What do you love about the holidays?

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Dr. Kitzmiller's office reflects on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Breaking bad habits

At the dental office of Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller, we know good dental health requires only a few minutes of your day. We thought we’d provide some practical advice on how to improve your or your child’s smile between your visits with Dr. Kitzmiller.

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. Proper brushing techniques are an essential part of maintaining good oral health, as well as preventing gum disease. Brushing daily helps remove decay-causing plaque from tooth surfaces. Please consult Dr. Kitzmiller if you would like us to review brushing techniques with you or your child. Flossing daily will also prevent plaque to build up between the teeth and prevent stains between your teeth. Research has shown the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss. Lastly, we encourage you to throw away old toothbrushes and replace them every 2 or 3 months, or after an illness.

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook!

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.

"How is biting my nails unhealthy for my teeth?"

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at the dental office of Dr. Timothy J. Kitzmiller DDS found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.

• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.

• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.

• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Kitzmiller or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Good luck!

What Do You LOVE About Summer?

Summer is here, and the team at the office of Dr. Kitzmiller thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Dr. Kitzmiller and team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!