The Blog of Dr. Nick Prater

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning?

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:21:44 +0000

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!

Patient question: “What should I expect during my first visit?”

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:11:15 +0000

Thanks for the question. Your first visit typically includes an x-ray that allows us to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth decay.

The initial visit also involves getting your medical history. When you share your medical history with us, be sure to provide complete, up-to-date information on your health. Please let us know if you have experienced recent hospitalization or surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Also tell us the names, doses, and frequency of any medications you are taking — whether prescription or over-the-counter products — and the name of your physician. Please also let us know about any changes in your health or medications. This information will us select the most safe and effective method of treatment path for you.

Have any more questions about your first visit? Please give us a call!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month!

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:27:34 +0000

At Dr. Nick Prater’s office, we know image is everything. May happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.
We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our office. Has your child visited Dr. Nick Prater in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!
See you soon!

Doing Our Part to Help the Planet!

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:07:55 +0000

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Last Sunday marked Earth Day, so today we thought we would discuss some of the things we do to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Our office is digitalized, which means we can operate without the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. The information in our office can be sent and processed digitally, which is also more efficient. We take all of the steps possible to be a ‘green’ office, making us better for the planet and more convenient for our patients.

We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or post on our Facebook page!

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:55:54 +0000

All dental specialists whether pediatric dentists, orthodontists, or oral surgeons, begin by completing dental school and continue their education with several years of additional, specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, an extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.

Establishing a “dental home” for your child provides the opportunity to implement preventive dental health habits that keep your child free from dental and oral disease and a place to go should a dental emergency arise.

Ask us if you need the name of one of our recommended pedodontists.

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:38:02 +0000

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:46:31 +0000

Visiting our office regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

We are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:04:30 +0000

Toothaches occur when the nerve root of a tooth is irritated and can be caused by an infection, gum disease, decay (cavities), or injury. If your child complains of a toothache, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally.

If the toothache persists, it is important to call their pedodontist to determine the cause of the pain and provide relief. Immediate contact should be pursued if your child experiences:

• Pain that is not be relieved by over-the-counter drugs
• Severe pain after a tooth is pulled which may be dry socket syndrome
• Pain associated with swelling of the gums or face, or discharge around a tooth, especially if accompanied by a fever
• Broken or knocked-out teeth from an accident or injury

Sealing In Your Child’s Dental Health

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:10:06 +0000

Keeping your child’s teeth in the best possible condition will help them maintain optimum oral health for the rest of their lives. When brushing and flossing isn’t enough, we may suggest placing a dental sealant on your child’s teeth. Children who have dental sealants can decrease their chance of tooth decay by 60%! Sealants are a safe, effective way to ensure your child’s dental health for years to come.

Dental sealants work by providing a protective shield over the tiny grooves and depressions found on the chewing surfaces of teeth. While brushing and flossing is still essential even if your child has a sealant, this coating will help vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.

If we think a sealant would be a good option for your child, a simple office visit is all it takes. One of our friendly dental hygienists or assistants will thoroughly clean your child’s teeth before applying the white or clear liquid-plastic material to the tooth’s surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to ten years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at your child’s regular checkups with Dr. Nick Prater.

Connect with us on Facebook!

mynetworks0527@sesamecommunications.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:50:32 +0000

We will be rolling out our new Facebook Timeline page soon and would love for you to check it out!

You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout. When you Like us on Facebook, you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!

See you on Facebook!