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!

October featured patient testimonials!

Here they are, our October featured testimonials! Thanks again to everyone who wrote in - we hope everybody is having a great Monday!

“Your practice a happy and professional operation that relaxes and pleases patients. Fine work in every instance. Service is extraordinary." - Frank G.

“Simply said, this is a real family dental practice where your dental needs are provided by friends. They make you look good and feel good." - Roberta, C.

“Great experience as always, love Lifetime Smiles!” - Christine H.

"My dental experience at Lifetime Smiles is always pleasant as well as very professional. I feel when I am there that all care about me and my dental needs. Also it is a warm environment.” - Patricia B.

"Even though I had to have like 5 shots in my mouth, today, yuk, I can NEVER say anything negative about Lifetime Smiles. From the moment I walk into the front door I am greeted so warmly, and before I leave Dr. McDonald always pops her head in, or out of an examining room to say "hi". I feel very special. My last 2 visits have been with Kelly, and she was outstanding. All I can say is "Dr. McDonald, where did you get such an AMAZING staff, they are all great". Thank you for taking such great care of me and my family." - Kathy B.

"This staff is - simply - the best. If I lived on the other side of the world, I would come to Lifetime Smiles for my dental needs." - Michele D.

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!

Dr. McDonald & daughter race for the cure!

My daughter and I ran a 4.6 mile race this weekend to support childhood cancer research. The last words of wisdom from the director of the race prior to the start said it all. He said that if the race gets hard and the hills get steep just think about the climb cancer patients have to deal with on a day to day basis. It was a great reminder to us that we should be thankful for what we have.

There were so many people there running or walking for their loved ones stricken by cancer. They were so strong and inspiring. Needless to say I cried most of the morning!

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes: What’s the Difference? From Dr. McDonald

Everybody is jumping on the electric toothbrush bandwagon in recent years, with many experts in the dental field claiming electric toothbrushes provide superior dental care. It’s true that electric toothbrushes are recommended for those who can’t do a good job brushing manually or who have arthritis or other conditions. But manual toothbrushes do have some advantages, according to an article we recently found including:

• Cost. While electric toothbrushes may be expensive for many people, manual toothbrushes are both inexpensive and accessible.

• Less pressure on your teeth & gums. While we can feel the amount of pressure we’re using as we grasp our manual toothbrush, we can’t feel the pressure nearly as well with an electric toothbrush. Placing too much pressure on our teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, which causes pain, sensitivity, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay.

• Simple to pack. Manual toothbrushes are easy to carry around for those business or family trips. People are less likely to let their good dental care habits lapse on vacation with a toothbrush that they can easily bring along!

• Better for kids. Learning at a young age how to properly use a manual toothbrush helps children get a feel for how to properly take care of their oral hygiene.

Electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, are more effective in removing plaque and are considered a better alternative to maintaining gum health. Remember, whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, Dr. Rabee McDonald and our team at LifetimeSmiles encourage you to choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they become worn down. We also encourage you to replace your toothbrush every three months, when the bristles are no longer straight and firm or after you recover from a cold.

Give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook! Happy brushing!

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!!