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Category: Newsletter

  • Hygienist Corner: Kara

    Kara just joined our team as a hygienist on August 14, but she already feels like a part of the Eagle Dental Care family. She’s a natural with patients, and her passion for dentistry is evident from the moment you meet her. Maybe that’s because her love of the dentist’s office began at an early age.

    “When I was growing up,” Kara says, “I saw the same hygienist for many years, and I came to really value our relationship. My experiences were always great, and I want to provide the same connection to my patients now.” In addition to our wonderful patients, Kara is also a fan of Dr. Thomason and the entire team here. “They’ve made me feel welcome,” she states, “and I’m loving every day here.”

    Another thing that excites Kara is educating patients about the link between oral care and their overall health. “ I feel lucky to be involved in dentistry at such an exciting time,” she notes. “People are becoming more aware about how important good oral hygiene is, and I’m thrilled to be able to help them understand the medical connection in a little more detail.”

    When she’s not in the office, Kara loves to spend her time exploring the incredible Idaho scenery. “I just moved from Vancouver, Washington,” she says, “and I’m loving all of the nature that Idaho has to offer. I’m sure I have many weekends of hiking, camping, and fishing in my future.”

    We’re so happy to have Kara here at Eagle Dental Care. Over the coming months, she’s looking forward to meeting all of our patients and developing relationships that last for years.

  • How to Help Your Kids Get Over Their Fear of the Dark

    For many kids, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown of a dark room. Luckily, there are ways to help your child overcome the terror they feel as soon as you turn out the light, and chase the beasts away for good, just in time for the spooky Halloween season.

    The first step to curing a child’s fear of the dark is to find out exactly what they’re afraid of. Ask your child what scares them, using open-ended questions. Don’t belittle or dismiss their specific fears. As trivial as it may seem to you, it’s all too real to your kid. A simple statement like “I can see you’re really scared” can go a long way.

    Then, you need to ensure your child feels safe in the dark. Spend some time with them after the lights are off, calmly reassuring them that they’re safe in their bedroom. Show that there’s nothing to be afraid of, whether by shining a light into the closet or taking a look under the bed — with the child looking too — to prove there’s nothing to worry about. Empower them to banish their fears themselves. If they get frightened and run into your bedroom, escort them back to their own bed and help them relax. Their own bedroom must become a safe space.

    Only give your child healthy snacks before sending them to bed. Sugars and processed foods activate brain activity, putting your kid on high alert. Try vegetables, nuts, or string cheese.

    Of course, adding more light is always an option as well. Get a lamp with a dimmer that goes on their night stand, or plug in a few fun night lights. Over the period of a few months, steadily decrease the amount of light in the room. Eventually they’ll be fully acclimated.

  • Trips and Treats

    Providing Aid in the Dominican Republic

    When I finished dental school, I took a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, which had a big impact on me. After getting off the plane in Santo Domingo, we boarded a bus that took us six hours into the country. We were working in remote villages, so we could only bring along a few tools and some anesthetic. As we drove further and further from the city, I grew increasingly excited at the prospect of providing dental care to people who would otherwise never receive it.

    After arriving, we built our base camp and prepared ourselves to work. The setup was, to put it mildly, rustic. There was a tree and a cow right next to us, but we made due with what we had. With flashlights affixed to our heads, we saw as many people as we could. Most of the work we did centered on pain relief, by which I mean we pulled a lot of teeth. A patient would tell us where it hurt, then we’d numb them and remove the problem tooth. Performing extraction after extraction reminded me of how lucky we are to have solid dental care here in America. Most of these residents were dealing with overwhelming tooth pain on a daily basis. It felt wonderful to provide what little help I could, and it’s an experience that will stick with me forever.

    The reason I bring up this story is because I’ll be heading back to the Dominican Republic October 7–14 for another dental journey. This time around, I’ll be able to do some restorative work in addition to the emergency interventions. I’m not entirely sure what this trip has in store for me, but I can tell you that I couldn’t be looking forward to it more. Helping patients in need is one of the greatest joys of being a dentist, and this trip will no doubt be a chance to do that.

