Author Archives: Vacendak Dentistry

It’s Not Luck – How Good Habits Create Great Teeth

Sometimes, we see friends, family and even strangers with amazing teeth and think – “Wow they’re so lucky!” But really, it’s the exact opposite. Having good oral health isn’t about luck! It’s about forming good oral hygiene habits

If you find yourself with sore, red gums or receiving a lecture about brushing and flossing at every six-month checkup, it may be time to think about your habits (and forming some new ones). But where do you start?

Identify your goals and start simple. One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to improve their lifestyle and form good habits is taking on too many new goals at once. Rather than the “all or nothing” approach, start simple! Identify your goals, but take them one at a time. If you haven’t been brushing three times a day, start there. You can tackle flossing or timing once you’ve gotten used to the basics.
Set reminders. New goals are the easiest to forget, especially when it’s a new addition to your overall routine. Whether it’s a phone alarm, sticky note by the sink, or placing your floss somewhere you’re guaranteed to see it, setting a reminder will help you with the habit-forming process.
Tell someone. If you’re the only person (besides the dentist you see every six months) who knows you are trying to form a new dental hygiene habit, you’re also the only person holding you accountable. If a push from others is what you usually need to complete a task, it’s time to tell a friend or family member about your new brushing or flossing goals!

Remember, even the best dental habits can’t replace your regularly scheduled cleaning. Your dental checkup is important for your overall oral health! Call Vacendak Dentistry at (757) 609-3510 to schedule one.

Helping Children Stay Mouth-Healthy

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Starting good oral hygiene early ensures that a child’s teeth and gums remain healthy as they grow up.

A child’s primary teeth, which people sometimes call baby teeth, are just as important as their permanent teeth. Baby teeth help a child chew and speak as well as acting as important placeholders for the future permanent teeth.

Making sure that your child is taking proper care of their teeth can be a little bit tricky since there are so many things to consider and a lot of temptation for little ones. Of course, there are lots of helpful tips and tricks that can make maintaining good oral hygiene seem like a walk in the park.

Get Regular Cleanings

Your child should see the dentist every 6 months for a routine cleaning and checkup. Regular cleanings help remove any plaque buildup that can lead to problems like cavities. If dental issues are caught in their early stages, treatment can prevent any lasting or severe issues. They also provide you with more oral hygiene tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy!

Consider a Fluoride Treatment

Children can start receiving fluoride treatments as soon as their first tooth erupts. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel. Your child’s dentist can administer fluoride treatments as another way to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Depending on your child’s needs, they can receive two to four treatments per year.

Avoid Sticky, Starchy, Sugary Foods

Limit your child’s sugar intake wherever you can. When sugar gets on the teeth, it serves as a food source for bacteria. Sticky, sugar candies are notoriously bad for the teeth since they stubbornly stay on the teeth long after eating. Instead, encourage your children to choose mouth-happy foods and sugar-free drinks!

There are these and many more oral hygiene tips that parents can learn by visiting Vacendak Dentistry! Our practice welcomes family members of all ages and will happily tailor our treatment to your child’s needs. The best thing you can do is bring your child in for regular cleanings and checkups, schedule yours today!

Our Favorite Dental Gift

We hear it every year from our loved ones when we ask what they want for Christmans.

“Just get me something I will use!”

Well, you may look at an electric toothbrush as a less-than-exciting gift, but if it’s used twice a day (as recommended) then it will definitely be the most useful!

Electric toothbrushes are one of the most common gifts people receive during the holidays. Especially now that subscription and delivery services make it so easy to get inexpensive models shipped right to your door.

For everyone who hasn’t yet given or received one, here are some great reasons to give the gift of an electric brush or just ask for one yourself!

Better Oral Health

Not many people realize how good oral health is a gift in itself. Straight, shiny, white teeth exude confidence, health and beauty. Not only does the appearance (and health) of your smile make you feel better, but it makes other people happier, too.

With an electric toothbrush, maintaining oral health is easier than ever before. Electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque, stimulate the gums, and remove bacteria from those hard to reach places. Using an electric toothbrush is also less fatiguing than a manual toothbrush, making brushing more enjoyable and helping you get to the recommended two-minutes of brushing!

Superior Plaque Removal

In general, electric toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual toothbrushes. After three months of continuous use, studies have shown that plaque is reduced by 21% and gingivitis by 11%.

Pro Tip: Oscillating (rotating) brush heads are considered more effective than vibrating toothbrushes, so keep this statistic in mind when selecting your gift.

Ease of Use For Anyone

Regular manual toothbrushes require you to move them back and forth along your teeth, whereas electric toothbrushes do most of the work for you. That means, you only need to guide it along the surfaces of your teeth, making them easier to use for people with limited mobility. Specifically, those suffering from:

Arthritis
Carpal tunnel
Developmental disabilities

Tech-Savvy Features

Anyone who always has the latest cell phone or other tech device is sure to love the advanced features of some electric toothbrushes. Many of the rich-in-technology brush options include high-tech features like:

Brushing modes specialized for sensitive teeth
Whitening benefits
Gum-massaging action
Pressure sensors to signal when you are brushing too hard
Timers to help you track how long you are brushing each quadrant of your mouth
Digital reminders to replace your brush head
Oscillating or rotating sonic technology
Multiple brush head compatibility so you can choose which type of bristle design you prefer

Not only does brushing make you feel better, the benefits extend far beyond appearances. Most oral health issues are entirely preventable. Root canals, gum disease and cavities can all be avoided with proper cleaning.

A gift with a profound impact goes beyond bicycles, jewelry or video games. Show your loved ones that you care by giving them easy access to great oral hygiene!

Give Thanks for Your Teeth!

November is the month of giving thanks! This year we want to give a special thanks to something we use every day but may never truly appreciate: our teeth!

We know it may sound silly to give thanks for your pearly whites, but trust us, after we list our top reasons, you’ll be praising them in no time.

Teeth are one of your most defining features. According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), your smile is one of the first things someone notices about you. The same AACD study concluded that 74 percent of those who took the survey believe an unattractive smile can negatively affect someone’s career. But don’t worry, if you’re not proud of your grin, cosmetic dentistry from Vacendak Dentistry will transform your smile.
They help you communicate. Teeth are an essential part of speaking. Without them, we’d have difficulty pronouncing certain letters and sounds such as ‘f,’ ‘v,’ ‘s,’ ‘th,’ and so many more. Go ahead and give it a try! Can you say a full sentence without touching your teeth with your tongue? It’s pretty challenging. In a previous post, we explore the numerous ways your teeth affect your speech, but you don’t need to know them all to be thankful for these great communicators.
They give you hints about your health. Your teeth can be indicators of your overall health. For example, very pale gums could be a sign of anemia, and losing teeth could be a symptom of osteoporosis. However, you won’t be able to self-diagnose by looking at your teeth. If you notice anything different, contact your dentist!

The doctors at Vacendak also want to remind our patients just how thankful we are for them! If you haven’t seen us in a while, give us a call at (757) 609-3510 to schedule your checkup before the busy holiday season begins.

Tips for a Teeth-Friendly Halloween

With Halloween fast approaching many of us already have a bowl of candy setting out in the house, even if you’re not expecting visiting ghosts and goblins this year. If you’re brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day – you shouldn’t have to worry about the occasional splurge. Nevertheless, there are easy ways to make even the most indulgent treats teeth-approved!

Chocolate

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate is probably your best option. Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate and offers fewer carbohydrates or bacteria that turn sugar into those harmful cavity producing acids. Chocolate also washes off your teeth easier than stickier types of candy.

Sticky and Gummy Candies

It’s all about the texture when it comes to these fun treats! Unfortunately, they are the worst types of candy to eat when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy. It might be fun getting sticky candy stuck on your teeth, but that means it has longer to harm tooth enamel. Harmful bacteria get more time to stick around and produce acids that break down your hard surfaces.

Hard Candies

Never chew on a Jolly Rancher! Not only do hard candies stay in your mouth for a long period of time, but they also can cause physical damage. These tough treats can fracture teeth if bitten into too early.

Sour Candies

Sour and sweet is a double whammy. The presence of sugar combined with the acids of a sour treat creates an extra harmful oral environment, accelerating the tooth decay process.

Minimize exposure to sweets, play it smart and have a great Halloween! If you want to learn more about healthy snacks to hand out for Halloween, visit this article on 7 Tooth-Friendly Halloween Treats.

Make sure to brush your teeth after snacking on any leftover candy, too! Brushing, swishing with water and flossing are the best ways to remove the sugar as quickly as possible. If you want an extra cleaning after the eventful Halloween night, call Vacendak Dentistry and schedule an appointment!

Overcoming Dental Fear

Dentistry has come a long way over the years.

Can you imagine undergoing an extraction in ancient times with no anesthesia and unsterilized tools? Luckily, we live in the right century when it comes to having a positive experience at the dentist.

No matter the times we live in or current technology – fear of the dentist is experienced by many Americans. It’s normal to be a bit fearful of certain experiences, but if it is preventing you from getting needed dental care, let us help!

Here are a few ideas from Vacenda to help you calm your nerves:

Identify Your Fears

It’s helpful to identify the specific aspects of a dental visit that cause you anxiety.

Sometimes writing your fears down on a piece of paper can help identify concerns that may be unfounded or overblown by your imagination. Then, collaborate with your dental team to help make the experience easier.

Perhaps we can dim the lights to provide a calmer experience? Or explain what to expect each step of the way. Or perhaps you prefer they remain silent so you can focus on relaxing. Either way, we are here to make the process as easy as possible.

Bring a Friend

Simply having social support can make a big difference! Afraid of the needle? Have your friend hold your hand or share a funny story to make that initial twinge more doable for you.

Use Relaxation Techniques

Try deep breathing or repeating a helpful mantra. Whether that’s your favorite verse, music lyric, or something simple like “I am in control. This will be over soon,” this affirmation can help settle your nerves.

Use Hand Signals

Inform your practitioner when you need a break. Let them know that when you lift your left hand, it means you need something. When you’re ready to proceed, give them permission to continue the procedure.

Ask About Sedation Options

Your dentist will be able to explain the different options out there and any associated risks.

Depending on the level of sedation you require, you may need to be referred to a special dentist.

Reward Yourself

If it helps, find some type of reward to focus on throughout your visit. Focus on intrinsic rewards (“I finally won’t have to deal with this toothache”) and extrinsic rewards (“double mocha with whip, please”).

Bottom line: your dental health is too important to let fear stand in your way! We are just a phone call away from starting the process and making your dental experience a good one!

How an Improved Smile Improves Your Mindset

We talk a lot about why taking care of your teeth is important for your overall health. Well, the quality of your smile also affects your overall state of mind!

You’re less likely to smile when trying to hiding discolorations, cracks or chips that cause insecurities. If you have blemishes preventing you from smiling, it takes a huge negative psychological toll.

Smiling, laughing, and a healthy smile that you can’t hide positively affect your mindset in even more ways! Learn about them below:

Better Mood, Increased Relaxation

When you’re in a bad mood, the last thing you feel like doing is smiling or laughing. But did you know that faking canl improve your mood? Studies show that the act of curling your lips into a smile or letting out a small giggle is enough to trigger your brain into feeling happier!

Try it the next time you are feeling angry or sad and see what happens. The effects are amplified when you turn that smile into a full-blown laugh. Laughing stimulates circulation and helps your muscles relax. Those effects are felt for up to 45 minutes after the laugh ends!

You Become More Approachable

You probably don’t want to be around other people when they are in a bad mood, so why would you expect anyone to want to be around you when you are? Not only will you feel better when you smile and laugh, but you’ll also give the signal to others that you’re an enjoyable person to be around.

The more you can engage and interact with others, the happier you’ll be. It’s a cycle that’s worth getting into. Smiles and laughter are contagious — whenever you see someone else doing it, you can’t help but do the same. You can thank your mirror neurons for that. Whenever we see someone doing certain behaviors, we feel inclined to do the same.

Sharing a laugh with others also helps you deepen your bond with them and makes you more likely to share information and have a healthy long-term relationship.

Physical Health Benefits

Beyond mental health, smiling and laughing can also help your physical state of being. Laughing works your abdominal muscles and releases endorphins that alleviate pain and boost your immune system.

Studies have even found that smiling and laughing can help decrease your risk for heart disease because they protect the heart and prevent the buildup of fat and cholesterol. These actions can also lower your blood pressure and keep it that way for up to 24 hours.

The Best Perk of All…

Putting all of the scientific research aside, the best reason to do more smiling and laughing is that it makes you feel good. Don’t let the state of your teeth get in the way of that.

Vacendak Dentistry offers an array of services to help you smile look and feel it’s best. Contact us today to get started!

6 Important Benefits of Regular Cleanings

Have your teeth been cleaned by a dentist or hygienist this year? We know it’s difficult to find the perfect time during the pandemic, but it’s still important (if not more so) to maintain regular check-ups for you and your family.

That’s because professional dental cleanings aren’t just for keeping your smile bright; they have a significant impact on your long-term oral health. Tooth decay, gum disease and several chronic oral issues all take root with insufficient regular habits. Brushing and flossing at home are essential but regular check-ups with your dentist ensures your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and any needed preventative measures are taken. That way, no one in your family ends up with a bigger or riskier issue during this time.

So, here are five reasons professional cleanings are so important

Your dental hygienist removes surface blemishes that you can’t remove with at-home brushing. You’ll be left with a brighter smile while preventing long-term stains.
Regular teeth cleaning prevents one of the biggest contributors to early tooth loss – gum disease.
In America alone, one person dies from oral cancer every hour. Many of these cancers are curable if detected at an early stage during routine cleanings and exams.
During a dental cleaning, your dentist will detect early signs of problems such as cavities, broken fillings and fractures!
Many dental plans cover cleanings but not more invasive surgeries. You’ll save money on dental expenses in the long run by taking advantage of your policy and scheduling a cleaning today!
Regular check-ups and dental cleanings help prevent and resolve persistent bad breath.

