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Recently, I returned from the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis in San Antonio where I had the pleasure of presenting to a multidisciplinary group. Most folks have one of several possible responses to clinical hypnosis – disbelief, skepticism, bemusement (as in they had an experience in Vegas or a frat party) or curiosity. Most are unaware of its full potential and scope of applications across many fields.

Hypnosis or more correctly self-hypnosis (as clinicians consider all hypnosis to be self-hypnosis) is a life skill that can make the vicissitudes of daily life manageable. There are uses in medicine, dentistry, mental health, human potentials development, education and entertainment.  The applications for daily living, once mastered, are limited only by one’s imagination.

So what is hypnosis?

Dr. Peter Sacco defines it as,” tunnel vision for greater awareness”. My view is that it is a shift in mind set from the usual allowing change to take place. Other more complicated definitions exist, but there is not enough space to discuss them.  Hypnosis is a natural process that we experience several times a day  whether we are aware of it or not. Being aware and consciously using it opens up a world of possibilities. When all is said, hypnosis is the ultimate in self-control!

This link connects to a video of Dr. Elisabeth Marie Faymonville, an anesthetist, who has pioneered hypnosedation, which is a combination of hypnosis and local anesthetics for surgery. The results speak for themselves. Easy to use, less complications, faster recovery and cost effective to use which are all concerns in today’s health care environments regardless of where you are in the world.

I’m interested, how do I learn?

Many health care practitioners offer hypnosis as part of their care. Generally an organic web search with local search parameters will generate a list for you to investigate. If you are unsuccessful, look for clinical associations e.g. the Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis –Ontario Division, or the American Association of Clinical Hypnosis. They have lists of clinicians that are taking patients or clients and the services they offer.

If this does not result in finding an appropriate clinician, then ask your health care providers. You may have noted that I emphasize clinicians and health care providers for a simple reason- if one does not treat something without hypnosis, one should not treat it with hypnosis.

Should you still not be successful with your search, see our web site for information. We also offer an affordable stress management program utilizing self-hypnosis for bruxers, that is, grinders and clenchers because stress has a negative impact on our overall health including gum disease.

Self –hypnosis a life skill worth learning!

It should be no surprise that February is Pet Dental Health Month. After all, it has the Groundhog prognosticating about seasons and climate.

Groundhogs hibernate and likely have morning breath when they stick their heads out of their dens looking for shadows and such.

Does your pet’s breathe smell badly? Is your pet chewing slowly; do you see blood on their toys, or maybe they have lost some teeth? They could be symptoms of serious dental and general health problems. Remember that pets are prone to the same diseases we are – so like us, diseases in the mouth cause or make diseases of the body worse.

Good dental hygiene at home and preventative dental care at your vet can help keep your pet healthy, and save you money in the long run.

Some thoughts:

Brush your pet’s teeth

Ok. If you find flossing your own teeth a challenge, this may be akin to bronco busting at the rodeo, especially with a cat. But with patience, practice and some treats, it could become a bonding experience with your pet. Ask your vet how to do this.

Dental toys, treats and food

Dental toys, treats and food may not be effective as tooth brushing, but it will help in maintaining your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Regular Veterinarian visits

Just as you should be having regular dental visits, your pet needs scheduled dental cleaning at your vet’s office. Keeping regular veterinary appointments will ensure your pet’s health.

Dental health for your pets, like you and your family, should be a daily ritual.

Remember Oral Wellness, Whole Health!

Season’s Greetings! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidaaaays…

What if it isn’t Happy or Merry?  What if this is one of the most stressful, if not the most stressful period of the year?

If you are feeling anxious, lonely or overwhelmed; you have mental health concerns or are grieving, what do you do at this time of year?  Here are some suggestions to help get you through. If you are having serious difficulty coping, please seek professional care or at least talk to a trusted confident.

 Get enough sleep: Make an effort to keep to a sleep routine. Rest is important to counter stress.

Exercise: Exercise outside, where the sunlight will help improve your mood and focus. Physical activity is a significant counter balance to the stress hormones and chemicals in our bodies.

Make time for yourself:  Holiday vacations could be a huge hassle. Figure out ways to have fun and enjoy your holidays by doing things that are significant and meaningful to you.

Holidays are supposed to be a time of peace, love and joy. Figure out what YOU need to do to keep holiday spirit rather than be a casualty of it.

If you still feel anxious and depressed, here are some links that you can visit for helpful information:

https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/SleepHygiene.pdf

https://www.stjoes.ca/health-services/mental-health-addiction-services/mental-health-services/anxiety-treatment-and-research-clinic-atrc

https://www.hamiltondoctors.ca/anxiety-disorders/

https://www.hamiltonfht.ca/en/managing-my-health/Anxiety.aspx

We wish you and yours the Best of the Season, Happy Holidays and a Joyous Prosperous New Year!

Halloween is all about tricks and treats. The trick for parents is how to keep their kids healthy and safe. Considerations should include the type of costume, treat collecting route, and of course the weather. For kids Halloween means bags of free goodies. For parents it present challenges when it comes to the collected hoard of treats. Do I give them a little at the time, or do I let them indulge until they make themselves feel sick? That choice is yours to make, but it is important to have a plan.

Since we see the ravages of sweets, here are a few tips to consider so that the treats have less of an impact on your kids’ teeth:
Let the kids have their treats with meals or shortly after mealtime. This
allows saliva to wash away some of the harmful acids produced by treat fed
bacteria. Saliva changes at mealtime to provide a buffering effect against
acids which cause decay.

Choose the type of treat carefully. Avoid hard candy and suckers that stay
in the mouth a long time. Sticky candies like gummy bears and toffee get
stuck in the teeth and take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing
the risk of tooth decay. Sour candies are acidic. The acid causes erosion,
thinning the enamel of the teeth; this also makes them more prone to decay
and sensitivity.

Drink more water.

Help your children with brushing twice a day and flossing if they can’t do
this by themselves. If it is impossible to brush and floss after sweets,
chew a piece of sugar – free gum to stimulate saliva flow and neutralize the
acid produced by bacteria.

You and your child can come up with a plan on the number of treats they keep
and what to do with the rest.

For those of you giving out treats, you may want to consider healthier
alternatives. How about dollar store stickers or pencils? Another option
that is better than sticky candy is chips or pretzels or Doritos. Do check
the labels to avoid the worry of nut allergies!

If teeth should suffer, see your dentist don’t wait for their regular 6
monthly dental visit.

Happy Trick or Treating! 

Summer is almost over; the new school year is creeping ever closer. That means back-to-school shopping, appointments and scheduling your kid’s activities – Mom, did you remember signing up as a taxi driver? Dental checkups should be one of the appointments.

The number one health problem that keeps children from attending school is dental disease. In order to prevent dental issues that could contribute to missing school to see their dentist, ensure that your child has regular dental checkups. This is the key to catch bigger problems down the road. Their growth and development can be monitored, as well as age appropriate preventive measures such as fissure sealants can be initiated. Developing orthodontic concerns can also be addressed early – possibly saving a few dollars in the long run.

Will your child be participating in sports that require a mouthguard? Off the shelf boil and bite are ok in a pinch, but custom made athletic mouthguards are superior. It takes about a week to make one so book early. You wouldn’t want to miss a practice.

Now is the best time to visit dentist while there is no school to miss.
Ensure your child’s teeth sparkle on their first day back to school.
Schedule appointment for your child’s back-to-school checkup call
(905) 667 – 8707 or
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Oral wellness, whole health!