    Of course, outreach isn’t just something you should do thousands of miles away. Throughout the holidays, Eagle Dental Care will be participating in a can drive to benefit local food pantries during the holiday season. We hope you’ll bring in some cans to contribute to our donation. We’ll be displaying them in the office as they pile up, and we hope to have a nice pyramid by the end of the drive. If you bring in 5 cans, we’ll even be offering some discounts on treatment.

    Once I return from the Dominican Republic, my family will already be getting swept up in the Halloween frenzy. Avy, our 5-year-old, loves Halloween, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for a costume this year. Given that Halloween falls on a weekday, we might also have an office dress-up day to celebrate.

    My bags aren’t quite packed yet, but I’m already making preparations for my trip. Before I add another stamp to my passport, though, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Halloween. May your kids enjoy a night of costumes and candy. Well, maybe not too much candy.

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  • Sensitive Teeth: What Are the Causes and What Can You Do?

    If you have sensitive teeth, brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking can cause sharp, temporary pain. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel, exposed dentin, or exposed tooth roots. However, sensitive teeth can also be caused by cavities, cracks, chips, bleaching, or recent dental work.

    If your sensitive teeth hinder your daily life, consult your dentist. They may be able to rule out underlying causes of your tooth pain and recommend treatments. Desensitizing toothpaste can, after several applications, sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth. Your dentist may also apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen enamel and reduce pain. Treatment options for exposed tissue include bond resin, surgical gum grafts, and root canals.

    To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily. Make sure you aren’t brushing with too much pressure. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist for a mouth guard to wear at night.

    Consider limiting your intake of carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and yogurt, all of which remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time. If you eat acidic food, drink milk or water to balance the acid levels in your mouth. Also, refrain from brushing your teeth immediately after eating, as some foods and drinks can soften the enamel of your teeth.

    Sensitive teeth can be debilitating, but proper oral hygiene and dental care coupled with avoidance of acidic food and drink can reduce or cure your tooth sensitivity.

  • Extracurricular Overload

    Demystify Your Kids’ Overstuffed Schedules and Get Your Life Back

    Every parent knows that a poorly organized tangle of kids’ activities is a recipe for a migraine. As school starts up again, so does sports season, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Don’t let yourself get burned out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind.

    Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking into one system. Let’s get one thing straight: You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with a lighthouse on every page. One particularly attractive option is the Cozi app (cozi.com), which not only consolidates an entire family’s calendars, but allows you to include to-do lists, shopping lists, recipes, chore checklists, and more. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law.

    Form parent alliances. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and they have parents shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools — Noah’s mom drives them both Tuesday while you’ve got Thursdays — to manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. To simplify the process and make sure everyone’s on the same page, check out the Carpool-Kids app at carpool-kids.com. It’ll let you directly invite other parents and set up weekly or one-shot carpool schedules.

    Maintain balance. You almost certainly will need to say no to additional extracurricular activities every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Johnny wants to do underwater basket weaving? Strange choice, but sure — though he’ll have to abandon either fencing or ice hockey. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.

  • How Time Flies

    Celebrating 1 Year at Eagle Dental

    When I realized recently that I was celebrating one year as the dentist at Eagle Dental Care, I was a little bit surprised. I guess when life is busy, you forget how quickly a milestone can arrive. It’s been an amazing first year at the practice, and I owe a massive thanks to the team for making me feel welcome from the first day through the 365th. An equally sincere thanks goes out to all the patients who have continued to support Eagle Dental Care during my first year.

    That first day on the job feels like it was only weeks ago. We hit the ground running right away, seeing patients as soon as I arrived. There was something special about that day, though, as we closed the practice a couple hours early to have an open house. We invited all of our patients to come in, say goodbye with a big thankyou to Dr. Courtial, and be introduced to yours truly. I think that open house was the perfect way to get started, and I’d like to think we are still carrying the momentum from that evening.

    I was lucky enough to arrive at a thriving practice with an exceptional staff, so I’ve been careful to not rock the boat too much. Patients deserve the same thoughtful care they are used to, and I want everyone to feel as at home as they ever have. That said, we have had the chance to do a few touch-ups in the past year. We’ve put in new computers and monitors, intaoral cameras, and X-ray sensors. We changed some signage and did a little landscaping.

