☎︎ (208) 939-4111

Pay Bill
Schedule

Month: July 2018

  • Under Pressure: What You Can Do About Jaw Pain

    Did you know the average strength of a human jaw can produce a bite of 162 pounds per square inch (psi)? This is enough to scratch pure iron, but it’s nothing compared to the power of some bites in the animal kingdom. The strongest bite on Earth belongs to the Nile crocodile of sub-Saharan Africa, at 5,000 psi. You definitely don’t want to get on this croc’s bad side.

    Our jaw is designed to help us bite and tear food, but some meals are a little tougher on your jaw than others. Some of the most difficult foods to eat, in terms of jaw pressure, are things like nuts (especially walnuts), popcorn (due to the kernels), and raw fruits or vegetables, which put extra pressure on the incisors. Even softer foods can wear out your jaw. Welldone steak and caramel candy require extra chewing, and therefore extra jaw pressure.

    Eating a lot of food that’s hard on your jaw can lead to pain, but if you experience chronic jaw pain, it might not be caused by your diet. Jaw pain can be brought on by a number of problems, including the following:

    Teeth Grinding

    A lot of people grind their teeth due to stress, but you can also grind your teeth in your sleep without realizing it. Grinding in your sleep is often a sign of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.

    Untreated Cavity

    If you fail to get a cavity treated right away, the damage can work its way beneath your enamel and down the pulp of your tooth. Most people with major cavities aren’t able to determine which tooth is the problem because the pain radiates throughout their jaw.

    Bad Bite

    If your teeth aren’t lined up right, you can end up with an overbite or an underbite. A bad bite can get in the way of your ability to chew, wearing out your jaw muscles and leading to pain.

    A lot of the time, your dentist can help you determine the cause of your jaw pain. If you suffer from an aching jaw, be sure to mention it during your next appointment. We’d be happy to help you find the reason and the solution for your pain.

  • Safe, Effective Ways to Brighten Your Smile

    For whatever reason, summer is the season when we receive the most questions about whitening options. As the number of methods and tools to whiten teeth has increased, it’s become harder for patients to decide which treatment is right for them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide a little insight on how whitening works and how you can get safe, longlasting results.

    Despite the dozens of whitening products available on store shelves and online, there are really only two fundamental ways to treat stains. The first is to treat surface level stains with over-the-counter whitening strips or toothpaste. While these methods are less intensive than other treatments, you still need to be mindful of using them correctly to avoid damaging your enamel. Whitening toothpastes, including the increasingly popular charcoal options, contain microabrasives. Too much exposure to these compounds can wear down tooth enamel, so it’s important to use them only as directed. A whitening toothpaste shouldn’t be used for every brushing session.

    The second way to whiten is from the inside out. It’s more comprehensive and longer-lasting than surface-level treatments. At Eagle Dental Care, we can create custom trays for you to use during your whitening program. We’ll also provide instructions on how to get the best results from your treatment.

    Many patients experience sensitivity during and after whitening treatments. Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is a great way to limit the intensity and duration of any sensitivity. We recommend you use it during your whitening, no matter which method you choose.

    Of course, preventing stains is crucial when you’ve just completed a whitening program. Dark beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine are often the major culprits for stains. Limiting your consumption of these drinks or enjoying them through a straw is a great way to keep your smile sparkling.

    Here’s to a bright, shiny summer.

  • Learning that Doesn’t Feel Like School

    Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on math problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun.

    For Little Ones: Homemade Bubbles

    Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting by blowing different types of bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

    For Teenagers: Family Dinner Party

    Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions, creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes, like “a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own.

    For the Entire Family: An Educational Field Trip

    Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way.

  • A Pop-Up Summer

    Camping, Biking, and Exploring the Wilds of Idaho

    I’ve always wanted a camper. As you may know, I’m a huge nature lover, and spending time in remote places is one of my favorite ways to relax. Tent camping is a ton of fun, but as I’ve learned from experience, it’s not always the best when you’re camping with young children. I figured the arrival of summer was the perfect impetus to step the Thomason family camping game up a notch.

    The first decision we had to make was which type of camper would make the most sense for us. We don’t have the space for a fullsized RV at the house, and I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of paying a chunk of change every month to store the RV in some far-flung lot miles away from our house. After doing plenty of research, we came to the conclusion that a pop-up camper we could fit in the garage was our best option. So far, I’d say we made the right call.

    To test out and fiddle with the camper, we took the kids to Roystone Hot Springs in Sweet. It may not be anyone’s idea of off the grid, but we wanted our maiden voyage to give us the chance to make any adjustments before heading off to wilder surroundings. As a bonus, it was a ton of fun. Now that we’ve ironed out the kinks, I’m looking forward to spending a good portion of the summer exploring some remote places.

    In my excitement to get going, I’ve already booked a few places to visit, including a trip to Deadwood. I’m also trying to pressure my brothers into camping in Copper Basin with me. If you know of any spots worth checking out, I’m open to recommendations. The more secluded and farther off the beaten path, the better.

    More than anything, I’m looking forward to introducing my kids to the wonders of camping. In our daily lives, we are constantly connected to an endless stream of stimulation and information. Our phones buzz with alerts throughout the day, and emails seem to arrive every second. For me, taking some time to disconnect is the perfect remedy. There’s nothing quite like being in a place where you can’t go online even if you want to. My hope is that the pop-up camper will provide just enough comfort to get the kids excited about camping without making it feel like just another trip.

    When I think of getting away from it all, I don’t want to imply that I spend my camping trips in quiet contemplation. There’s certainly some of that, but I also enjoy firing up the dirt bike and tackling some terrain. That’s another thing I hope to get the kids into this summer. I was lucky enough to receive the “brother discount” on a 50cc Honda, which will be the perfect introductory bike for Avy and Jett. Given that Max just turned 1, I think I’ll wait a little while before I get him behind the handlebars.

    Like a kid with a new toy, I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible with my camper this summer. Fingers crossed that, by the end of it, my family doesn’t think I secretly want to become a reclusive mountain man.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter