The Tooth Fairy visits Perry Nursery School [Video]

On October 21st, the Tooth Fairy was nice enough to stop by the Perry Nursery School, which happens to be Gentle Dental Associates' neighbor, to talk to the kids about keeping your teeth healthy. In this video, she teaches the kids a song about the proper way to brush your teeth.

The Tooth Fairy to visit Perry Nursery School this Friday, October 21st

Gentle Dental Associates is proud to partner with our neighbors at Perry Nursery School who will be hosting the Tooth Fairy this Friday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m.

The tooth fairy will have some teeth friendly sugar-free candy and tooth brushes for the little ones. She will also make certain that the little ones understand the importance of making healthy snack choices, brushing twice daily, and brushing or rinsing after sweet or sticky treats.

In celebration of this exciting event, Gentle Dental Associates will be offering a special package deal for the little ones and their parents. For the low cost of $122, each child will receive a cleaning, exam, and fluoride treatment and their parent will receive an x-ray and a comprehensive adult examination that includes an oral cancer screening.

Everybody clap your hands because fairies like a standing ovation!

Cold season is here, from Gentle Dental Associates

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Allen Seel and team give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Ann Arbor office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Gentle Dental Associates, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Smile! October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

Did you know that October is National Dental Health Month? For our staff at Gentle Dental Associates, that means only one thing: Reminding you that your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient Ann Arbor office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website as well, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to Gentle Dental Associates? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call to set up an appointment.

Your oral health & overall health

Don’t put off your next visit to Gentle Dental Associates any longer! Over the years, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than any other cause of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care, both at home and by visiting the dentist.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to Gentle Dental Associates can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages.

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our Ann Arbor office, please give us a call!

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Our team at Gentle Dental Associates

Dental FUN facts from Gentle Dental Associates!

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Our team at Gentle Dental Associates came across these dental fun facts recently and thought you might enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pockings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.