    “My goal is to make Eagle Dental Care a state-of-the-art practice without sacrificing the personal, friendly care that has always been an essential part of the office.”

    In this next year, we are hoping to make a few additional improvements to the office. Along with some remodeling, I am excited to bring some new dental technology into the office. My goal is to make Eagle Dental Care a state-of-the-art practice without sacrificing the personal, friendly care that has always been an essential part of the office.

    Speaking of major milestones, I’m sending my daughter, Avy, who is my oldest, off to kindergarten this year. I have to admit, it’s probably going to be harder on me than her. She’s excited about it. After two years of preschool, she’s had plenty of experience being in a structured environment with other children. Nevertheless, kindergarten is a big deal, and I’m looking forward to seeing her start this stage of her life.

    Kindergarten will be a new experience for Avy, but she’s not the only one trying out new things! Our newborn, Max, had a first of his own when we took him out recently for his first camping trip. It was short but sweet, and I’m sure it will be the first of many. As many of you know, I’m a huge outdoorsman, so it means a lot to be able to share that love with my family.

    Before I sign off this month, I just want to thank everyone again for making my first year at Eagle Dental so amazing. Here’s to many more!

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  • A Drink to Dental Health

    The Truth About Sparkling Water

    Soda sales are down, and sparkling water sales are up.

    Health-minded individuals are turning away from sugar-filled sodas and juices, replacing them with fizzy alternatives such as La Croix and Perrier. These beverages offer all the bubbles without the guilt — but are they any safer for our teeth?

    Sodas and juices are highly acidic. Combine that with sugar, and you have the ultimate recipe for tooth decay. Remove the sugars and acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, and you are left with a very different sort of drink.

    A 2016 study featured in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) took a close look at the erosive properties of beverages we consume every day and their impact on tooth enamel. The study found that sports drinks were the worst offenders, or “extremely erosive,” with sodas trailing close behind.

    Researchers also found that sparkling water was “minimally erosive” when it came to the impact on tooth enamel. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor with the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor with the American Dental Association, says that, sugars aside, the acidity in sparkling water is significantly less than sodas, juices, and other similar drinks.

    The carbon dioxide bubbles in sparkling water (which become carbonic acid when consumed) are weaker than the acids found in other drinks. The bubbles are not a danger to tooth enamel. If regularly consumed over a long period of time, however, sparkling water may have an erosive effect. But for a vast majority of the population, this is a non-issue.

    The important takeaway from the JADA study is that sugar-free sparkling water is a healthier alternative to soda, juice, sports drinks, and other beverages high in sugars and acid content. That includes beverages marketed as diet (they may lack sugar, but they are still highly acidic). The next time you reach for a bubbly and refreshing sparkling water, you can know you are making a good choice for your body and teeth.

  • Shake Up Movie Night With Crazy (Healthy) Popcorn Recipes

    Popcorn is considered to be a fairly healthy snack by most experts, especially when compared to other salty treats, like corn chips. Unfortunately, microwave popcorn is another matter. Many popular popcorn brands use trans fats, which the Centers for Disease Control estimate are related to 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually. Additionally, a study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified a connection between the chemical diacetyl, used to flavor microwave popcorn, and cases of lung disease in workers at popcorn factories.

    For popcorn lovers, the answer is clear: Make popcorn yourself! Pour ¼ cup of popcorn kernels into a regular brown paper bag, fold the top of the bag shut tight, then pop in microwave for about two minutes, or until popping slows to a second between pops. Voila! Fresh popcorn with no factory chemicals. If you’re craving some fun flavors, try these simple recipes.

    Traditional Butter

    Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then drizzle it along the sides of a brown paper bag. Pour your already popped popcorn into the bag until it’s half full, close the bag tight, and shake vigorously. In no time, you’ll have perfectly buttered popcorn!

    Cinnasugar Bliss

    This is a great recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of sugar to 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Drizzle onto the edges of a brown paper bag, add popped popcorn, and shake well.

    Sriracha Sesame Celebration

    Here’s to the adventurous popcorn lovers! Combine 1 tablespoon Sriracha, 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle half over popcorn and shake well inside of bag. Repeat with remaining mixture.

