Bad Breath is No Good

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to LifetimeSmiles and team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat can also affect the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.

The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with LifetimeSmiles for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

Halloween TIPS from the American Dental Association

It’s almost that spooky time of year again! Whether you are going door-to-door trick or treating, attending a party dressed in a clever, silly or scary costume, or simply getting together with friends and family to watch scary movies, Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais and our team want you to keep in mind the following tips from our friends at the American Dental Association to help reduce tooth-decay.

•Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.

•Consider chewing ADA-accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.

•Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day.

•Visit Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais for regular checkups.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your friends at Lifetime Smiles!

Cold season is here, from Lifetime Smiles

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Drs. Rabee McDonald, Jeff Prais and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Escondido office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Lifetime Smiles, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

What are patients saying about LifetimeSmiles?

"If god needed a dentist, he would choose Lifetime Smiles, clean, professional, honest." ~ Anonymous

"The quality of service was excellent. Every one was so nice and helpful. They all made sure I was treated to the highest quality from beginning to end. The staff were amazing, and the equipment was all new-age, digital and comfortable."
Gregory F.

"2 caps start to finish 3.5 hrs, very comfortable - Dr McDonald & Michael were Kind,careful & it did not hurt. watched a movie and left with 2 new crowns no temps!! Great experience" ~ Laura L.

Our Facebook page is a great place to tell us how we're doing, but we also encourage you to head to our Google Places page and leave a short review there. Your generous reviews help our team at Lifetime Smiles build more beautiful smiles here in Escondido and surrounding communities!

Staff Spotlight: Chris at Lifetime Smiles

Our staff spotlight focuses this week on Chris Young, an excellent dental hygienist with Lifetime Smiles. Chris has four daughters (and husbands) and six grandchildren. She is very active in her church and loves hiking and dancing.

Get to meet Chris a little more on our website!

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You, from Lifetime Smiles

At Lifetime Smiles, we'll tell you it's easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling Lifetime Smiles, serving Escondido and neighboring San Diego. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

We look forward to seeing you!

Cosmetic dentistry at Lifetime Smiles: The advantage

Some people simply want to look younger, and cosmetic dentistry at our Escondido office is like a dental facelift that can quickly "reverse" the natural aging process of the teeth. Others, the majority, have had unattractive teeth their whole lives and have always felt self-conscious because of them. They will rarely smile, which can often hide a warm side of their personality.

At Lifetime Smiles, we use various treatments to achieve your perfect smile, such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, porcelain laminates, inlays and onlays and full porcelain crowns. Oral Valium and N2O2 (Nitrous Oxide) is available for apprehensive patients.

Please call our Escondido, CA dental office to learn more about cosmetic dentistry.

Lastly, a BIG hanks to Maureen M., who writes in, "Lifetime Smiles provides quality dental care in a comfortable and relaxing environment. They are very attentive to their patients' needs while expressing a genuine interest in their dental well-being."

What's your New Year's resolution?

2010 is almost over—and what a year it was! Dr. Rabee McDonald and our staff at Lifetime Smiles thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Escondido, San Diego and surrounding communities.

Lastly, a HUGE thanks to Greg, who writes in this week:

"Highly impressed with the state-of-the-art dental checkup and warm professionalism of this office."

See you all in 2011!

Staff Spotlight: Laurie at Lifetime Smiles

The Lifetime Smiles Staff Spotlight continues this week with Laurie Cunningham, another of our brilliant dental hygienists. She lives in Escondido with her husband, Tom. Laurie enjoys taking classes to keep her hygiene skills top-notch. She also loves Flamenco dancing and traveling with Tom.

Stay tuned for more staff spotlights! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Cosmetic dentistry in Escondido and greater San Diego – Lifetime Smiles

There are many dentists in the Greater San Diego area working hard to bring beautiful smiles to their patients. Cosmetic dentistry has begun to earn the positive acclaim it deserves due to the latest surge of makeover TV shows. Many of our patients have spent great time and effort when choosing Dr. Rabee McDonald and Dr. Jeff Prais to be their cosmetic dentists.

Located in Escondido, CA we treat patients from all over San Diego County and provide flexible scheduling to optimize your convenience. When choosing a dentist, please use this blog and our website to learn more about cosmetic and general dentistry in all its forms from smile enhancement, to dental restoration, to CEREC, to regular checkups, and simple teeth whitening. The first step to making Escondido smile is to make you smile!

Please call our office to learn more about cosmetic dentistry, or check us out on Facebook!

Featured patient review for Lifetime Smiles!

Thanks to Sue, who wrote in this week to share a quick testimonial about her experience with our staff and Lifetime Smiles! See what Sue had to say!

"As usual, excellent treatment. Everyone in the office goes out of their way to make sure you are comfortable. I love the new remodel on the office building."
Sue. P.


If you have a short review/comment you have about Dr. Rabee McDonald or our office, please share it with us on our Google page! Happy Veteran's Day everybody!

November featured patient review for Lifetime Smiles!

We received a nice review from Bev recently that made us smile! Thanks for writing in, Bev! Got a story to share from your experience at Lifetime Smiles? Share them with us, or on our Google Local page!

