Jacob J. Ridl, DDS

School is back in session and things once again are getting busy with homework, sports, and other activities.  You may think that packing your child’s lunch sounds easy, but making sure your child gets a healthy school lunch and snacks to help maintain good oral health and keep them energized throughout the day takes a little preparation.

Your child’s lunch and snacks should contain a variety of foods from the five food groups.  All these foods help produce saliva to wash food particles from teeth, provide vitamins, and calcium for strong teeth.  Some foods to incorporate into their lunch are vegetables/ fruits, grains, dairy and protein.  Also pack a bottle of water instead of fruit juice or pop.  Fruit juice and pop are high in sugar which can lead to tooth decay.

Here are some healthy lunch and snack ideas to pack for your child:

–  Fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, and assorted melons

–  Vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and cucumbers with a side of ranch dressing or hummus.

–  Cheese or yogurt.  Cut cheese into fun shapes with some while wheat crackers.

–  A sandwich with whole grain bread.

–  Left over noodle dishes or pizza which can be eaten cold.

Some foods should be avoided or limited because they can stick to your child’s teeth.  Saliva is then unable to wash the sugar away which can lead to tooth decay.  Try giving these snacks to your kids once a week or on a special occasion.  Some foods to avoid are:

–  Granola bars

–  Raisins

–  Cookies/ Pies

– Candy

With our lives busy and full of activities we cannot monitor our kids all the time to make sure they are eating healthy foods to promote good oral health and that they are brushing after their meal.  Remember to pack a small toothbrush and toothpaste in their lunch box for brushing.  If they are unable to brush have your child rinse their mouth out with water.  Also remember to schedule your child for their routine dental visits.  To schedule your child’s visit give us a call at 509-235-6241 or email us at [email protected].

Play it safe this fall with a sports mouth guard for your child.

The school year is upon us once again and before we know it your child’s sports activities will be in full swing. Now is the time to start thinking about protecting your child’s teeth. A custom made mouth guard is a very good investment. Not only are teenagers in Jr. High and High School sports in need of sports mouth guards but also our little tikes that are in sports.
Most often we think of kids in football and contact sports in need of mouth guards, but kids playing many other sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, skiing and snowboarding should also be wearing mouth protection.
Why wear a mouth guard? Imagine you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth caused by a hit to your face in a sport. Everything such as smiling, eating and talking would be affected. Not only that but the bruising and soreness that would result. The loss and replacement of these teeth could be quite expensive.

A mouth guard is a protective device usually worn over the upper teeth to help protect and prevent injury to your teeth and gums. They help cushion a blow to your face reducing the risk of broken teeth as well as injuries to your lips and tongue. The best type of mouth guard is a custom one made by us at our office.

We would love to get your child ready for the sports season. We can fit your child with a custom mouth guard or answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at Dr. Jacob Ridl, DDS Phone Number 509-235-6241 or email us at [email protected].

National Fresh Breath Day was created to value the importance of oral hygiene. Millions of people suffer from bad breath which in a lot of cases originates form your gums and tongue. Although bad breath can be pretty embarrassing. There are many ways to fight it and keep your mouth healthy. Here are 10 tips to keep your breath smelling fresh.

1. Brush your teeth twice a day − It is very important to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day especially before you go to bed. This will remove plaque and food debris.
2. Brush or scrape your tongue − Use your toothbrush to brush your tongue or invest in a tongue scraper. This will remove any bacteria build up in the folds of your tongue or between taste buds.
3. Floss daily − By flossing daily you will remove food debris and plaque that a toothbrush can’t reach. Also removing the bacteria that can cause bad breath.
4. Use a mouth rinse − If you don’t have time to brush your teeth, swish for about 30 seconds with a mouth was to remove bacteria and freshen breath.
5. Visit your dentist regularly.
   Visit your dentist on a regular basis to make sure you are maintaining good oral health. If bad breath seems to be a continuous problem be sure to discuss this with your dentist to rule out any other dental problems.
6. Drink water − To avoid dry mouth be sure you are drinking enough water. Drinking water will rinse away bacteria and food particles which is a main cause of bad breath.
7. Snack on a carrot stick, celery or an apple − An empty stomach from skipping meals can sometimes cause bad breath from acid build up in the stomach. Snacks of fresh fruits or crispy vegetables are a great way to alleviate your hunger. They also speed up your saliva flow between meals. This will help wash away bacteria from your tongue and teeth.
8. Parsley − Parsley, the green garnish on your lunch or dinner plate contains chlorophyll which is a known breath deodorizer. Pick up this breath saver on your plate and chew it thoroughly.
9. Sugarless gum or Candy − Try chewing on sugarless gum or candy to help eliminate dry mouth. This also encourages saliva flow washing away bacteria and food debris that could be lingering in your mouth.
10. Quit smoking − Smoking is a major cause of bad breath that can linger even after you brush your teeth. Not only that but it also tends to dry out your mouth reducing saliva flow.

Do you and your family have big summer plans this year? Where ever you may be going it can be a challenge to keep your teeth healthy while traveling. Here are 6 tips from our dental teem to keep your smile bright.

1. Prep your carry-on: After a long flight no one’s mouth feels very fresh. Now you can plan ahead to fight airlinebreath. Pack travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash along with floss, gum and mints. And always remember to drink plenty of water.
2. Pack healthy snacks: Pack portable easy healthy snacks. These include things like string cheese, baby carrots, sliced apples, and bottled water.
3. Take brushing breaks: Whether you are sight-seeing, taking a road trip or camping, when you stop for a bathroom break take a minute to brush your teeth as well.
4. Thoroughly clean your teeth at the end of each day: Make your evening brushing and flossing count if you were unable to keep your normal healthy habits during the day.
5. Avoid a dental emergency: Take precautions while traveling. Avoid chewing on ice or hard candy and don’t open packages with your teeth.
6. Schedule a routine dental cleaning: A great way to start out your summer traveling is to have a clean and healthy mouth. To schedule your appointment before traveling give us a call at Dr. Jacob Ridl, DDS Phone Number 509-235-6241 or email us at [email protected]

By planning ahead you can keep a healthy smile this summer while traveling and we look forward to hearing about your vacation at your next visit.

With 4th of July just around the corner be sure to stock up on these festive red, white, and blue foods that are good for your oral health. Red peppers, fresh cherries, string cheese, yogurt, and blueberries.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth after you eat to remove food particles and plaque to have a dazzling smile this 4th of July!!!