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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!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and that means it’s time to find the perfect gift to show mom how much we care. Unfortunately, this task is no easy feat and we often end up resorting to the time-honored homemade cards or chore booklets. While most moms will appreciate any gift and enjoy the thought behind it, we need to challenge ourselves to find the perfect gift for mom this year. After all, she has been there to wipe our tears, offer band aids when needed, give hugs on days we were down, taught us to tie or shoes, made sure we had food and clean clothes, and the list goes on and on. So, it’s no secret that our moms deserve to be spoiled every now and then- even if it is only one day a year.

So let’s take a moment to think about how we can make mom feel special, let’s put her on the top of the list today and treat her to something she may not do for herself. Maybe we can give her a gift that she deserves, that is, time for her only! Why not buy her a gift certificate for a massage and spa experience; take her out for dinner so that she doesn’t have to cook, or you can set up an appointment for teeth whitening to make her smile brighter.

Here’s to all of the moms out there. May we humbly say that you’re simply the BEST MOM EVER! Thank you all for everything you do every day.