    Whether you’re preparing for a movie marathon or need an afterschool snack, any of these recipes will be a tasty alternative to the chemicals saturating microwave popcorn. Enjoy!

  • The Value of Hard Work

    Summer Jobs, Awesome and Awful

    Summer may be associated with vacation and free time, but when I was growing up, it also meant summer jobs. I’m grateful for the work experiences I had as a kid. They instilled in me the value of hard work and gave me the chance to develop some unique skills. I may not use all of those skills today, but I still have them in my back pocket.

    Unless you’re extremely lucky, you’ve had a job that you hated. For me, that was bagging groceries at Albertsons one summer. As you can imagine, it was far from thrilling. The first few weeks were okay, when I was still figuring out the best strategy for stacking milk, eggs, and produce in the same bag. Pretty quickly, though, I was going through the motions. This summer was long before the days when people worried about bag consumption, so double-bagging was a consistent occurrence. I know one thing for certain: If I never have to say “paper or plastic?” again, I won’t mind.

    Slightly more exciting were the summers I spent on my uncle’s potato farm. They could always use someone to do a little grunt work. As a nephew, I was pretty cheap labor. Most of my time there was spent working on irrigation. That might sound glamorous, but when I say “irrigation,” what I really mean is “moving pipes around.” Nevertheless, it was great to work alongside family, and the gig off ered me the chance to learn a little about agriculture and Idaho’s most iconic export.

    “I know one thing for certain: If I never have to say ‘paper or plastic?’ again, I won’t mind.”

    The coolest of my summer jobs was building log cabins. We constructed everything by hand off-site, dismantled it, labeled each piece, and sent it off to its final destination. It was a bit like playing with a massive, heavy Lego set. I like to think I’m pretty handy these days, and I owe a lot of that to my time spent on the cabin crew.

    Of course, I didn’t spend every hour of my summer on the clock. Some of my best summer memories are the times I spent camping with my family throughout the Northwest. Being out in the wilderness was so relaxing, especially when compared to bagging groceries for eight hours. Another favorite activity was riding my motorbike. In particular, I will never forget biking the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, where the open space meant I could cut loose without fear.

    This year, I’ve already had a new summer experience: sturgeon fishing. Oregon opened up sturgeon fishing for six days and allowed you to keep sturgeon 44–50 inches in length. I felt lucky just to be able to go and even luckier that I brought home a sturgeon.

    I’m hoping to provide my kids with a lasting memory when we go to Rexburg to watch the solar eclipse. Apparently, it will be one of the best places in the country to view this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Rexburg, a town of about 50,000 people, is expecting 10 times that for the eclipse. Luckily, with my family out there, we won’t struggle to find a place to stay.

    I hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of their summer this year. If you happen to trek out to eastern Idaho for the solar eclipse, maybe I’ll see you there.

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  • Smiling Increases Happiness!

    Learn How Smiling Actually Improves Your Mood

    Nothing projects happiness quite like a big, beautiful smile. The connection between smiling and joy, however, is not a one-way street. A study by psychologist Robert Zajonc shows that facial expressions contribute to the feelings associated with them. That’s right — smiling more will actually make you a happier person, and nothing will motivate you to flash those pearly whites more often than being excited about the alignment and appearance of your teeth.

    Feeling great about your teeth is one of the chief benefits of orthodontic treatment. When you look in the mirror and see a flawless smile, you gain an increased sense of self-worth. Not only are people with straight teeth more likely to be successful and score more dates, but according to a Kelton study, they also feel better about themselves. High self-esteem yields positive results in every facet of your life and will have you grinning from ear to ear.

    Heightened self-confidence isn’t the only benefit to working with an experienced orthodontist. Straighter teeth also contribute to your overall oral hygiene. Crowding and crookedness increases the likelihood of plaque buildup and cavities. The health benefits of orthodontic treatment extend beyond the mouth as well. Loads of ailments — like jaw aches, sleep apnea, and migraines — can be alleviated through orthodontic treatment. These added bonuses will lift your mood even higher.

    Everyone is searching for inspiration to smile more often. The job of an orthodontist is to give you as many reasons as possible to broadcast your inner contentment. Possessing the best possible smile will improve your mood and, in turn, will keep you smiling from dawn till dusk.