I am so proud to announce Buster’s successful completion today of two tests.  He is now a Certified Dog Therapist and Canine Good Citizen!   He handled all of the requirements so well!  We hope to visit neighborhood hospitals and nursing homes to bring happiness to those that are disabled.  Also, if you are a patient, you already know he is present at our office to ease your mind and anxiety of your visit.  He is fantastic with kids and adults of any age.  Congratulations Buster!  You have made you mom and dad so proud!!!

Do you brush and floss your teeth daily?  If so, how well are you doing?  Are you up for the plaque challenge?  Did you know you can test how well you and your children are doing with your home care on a daily basis?  Give yourself a plaque challenge with the use of disclosing tablets!

Disclosing tablets are made of a harmless vegetable dye that stains plaque bright red. You can purchase these tablets at any convenience stores like Kroger and Walmart.

The main cause of cavities and periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque. Plaque is the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. It’s hard to see plaque, but it really shows up after being stained with disclosing tablets.

You must completely remove plaque each day, or it will build up and calcify to become tartar, also called calculus. It takes a professional to remove tartar. There’s no way for you to remove it at home—a toothbrush or floss won’t even budge it.

Disclosing tablets can help you prevent cavities and periodontal disease by helping you see the plaque that hasn’t been removed. Then you can remove it before it hardens to become tartar or causes tooth decay.

After brushing and flossing, simply chew a disclosing tablet, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds and spit it out.  Gently rinse your mouth out with water.  Using a small dental mirror, check your teeth for any signs of red, especially near the gum line. Brush and floss these missed areas and you can be confident that your teeth are plaque-free.

When teaching your child how to brush their teeth or when checking to see if your child has brushed properly, the disclosing tablets are very helpful. They reveal the areas that are missed when brushing which can improve your child’s technique significantly since he or she can “see” where the plaque is located.  Removing plaque properly on a daily basis, then helps to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.

I must say 2008 was a great year for me.  I was able to celebrate my 1 year anniversary with my husband, obtain my very own dental practice, see Niagara Falls and participate in a life changing dental mission in Belize.   I feel so fortunate to have had another year spent in good health with my family and friends. 

While most of my time in 2008 was dedicated to my practice, that I love and cherish, I neglected to find the time to set more personal goals for myself.  I always strive to find ways to improve, professionally and personally.  Sometimes it is hard to find a good balance between the two. 

My main New Year’s Resolution for 2009 is to run 1 race/marathon for every month of 2009.  I joined the Richmond Runner’s Club last month and started training.  Today, I started with the New Year’s 10k.  I was able to successfully run my first race ever and already I feel accomplished!  I have never been a runner, and look forward to a new challenge every month to keep me motivated to achieve my goal!  If you are interested in running as well, check it out at www.rrrc.org.  There are several local races to join every month!  It is a great way to stay in shape while having the reward of crossing a new finish line every month! 

I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year!  Here’s to 2009!  Let’s make it one to remember!