"Excellent service, as usual. Odd how you can feel like you're with friends when they're scraping your teeth and looking at your facial flaws through "MaGoo" glasses." ~ Bev J.

We'll miss you, Cathy!

Here we are at Cathy's goodbye party. She is moving to Illinois. We will miss her so much. Love you Cathy!

Lifetime Smiles, supporting National Dental Hygiene Month!

Ah, October has arrived. The leaves are beginning to fall, the days are getting shorter and all that Halloween candy is beginning to make its rounds. For our staff at Lifetime Smiles, October is known as National Dental Health Month. We join our friends at the American Dental Hygienists' Association in spreading the word that good dental habits are easy to develop and even easier to maintain.

Here are a few tips to help you build good oral hygiene habits this month:

* Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes. Make sure to get the outer and inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of each tooth.

* Floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth. Help children learn healthy flossing habits so when they're capable, they know how to do it properly.

* Visit Dr. Rabee McDonald and Lifetime Smiles on a regular basis. Children should start seeing a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth.

* Ask us what toothpaste family members should use. Remember that not all toothpaste is appropriate for all ages.

* Eat a healthy diet, rich in fruit and veggies. Avoid sugary foods and eat a high fiber diet of fruits and veggies such as apples and carrots to help prevent tooth decay.

Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to see Dr. McDonald or Dr. Jeff Prais? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call at (760) 747-1811 to set up an appointment.

We hope you enjoyed your weekend!

September featured patient reviews for Lifetime Smiles!

Our staff at Lifetime Smiles loooooove hearing from our patients! Here are two recent reviews we received from Monica and Brian.

"I had the most pleasant experience receiving a filling - you wouldn't think people actually say that BUT Dr. McDonald has very high tech equipment & I didn't even receive a shot to numb by side - they just put something in my tooth - I have NO PAIN whatsoever. It's the most pleasant dental experience EVER! Thank you Dr. McDonald & your wonderful staff!" ~ Monica

"I have no idea why some people hate going to the dentist. Some people even cringe at the mention of a dentist. I just don't get it. I've been going to Lifetime Smiles for 14 years and NEVER had a bad experience. The team treats you like a person and not some money stuffed wallet who's soul purpose is to pay their bills/rent. And... they are open on Saturdays! Not every Saturday, though. I think it's 1 or 2 Saturdays a month. Which is great for me because now I work from 7am-6:30pm Mon-Fri. Thankfully, LTS started Saturdays shortly after my hours changed to what they are now. Can't wait for my next appointment in March! On a Saturday, of course!" ~ Brian R.

Thanks for writing in, you two!!

Exclusive fall savings at Lifetime Smiles!

At Lifetime Smiles, we understand how very busy (and costly) Fall can be in Escondido and Southern California. With the end of summer activities and the transition to the start of school, back to work and looking ahead for the holidays, you have a lot on your plate.

We want to help.

Starting today through October 15th, we want to offer to you one complimentary oral evaluation (exam) when you schedule a cleaning at Lifetime Smiles.

This is a savings to you of at least $50.00!!

We have a limited number of appointments available and scheduling will be done on a first come, first served basis. You must mention this ad when you call for your appointment.

Remember: this is for one month only and the offer will end on October 15, 2010, so call today!

September is National Gum Care Month!

At Lifetime Smiles, we know that gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can be difficult to recognize if you're not a trained dentist. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Dr. Rabee McDonald and Dr. Jeff Prais will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Drs. McDonald and Prais know these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Escondido office by calling (760) 747-1811 as soon as possible. Our doctors can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits. We hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Staff Spotlight: Jayme at Lifetime Smiles

Our staff spotlight continues this week with Jayme Wilson, our wonderful Hygiene Coordinator. It’s her job to help you schedule your hygiene appointment and she does her job really well!

Jayme lives in Ramona with her husband, Matt and two darling daughters, Morgann and Payton. They keep really busy with volleyball, soccer and softball. Give Jayme a call and she will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy!

David Letterman needed CEREC. Do you?

We hope you're having a wonderful weekend! A few days ago, our staff at Lifetime Smiles came across a great video with comedy great David Letterman discussing his experience with a dentist. In this short clip, Letterman jokes about his frustration with his dentist and the hole in his mouth "the size of an above-ground pool." The video shows exactly why CEREC single-visit restoration is the way to go. Had Letterman used CEREC, he would have saved himself time ... and pain!

CEREC is a technology for restoring damaged teeth, and can be completed in a single visit to Lifetime Smiles. The treatment makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful — all while keeping your teeth looking natural. The restoration is metal-free and the high-grade ceramic material is compatible with the natural tissue found in your mouth. This is the finest restorative material available today, all in one appointment at our convenient Escondido office.

To learn more about CEREC, feel free to give us a call at (760) 747-1811! We hope you enjoyed this clip! Letterman at his best!

Staff Spotlight: Tammy at Lifetime Smiles

Everyone LOVES our patient coordinator, Tammy Frankovich! She has been with Lifetime Smiles for 16 years (pretty good, considering that she is only 25!). Tammy lives in Valley Center and has two children, Brooke, 19 and JD, 16. She loves to ride motorcycles and off-road vehicles. You will see her smiling face at the front desk next time you come to Lifetime Smiles!