Archive for category: Dental

By Nader Rastgoftar, DDS, Dental Director

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an opportunity to recognize the vital link between good oral health and overall well-being. It’s also a time to celebrate the dedicated dental hygienists who help keep our communities healthy and encourage us all to prioritize our dental care.

While many people associate oral hygiene with avoiding cavities and maintaining a bright smile, the impact of dental health reaches much further. Poor oral care can lead to periodontal (gum) disease, which is linked to systemic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. For pregnant individuals, gum disease has been associated with premature birth, low birth weight and, in rare cases, miscarriage. Often referred to as the “window to overall health,” the mouth can offer early signs of issues affecting the entire body. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine can help protect both oral and general health.

Throughout the month, we honor dental hygienists who deliver exceptional care and education to patients. Beyond routine cleanings, they provide preventive services such as sealants and fluoride treatments, conduct oral cancer screenings and offer personalized advice for at-home care. Most importantly, they teach proper brushing and flossing techniques and provide nutritional counseling related to oral health. Their guidance empowers patients to take charge of their dental health and aim for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Tips to Improve Your Oral Hygiene This Month:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes, floss daily and rinse with mouthwash.
• Visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months to catch problems early and prevent more serious issues.
• Replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months — or sooner if you’ve recently been sick.
• Talk to your family and friends about the importance of oral hygiene to help raise awareness.

By making a conscious effort to improve your dental care this October, you can build healthy habits that will benefit you for years to come.

By Christina Cook, RDH, ECP II, Dental Operations Manager and Dental Hygienist at Health Partnership Clinic

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month – the perfect time to emphasize the importance of dental care for kids. However, for many parents, ensuring their children maintain good oral hygiene is a challenge. Especially if the child suffers from dental anxiety. Dental fear is common in young children and results in a reluctance to brush their teeth or attend regular dental check-ups. If your child is one of the many who are anxious about visiting the dentist, there are several things you can do to make the experience more manageable and even enjoyable. Here are some helpful tips for parents of anxious pediatric patients to ensure that their child develops healthy dental habits while overcoming their fear.

1. Start Early

The earlier your child is introduced to dental care, the better! Begin brushing their teeth as soon as they have their first tooth, even if it’s just a gentle wipe with a soft cloth. Introducing dental hygiene as a regular part of their daily routine can help make it a normal and non-threatening activity. Avoid waiting until there’s a dental problem or a fear to address it. By creating a positive association with dental care from the beginning, you can help set the stage for a more comfortable experience when it’s time for their first dental visit.

2. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is key. Praise your child for their effort in brushing, flossing, and caring for their teeth. Use reward systems, such as stickers or small rewards, when they follow through with their dental habits to make this a fun routine. This helps children feel accomplished and motivated to take care of their oral health, which helps reduce their anxiety over time.

3. Play Pretend Dentist at Home

Children often develop fear of the dentist because they don’t understand what will happen during the visit. To reduce their fear, play pretend dentist at home. You can use a toothbrush, a doll or stuffed animal, and a disposable dental mirror to demonstrate what will happen during the actual appointment. Let your child be the “dentist” and practice brushing the teeth of a toy or let them pretend to be the patient in the dental chair.

4. Reading Books

Reading books about going to the dentist can also be a great way to help them understand the process. There are several children’s books available that are designed to reduce dental anxiety and make the experience more relatable and fun.

5. Be Honest, but Keep It Positive

It’s important to be honest with your child about what will happen during their dental visit but try to frame it in a way that is positive and reassuring. Avoid using negative or fear-inducing language like “hurt” or “pain.” Instead, focus on the positive aspects of dental care, such as keeping their teeth clean and healthy to avoid cavities or helping them maintain a bright, shiny smile.

You can also emphasize that dentists are friendly professionals who help keep their teeth strong and healthy. Let them know that many kids go to the dentist without feeling scared, and it’s a normal, good experience that everyone should have.

6. Offer Comfort and Reassurance

During the dental visit itself, it’s important for parents to remain calm and supportive. Your own anxiety may transfer to your child, so try to stay positive and offer comforting words. Reassure them that you’ll be right there with them and that everything will be okay. You can also bring a comfort item, such as their favorite toy, blanket, or even a stuffed animal, to the appointment to help them feel more secure.

7. Reward Their Bravery

After the dental visit, whether it was a success or just a step in the right direction, celebrate your child’s bravery. Praise them for being a “dental hero” and offer a reward, such as a sticker or a small treat. This positive reinforcement helps to create a more positive association with dental visits and encourages them to keep up with their oral care.