Professional dental cleanings give your dentist or hygienist an opportunity to compare the state of your oral health to that of previous visits. If you’re moving in the wrong direction, immediate intervention prevents bigger problems from occurring. Call the team at Vacendak Dentistry to schedule your dental cleaning and get back on track, today! Please note, even if you don’t need an appointment for several months, it’s a good idea to get on the calendar now, as our COVID restrictions may limit short-term appointment availability.

Top Dental Concerns for Men

Designated as Men’s Health Month (and with Father’s Day), we dedicate June to the fathers and father figures in our lives. That means it’s a great time to encourage the men closest to us to refocus on their health, including their oral health!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, men are less likely than women to see their dentist regularly. In addition:

The average man is less likely to brush his teeth after every meal (20.5% compared with 28.7% for women).
The average man is less likely to brush his teeth twice a day (49% compared with 56.8% for women).
Men are more likely to have untreated dental decay than women (29% compared with 25% for women, age 35-44)

In fact, research shows that many don’t go to the dentist unless they have a dental emergency. That might be why they’re more likely to suffer from the following chronic dental problems:

Top Dental Concerns for Men:

Gum Disease. Men are much more likely than women to develop gum disease, a condition that causes tooth loss and other general health issues such as heart disease, respiratory problems, certain cancers, and poor prostate health.

Oral Cancer. More than 53,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, with men being twice as likely to have the diagnosis than women and four times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer. Fortunately, oral cancer can be treated (and cured) if it’s caught early. One more reason everyone should see their dentist regularly!
Necessary Advanced Dental Treatments. Skipping dental appointments causes major problems to your teeth and over time, eventually requiring advanced dental treatment like root canals, crowns and tooth extraction. When plaque builds up on teeth over time, it greatly increases the risk of tooth decay. If the decay is not treated, it only goes deeper into the tooth, causing the need for a root canal. If the decay is left untreated for even longer, it may become too damaged to repair, needing removal.

Practicing good oral hygiene is all about prevention. That’s because professional cleanings remove plaque buildup that regular brushing and flossing at home doesn’t, preventing problems from occurring in the first place.

So this month, let him know you care and encourage the man in your life to make an appointment with Vacendak Dentistry! We’re open for appointments, practicing federal and ADA compliance and treating our patients’ health with utmost priority. Don’t forget to wear your mask!

COVID-19 Update:

UPDATED: Sept. 1, 2020

To Our Wonderful Patients,

We are happy to announce Vacendak Dentistry is open again, with some slight modifications to our processes! We have missed seeing your smiles and appreciated your patience as we all worked through the restrictions on non-emergency cleanings and treatments.

Please know, your health is our highest priority, and in addition to the new check-in and check-out procedures, and our already detailed sanitation processes, we have added several commercial grade air purification systems to our exam and treatment areas to provide the safest possible environment.

Over the coming days we will be calling patients that we were unable to see over the past several weeks to reschedule your appointments. If you have an upcoming appointment scheduled, we will also call to either confirm your appointment, or potentially reschedule, as we make adjustments to limit the number of visitors in the building at one time and allow more time for deep cleaning between patients. We appreciate your understanding as we make these changes.

New Check-In Procedures

You will receive a confirmation call two days before your appointment. At that time we’ll have a brief health screening questionnaire.
We will require everyone entering the building to wear a mask, and will limit visits to patients only, unless the patient needs extra assistance.
When you enter the building, we will have some additional screening questions for you and will provide hand sanitizer to use before you fully enter the lobby. We will also take your temperature.

During your visit you may hear our new air purification systems emitting a loud hum. For everyone’s safety, we will no longer provide headphones or music devices. If you wish to listen to music during your visit, please bring your own device and headphones. We may ask you to sanitize your device upon entering the building.

Our staff will also be wearing extra protective gear, including clear face protectors during your exam, cleaning and treatment.

New Check-Out Procedures

We are also implementing new check-out procedures to maintain social distancing. At the end of your appointment we will escort you to the check-out area and explain the new procedure.

We know this is a lot of change, and appreciate your flexibility and extra patience as we all work through this challenging environment. Please know that every process, every extra step and every request is being made with your safety in mind, along with the safety of our other patients and staff.

If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them when we call to schedule or confirm your appointment. In the meantime, if you have a dental emergency, please call and we will get you in for an exam as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for your patience and support,

Drs. Sheila and Daniel Vacendak and the Entire Vacendak Dentistry Team