Happy Thanksgiving! Smile Central!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! One of our absolute favorite holidays of the year. A time to spend with great family and great food - what could be better? We hope your dinners are delicious and that everyone you're spending the holiday with is happy and healthy. There's really so much to be thankful for, and so smile to smile about.  

Speaking of, let's talk about smiling! We expect you'll be doing a lot of it today. According to the article is Spark People, smiling has great benefits for you and everyone around you. Here are the top 5 reasons to keep smiling...

1. Smiling can make you happy, even when you're not! 

By smiling, your body is sending a message to your brain that you're happy, and your brain in turn starts signaling endorphins to be released. Endorphins do actually make you happy. So the simple act of smiling really starts the chain reaction. 

Image source: http://smallearthvintage.blogspot.com/2011/11/street-style.html

2. Smiling makes you better looking!

Don't believe it? Well, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of adults in America believe that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex. Ever think about why we smile in pictures? It's because that's when we look our best and our happiest.

3. De-stress with a smile. 

Next time you're feeling anxious, try taking a few deep breaths and smiling. It's just that easy. Smiling can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety by sending a message to your brain that slows your heart rate and breathing. 

Image source: http://www.goodeyeblog.com/2011/02/christy-evans-yoga-teacher-portrait-photography/

4. Smile to make others happy!

Research shows that smiling is contagious. When someone smiles at you, it's really hard not to smile back. Sometimes you do so without even being aware of it!

5. It just feels good.

Smiling just feels right, and natural. Give it a try right now and you'll see what we mean :) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

Germ Pop-Quiz!

We loved this Web MD quiz about the amount of germs that live in your mouth. It's a fun way to find out about your mouth and just how many germs are in there - and here's a little hint, there are a TON! Answer the 12 questions and we bet you'll be surprised by some of the results. 

Here's one giveaway, there's actually no such thing as the 5 second rule! The truth is, the longer your food is on the floor the more germs it will pick up, however, the second that food does touch the ground it starts to collect germs. 

So give the quiz a go and remember no cheating! :)

The Coldness is Coming!

It's getting colder outside, and it really feels like winter is almost here! As much as we all love the seasons changing, you're not along if you can't help but long for those warm summer months. Especially if you experience discomfort in your teeth from the cold air. It's actually a very common occurrence, and something we'll discuss today. 

(source: http://iloverainandcoffee.tumblr.com/post/19698092661)

If the feeling of discomfort or pain in your teeth sets in when you take a sip of something very cold or breathe in through your mouth on a chilly day - you likely suffer from tooth sensitivity. Don't worry! You are not alone, and there are many common reasons why this could be happening.

(source: http://indulgy.com/post/o4PMae1zb1/neon)

For instance, this could be caused by brushing too hard. Brushing vigorously is never a good idea. It can wear away at your natural tooth enamel and push your gums back, causing gum recession. However, there is also gum recession that simply occurs naturally, which cannot be helped. Other reasons are teeth grinding or drinking very acidic beverages on a regular basis Sodas, juices, wine and other acidic drinks can be the cause. What is actually happening to your teeth is that the roots are becoming exposed from the gum line. As a result, your teeth become very sensitive to extreme temperatures. 

(source: http://www.meetpenny.com/2011/01/batch-cooking-freezing-options/)

In certain circumstances, we can bond your teeth and that can help the situation. But we generally recommend using a toothpaste like Sensodyne, and brushing softly with a soft bristled brush. If the discomfort is persistent, especially with winter approaching, be sure to come in and let us take a look. 

Happy Halloween! See our Toothy Costume Ideas!

Carve that pumpkin and put on the face paint - it's officially Halloween! If you love this holiday, you are certainly not alone. Kids and adults alike get to dress up as whatever they like - from scary costumes, to funny costumes, and even "Punny" costumes are now the trend (dressing us as a word pun). 

We've put together a list of our favorite "teeth" themed costumes that are sure to give people a smile. They're easy to put together, and tons of fun to wear.

So this year for Halloween, why not dress up as a...

1. Wisdom Tooth!

Dress in all white, with a long white beard. Get it? You're wise looking and in white, like a tooth!

2. Tooth Fairy!

This is an old favorite. The costume can look a lot like a fairy, with wings, a tutu, etc. The catch is you'll carry money or a pouch of coins. We also suggest attaching tooth drawing to yourself so it's even more clear.

3. Dentist!

Call us biased, but we think this is a great costume! It's easy to create (you just need a white coat) and it's a crowd pleaser. 

