How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay?

Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a natural element. Using small amounts of fluoride on a regular basis can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride inhibits loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities). Fluoride also affects bacteria that cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that break down the tooth. Risk for decay is reduced even more when fluoride is combined with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene. Using fluoride for the prevention and control of decay has been proven over the past 70 years to be both safe and effective.
Fluoride can be found in any toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval, as well as in drinking water across the United States. To ensure you’re getting the appropriate amount of fluoride, having a professionally applied fluoride treatment during your next checkup is possible if you are concerned you are not getting adequate amounts at home.

March is National Nutrition Month!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.
Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in Milford.

• Make each and every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.
• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!
Link: http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

My teeth feel fine. Do I still need to see a dentist?

Simply put, yes! Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is essential to keeping your smile in tip-top shape. At our office, we offer a number of preventive services to ensure the health of your mouth and the beauty of your teeth. We’d like to think that your smile is just as important to us as it is to you!
Another good reason to visit us every six months is to check for “hidden” problems you may not even realize you have. Tiny cavities can form in the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and may only be found through a professional exam. If left untreated, these cavities can get worse, needing more extensive treatment, and costing you even more time and money. During your routine exam, your hygienist will also check to make sure your fillings or other dental restorations are in good shape.
If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!

President’s Day Fun Facts!

Monday was Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Valentine’s Day and your teeth, from Dr. Kitzmiller's office

With Valentine’s Day almost here, and all that candy making its rounds this week, it’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces if you’re wearing them! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

We recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, as well as at the gum line.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Dr. Kitzmiller's office!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Timothy Kitzmillerand thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Dr. Kitzmiller's office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Ask Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Dr. Kitzmiller's office will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Milford office, please give us a call!

Do we have your current contact info?

As you probably know, you can always connect with Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our team on our Facebook page, but we also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you. Thank you!
- The team at Dr. Kitzmiller's office

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!

Share your winter break plans with us!

Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our team at Timothy Kitzmiller, DDS want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month!

At Timothy Kitzmiller, DDS, our team knows the way you care for your teeth at home doesn’t just affect your oral health – it can impact your overall health as well. In recent years, researchers have found clear links between the mouth and other parts of the body, and the evidence is especially impactful for people with diabetes.

November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, and a great time to learn about how keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, too. If you are one of the nearly 26 million Americans currently living with diabetes, there is some good news: you can protect your gums and teeth from the effects of diabetes by visiting our Milford dental office for regular check-ups and cleanings. Most people should have at least two dental appointments per year, but those folks living with diabetes may require additional visits to make sure their dental health remains in top shape. Many insurance plans provide expanded benefits for diabetic patients. Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our experts can tell you how often you need to come in for your dental visits.
For more information on how we can help, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Are you wearing your mouthguard?

With fall sports close to wrapping up and winter sports right around the corner, many patients here at the office of Timothy Kitzmiller, DDS will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and our team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this fall and winter,

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Dr. Kitzmiller and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook.
Stay safe!

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!

What puts you at ease at the office of Dr. Kitzmiller?

Dr. Kitzmiller and team understand not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit.

We’d like to know:

What is it about the dental practice of Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Kitzmiller?

Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call!