My Blog
Posts for: April, 2017
As a parent, you probably keep your children’s health at the top of your priority list. However, this means more than just regular checkups 
at their pediatrician. Your child’s dental health, though often overlooked, is an important part of their general health as well. Find out more about pediatric dentistry and why it is important with Hibbeln and Kowal Dental in Rochester Hills, MI.
Hibbeln and Kowal Dental provides pediatric dentistry services and can help you keep your child’s teeth healthy and free of decay-causing plaque and tartar. Children should begin seeing their dentist by the age of one or when their first tooth erupts from the gum line. While the first appointment will probably be more of a meet and greet than an examination, future appointments will ensure that your child hits their dental milestones on time and that their teeth develop and grow normally.
What makes regular dental examinations and cleanings important?
Regular examinations and cleanings are important for patients of all ages. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist at least two times a year. These six-month checkups give your dentist a chance to catch problems like tooth decay and gum disease at their earliest, most treatable stages. It also allows your dentist to assess your at-home oral hygiene routine and recommend different methods if necessary.
Pediatric Dentistry in Rochester Hills, MI
Establishing a positive experience and relationship between your child and their dentist early in life is important to your child’s dental health in the future. Dental anxiety often stems from a lack of experience at the dentist’s office, making regular dental checkups helpful in preventing this anxiety from occurring at all. Additionally, committing to your child’s oral health early helps establish an oral hygiene routine which will benefit them their entire life.
For more information, please contact Dr. Debra Hibbeln and Dr. Mark Kowal at Hibbeln and Kowal Dental in Rochester Hills, MI. Call 248-608-1300 to schedule you or your child’s appointment with your dentist today!
Everyone knows that in the game of football, quarterbacks are looked up to as team leaders. That's why we're so pleased to see some NFL QB's setting great examples of… wait for it… excellent oral hygiene.
First, at the 2016 season opener against the Broncos, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers was spotted on the bench; in his hands was a strand of dental floss. In between plays, the 2105 MVP was observed giving his hard-to-reach tooth surfaces a good cleaning with the floss.
Later, Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor was seen on the sideline of a game against the 49ers — with a bottle of mouthwash. Taylor took a swig, swished it around his mouth for a minute, and spit it out. Was he trying to make his breath fresher in the huddle when he called out plays?
Maybe… but in fact, a good mouthrinse can be much more than a short-lived breath freshener.
Cosmetic rinses can leave your breath with a minty taste or pleasant smell — but the sensation is only temporary. And while there's nothing wrong with having good-smelling breath, using a cosmetic mouthwash doesn't improve your oral hygiene — in fact, it can actually mask odors that may indicate a problem, such as tooth decay or gum disease.
Using a therapeutic mouthrinse, however, can actually enhance your oral health. Many commonly available therapeutic rinses contain anti-cariogenic (cavity-fighting) ingredients, such as fluoride; these can help prevent tooth decay and cavity formation by strengthening tooth enamel. Others contain antibacterial ingredients; these can help control the harmful oral bacteria found in plaque — the sticky film that can build up on your teeth in between cleanings. Some antibacterial mouthrinses are available over-the-counter, while others are prescription-only. When used along with brushing and flossing, they can reduce gum disease (gingivitis) and promote good oral health.
So why did Taylor rinse? His coach Rex Ryan later explained that he was cleaning out his mouth after a hard hit, which may have caused some bleeding. Ryan also noted, “He [Taylor] does have the best smelling breath in the league for any quarterback.” The coach didn't explain how he knows that — but never mind. The takeaway is that a cosmetic rinse may be OK for a quick fix — but when it comes to good oral hygiene, using a therapeutic mouthrinse as a part of your daily routine (along with flossing and brushing) can really step up your game.
If you would like more information about mouthrinses and oral hygiene, contact us or schedule a consultation.