 

A cute couples costume is a tooth fairy and dentist together. A match made in heaven! 

Or get the whole family involved and be tooth-related items! 

So enjoy Halloween this year, but do your best to limit your candy intake. We know it's tough and tempting, but staying healthy should always be your #1 priority. And speaking of cutting back on candy, that brings us to our "Filling You In" section...

"Filling You In"

Our Halloween Candy Buy Back Program is in full effect!! We want kids to bring in their Halloween candy, and we'll donate what they give to the troops overseas. Plus, for every pound of candy that's donated, we'll match it with $1, up to $5. Plus, bringing in your candy enters you into an awesome raffle with amazing prices up for grabs! Kids can also bring in letters for the troops that will be sent with the candy. 

We'll keep you posted on the program on Facebook and Twitter! 

How NOT to brush!

We often discuss the "Do's" of brushing your teeth. But it's just as important to remember the Don'ts! Brushing your teeth really becomes a ritual we do, every day, multiple times a day. But how often do you stop and think about what exactly you're doing and if you're doing it properly? Today's the day we want you to do pause for a moment and think about what not do while brushing. So let's get to it!

1. DON'T brush your teeth just once a day. Twice or three times is ideal (once after every meal).

2. DON'T brush too often. Brushing four, five times or more a day can wear away at your enamel and increase gum recession.

3. DON'T brush at a 90 degree angle. Brush gently at a 45 degree angle to properly reach your gums.

4. DON't brush back-and-forth. Brushing in a straight line can irritate teeth. Always brush in a circular motion.

5. DON'T brush too roughly. Gentle brushing is key. 

6. DON'T use a stiff-bristled brush. Always go for a softer brush, as the strong/stiff brushes do more harm than good.

7. DON'T floss after you brush. Remember to floss before brushing, to loosen plaque and expose areas that need the brushing.

And that's it! 7 tips to remember NOT to do. What "Don't Do" tips would you share?

'Filling You In'

It's our First Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back Program!! Kids can bring in their candy and receive $1 per pound (up to 5 lbs.) and their candy will be donated to our troops! Save your teeth from tooth decay and help us sweeten a soldier's day! We'll have more updates on this after Halloween :)

Save your teeth from tooth decay and help us sweeten a soldier's day!

Big, exciting news to report from Toms River Family Dental! We're hosting our First Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back Program! It's starting right now at our practice and it's really putting a big smile on everyone's face. What are the details? Glad you asked!

Around this time of year, there's definitely an influx of candy. Candy corn, chocolate bars, sour patch kids, you name it. With all of that candy, there is a good amount of sweets that kids can give up and give away - but why not make it more enjoyable and help others too? That's where the vision for our First Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back Program came from.

Kids are bringing in their Halloween candy and receiving $1 per pound (up to 5 lbs.) for the amount they give away. Best of all, all of their candy will be donated to our troops overseas! Along with the candy, kids are bringing in letters of encouragement to send with the treats. Also, every child that participates is entered into our raffle to win amazing prizes and gift cards! So not only are our troops getting candy, but our kids are saving their teeth from all of that sugar and potentially winning something in return. It's definitely a win, win all around.

We'll have more to update and pictures to share soon, as this program gets going. Be sure to come by, bring your candy and letters, to save your teeth from tooth decay and help us sweeten a soldier's day! 

Are Cigars Worth the Celebration?

Puffing away on a cigar may not seem like a big deal. In fact, it may even seem somewhat glamorous and sophisticated. Cigars have been successfully marketed as an upscale treat, symbolizing wealth and decadence since the turn of the century. 

Cigar smoking is very often seen in hollywood too. Movies portray actors and actresses smoking cigars all the time. It's a common commemorative way to celebrate something. People often think that since they're not inhaling the smoke, it's not as damaging. They even think it's a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. But in reality, it is very harmful to not just your teeth, but your overall health. 

Cigars have 40 times the amount of nicotine and tar found in a cigarette.  That extra nicotine may be why smoking just a few cigars a week is enough to trigger addiction. Also, one cigar can contain more than a 1/2 ounce of tobacco, which is just as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.

Cigar smoking can also cause permanent stains to teeth and chronic bad breath. Worst of all, it increases your chances for life threatening diseases like cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. Exposure to tobacco carcinogens are a leading cause of throat and mouth cancer. So next time you're thinking about taking a leisurely puff on a cigar, we hope you'll think again.