Dr. McDonald and team, celebrating National Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Dental Health Month? It's a great time of the year to renew those resolutions about continuing to practice great dental hygiene at home and by visiting Lifetime Smiles. Today, we thought we'd discuss the importance of preventative oral care. While most people are familiar with traditional heart-saving practices such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, lesser-known are the benefits that great oral hygiene provides to one’s cardiovascular health.

Here are a few tips to help you continue those New Year's resolutions:

*Remember that poor oral hygiene is linked to serious common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia and osteoporosis.

*Brush and floss every day to remove the plaque that can lead to cavities. Flossing daily removes food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach after meals.

*Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after a cold or illness to prevent re-infection. Remember to use a soft toothbrush so you won’t wear off the enamel of your teeth.

*Visit our Escondido office regularly. The American Dental Association recommends you visit Drs. McDonald and Prais every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Fluoride treatments twice a year will help prevent tooth decay.

Each February (and all year long), our team at Lifetime Smiles focus on the preventive oral care of our patients. Have you visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Ask Dr. McDonald: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Lifetime Smiles will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Escondido office, please give us a call!

Dreaming of a dazzling smile? We can help!

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where Dr. Rabee McDonald and our team at Lifetime Smiles can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Our team at Lifetime Smiles are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you in for a visit at our Escondido office. Please give us a call to set one up! A consultation with Dr. McDonald and Dr. Prais can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

Your dental & cardiovascular health, from Lifetime Smiles

Happy Monday!

Don’t put off your next visit to LifetimeSmiles any longer! As we’ve shared in previous blog posts, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to the office of Dr. Rabee McDonald can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. We’d also like you to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25).

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our Escondido dental office, please give us a call!

January featured patient testimonials!

Here they are, our January featured testimonials! Thanks again to everyone who wrote in - happy new year from Dr. Rabee McDonald all of us at Lifetime Smiles!

"For me, a trip to LS is much more than an "appointment" or "office visit". I honestly feel I am simply visiting friends. I love the casual and "humorous" atmosphere. I always tease them about my "special discount", but the services are exceptional and an incredible value for the attention and care I receive." - Ernie N.

"Kelly was great. I miss my Stacy but it was fun being asked what toothbrush I used and how often I flossed. Kari Witman PS- I was getting the bidding up on the toothbrush you donated and ended up being the last bidder. The YMCA thanks you and this sonic care is Much easier to clean. Thanks again." - Keri W.

"That was the fastest crown I have ever received! Great and no pain!" - Becky S.

"The coffee was good, the conversation stimulating, and the people gracious. It didn't hurt a bit. (Of course, it was my wife who sat in the dentist chair!)" - Allen H.