motion, which can wear them down faster than a non-nail biter's. In addition, nail biting puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth, and can weaken them, contribute to the teeth becoming crooked / misaligned, etc.

It's not good for teeth with braces, either: This one is more for the kids (or adults with braces), but since braces already put pressure on teeth, the additional pressure from nail biting really isn't welcome, and could lead to the weakening of the roots.

• It can be costly: According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime. That's quite a bit of money. Of course, that doesn't take into account how much time/money being sick from all the germ transfers costs you, too. I could not find hard data on this (largely because it's unlikely a significant study was done), but it's not a stretch to assume that, all else being equal, nail biters will get sick more often during their lifetime than those who do not bite their nails.

So as you can see, nail biting is a pretty significant habit. Now that I've outlined all this bad news, let me finish up on a positive note with three tips on how to stop biting your nails:

1. First, be more conscious of it. I know it sounds obvious, but "try" not to bite your nails. It really has helped some people. Also, ask others to tell you when you are biting your nails.
2. Keep your nails looking good. Use some nail polish, and even get a manicure once in a while (yes, even you guys can do this). It's harder to bite great-looking nails - you just won't "want" to! 
3. Make it unpleasant. There are over-the-counter solutions specifically made for this. They are odorless and colorless, but taste terrible -- you won't want to bite nails treated with these solutions. Ask at the drug store, or just search online.

Good luck in breaking your nail biting habit!

Until next time, keep smiling :)

 

Follow Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dr_connelly 

Credit: Connelly, Thomas P. "Mouth Health: The Dish on Nail Biting." Huff Post Healthy Living. The Hufifngton Post, 20 May 2010. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-p-connelly-dds/mouth-health-the-dish-on_b_574866.html>.

*MEET THE DENTIST!* DR. VLAHOS - Buechel Location

Dr. Vlahos (far left) and her team at Buechel!

Dr. Vlahos' son Zander. Isn't he precious!?

Meet Dr. Vlahos from our Buechel location!

Doctor's Full Name: 
Susan Diana (Hoehn) Vlahos

Hometown:
Mr. Vernon, IN

Undergraduate College:
Western Kentucky University

Dental School:
University of Louisville

Dental Specialties:
General Dentist

Family:
Husband - Dr. Jonathan Vlahos, Endo Resident at UofL
Son - Alekzander "Zander", 15 months

Pets:
None

Favorite Toothpaste:
Crest

Manual or Power Brush?
Manual (I love the Sonicare but it tickles my nose!)

Favorite Food:
Mom's Pot Roast - or ANYTHING Mexican

Favorite Vacation Spot:
Hawaii is the best vacation spot I've visited. Thailand was a neat experience, and I can't wait to see Italy!

Favorite Hobbies:
Reading, playing the piano, spending as much time as possible with my husband and Zander and our families.

Funniest/Most Memorable and/or Most Interesting Moment Experienced in Dentistry: 
My very first patient in dental school came in for an initial exam and had to use the restroom in the middle of his appointment. He somehow got lost in the clinic and couldn't find his way back to finsih the appointment. I was devastated and the instructors were laughing hysterically!

Another fun fact we'll add in there! Dr. Vlahos was a dentist in Okinawa, Japan for the United States Air Force! 

Your Weekend Fun From Mortenson!

Friday, December 2nd

Junior League of Louisville's 6th Annual *HOLLYDAYS*

The three-day art and gift market provides an excellent way to jumpstart holiday shopping. The funds raised to Hollydays and through the silent auction are returned to the community through projects focusing on improving the lives of women and children.

Melwood Arts Center

1860 Melwood Ave 40206 

Friday, December 2nd- 6:00-9:30 p.m. $10 Admission
Saturday, December 3rd- 11:00-5:00 p.m. $5 Admission
Sunday, December 4th- 12:00-4:00 p.m. $5 Admission 

 

Friday Night at The Speed

Be the Speed's guest free for the evening. Enjoy complimentary (a synonym for "free") admission to the museum’s permanent collection and the award-winning Art Sparks Interactive Family Gallery on the first Friday of the month. Parenting tip: Before your 2-year-old ventures into Art Sparks' watercolor room, calculate if the fun she'll have painting will offset the not-fun you'll have scrubbing her hands and clothes afterwards.

Dec. 2, 5–9 p.m.
The Speed Art Museum
2035 S. Third St.
speedmuseum.org
502-634-2700

Saturday, December 3rd

Light up St. Matthews

Brown Park (behind Baptist Hospital East) 

 “Light Up” features N2It Entertainment,  letters to Santa, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, petting zoo, Ronald McDonald, cookies, hot chocolate and apple cider and much, much more. At 6:00 pm the switch is thrown and Brown Park “Light Up” with thousands and thousands of lights. And…it’s all FREE!

Family fun and entertainment will kick off the holiday season with the 21st Annual “Light Up” St. Matthews in Brown Park.

The "big switch" is thrown at 6PM that will "light up" St. Matthew!

Brown’s Lane and Bowling Boulevard.

Light up Jeffersonville & Holiday Parade

Enjoy the official start of the holiday season in Jeffersonville. Come enjoy a parade of holiday lights! The parade will be followed by Light Up Jeffersonville. Come enjoy music, dancing, refreshments, a visit from Santa and free trolley and horse carriage rides.  

  Saturday 5-11 PM 

Downtown Jeffersonville
Spring St at Riverside
Jeffersonville, IN 47199

Jeffersontown's Holiday on Gaslight Square

Start the holiday season with Santa and the Mayor at Gaslight Square!

Saturday 6-8PM 

Jeffersontown City Hall
10416 Watterson Trail 40299

Bernheim Holiday Open House

Bring a friend, enjoy a delightful lunch at Isaac’s Café, and celebrate the season (despite the temperatures, that'd be fall) while taking care of your entire holiday shopping list at Bernheim’s Holiday Open House. There will be free gift drawings and holiday specials, handcrafted jewelry and art by Kentucky artists (keep it local or Santa's giving you coal), a variety of nature books, the Bernheim book, apparel for adults and children, and local artisans demonstrating their crafts and taking your orders. An idea for a great gift: Bernheim membership. Members receive an extra 10 percent off their purchases at the gift shop through December.

Dec. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
HWY 245, Clermont
bernheim.org
502-955-8512
Free event; non-members pay regular $5 per car to enter Bernheim

 

Annual Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour

The 35th Annual Old Louisville Holiday House Tour is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4, from 12–6 p.m. This year’s tour is presented by the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council/OLIC and features eight mansions including the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, plus the Woman’s Club of Louisville. The 2011 Holiday House Tour begins with parking (included with ticket purchase) at Cochran Elementary School, Fifth and Lee Streets (if your probation terms preclude being within 500 yards of a school though, you're on your own). Shuttle van transportation is available from the parking lot to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, 1402 St. James Court, where all tickets are picked up in the basement Gift Boutique. Shuttles run continuously on the house tour route.

Dec. 3–4
Old Louisville
1402 St. James Ct.
holidayhousetour.com
502-635-5244
$20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour