Operation Smile with Anderson Photographs

DON’T MISS ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPH’S “CELEBRATION OF SMILES DAY” PROMOTION!

 

On April 21 the studio will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special portrait promotion. On that day they will be providing a wonderful opportunity for you to update portraits of yourself and any family members you wish. In doing so, you will help to support Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries for children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

 

Along with other members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), they are offering the gift of an individual portrait session and a desk-size portrait (5 x 7) in exchange for a $24 donation to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. For every 10 individuals they photograph, another child will receive the gift of surgery! It costs as little as $240 for Operation Smile’s medical volunteers to provide a life-saving surgery that can take as little as 45 minutes. One hundred percent of each donation will go to Operation Smile.

 

This is a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children. We hope you will join  in helping to make this vital work possible, and they as always, promise create a portrait that you will treasure.

 

To schedule your session appointment, please call Anderson Photographs today at 301.393.4515.

Infant Dental Care

When should dental wellness begin?

According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first visit to the dentist should be ‘when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age.’ The most important aspect of the first visit is education for the parents. We use this time to discuss things like hidden risks in every-day foods, tips for brushing a (not so cooperative) toddlers teeth, when it’s safe to start using fluoride and many other topics.

Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now, and in the future.   This exam will include: oral hygiene instruction, nutritional evaluation, cavity risk assessment, and much more.  Make an appointment today for your Infant Wellness Evaluation.  You and your child will smile for making the Smile Design Centre your dental home.

iPad and iPod give away!

During the first quarter of 2012 we are excited to announce these two amazing offers…

Whiten your teeth with BriteSmile and receive an iPod Nano*, or straighten your teeth with Invisalign and receive an iPad! The deadline is March 31^st 2012 so call today to get started designing your new look!

 

Dental sealants for adults and children

• What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin coatings which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay.  Most tooth decay in children and adolescents occurs on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth because molars have irregular surfaces called pits and grooves which tend to trap food.  Sealants flow into and coat these pits and grooves protecting those areas from decay.

 

• Why is sealing a tooth better than filling it?

Sealants help maintain sound teeth; they are an addition to the tooth. Each time a tooth is filled tooth structure is lost.   Appropriate use of sealants can save time, money, and the discomfort associated with restorative dental procedures.

 

• How are sealants applied?

Applying sealants is quite simple and may be done by a dentist or a dental hygienist.  First, the teeth are cleaned with a special paste, and then after the tooth is prepared, the sealant is flowed into the pits and grooves and hardens in about 60 seconds.  Applying sealants requires no drilling or removal of the tooth surface; tooth structure is left intact and now healthy teeth are protected from decay forming bacteria.

 

• How long will dental sealants last?

A sealant application can last five years and often times even longer.  Sealants should be checked regularly and reapplied when they appear to have worn off. 

• Do sealants cost more than fillings?

The cost of sealing a tooth is dramatically less than the cost of having a tooth filled and many times insurance will pay for the procedure for kids under 19. As an adult, the cost is most likely all ‘out of pocket’ but the good news is that 4 sealants are less than 1 filling!

 

• What about fluoride?

Fluorides such as those used in fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste, and  mouth rinse help prevent decay on the smooth surfaces of teeth, but have less effect on the rough, pitted chewing surfaces of the back teeth which is where sealant become a perfect addition to a fluoride regimen.

 

• Are sealants safe?

 

Yes!  Thousands of individuals across theUnited Statesand in other countries have had their teeth sealed in controlled clinical studies.  These studies have shown sealants to be effective, easy-to-apply, inexpensive and non-toxic.  That’s why the American Dental Association, the National Institute of Dental Research, and the American Public Health Association have recommended sealants.

 

• Does this mean after sealants I can’t get cavities?

 

There are 5 surfaces to each tooth, and only the chewing surfaces (1) have pits and grooves making it a candidate for sealants. Keeping the tongue and cheek sides (2) spotless with proper brushing and the sides (+2 more) that touch the adjacent teeth clean with daily flossing will help keep all (=5) sides of your tooth cavity free!

 

Team Thanksgiving recipes

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon our lives and be thankful for things we may take for granted each day. We are truly blessed with amazing patients and we are all thankful for YOU. We treasure our time with each of you and thank you for allowing us to care for your dental needs.

 

Below are some family favorite recipes we wanted to share that may give you some last minute ideas for additions to your thanksgiving table and other gatherings this holiday weekend.  Have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

Warm Cranberry drink

 

Pour cranberry juice in a crock pot.

Wrap nutmeg and cinnamon in a cheese cloth and drop in with the juice.

Start this in the morning and server warm; no real measurements needed for this one. The whole kitchen will smell like fall!

 

Recipe recommended by Anna

 

 

Banana Bread

 

8 tbsp butter

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

3 ripe bananas

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup walnuts (optional

 

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x5x3 bread pan

 

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 

Sift all purpose flour, baking soda and salt together, stir in the whole wheat flour and add to the cream mixture mixing well until blended. Fold in bananas, vanilla and walnuts.