8. Gradually Increase Exposure

If your child is very anxious, you may need to take a gradual approach to ease them into dental visits. Start by simply visiting the dentist’s office for a short tour or even sitting in the waiting area. This helps your child get used to the environment without the pressure of a full appointment. Over time, you can build up to a check-up or cleaning, and eventually, they may feel more comfortable with the entire process.

Final Thoughts

As Oral Health Month reminds us, taking care of our children’s teeth is crucial for their overall well-being. For children who experience dental anxiety, being patient, empathetic, and proactive is key. By starting early, providing a calm, and supportive environment, you help your child overcome their fear of the dentist and ensure they develop healthy oral care habits for life. With these tips, you’ll not only ease their anxiety but also set them on a path to lifelong good oral health.

Health Partnership offers dental services at our Olathe clinic from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. To schedule an appointment or get more details, please call 913-648-2266 or visit hpcks.org/our-services/dental.

By: Krista Lancaster, RHD, BSDH, Dental Operations Manager and Dental Hygienist

During the holidays you may find yourself attending more parties, partaking in richer foods and/or sweets and drinking more alcohol than usual. This is not the time to neglect your oral health routine!

There are a few steps that you can take, such as eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water, coupled with brushing and flossing your teeth, to maintain good oral health throughout the year.

For tips to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright, watch our newst YouTube video!

By Nader Rastgoftar, DDS, Dental Director and General Dentist at Health Partnership Clinic

Cavities are one of the most common dental concerns that I see at Health Partnership Clinic. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers can end up with a cavity. June is National Oral Health Month, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of good oral hygiene, including education.

No matter what your age, it is vital to see a dentist regularly and get a thorough check up twice a year. When the dentist finds signs of tooth decay, it is important to treat it immediately so you can prevent pain, limit the damage and minimize unnecessary costs.

Examples of good oral hygiene habits are brushing your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, flossing and using mouth rinse daily. Additional steps that we can take to prevent tooth decay are limiting foods, drinks and snacks which contain high amount of sugar, avoiding tobacco products, understanding the process leading to tooth decay and the risks to our oral health.

Baby teeth start to form between 3-6 months of pregnancy. The food and dietary choices that we make not only can affect our oral health outcome, but it also affects our children’s teeth development.

What causes Cavities?

Bacteria, food particles and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque, which sticks to the teeth. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If it is not removed, the bacteria in the plaque converts sugar from foods (carbohydrates) to acid which damages the enamel of the teeth, causing cavities.

An untreated cavity can destroy the tooth pulp (nerve and blood supply of the tooth) and lead to a infected tooth (dental abscess). An untreated tooth with dental abscess can potentially result in tooth loss. I always recommend drinking water and eating healthy opposed to consuming carbohydrates which increase the risk of tooth decay. Sticky foods are more harmful than non-sticky foods because they remain on the teeth. In addition, frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.

How do you Prevent Cavities?

Here are some ways that can help prevent cavities:

• Minimize snacking, which creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth.
• Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks, carbonated drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints.
• Chewy, sticky foods (such as dried fruit or candy) are best if eaten as part of a meal rather than as a snack.
• Brush at least twice a day for two minutes, after eating.
  • Use American Dental Association (ADA) accepted fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months or whenever the bristles show sign of wear.
• Floss at least once a day. After each meal is best!
• Schedule regular dental cleanings every six months.

How do you Treat Cavities?

Prompt treatment of cavities is important in preventing further damage to your tooth or an infection. A dental examination can identify cavities, and an X-ray may help to determine the extent of the cavity between the teeth.

In the case of toothache due to large cavities, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may make you more comfortable until the cavities are treated by your dentist.

Dentists remove the decay from tooth using small burs, and restore it with material such as silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Today, most dentists use porcelain or composite resin—which is like the color tooth.

Severe cavities may require extensive dental work, including root canal therapy, crown or tooth extraction.

Your Oral Health

Oral health can have an impact on your overall wellbeing so this June consider the preventative steps you can take to make sure your mouth and the rest of your body are healthy throughout the year.

Health Partnership provides comprehensive dental services in Olathe and Ottawa, Kan. to children and limited adults who are established patients. Services include dental exams, cleanings, fluoride varnish applications, fillings, extractions, etc. There are limited emergency dental appointments at our Olathe location.

In addition, we offer school-based portal care services. We currently visit 21 Title One Schools in Shawnee Mission and Olathe School Districts and provide dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications. In addition, we visit with children attending Growing Futures Early Education Center in Overland Park, Kan. and provide dental exams and x-rays, cleanings, fluoride varnish applications and dental hygiene education.

To schedule a dental appointment, call 913-648-2266 today. To learn more about our other services, visit us at hpcks.org.