Halloween Candy Isn’t So Scary: Our Candy Buy Back Program and More

Ok, admit it – when the kids bring home those plastic pumpkins overflowing with treats, you’re just as excited as they are to dig in. But then, after the initial burst of excitement, you’ve got PILES of the stuff left. What do you do with it all when you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet (not to mention healthy teeth) for your family?

We've got an idea - DONATE IT to our Military Troops.  This year Jeff M. Morrison & Associates DDS is participating in the Operation Gratitude Candy Buy Back Program.  Between November 2 and 7, bring your children, along with their candy, to our office at 615 St. Mary's Street. Their candy will be weighed and kids will receive $1.00 for every pound they donate.  

Tips For Managing All That Sugar

While we definitely want you to participate our Operation Gratitude Candy Buy Back, we agree with this Psychology Today blogger that the yearly candy bonanza is a great opportunity to teach kids how to enjoy tasty treats in moderation. Here are a few of our favorite tips from the Boston Mamas blog on “How to Handle the Halloween Candy Craze.”

1. Real food first. Make it a rule: eat a nutritious dinner (ideally including fruits and veggies) before candy happens.
2. Teach moderation. Remind kids to monitor how their tummy feels while they’re eating; if they’ve had a past experience of overindulgence making them sick, it’s a good idea to remind them of how yucky that felt, so they’ll practice noticing how they feel when they eat.
3. Set firm limits, and be consistent. Decide how much the kids are allowed to have and when – say, 1-2 pieces after a meal – and never bend to whining! Kids are smart, and if they realize that whining works, they’ll do it every time.
4. Make candy-eating contingent on immediate tooth-brushing. Not only is this the best practice to prevent cavities, but it’s also a good way to make eating candy a little annoying.  It’s amazing how the nuisance of teeth brushing (not at the typical teeth brushing times) will kill the desire for eating that mini Snickers. But even if it doesn’t, it’s always a good thing to follow candy consumption with teeth brushing.  
5. Limit the drama. Kids feed off our emotions. The bigger a deal you make of it, the more they will want it. Just be matter of fact about your decisions and limit the drama.
6. Teach about consequences. If candy consumption really becomes a difficult issue, teach your kids about consequences.  Toss it!  Or, give it away via a local buy back or donation to the troops. Trust me, they will remember next year.
7. Change the giving rules in your home. If you want to model less candy, try passing out Halloween candy alternatives. It will show them that there can be other ways to celebrate.

There are tons of other great resources on the internet loaded with tips on how to control and limit candy consumption. One of my personal favorites is this roundup on Babble of cool science experiments you can try with Halloween candy.  Is it more fun to eat Pop Rocks, or to use them to blow up a balloon? My kids went with the balloon (who really likes the taste of Pop Rocks, anyway?)  Another great idea - re-purposing the Halloween candy by using for a holiday advent calendar.

There are also great treats to hand out instead of candy - such as glow-necklaces (helps cars see little trick or treaters!), stickers, temporary tattoos, and plastic fangs - all irresistible to small children. I also endorse the approach of one clever mama who offered both candy AND toys, so trick-or-treaters could choose; she found that loads of kids went with the toys instead!  Check out your local Dollar Store for little items that may be good substitutes for candy.

Let us know your ideas for handling the Halloween candy craze.  Is it time for your next cleaning and exam?  Give our office a call at (919) 755-3450.   We look forward to seeing you!  

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Sedation Dentistry: What You Need to Know

If you shudder at the thought of a dental visit, or avoid it altogether, you're not alone. Dental anxiety is very real and it's estimated that up to 20% of people avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates DDS, we want you to take excellent care of your oral health - which means coming in for regular cleaning and exams, and having dental problems addressed at the earliest possible stage. That's why we offer sedation dentistry to those who need extra help feeling calm and relaxed during a dental procedure.

We will administer a controlled amount of sedative medicine before or during your dental procedure, helping to reduce your anxiety and create a calm treatment experience.  Whether you are getting your wisdom teeth removed, a cavity filled, or simply a routine cleaning and exam, we will work with you to assure that you are comfortable, calm and relaxed.

Sedation dentistry is divided into different categories. Minimal sedation, which decreases anxiety while maintaining full consciousness, can be achieved through mild anti-anxiety medication or nitrous oxide. Moderate, or conscious, sedation is commonly achieved through a combination of sedative pills and an intravenous sedative. It creates a sleeplike state in which the patient's response to touch and sound is strong. Intravenous sedation allows you to sleep deeply in an unconscious state where you will not be awakened until the effects wear off or medication is used to reverse it.

