Meadowlark Dental Care Blog

Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Date Night There are many different things that can contribute to having bad breath!  Some causes might be obvious like which foods you may be eating or having poor oral hygiene, but some might not be so evident. If you have date night or an important event coming up, here are some tricks to help you keep your breath fresh. Common Foods to Avoid: Garlic or Onions - The distinctive smell is caused by sulfur-containing chemicals in the garlic and onion. The smell can linger on a person's breath for hours and even overnight. Dairy - Naturally occurring bacteria from your tongue feeds on the amino acids in milk and cheese, which can result in an odor that is foul. Coffee - The caffeine in coffee can actually dry out your mouth by slowing saliva production which can be a trigger for bad breath This should be a little more obvious for most, but staying on top of your oral hygiene is the easiest way to keep your breath fresh. Ma...

There are many aspects of being a caregiver, and some are certainly more challenging than others. This post is to help you with an often forgotten aspect of care: oral health. Taking care of a person's teeth is important. It will greatly increase their quality of life. For example, being able to eat has been linked to heart health.  Remember that maintaining healthy teeth through preventative measures is always easier and more cost effective than waiting for a problem to arise and then addressing it. By staying regular with dental check-ups and cleanings, many big problems can be avoided through early intervention. These check-ups and cleanings should be scheduled twice per year, unless the hygienist has specifically said to come in three or four times per year. Make sure  to bring a list of all current medications to update in your chart each time. Home dental hygiene care is also important. Brushing twice per day (for two minutes) and flossing once per day wil...

New Year's Resolution: Go to the dentist If you are like most people, you read that statement and your anxiety level starts to rise. If this is you, there are things that can help. Here are a few suggestions and tips that I give my patients to help calm their nerves before and during an appointment. Breathe. This may seem obvious, but it isn't when you are in a state of panic. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on your breathing. When your mind is on breathing, it isn't on your appointment. Sometimes it helps to visualize yourself in a "happy place." That happy place may be sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere, or surrounded by family and friends in front of your grandma's fireplace. Wherever and whatever it is for you, we encourage the daydream while you are in your appointment. Know what sets you off. It may be the sound of the drill or just the feeling of dental instruments on your teeth. Talk about it with your dentist whatever it might be. The...