5 Delicious and Nutritious Snacks for Kids!

At the dental office of Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller, we know getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn’t always an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and other school- and social-related activities. At the school cafeteria, it's just too easy for kids to nosh on French fries, chicken nuggets and other fried foods and unhealthy snacks, so Dr. Kitzmiller and our team thought we’d pass along five delicious and nutritious snacks we know your child will love.

1. Cheese – Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheese stimulates the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

2. Blueberries - These tiny nutritional powerhouses are loaded with Vitamin C, as well as folic acid, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which have shown to help prevent cancer and diabetes. Kids love them sprinkled with a bit of sugar, topped with whipped cream, added to muffins and pancakes.

3. Whole wheat bread or cereal – With bread, kids get their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. With vitamins, calcium, and fiber, a bowl of enriched whole grain cereal with milk—and even fruit—is a power-packed snack or healthy start to the day.

4. Almonds - They’re rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and Vitamin E, and also have good amounts of fiber, iron, and calcium. Let your kids eat them raw. (Note: Whole nuts are a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.)

5. Yogurt - Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Low-fat yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, especially when whipped up in a parfait with berries and granola. Homemade fruity yogurt pop sure beats sugary store-bought frozen treats!

We encourage you to check out the other 15 healthy snacks your child can enjoy at any time of the day! For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please post your question here on our blog, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

What is Snoring?

When you breathe normally, air passes through the nose and past the flexible tissues in the back of the throat, including the soft palate, uvula, and tongue. Muscles hold your air passageway open when you're awake. During sleep, these muscles relax, and the lower jaw can move back slightly.

Snoring occurs when soft tissues of the upper airway collapse onto themselves and vibrate against each other as air attempts to move through them. This produces the sound we know as snoring. Large tonsils, a long soft palate, a large tongue, the uvula, and excess fat deposits in the throat contribute to airway narrowing and snoring. Usually, the more narrow the air passageway, the louder or more habitual the snoring.

Over 40% of adults experience snoring. While snoring may seem like a mere annoyance, it can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, relationship issues, and may be an indication of a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.

If you're tired of snoring and want to learn if you have a more serious condition, call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller.

Professional Teeth Whitening at the office of Dr. Kitzmiller!

A whiter smile is one just one dentist visit away! ZOOM! Smile Whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom! treatment we will send you home with an at-home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom! Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Find out more about Zoom! Smile Whitening at our web site; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile contact the office of Dr. Timothy J. Kitzmiller DDS for an evaluation!

Do you think you might suffer from Sleep Apnea? Take our Self Assessment Today!

If you think you or someone you know may suffer from sleep apnea, answer the following four screening questions and take the Epworth Sleepiness Test. If you answer yes to 2 or more of these screening questions and score a 10 or greater on the Epworth, please call the office of Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and talk to a member of our Dental Sleep Medicine Team regarding your score and a plan for your proper diagnosis and treatment options.

• Do you snore on most nights?
• Has anyone reported that you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep?
• Is your neck size large (men 17 inches/women 16 inches or greater)
• Have you had, or are you currently being treated for high blood pressure?

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Rate on a scale of 0 being no chance of dozing, and 3 being a high chance of dozing, then add up your total.

• Sitting and reading
• Watching TV
• Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. a theater or a meeting)
• As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
• Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
• Sitting and talking to someone
• Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
• In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

Call Dr. Kitzmiller today to discuss your symptoms and the steps involved in the accurate identification, diagnosis, and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.