This time of year is one my favorites.  No, I’m not talking about the holidays looming, although I must say the thought of my kids all being home for Thanksgiving and Christmas makes me smile. No, I am talking about two big events coming up..the University of Akron playing for the Men’s National Soccer Championship, and Ohio State once again getting ready to beat Michigan. 

These two schools couldn’t be more different.   Ohio State has a following that is almost rabid in it’s dedication to all things Buckeye Football, while I would venture to say there are still people in our area who are not aware that we have the best men’s collegiate soccer team in the nation right down the road.  These kids are good, they are really good. Both teams have had a season with some surprise losses and some hard fought wins.  And both teams are made up of kids, for as big as they are, they are still just kids, who put their head down, and work to get the job done. They earn their success by paying attention to the fundamentals of their game each day and every day.

Achieving good dental health is earned the same way. We need to pay attention to the fundamentals of good dental hygiene habits: brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, floss every day, not sometimes, every day.  Don’t smoke or chew tobacco, and limit your intake of sticky sugary foods and soda pop. And see your dentist at least twice a year for a professional check up and cleaning.  Just put your head down, and work to get the job done.  No excuses. Like a win on the football field, or claiming victory on a soccer field, you earn your good health by doing what you need to do. 

Here’s a shout out to the great kids at the University of Akron, and the incredibly talented guys on their soccer team.  And here’s a big O.H.I.O for all those Buckeyes out there, counting the days until they beat Michigan!  And here’s to you as you begin your journey toward better dental health. You know what you need to do.  Just do it. 

Congratulations to our wonderful city Medina for being chosen one of the best hometowns in Ohio…but we already knew that!

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Trick or Treat is over…and your house probably has more candy in it than it normally does.  Follow these easy tips to minimize the damage done by eating sticky sweets.

Sort through your child’s candy with them.  Avoid sticky candy such as caramel, gummy bears, taffy, and fruit roll ups.  These types of candy stick to the the hard to reach surfaces of the teeth and can cause decay.

Have your child eat their  candy right after a meal.  When we eat a meal, the salvia in our mouth increases. If you eat your candy right after a meal, the saliva in your mouth is already at work, reducing the decay causing acid in your mouth.

Brush after eating a meal, or enjoying a Halloween treat. If you can’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth out.  This helps wash away the acid formed by the sugary snacks.

Consider having your children’s teeth sealed.  Dental Sealants help guard against decay that can form in the crevices of the biting surfaces of your molars. The procedure is easy, with no discomfort and takes only a few minutes for each tooth.

Eliminating Sweets from your child’s diet completely is difficult. But following these simple steps can help limit the potential problems sweets can cause for your child’s teeth!