Invisalign TIPS, from Four State Dental Care

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Drs. Dale Kunkel and Jennifer Matousek-Ronck want you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not necessary for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also simple: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment here at Four State Dental Care, give us a call!

When should my child come in for a dental visit?

At Four States Dental Care, we believe a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. And that's precisely why our team at Four States Dental Care makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit Dr. Dale Kunkel or Dr. Jennifer Matousek-Ronck by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. For more information on the advantages of pediatric dentistry at Four States Dental Care, please give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Smile Wider, Live Longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Drs. Dale Kunkel and Jennifer Matousek-Ronck has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifindex, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Four State Dental Care on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

What Do You LOVE About Summer?

Summer is finally here, and the team at Four States Dental Care thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Dr. Dale Kunkel, Dr. Jennifer Matousek-Ronck,and team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting a comment below or on our Facebook page!