This Year, Make a New Year’s Resolution to Smile About!

Let’s face it- when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We at Pediatric Dental Partners believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Pediatric Dental Partners

Beware of those holiday goodies!

Maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of winter baking? With grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or homemade fudge, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, our friends at the American Dental Association recommend nuts or dried fruit, which are a nice alternative to sugars and have a greater nutritional value—and can satisfy your sweet tooth! Both nuts and fruit are a great source of fiber and act as an appetite suppressant. In addition, nuts are a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9, nutrients that contribute to a healthy immune system. Nuts are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked with reducing heart disease and lower blood pressure.

If you must indulge in chocolaty goodness this holiday season, remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary treats. As always, please give us a call if you have any questions!

Seasons Greetings from Pediatric Dental Partners!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Pediatric Dental Partners 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 2011? 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 here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Happy Holidays!

--The Pediatric Dental Partners family

Helpful tips to ease your fear of visiting the Dentist

Do you find yourself feeling increasingly nervous the closer you get to your next Dental appointment? Pediatric Dental Partners understands that many people feel this way and we would like to provide some tips to help you feel more comfortable on your next visit.

Understand that you are not alone
There are many people out there that are afraid of visiting the dentist for various reasons.

Identify your fears
Sit down and write down everything that makes you nervous about going to the dentist. Once you have them written down, scan your list and think about some ways you might be able to overcome them.

Discuss your fears with your Doctor
After making a list, bring it in or simply remember what you wrote down and talk about them you’re your doctor. Pediatric Dental Partners takes these issues very seriously and by discussing any reservations or concerns with you, we can work toward providing a more comfortable dental experience.

Avoiding dental treatment will only increase your fears
By avoiding dental treatment you run the risk of requiring more serious dental treatment. By regularly visiting the dentist, you will rest easier knowing that you are keeping your teeth healthy.

Drs. Daniel Crawford, Lauren Wallace, Shannon Backofen and Susan Chidlow hope that you find these tips useful. Feel free to call our office with and questions or concerns you might have.

Write a review for Pediatric Dental Partners!

From the moment you walk in the door of Pediatric Dental Partners, our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a friendly, fun and exciting atmosphere. Drs. Daniel Crawford, Lauren Wallace, Shannon Backofen and Susan Chidlow specialize in pediatric dentistry, dentistry for young children and adolescents and dental care for special needs children. We are passionate about developing and maintaining your child's smile!

Whether you and your family have been visiting our offices for weeks, months, or years, we’d love to hear your thoughts about how our practice is faring. You can write a review for our Shreveport office here or for our Bossier City office here. You can also tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,

The team at Pediatric Dental Partners