Spring is on it's way!  (was winter ever really here??)     So much has been happening here at McMullin Dental Care.  Our much loved hygienist Kelly recently moved to Florida.  We wish her a wonderful time in the "south"!  Since Kelly has moved, we had the opportunity to welcome Rebecca to our practice!  Rebecca studied hygiene at the University of Detroit Mercy.  She loves helping people look and feel great.  Stop in and meet her anytime!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month and in honor of that we have visited multiple schools to educate children.  It was so much fun!  The kids are excited and so willing to learn and share what they know.  One mother told me that her daughter has been carrying floss with her everywhere since we visited her class at Triumph Academy! 

The office is also gearing up for another Relay for Life.  This event raises funds to support cancer research, prevention, and education.  Participating in this event has been inspiring!  We encourage anyone that wishes to join or support our team to contact us at (734) 241-5115.  

Many of you, adults and children play spring sports.  While playing a sport is a great way to stay in shape, be part of a team, and have a ton of fun, there are also a few risks.  Injury to the mouth and teeth can occur as part of playing any sport.  As part of your gear, make sure to wear a mouthguard and protect your teeth.  Quite often a team will provide mouthguards to its players.  However, if you are in need of a mouthguard, we will gladly make one for you.  Here at McMullin Dental Care we want to see you happy and healthy!  Call the office to find out more. (734) 241-5115.

Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.  So even though at McMullin Dental Care we're concerned about cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, we won't use this blog entry to gross you out about kissing.  But we will give you some tips to make sure you are totally kissable!

Let's face it - No one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So let's start with the basics:

• Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
• Floss once per day - if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask!  We'll be glad to show you the ropes.
• Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy.  (Ok - we won't tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine's Day!)
• Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.
• If you need to slip in a piece of gum or a breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.
• Drink plenty of water!  This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath!
• See your dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are problems with your oral condition.

Here at McMullin Dental Care, we want you to have a kissable February 14th and a lifetime of excellent dental health.  If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at 734-241-5115.  We are here for you!

Why The Heck Do You Need To Know That?

When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth and gums.

One of the most important parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health.  Many people have said to us:

"What does that have to do with my dental check-up?"

The answer - "A lot!"

More and more research is being published linking dental health to overall health.  At McMullin Dental Care we are concerned about both!

Did you know that diabetes, especially when it is undiagnosed, can be a huge factor in gum disease, eventually causing tooth loss?

A recent study by Columbia University concluded:

"Gum disease is an early complication of diabetes."  It continues:

"Since 70% of adults see a dentist at lease once per year" this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes and other diseases.

According to a recent article in The British Dental Journal, it works the other way around too, as gum disease can be a contributing factor in heart disease, oral cancer, and other illnesses.

Are you taking any  medications, either prescription or over-the-counter?  Many of these can lead to dry mouth, gum inflammation, and other dental problems.

It's even more complicated for women, as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can cause many changes in dental health.

The good news is, unlike a visit to your physician - you get to keep your clothes on and won't be poked and prodded anywhere other than your mouth!  As you can see, it is important that we know about your total physical health and any medications you are taking.  Not only can we save your teeth - we may actually save your life! 

If you want to know more about your dental health and how it relates to your overall health, please let us know.  If you have any questions or want to schedule your next appointment, just give us a call at 734-241-5115.  We are here for you!

Football Season Can Be A Penalty For Your Teeth!

Football Season Can Be A Penalty For Your Teeth!

Nothing says football season like a big tub of Gatorade being dumped on the winning coach at the end of a game. But for you and your kids it could be offsides and holding on your dental health.

Originally developed at The University of Florida in 1965 (and named after their sports teams – “The Gators”) Gatorade was intended for athletes such as ...football players who endured rigorous workouts in the hot sun. But somehow this potent drink has become a staple of our popular culture, and its combination of sugars, salt and electrolytes can be anything but healthy for all but the most strenuous exercisers. The fact is, for just about all of us, including children, water remains the healthiest drink either with meals or during and after exercise.

"For most children engaging in routine physical activity, plain water is best," said Holly J. Benjamin, M.D., a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. "Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don't need, and could contribute to obesity and tooth decay. It's better for children to drink water during and after exercise, and to have the recommended intake of juice and low-fat milk with meals. Sports drinks are not recommended as beverages to have with meals."

Even worse are “energy drinks” –which contain huge amounts of stimulants including caffeine, guarana and taurine.  Some of these drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine – the equivalent of 14 cans of soda!! Combine that with huge amounts of tooth rotting and obesity causing sugar, and you’ve got a formula for health disaster. To make things worse, some schools actually have “pouring contracts” where they are paid to promote and serve unhealthy sodas and sports drinks.

Good old fashioned tap water, fortified with fluoride, not only remains the healthiest drink but it's the least expensive as well.

So please enjoy football season, but remember not to let energy drinks and sports drinks blitz the dental and overall health of you and your children.