At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, DDS, our patients’ comfort is our priority. We offer two types of minimal dental sedation to help you feel completely relaxed before, during, and after your visit to our office:

• Inhalation Sedation (or Laughing Gas) is a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe in through a mask placed over your nose to help you relax. The amount you receive is controlled by Dr. Morrison. This form of sedation wears off quickly.

• Oral Conscious Sedation is in the form of a prescribed pill that is taken about an hour before your dental procedure. With this form of sedation, you remain conscious and completely aware of your surroundings in a very calm and relaxed state. A variety of medications are available for this type of sedation, and Dr. Morrison will carefully discuss your particular needs to determine which choice would work best for you. However, all are classified as anti-anxiety medications and achieve the same result: reducing and even eliminating the anxiety of dental treatment.

Inhalation sedation and oral conscious sedation can safely be used together for an even deeper feeling of relaxation.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right For You?

Here are a few things to discuss with Dr. Morrison when considering sedation dentistry: 

• Is the procedure lengthy or complex? Sedation dentistry may allow us to complete your treatment in fewer appointments and to finish complex procedures in less time.

• Do you have a psychological or physiological reason (such as a highly sensitive gag reflex) that makes dental procedures difficult? Sedation dentistry may successfully address these reasons by allowing you to relax deeply through the procedure. 

• Do you have any serious health conditions, or are you pregnant? Using sedatives during a dental procedure may not be a good idea for people who are pregnant, or who have certain cardiac or respirator conditions. 

While your dental treatment is performed, your vital signs will be carefully monitored to ensure that your experience is as safe as possible. If you've only received nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately and you will be able to drive home, or return to work or school. The effects of oral sedation last longer than with nitrous oxide alone, so you'll need someone to drive you home after your procedure. Unexpected reactions to inhalation or oral sedation are exceedingly rare, but as with any medical procedure, Dr. Morrison will review your health history, discuss the risks and benefits, and carefully monitor you throughout the procedure for any changes in blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.

"It’s normal to experience some apprehension about going to the dentist, especially if you've had a negative experience at the dentist as a child, or if you’re heading into an extensive procedure" says Dr. Morrison. "Before I offer the option of sedation - I try to find out the source of the patients' anxiety and their level of anxiety, and then we talk about ways to manage it," he said. "I can oftentimes get an anxious patient comfortably through a procedure just by talking with them, distracting them, taking breaks, and explaining what we are doing at each stage of treatment." 

"However, some patients simply won't get the care they need unless they have some kind of sedation and in these cases the risks of not receiving dental care is greater," said Dr. Morrison. "For these patients, using sedation dentistry to help them face their fears and get the treatment they need is essential."

At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, we do what we can so all patients feel completely comfortable in our office— no matter how big or how small their treatment may be. Is it time for your cleaning and exam? Give our office a call at 919.755.3450 or schedule online. We look forward to seeing you.

PROPER BRUSHING FAQs

Mouth open or mouth closed? After lunch or after dinner? Flat or at an angle? We've been brushing our teeth just about every day (hopefully) since our teeth came in.  Who knew it was so complicated?   

Fact is, there are actually some best practices to be mindful of when brushing those pearly whites. In our world of alternate facts, fake news, and lists of “7 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Clean Without Picking Up a Toothbrush” it's easy to be confused about the correct way to brush.  

Don't worry - we’ve got you covered with this handy FAQ (frequently asked questions) guide. We’ll keep it simple with some easy dos and don’ts of brushing. Let’s get to it! 

Don’t: Keep your brush flat 
Do: Use a 45-degree angle when brushing 

Don’t: Use looooooooong strokes. No need to cover your whole mouth in one stroke! 
Do: Use short, side to side strokes 

Don’t: Brush with the force of a giant
Do: Gently cover all areas. A gentle touch helps prevent wear and tear on your enamel 

Don’t: Go one and done 
Do: Brush at least twice a day, especially after eating or drinking something acidic (like citrus or soda) 

Don’t: Be sentimental and use the same toothbrush for life 
Do: Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. A trick to remember: switch out on the first day of each season 

Don’t: Be average – the average person brushes their teeth for 45 seconds 
Do: Brush for a full 2 minutes. A helpful trick: say the alphabet while brushing a certain section, move to the next section after you hit Z 

Don’t: Keep your toothbrush in a closed container 
Do: All your toothbrush to air dry 

Don’t: Store your toothbrush on the sink counter where bathroom particles can get on it 
Do: Store your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet 

Don’t: Use a tough-bristled brush 
Do: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is much better for your tooth enamel 

And there we have it! Some easy practices to keep that perfect smile. Remember: Brushing is only 4 minutes out of the day, so why not make it great?  If you have questions about brushing, ask our friendly Dental Hygienists at your next check up.  Need to schedule?  Give us a call at 919.755.3450 or schedule online at www.jeffmorrisondds.com.