 

Pour mixture into a baking pan and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes (until a cake tester comes out clean); makes one large loaf. Cool for 10 minutes and enjoy!

 

Recipe recommended by Rhonda

 

 

Red velvet waffles with cream cheese glaze

 

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 ½ cups water

3 cups waffle mix (I like Krusteaz)

1 package softened cream cheese

8 tbsp powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

½ bottle of red food coloring

8 tbsp milk

 

 

Preheat waffle maker

 

Mix waffle mix, eggs and oil according to package, then add cocoa powder to this mixture. Incorporate red food coloring until you get the desired color. Cook in the waffle iron; makes 8-10 waffles.

 

For the topping there are 2 methods you can use – both are delicious! The first option: using a mixer, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Warm in a sauce pan on medium/low until warm for a warm glaze and pour sauce over waffles just before serving, OR serve mixture over waffles at room temperature for a whipped topping.

 

Recipe recommended by Billie

 

 

 

Butterscotch Blondies

 

1 package yellow cake mix

1/3 cup softened butter

3 large eggs

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

1 cup butterscotch flavored chips

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 350; spray a 13×9” baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

 

Combine cake mix, butter and 1 egg in a large bowl; beat at medium speed with a mixer until the mix is coarse crumbs. Press evenly into a pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle in pecans and butterscotch chips. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes (or until the center is set), cool thoroughly then cut into bars.

 

Recipe recommended by Taryn

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Porter (recipe to be used with home brewing equipment)

 

FERMENTABLES

6.6 lbs porter LME

8 oz maltodextrin

 

SPECIALTY GRAINS

4oz maramel 90L

8oz carabrown

8oz dark chocolate

 

SPICE PACK (available at brewersbestkits.com)

 

HOPS

1oz bittering

1oz aroma

 

YEAST

1 sachet

 

Add bittering hops, boil for 40 minutes

Add aroma hops, boil for 10 minutes

Add spice pack, boil final 5 minutes

Terminate boil

 

Recipe recommended by Dr. McAllister

 

 

 

Brie cheese roll

 

1 pack crescent rolls

I wheel of brie cheese

½ cup walnuts

½ cup cranberries

 

Preheat oven to 350

 

Roll out the dough and place the wheel of brie cheese in the middle. Sprinkle with walnuts and cranberries then stretch the dough over the cheese and press lightly to secure.

 

Bake for 20-24 minutes and cool for 15-20 before serving warm with your favorite crackers.

 

Recipe recommended by Abby

 

 

 

Swiss Fondue

 

½ garlic clove

1 2/3 cups dry white wine

½ pound Gruyere cheese, grated course

½ pound Emmentaler cheese, shredded 

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tbsp kirsch

Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

2 loaves of crusty French bread cut into 1” cubes

 

Rub the inside of a heavy saucepan with the garlic, add the wine and heat over medium low. Add the cheese by the handfuls, stirring until the cheese is melted; keep the mixture just below a simmering point. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and kirsch and add to the cheese mixture with nutmeg and pepper to taste while heating the fondue stirring constantly until it just begins to bubble, but do not let it boil. Transfer the fondue to a heated fondue pot and keep it over a low flame. If the fondue becomes too thick add additional kirsch as needed.

 

Use the French loaf for dipping.

 

 

Recipe recommended by Dr. McAllister

 

Fun alternatives to Halloween candy

Looking for an alternative to handing out candy this Halloween but still want to be that cool house on the block that everyone is sure to stop at? Here are some fun ideas that will make you a hit with the neighborhood kids AND their parents.
1. Set up a hot chocolate or apple cider stand (one sugary insult to the teeth is better than weeks of left over candy).
2. Silly bands
3. Vampire teeth
4. Halloween stickers
5. Small cans of Playdoh
6. Temporary tattoos
7. Glow sticks
8. Skull, spider, and ‘gem’ rings
9. Clip on hair feathers or mini nail polish
10. Finger size skateboards or BMX toys
If you plan to go traditional and hand out candy, consider steering clear of sticky or gummy candies (this includes raisins), and jaw breakers or popcorn that can easily break teeth.

Migraine and Tension Headache Help

It is almost impossible not to experience some stress in today’s world. Whether your stress is brought about by your hectic work life, busy home schedule or some unknown culprit, you may be taking the stress out on yourself by grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. 

Do you experience…

• Migraines or tension headaches, especially in the morning after waking up
• Pain when talking, yawning or eating
• Clicking or popping noises in your jaw
• Neck, shoulder or back pain

 If you think you may be grinding or clenching you should call your dentist for an evaluation. There may be other less obvious signs that he or she can evaluate you for and treat.

Most people grind their teeth or clench their jaw at night while sleeping but some people do it during the day. Regardless, the dentist can make you a guard to wear that helps prevent damage to the muscles and the joint for opening and closing your mouth and the guard will protect your teeth.

You deserve to treat your body right! If there is a possibility that night guard will help you feel better and be healthier, you should at least ask more about it. In addition, we can do a pre-determination with your dental insurance plan and see how much they will help you with the cost.